Happy Birthday, Duane!

My step-dad turned 42 on Saturday. He doesn't really like sweets, so we improvised with something he does like:

Happy Birthday!

Please note that the mountains on the can are cold-activated. Mom & Duane came over to join us on our trip to the BolderBoulder 10k in Colorado. More on that later.

Single Track Superstars

Kyle & I got the chance to introduce Terra to our favorite mountain biking trail - Tinton Trail, just outside of Spearfish. While I only got pictures of Kyle & Terra, you can imagine how awesomely hardcore I looked. It was a really fun trail, I had one little crash, just got a few bruises.

My Mountain Man Husband

Terra kicking butt.

Spring Zinger!

I ran my 2nd road race of the year. The McDonald's Spring Zinger 5k. I had my best time yet - 26:17.4

Pretty exciting for me, we had a good time. I ran with Terra, my usual road race buddy. She always beats me at the end. She's the one wearing #35. Also in the photo are Jenny (#36) and Jenni (#44), my usual running buddies. We have put in a lot of miles training for a 1/2 marathon.

Yep, we kick butt.

twelve miles

Officially, I'm training for a 1/2 marathon. It's June 3rd. Deadwood.

Sunday, I ran 12 miles. Yes, 12. And I didn't die. YES!

SNOWED IN!

We got snowed in today! Started Wednesday night and continued through last night. I got stuck in the garage, Kyle got stuck in the driveway. I love snow days!

Kyle Stuck in the Driveway

Aerial View

One of the big drifts.

running.... or not....

So far this year, I've ran 164 miles. 95% of the miles were ran with someone, sometimes talking, sometimes just trying to breathe, and a few times pushing a stroller. This morning, the plan was to run with Jenni (my usual running partner) at 10. I woke up late and frantically called her to tell her I was on my way. No need to worry, though, Jenni had thrown her back out the previous night and wouldn't be running today. So, I did what any good runner would do: charged my iPod and checked the weather. 60 degrees, nice. So I sat down to think about what to wear.... and never actually went for a run. Instead, I did some work, did some laundry, caught up on EVERYONE's blogs, and watched a little tv. I even showered and did my hair. Why do I feel guilty? I think it's because I'm so close to my goal weight, I feel like I need to use every chance I have to work out. Weird. So, I'm sitting here telling myself it's ok to take a day off, I'll run tomorrow. But, I know that if anyone called me to run today, I'd go. I'm a social runner. I'd rather run 7 or 8 miles with someone than 3 or 4 alone. So, if anyone wants to run today, give me a call...

p.s. Sorry for taking so long to post. I'll try to be better!

Blast From The Past

Ok, I know I'm way behind in posting. I've still got a ton of Christmas pics to post. So, I better get to it. Over Christmas break, we got the chance to hang out with some of my old friends from camp:

Me, Amber, & Jodi

Amber with Aiden, Andi's baby boy

Macy, Tera, Me, Jodi, Andi, Aiden, & Amber

Me & Amber hanging out with Aiden

Have you ever seen such a cute baby boy?

Happy New Year!!

2007 New Year's Resolutions:
1. Cook more often.
2. Run 500 miles.

Wish Me Luck!

Last year's completed resolutions:
1. Lose 30 lbs.
2. Read the entire Bible.

Christmas with the Irby's

We only got a couple of pictures of Ruby - none of anyone else. So, here she is in all of her cuteness:

Opening Presents

Ruby & Kyle

another picture update to get you caught up...

1. Did the Turkey Trot 5k with my work-out buddies and my step-dad and my brother:

Me

Tanner

Duane (my step-dad)

2. We went to the chamber singers dinner with Jenni (and friends):

Jenni & Me

Kyle & Me

3. We had the company Christmas party (same dress, different night):

Kyle, Me, Kyle's Sister, Rhea, and Rhea's Husband, Harley

Robbin (one of my favorite co-workers and friends) and Me

Me & Kyle

Just three this time. I'll do more Christmas updates today sometime.

10 Things

1. Halloween 5k. I ran with the Winters as the Ghostbusters:


2. We cheered for Tanner (my little brother) as his team made it to the state championship:

The proudest big sisters ever.

Kyle & I sporting our STM gear.

The big man, Tanner.

3. We cheered even harder as they lost in the state championship:

Mom, Tera, Macy, Katie, & Kyle


Mom & Macy


Tanner's Biggest Fan

4. My mom and I realize that we have the same picture pose:


5. We saw Dylan's dorm room at DWU:

6. We watched as Macy discovered the mystery of the Kleenex box:



7. Relived the 80's at Brittni's 80's Party:

I have no idea why Kyle didn't like this look.

