Heart Attack

No, it wasn't our house that was heart attacked... And it wasn't our door. It was our Noelle.

Melanie just told to play nice with her sister. I guess she took it seriously when I told her that she need to show Noelle that she loved her. Noelle is definitely loved.

(The hearts were from Valentines Day. I heart attacked our house, and after the holiday was over, I moved all the hearts to Melanie's room. Her room *was* covered in hearts... now Noelle is).

A Little Fairytale Princess in All of Us!

After spending several afternoons "reading" all the books in the collection...

My girls decided it was time to become Fairytale princesses...

I mean, they had done all the research... why not? right?

Versitile Me!

Ms. Jen gave me an award... I have to say, I'm excited for getting an award, even if it requires work on my part... ha ha! I'm wondering if it comes with a prize (I'm a big fan of chocolate chip cookies... just joking Jen).

And the 10 questions are:
1. Why did you create your blog?

I started my family blog when Melanie was born as a way to share special momments with friends and family. I continue to blog on it for that same reason, but also for journaling proposes.

I started my running blog because... well, doesn't everyone have one? But really, it's because it helps me with accountability. I had started slacking on it, but recently found enjoyment in blogging my runs again.

I started my recipe blog as a place for people in my ward to share recipes; however, I seem to be the only one that puts anything on there, so I call it mine. Most of the recipes ARE mine, and I enjoy sharing them.

I started the clever cupcake blog to advertise cupcake classes... and I've been slacking on that too.

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?
Most of the blogs I follow are friends; however, I do follow a few recipe blogs, sharing time prep blogs, and DIY home improvement blogs. I also love to see craft ideas for kiddos, so I surf for those too.

3. Favorite brand of make-up?
I have to laugh at this question, because it feels like a marketing question... and the answer (drumroll please)... I don't wear make up. Nope... not one bit. Though, occasionally I do, but I can count those times on my fingers and toes.

4. Favorite brand of clothing?
I don't wear clothes. Totally joking, couldn't help myself. I don't really follow clothing brands. I wear whatever fits right and makes me feel good. Typically jeans and a t-shirt, however, I do like wearing office clothes. :o)

5. Indispensable make-up product?

N/A

6. Favorite color?
I really like green. But I also really love all Autumn colors. Deep reds, golds, browns, oranges. They all make me feel at happy. :o)

7. Favorite perfume?
Wow. No wonder I always feel like I'm a mess around everyone. I don't wear make up... I don't know how to do my hair all cute (I know that wasn't a question, but maybe it should have been, ha ha). And I don't wear perfume. I like smelling clean though, do I get points for that?

8. Favorite movie?
I love Enchantment. So cute! I also really like Leap Year. (and pretty much all feel good, clean and sappy chick flicks)

9. What country would you like to visit and why?
There are a lot of countries I would LOVE to visit. Pretty much all of Europe (Italy, Greece, London, Ireland, etc). I'd like to go to all of them, but if I ever get the opportunity, I'll start with the English speaking countries... because I can't learn languages very easily.

10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face?

Well... that's random... I suppose it would look more normal if you just forgot to put blush on one side, because then you could play it off that you had bonked your cheek or something. Who knows.

Here are the rules:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award
2. Answer 10 questions
3. Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy
4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award

The 7 blogs I'm passing this on to in "ABC" order:

-Amy

-Anna

-Cassie

-Hannah

-Kami

-Liz

And I want to give a special recongition to Kari, who is the most amazing woman and best mother I know.

There are so many people that inspire me to be the best I can, and these are but a few. Thank you Ladies.

Thanks again, Jen, for my award.

And Then She Said...

Melanie: "You are making me mad again". She just didn't understand why she was going to time out (for the second time in a row) for stripping her sisters clothing off. Of course Noelle HAS to be naked while they are playing doctor. Why doesn't mom get that?

Me: "Melanie, you are in trouble because you made a bad decision."
Melanie: "No Mom, you made the bad decision getting me in trouble."

Upon arriving home the other day, I found out that there is no possible way for me to get in my front door (not even from the inside). I jumped the fence and got in the back door, went back for the girls, and then for the groceries (leaving Noelle in her carseat). When I got all the groceries and came in, Noelle was crying. Melanie says "She is getting frustrated with you mom".

Me: "You guys are such good sisters"
Melanie: "We are good, but we still are silly". Good thing she knows.

At the library, Melanie picks out a disney princess book that was in Spanish. Melanie: "I want to get this book." Me: "Honey, that's in Spanish, mommy doesn't know how to read Spanish." Melanie: "But I can read Spanish mommy." Then she argued her point all the way home.

