Breakfast with Pop

 Every Sunday Pop wakes up gets started on breakfast.  This time Rachel got to help.

Let me tell you, my Dad is an amazing cook. Especially when it comes to breakfast, BBQ, and desserts.  My mouth is already starting to water...

Maggie decided to "help" Nana with unloading the dishwasher... I tell you what, every time that dishwasher comes open, Maggie is THERE! Slam bam thank you Ma'am! Somebody shut the dishwasher quick!!!

Rachel loved being Pop's helper...

oooo mexican vanilla, doesn't get any better than that!

Pop likes to mix stuff up with his hands. Hey--- Rachel does too!

Put the wet stuff in with the dry stuff...

Amazing. There were no eggs in the batter, no messes all over the counter and floor, no "let me do that" breakdowns.  Good thing I payed attention. 

What a Day!

The wedding took place at the Draper Utah Temple. It was a beautiful temple and I especially loved the big, bright sealing rooms.  I can't express the magnificent feeling I got as I sat and witnessed my beautiful cousin make sacred promises to her new husband and the Lord. It was absolutely perfect. They were glowing that day.  Thoughts of my wonderful husband flooded my mind as I sat there and listened to the sealer speak. I thought of our life and the trials we have been through and are going through. I thought of our beautiful babies and the excitement of having more. I thought of what the Lord has in store for our little family when Tyler gets home. I thought of what it will be like to kiss my husband again. Tears flowed down my cheeks and felt the spirit bring peace into my soul.

Waiting for Kenzie and Steve to come out!Me, Niki, and Caitlin
My brother and I... I love him. Why did you have to go to BYU-Idaho Mike? Sheesh! I miss you.We clean up pretty good don't you think? You'd never guess after those Tough Mudder photos! haha

Me and my Aunt Tricia! Amazing, amazing woman! I love talking to her.

Here they come! WHOOP!!!!! Look at the BIG smiles!

And the newlyweds KISS! Oh yeah!

So pretty! I loved her headband and her flowers!

All the Barrow cousins! AHHH I love them all! Such amazing people! And look, Alex even made it all the way from is mission in Mexico! hahaha! Too funny! Steven made sure he was taller this time...

The girls! Me, Rifka (Tyler's squeeze), Mariela (Mike's squeeze), Cami, and Caitlin

The reception was at Thanksgiving Point during the Tulip Festival! It was gorgeous! Needless to say, Caitlin and I were totally pooped! After waking up at 4:45, running a half-marathon, getting cleaned up, stopping by the Wendy's drive through, making it to the wedding just in time, taking pictures, and finally making it to the reception, we were happy just to lay in the grass. (sidenote: the grass was fluffy and there wasn't any fireants! "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore!") Too bad we had to get up! Someone want to carry me? haha. I love this picture.

For some reason this makes me feel weird. Putting up pictures of just myself... hmmmm... Can you see any limbs in this picture because I feel like I missing them without my babies!

Okay, I'm not conceited people, but I really like this picture of myself. (a rare occurance I'm afraid!) I can see myself looking back at this blog post 9 months pregnant telling myself that it is possible to look and feel good again. So here's a little note to my 9 month pregnant/postpartum self: You CAN do it! Give yourself a break! You're 9 months pregnant for goodness sakes!The face behind the camera...

It was beautiful day! It was a happy day! It was an exciting day! It was a power-booster day! It was an uplifting day! It was a much appreciated, much needed day! 

Salt Lake City Half Marathon 2012

Over Christmas break my cousin announced that she'd be getting married!! I so wanted to go, but since it was in Utah and during deployment I didn't think that the odds were in my favor. That is until my parents volunteered to watch my babies while my brother and I went to the wedding. I love my parents. They will never know how badly I needed this little adventure. 
As the date drew closer something dawned on me. I would be without my children for two whole days. Suddenly I started feeling really anxious. Like really anxious. I mean, what in the world would I take pictures of?
What's going on here? Snap out of it Jess! It's just two days! Your babies will be fine. In fact they were more than fine! They were being spoiled by their grandparents! I know people probably thought I was crazy missing my babies so much, but seriously guys- two days is a long time for Mommies. 
And of course, what's a vacation without waking up at 4:45 in the morning to run a half marathon? Certainly not any vacation I'm interested in. ;)

I was so excited to be running with a buddy this time! CAITLIN! Yes!!! She is amazing!  We had such a great time.

I thought it was appropriate to begin with the "port-a-potty" picture. After all, it is the first thing on the agenda for race day... 

Mountains!!! LOOK!!! Do you see them? I was in awe the entire trip. Every time I walked outside, or got in a car- Mountains people! Aren't they just beautiful? All the Utah people thought I had problems every time I shouted out... "Look! Mountains!" Can't find those in Texas...gosh I just want to go climb one!

