Pioneer Day 10K

I sort of have this new obsession with running. I think it has to do with my new running route in South Jordan and how therapeutic it is to journey through the streets of my childhood. Passing through the streets to good old Bingham High or even further to South Jordan Middle School brings back a plethora of memories. And the endorphins and the runner's high that I get from going just 4 or 5 miles is becoming addicting. My cute friend Whitney had to sell her bib for the 24th of July 10K, because HELLO she is almost 8 months pregnant and she decided to follow doctor's orders. (I could only run comfortably up to 6 months of my pregnancy and then the Braxton Hicks started getting too intense, I am impressed she's been running at all!)

So I jumped on the chance to run in Whit's place, with a dear friend of mine who I met in 8th grade.

 

 

Being close friends with Mary all through high school and my college career really changed my life.

Her fitness and nutrition lifestyle greatly impacted me, and I am forever grateful.

Woke up at 4:15 am to feed the babe and leave for SLC by 5.   6:00am races are early!

 It's sort of funny how she still influences me, I am so grateful for this girl and her lifelong friendship. Mare is one of my bestest friends and I just adore her and her quirky sense of humor.

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 There is never a dull moment with this girl

 Mary got me cruisin down the parade route for our 10K. I averaged an 8:20 mile and finished the race in 51:46, which is pretty fast for me these days. It was nice of Mare to slow down and stay with me (the Crazy normally averages a 7-minute something mile)! Finally for the last mile, I told her to speed up if she wanted to because I'd be sticking at that pace until the end. It sure felt a lot longer than my last 10K, but I beat my time by 6 minutes!

 

 

Trying to find a good place for our pic because we're self-obsessed and love social media, etc. ;)

 

We were both anxious to get back to our favorite little people after the race, and Mary's mom brought them to us in Salt Lake! We ate breakfast at the incredible Grand America Hotel (yes I was totally overdressed in my running gear at such a fancy venue...whoops)

 

And then we watched about 15 minutes of the Days of 47 Parade before we got too hot.

 Mary is currently living in Manhattan with her man (right outside Central Park!) and she totally converted me to her Beco carrier. Amberly doesn't love carriers, but she sure loved this one. It was super comfortable and she didn't even mind being too hot in it! See, that Mary still influences me. Now I'll probably have to buy a Beco.

 

 

It's been so refreshing having Mary in town this week. We love seeing Cora and Amberly together.

Future roommates. They better love each other!

 

 

 

Sure love ya Mare Bear. Jon and I are seriously considering an NYC 2015 trip.



Remembering Lydia

Amberly has a cousin on her Daddy's side of the family.

She would have turned two years old last Saturday.

And we have not forgotten.

Families are Forever

As if she knew exactly why we were there,

Amberly pointed to that phrase completely on her own.

 

Life is full of heartache and sorrow.

Pain unimaginable.

 

But because of the gospel of Jesus Christ,

I believe in

hope,

healing

and the promise of light dawning in the morning.

 

I believe in miracles,

and I pray for them every day.

 

We love you Lydia, and we have not forgotten how special you are.

Camping at Easley

 I would say Amberly's first camping trip was a huge success. We always have my Mom's family reunions up at Easley campground near Ketchum Idaho, and this year it was over the 4th of July weekend. I might have whined once or twice about missing my husband during the five days we were away, but the bar will be over with soon and then we'll get to play with that guy again! (How old am I? I was homesick for the guy within ten minutes of arriving to the campground. I'm such a wuss.)

 

Amberly meeting my cousin Diana. Di wouldn't let her go: "I'm not good at sharing babies."

Too cute.

 

In Anthony and Sarah's ginormous tent

 

Amberly and Aliya's "cage fight" - Aliya won.

 

Pinata time. Yes it's a family tradition and no I am not Latin American. It's just a family tradition that the kids love!

 

Even Miss Amberly got a whack at it...sorta

 

Okay she actually got scared and starting to cry at all the faces looking at her at once...too much to handle! It was so funny.

 

My sad girl.

 

Aliya passed out on Sarah. The moments she didn't have dirt caked on her face were rare indeed. Oh the life of a toddler...and those days are right around the corner for me! Bring it on.

 

Zach and Keira chilling in Grandma's fancy camping chair.

 

David and Em.

 

Aliya loved sharing this chair but Amberly wasn't so sure...

 

I had to get creative with Amberly's naps. She despises being too hot so it was kind of tricky at times. Lying her down in her stroller and taking a walk normally puts her to sleep, so it all worked out. The highlights of our trip were swimming, our lip syncing contest, and my morning jogs each day. There were plenty of hands to fight over who got to hold the baby while I went running, so that ws nice. I am proud of my girl for going on her first camping trip, and I was so excited to come home to my husband!