Melanie: "I'm growing up mom, see, I'm growing up." Me: "Don't grow up Melanie, I want you to be little forever." Melanie (looking so sad): "No, I want to grow up and be a mom. Then I can read books and cook stuff all day."

Last Monday, Melanie woke up way before the sun and came into my bed to tell me she was hungry. So... I got up, and made breakfast. When breakfast was ready, I told Melanie and Noelle to get up in their seats. Melanie ran into the room, very upset. "Mom, I want to play, it's not breakfast time yet". I say it is, to which she replies (with her hand out at me) "Mom, Stop DOING this to me".

We were headed out the door for school, and I had to get one more thing. Melanie yells "Mom, chop chop!". Good grief.

One morning I made pancakes. Mom: Melanie, how are your pancakes? Melanie: Umm... they aren't too bad. (And all I would say was "wow". In my defense, she ate 3)

Playing Alphabet Gold Fish with Melanie. Melanie: "Mommy, do you have a letter "x" for 'x'-cellent-tay." Later that day, she decided to be creative with all the letters. Melanie: "I just got a G for G-tellent-tay"

Hair Bow or Neck Tie?

Melanie got down all her hair bows... and Noelle put them to good use.

So, the question: Are they hair bows? or Neck Ties?

I counted 16 when I took them off of her. :o)

A Day for Love

Monday was Valentine's Day. And we did a lot of fun things to celebrate...

Melanie and Noelle woke up to a heart attacked house, inside and out. She came into my room and said "Mom, are the hearts are here, it's Valentine's Day". :o) And she was right!

Melanie had a fun Valentine's Day party at school, while Noelle and I heart attacked a few houses in the ward and also the bed room to a single friend who was discouraged that it was Valentine's Day. When we picked up Melanie, she gave me this beautiful Valentine. I decided to hang it up just like all the other hearts.

After nap, we headed to the "airplane park" for a Valentine's Day Cookie Party! The kids played, decorated cookies, and ate. I think it was a lot of fun.

Noelle really enjoys her independence at the park.

When we got home from the park, we were surprised by a special dinner prepared by Dad! He is a wonderful cook, and I was definitely spoiled. :o)

Then we had a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa Smithson. They stopped by to give us some Valentine Donuts. (complete with some cute hats!)

The girls gave dad some Valentines and then opened their own.

(Both of them got a book)

Finally, we headed over to the Fairchild's house. Jeff had received his mission call and we were honored to join their family as he opened the call. He will be serving in the Charlotte, North Carolina Mission. Brandon served in the Raleigh, North Carolina Mission, so that's kinda neat. We are excited for him and his family.

Once home, the kids went to bed, and the adults ate some yummy dessert and then followed suite. It was definitely a day to love.

More Marathon Pictures

Okay, Here are a few more pictures. If you want to see all the other pictures or read the race report, you can do so here

This is a picture of Me and Bethany with our littlest ones prior to the race. Noelle and Gavin are about 2 weeks apart.

This is a picture of me right after mile marker 26. I ran up this hill to where Bethany was standing, took a right, and then sprinted to the finish.
And this is a picture of me and Melanie with one of the signs the girls (and Brandon) made to cheer me on.

26.2: Sedona Marathon

I have officially crossed from being a long distance runner to being a marathon runner, and it feels GREAT!
Friday afternoon, our family packed up and headed to Sedona, Arizona. We picked up the race packet and then headed to Cottonwood, Arizona (were rooms are much more reasonable). Melanie was super excited to go on a trip and stay in a hotel. Or, in her words, a hoTEL (silly girl). We ate a really yummy, carb-filled pasta dinner at a local restaurant and then headed back to the hoTEL. After putting Noelle to bed, and tucking Melanie in with a movie, Brandon and I spent about an hour putting my name on the back of my running shirt (stupid hotel iron didn't want to work). I had decided last minute that I wanted to do this in the case that someone was cheering on the runners. I knew hearing "Go Camille" would get me going.
Saturday morning, we got up before the sun, ate a yummy hotel breakfast, and headed back to Sedona! I got there just in time to cut in the front of the port-a-potty line, and meet up with Bethany (my running friend that was also running the marathon). We got into the starting coral just minutes before the race began. Then it was time, and we were off. Bethany and I ran together for the first 6 miles, and then I put on my music and let her loose. She is an animal and was ready to take on the course at a much faster speed.
Here is the course:

The course was 60% pavement, 40% dirt road, which pretty much amounted to this: Miles 1-about 8 were all on the pavement, then from about 8-18 it was all dirt road, and then we were back in action on the pavement at about mile 18. I have never been so happy to see pavement before.