The start! Can you find us?

Ah-Ha! There we are!

Caitlin and I had so much fun! I had no idea how much fun it would be to run with a buddy. We talked and laughed the whole way! I didn't even turn on my ipod! We are such goofballs! Just a little dance for the camera. We were tired, but you'd never guess.
I'm a fan of sun-spot pictures. I don't really know why, just am. Still talking and laughing... And look! Mountains!Sprinting at the finish!!! 
We did it!!! And even with all the goofing around we managed to finish in 2:07! I was excited about that.

We are weird. How else do you take a picture with Caitlin anyway? haha!

At least we think we're hilarious! hahaha!

My brother and this girlfriend along with Jared and Devin Payne came to the finish! And I got to meet the newest member of the Payne Family! Little Ayden!

 Ayden was adopted only a month ago! He is the cutest little thing ever!!! Sometimes I am in awe at how awesome this family is that I married into. It's good to be a Payne. Welcome Ayden! And Congratulations to Jared and Devin...

Easter Dress Pictures!

Yep, we're still doing Easter posts around here. Gotta love it. What is it about getting pictures taken on Sunday? It must not be a "day of rest" activity. haha! I've been trying for a few weeks to get a few good pictures before church. I've finally decided that these will just have to do. Anyway, an Easter tradition that we have always had in my family is getting an "Easter Dress". I love this tradition! Thank you Mom for getting the girls these sweet little dresses!

We've got 10 minutes before church starts? No way! Hurry up, out the door! Bring the blanket and fruit snacks! (We've got one o' clock church by the way! haha!) 

Oh my word Rachel! Such a stinker! No fruit snacks for you!

That's better. We like putting our hands on our hips if you haven't already noticed... 

Nana was waving the fruit snacks in the air in this picture... haha! It worked! I love that big smile...

Melting like a popsicle on the fourth of July! Just adorable.

"Yeah!" - It's Maggie's new favorite word!

Peek-a-boo

So different, yet so beautiful...

Twirling...

This one would be the best shot of the three of us... Really, it is. 

Tough Mudder- Dallas 2012

This race was the most fun I've ever had in my whole life EVER!!!! 

Okay, so that may not be completely true, but it's a close one. Notice the title- Dallas 2012, I will be doing more! Can you feel the excitement just jumping off the page?!! AHHWESLKJLSDKFSHGILSWJLIGEWOIHHFAIOWF! It was AWESOME.

So, I've been dying to do this race forever! I really didn't want to do it by myself, but I definitely would have! I had already signed up and was still searching for a buddy when I thought of my "little" brother, who was on a mission at the time. YES! MIIIIIIIKKKKKKEEEEE!!!!! Perfect. He was already committed in my mind and I hadn't even consulted him yet. It's what big sisters do.
WE ARE TOUGH MUDDER!!!

Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures of us during the race. I still cringe at the thought! The pictures would have been EPIC! We were covered in mud from head to toe. It took a few showers to get rid of it all- it was in my ears! And, I'm pretty sure it wasn't mud, it was cow poo. Yes, yes it was. Refreshing. haha! Oh my word it was a blast!   The big butt picture- oh my. This would be the worst angle for a picture for any woman. What was I thinking? Who freaking cares anyway? I just ran 12 miles in the MUD!!!!!
I made Mike take a few pictures of me at the "hose-off" area. I'm going to go ahead and say this even though my head rules against it and will probably be subject to judgement. Take it how I mean it folks. Through high school wrestling and even when I was younger I've had to come to grips with the fact that I'm just not a "mrs.barbie skinny girl", which back then really bugged me considering I run many miles and work out daily. But I'm proud to say that in the "Book of Jessica", strong is the new skinny. "Hi Tyler! You're wife just did the tough mudder! Pretty cool, huh?"
Because I didn't get proof of the awesomeness of the course, this video will have to do...

12 miles 

25 military style obstacles 

Designed by British Special Forces

Probably the toughest event on the planet.

(that's what they say anyway. I bought it.)

It was incredible! Mike and I did really well on all the obstacles and didn't punk out on any of them! We also ran the entire time inbetween obstacles. And see those shockers there at the end. I totally tripped on those hay bails and boy did I get zapped! It hurt so good. Thanks Mike for doing this with me! You are the best brother in the whole world. 

Next time it will be Tyler and I. I seriously can't wait.

Pink Tutus

This was such a funny moment-

 "Whatcha lookin' at Mommy?"

"Pictures of you."

"Me? Let me look."

She looked and then she asked me if I could take her picture.

"OF COURSE. I thought you'd never ask!"

As soon as I started clicking, she started giving me little looks like these... I love her...

Here comes Maggie...

"I think Mom wants us to smile at her. She's so funny"

Boogers.