Mr. Ditto's Suprise 30th

Some people are way too much fun to put in the spotlight. My adorable husband tends to be more quiet in public, and instinctively flees as far away as possible from the center of attention. Therefore, I love to embarrass him whenever I get the chance. Muah ha ha ha.

 

 

First, I picked up this sneaky girl to come assist me with the babe and with decorating.

My sister carried all of this on the frontrunner.

 

Then I instructed Jonathan not to come out from studying for the bar exam until I came for him.

We're too sneaky!

 

 

Yes, I still can't believe that is my kitchen currently. It's too much fun to cook in and host parties of course!

 

And this lawyer had no idea what was waiting for him!

 



 

And we even sang the cougar fight song for this fanatical BYU fan.

 

 We had to go all out to celebrate this man turning 30!

 

And we had so many of our favorite people together in one room, many from our student married ward in Provo.

Our dear friends the Crocketts

 

It was so much fun.

 

We played Kuub and basketball, ate a lot of Jon's favorite foods, and just enjoyed catching up with old friends.

 

Happy 30th Birthday Mr. Ditto! We sure do love you.

 

 

 

8 Months

Amberly Amberly Amberly
I love you too much.
You turned 8 months old yesterday, and you are my Little Bestie.

 

 

People often comment about how LONG you are. Makes me wonder if you'll like volleyball more than dance?

Just chilling with Daddy
(Weighing just about 20lbs of awesomeness)



You LOVE
Looking at and playing with leaves
Being outside
Chewing on plastic cups
Hearing your mama sing to you (or your daddy - he sings to you in an opera voice to distract you when you're upset!)
Your little baby doll - you get really excited, scream, smile, and bite her head when we hand her to you. You freaked out when you saw Aliya's doll because hers is so much bigger than yours!



Eating solids (finally!) makes you really excited too
Pasta, bread, rolls, crackers are your favorite
Reading books and going on walks with Grandma Ditto. Here you are with Grandma Ditto and your Great Grandma Ditto! So darling.

 

You adore your Grandma Mecham and just light up whenever you see her! She really can get you to smile. I snagged a photo of you two watching Frozen together in her movie theatre (well you sort of watched...)

Mommy and Daddy's faves:
Your two bottom teeth
Your huge smile, the way your nose crinkles when you flash your biggest smile
How you always touch peoples' faces, especially when you are getting to know them. I love love love this
The way you analyze and study new people
Your giggles - they are hard to come by but the best sound in the world!
Whenever you fall asleep in mama's arms
Oh and sooo adorable, you've started to "sing" along with me when I sing you to sleep!

Everyone always tells me what a good baby you are and that I shouldn't take it for granted because the next one might not be so easy. You really are a sweetheart. You are very patient and just content, adaptable even to whatever situation you're placed in (so long as you are fed, changed, and well rested of course).

Having you meet your cousin Aliya for the first time (other than when you were three weeks old) really melted my heart. I hope you two are best buds!

So Sarah and I got you twinner rompers from our favorite online baby store.

 

 

 

And you got to know your Uncle Anthony better too!

 

 

 

We also explored the Museum of Natural Curiousity at Thanksgiving Point with your cousins!

Amberly and Aliya at the baby water table

 

And you were awesome on our hike to the Timpanogos Caves. Give you a cold, dark, quiet place and you'll most likely fall asleep.

Love my family so much.

You are getting heavy! It's not so easy to wear you on my front these days my lovely little chunk.

 

You adore your cousins, and all kids in general.

 

 

Eli is particularly fond of you. He's had practice making babies laugh with his sister, Aliya.

 And oh how those Dittos are loving having a baby in their home! Aunty Mary is super excited to see you sitting up like a big girl. You started sitting up on your own around 7 months. (It's gotta be hard with that delectable belly)

 

Mama's Home Girl

 

You met a very close friend of mine, Katie, who I danced with at BYU. She got lots of smiles from you!

 

And you are still my biggest fan, letting me dance occasionally here and there when I can.

 

Daddy is your most favorite guy in the entire world

 And he gives you blowfishes!!

 You are super ticklish on your tummy and under your arms.

 

And you are way too cool for sunglasses.

 

But you aren't too cool for your friend Rolan! We went to 7 Peaks so Mom could be crazy and do the free fall slides she missed so much last summer. Can't wait for you to be big enough to ride with me!

 

Your daddy hardly ever sees us, as he's still working full-time and studying for the bar exam whenever he can. So we send him motivating pictures such as these to help keep him going.

 

We are pretty spoiled because we get to see the Dittos every Wednesday. Daddy works so close to where they live, we play there all day so we can see our favorite guy for lunch.

 

 

 We always sleep extremely well at the Dittos.

I have a new favorite game every morning where I make you in the bed. You think it's pretty funny.

  I am loving my summer days with you, Little Bestie. Time stands still as we continue to get to know one another and as your personality continues to develop.

Summer Lovin'

You're just my very favorite and I love you with my whole heart, Little Girl.

Love, Mama