Being Sedona, there were only a few hills:

That elevation chart doesn't show the steep climb up to the turnaround point for the marathoners. It was steep, and it was then that my left knee decided to scream. Up until then, I hadn't walk except at the water stations. I know it had to do with the dirt road and all the big rocks. I was still happy though. I really enjoyed miles 9-16 because I liked passing the other marathon runners that were going in the other direction. I love saying "good job" to each of them and hearing it in return. Runners are truly the nicest athletes out there. Seriously! Miles 16-18 were the hardest for me. My knee was hurting, I didn't have anyone really around me (there were only a few hundred runners in the entire course, I could see maybe 2 people), and I was still on that dirt road. I was super excited when at the water station at about mile 18, when I was feeling the lowest, a volunteer yelled out "Way to go Camille, you are awesome!". Seriously, that was such an amazing turning point for me... Once I hit the pavement, my spirits were really up again.

They didn't allow onlookers along the portion that was dirt, so it wasn't until about mile 19 that I started seeing the best support/cheer team ever! They showed up about every other mile with posters and smiles. I love my family! I was also blessed to have another random cheerleader. There was a man on a bike that was aiding two runners. One of them must have been in front of me, and the other was behind me. He rode back and forth between them and EVERYTIME he passed me, he yelled something like "Go Camille", "You are Awesome", or "You are rocking this Camille, you can do this". He was much appreciated!

The following picture was taken about mile 20/21

At mile 22 I was still holding strong and happy as a clam (seriously, I was so excited and happy... I don't know how many aid station volunteers commented to me that they were surprised to see someone that had gone X amount of miles still smiling, but I was. )

I SPRINTED to the finish. Yep, some how I still had the energy. Brandon didn't get pictures of me crossing the finish because they just barely got there in time. Apparently he was also running to the finish line when he heard the announcer say "Here comes number 798 making a sprinting finish. Somehow she still saved enough energy to make a strong finish". He said he didn't have to look, he knew it was me and though "oh great, I didn't get the picture". ha ha! But Bethany took pictures, so hopefully I'll get those posted soon. I didn't look at the clock as I ran past, so I had to wait for the website to post the times. I finished it in 5 hours 21 minutes 58 seconds!

Here I am with the best cheerleaders ever.
Me and my runner partner in crime, Bethany. Bethany did amazing too. I convinced her to do this marathon with me, and I think she was probably cursing me after running all those hills. Hopefully she will forgive me. :o)
And here I am with the best husband in the world. He is awesome, and I'm so spoiled. I couldn't have done this without him.
Did I mention, I ran a MARATHON!?!

"Snow Days"

It may not have been a real snow day, but there were a few days last week that were so cold that mom declared it a snow day at the Smithson house. Now what to do on a snow day???

We started by building a tent!

The tent was a huge hit! And of course, we had to have a picnic in our tent, so we got out all Melanie's food toys and went to town.

Then the girls decided some good 'ole fashion jumping on the bed was a necessary fun for the snow day. I caught them in the action. (and then gave them strict guidelines, I know, no fun, right?)

Once daddy got home, it was Puzzle Time! Melanie is the puzzle master, so she helped daddy and I put together the 100 piece solar system puzzle. Noelle played the adversary and had the role of taking it apart as fast as we were making it. It made for an extra challenge.

It was a fun couple of snow days, but I have to admit, I'm happy that it was warm enough to play outside today. :o)

A Tuesday Afternoon

A good friend of mine posted the question "what does your Tuesday morning look like" on her blog. Well... Tuesday morning went too fast... but I really enjoyed Tuesday afternoon.

We spent a lot of time in the backyard. Noelle loves the backyard. She can play out back for hours. You will typically see her holding a flag or a ball, sometimes even both.

I did a lot of thinking out back today. I'm so happy that I live somewhere where I can still have a garden in the winter. Right now there are people shoveling snow to get there cars out to go to work while their kids are stuck at home because it's a snow day, and here I am playing out back with my kids and admiring my garden. I am certainly looking forward to eating this broccoli (which I planted as a seed. I still am fascinated about how that works).
I have more bell peppers than I know what to do with. I have started cutting them into strips and freezing them if I don't have something planned for them right away.

My favorite thing to do with the girls during our out door play time is to pick a carrot as a snack. We all go out to the garden and choose one. I think we choose a good one today.

Yesterday it rained. I asked Melanie if she knew what the rain would bring. She said "Spring". Well, I think she was right. I found flowers in my tree today. I think spring is on it's way.

We pretended to be bugs today. I was a Lady Bug, Melanie was a butterfly, and Noelle was a bumble bee. It was a lot of fun. We decided we should make some bugs for the garden.

Here is one of the two lady bugs we made. I think they are cute!

So, it might not look too exciting, but my Tuesday afternoon was definitely fun. What did yours look like?