New (to us) car

Today we took a drive to Tucson to buy Nathan a car. He got just the car he wanted. An Acura Integra (2000). I think it's too loud, but he likes it, it's his car, and we got a good deal, so I guess I'm happy. But, I hate Tucson! I got lost for like a half hour! I lived in New York for 3 months and NEVER got lost. I was in Tucson for 2 hours and got lost for 30 minutes! Whoever designed that city never heard of a grid!

Triathlon... I did it!!!

I completed my first triathlon yesterday! It was a harder than I expected. I had a burst of energy at the beginning, and felt like I did very well with the swimming and biking, but my legs where so numb by the time I ran than I think I would have been better off walking! It was so fun, though, and I hope to do another one soon!!!

Before the start, we were tagged up with our numbers.
Then we went into the aquatic center to swim. After we swam, we had to run outside, barefoot, to our bikes to get dressed, if you chose to dress. I did.


The biking was hard, but I feel like I did the best there. There were a lot of hills that made it challenging, but luckily a was able to push up them.

Once again, I had to change. But just into tennis shoes. Although I was so tired by now that I moved very slowly.

The running was the hardest. I finally made it to the finish line. It felt sooooo good to finish! I couldn't say the same for my hair! Talk about scary!

Julia took it all very well. I think she just liked being outside the whole time. Nathan said she would get really excited whenever I would go past. Maybe she's a future triathlete! (Hopefully better than her mother!)

Thanks so much to all those of you who supported me! Especially my wonderful husband, Nathan! I love you all!!!

Finishing the House

Nathan stepped in some wood glue. That is why he is missing a sock. Dork.
For those of you who don't know, Nathan, Julia and I are moving in with my parents next week. We were supposed to move into a rental home by his school, but we had some problems with the renters and are no longer doing so. Instead of renting another place, we decided to move back to Chandler. Nathan is done with "school" and will be gone on rotations anyway, so why waste money on another rental. We were invited to move in with my parents, and after prayer and careful consideration, decided it was our best option. Nathan will be at a hospital in Tuscan all of October and in Shiprock, New Mexico November and December, so at least Julia and I will not be alone for these three months. I will miss all of the wonderful friends we made in Glendale, but I am so excited to see more of my family and old friends :)

Also, for those of you who don't know, my parents had not quite finished their addition. Now that we are moving in, they have kicked it into high gear. In the picture, Nathan and my Dad are installing the wood floor in the room intended for my brothers. (I am currently trying to talk my Mom into letting us have that room, seeing as it is 560 square feet.) There is still much to be done, but nothing that can't be accomplished in the next month or so.

Any of you married couples out there that have had to move back in with your parents feel free to share any advice. Wish us luck!

Baby Shower

This was taken at my friend Michelle's baby shower last Saurday. I wanted to put it up so that all our friends that couldn't make it could see how good she looks! Now, I for one am jealous. I gained over 50 pounds in my pregnancy, and this lucky thing has only gained 33! Well, she probably eats a lot better than I did, too :) Also, in the picture, my friend Megan is pregnant. She looks awesome, too. I'm so happy my friends are finally having babies!!

Fun times with Aunt Kara!

Today we met up with one of my best friends, Kara, at Scottsdale Mall to hang out. It was so good to see her. She lives way over in Gilbert and I live way over in Arrowhead, so it isn't so easy to get together often. She is such a good friend and I am so lucky to have been so close to her for so many years! I just can't wait for her to have kids, because she is so good with Julia and I know she will be an awesome Mom. Her husband, Jon, is applying for Midwestern's new Dental School. So it would be really cool if he got in b/c then they would move over here! But I guess we would only be over here for one more year by then. Oh well. Jon takes his DATs on Wednesday. Good luck Jon!

Just like her daddy. Straight to the books...

She's already reading at a third grade level!

Future Olympian

The rings are her favorite.
This isn't part of the class, but I'm trying to raise a well rounded athlete.
Jumping into the pit is fun, but she has trouble getting out.

Julia has been in gymnastics for a couple months. I think she really likes it, but she better step it up a notch if she's going to make the 2008 Olympics!