Jo & I looking Rad


The Whole Crew

9. Got New Haircuts with the Girls:

10. I got a bad cold. No pictures.

Scary Dream

So, I'm in NM this week for work. I'm blaming weird dreams on that fact. Last night I had a dream that Kyle & I had a little baby girl. SIDE NOTE: Tera & Mike also had a little girl, which I named Mia. Anyway, so Kyle & I have this cute little blonde-headed baby girl and take her home and I put her in her crib to sleep. We immediately forget that she exists and go out of town overnight, leaving her in the house alone. The next afternoon, we realize that we had forgotten about our baby and rush home, to find that everything is ok. She's hungry and has a full diaper, but she's still alive. I tell my mom, who then comes over to help me raise the baby. In the meantime, I find out that I can no longer breast feed, since I waited too long between feedings. My baby also pukes up a weird, thick puke that I still remember vividly. I woke up totally stressed out and it took me half the day to relax and convince myself that when I do have a baby, I won't forget about it. Has anyone else ever had a dream like this? It's still freaking me out.

Visitors....Finally!

We RARELY get visitors in Wyoming. In fact, other than family members, I'm not sure we've had any. So, we were totally psyched when we found out that Andi & Jesse were going to bring Aiden to Wyoming for the weekend. We had such a good time catching up with them, relaxing, watching movies, eating, and planning a vacation. It was so good. I love having friends like them. The friends that you know you don't have to entertain or impress, that will love you no matter what and that you can just lay around watching football all day with. It was great. One of the best weekends I've had in a while. Aiden is so adorable and was so fun to have in the house. He was such a good little baby. I think we're starting to get baby fever in this house... but, maybe not too. Anyway, on to the pictures:

The Freiwald's


Proud Papa


Andi & The yummy Thai food she made for us


Bath Time


Kyle hanging out with Aiden


Lounging. All weekend long...

BUSY BUSY BUSY

So, we've been in full-fledged home remodel/update mode this week. Last weekend, my mom came to help me put up paintable wallpaper in kyle's bathroom, while he worked on changing out the lights/faucets/etc. His bathroom is almost done, just waiting for some things we ordered online. Then, on Monday we started on my bathroom, regrouting/caulking the shower (which is a horrible, time consuming process that we will never do again), changing out the lights, the old medicine cabinet, and the faucets. Kyle is currently up there fixing my toilet. Why are we doing all of this work? We have no idea. It all started once we realized that if we put in lots of work, we could have both bathrooms done by this Friday, which is when my best friend, Andi, and her hubby, Jesse, and baby Aiden are coming for a visit. We are so close. I finished painting the walls in my bathroom today and I have to paint the trim/vanity tomorrow night. I can't wait for it to be done. I need a break from this stuff. And, I'm sick of Home Depot! My mom lives near a Lowe's and is always finding better/cheaper stuff there. I'm jealous. I'll post pics when we're all done... probably Thursday just in time for Grey's Anatomy.

prayer needed!

My cousin Cory was recently in a motorcycle accident and is currently in a coma. Please visit this site to learn more and to get updates: www.caringbridge.org/visit/corydenne

He needs your prayers!

Holy Fun Weekend, Batman!

Kyle and I headed down to Denver to meet up with my old college roomie, Heidi (& Tim, her husband). We did some shopping and then met up with them later in the afternoon. Tim took us up to Lookout Mountain to check out some beautiful views of Denver and the mountains. I forgot my camera, but Heidi & Tim will be posting pics soon. We ended up with dinner in Golden, Colorado at a nice grille. After we split up for the night, Kyle & I stopped for some cheesecake to go at the Cheesecake Factory. I had already killed my diet that day, so I decided I might as well go nuts. And, it was worth it. So yummy! The next morning, I was feeling a little guilty, so I got up early to work out at the hotel finess center. After the workout, I was leaving my room and ran into MY COUSIN Megan! Holy crap! She lives in Mitchell. What the heck?! Seriously, what are the chances a) we'd be in Denver the same weekend, b) staying at the SAME hotel, and c) in the lobby at the EXACT same time. Crazy, right? It was so fun to see her. We got ready quick and met them for the free breakfast downstairs. She was there with her hubby, Blake and their super cute son Tyson. Totally bizarre. So, to celebrate, I went shopping. :)

Aiden Jesse Freiwald is FINALLY born!

Aiden was born at a little after 6pm. 8 lbs, 3.4 ounces. 21 inches long. Can't wait to see him! Everyone's doing great!

Happy LABOR Day, Andi!

My best friend Andrea is having the best labor day ever - she's actually in labor right now! Here's to the new baby boy.... who should be arriving any minute! Way to take the holiday literally.

Sports Spectacular!

Last week we got a cryptic message from Jessica: "Do you guys like football?" So, I immediately called her back to let her know that "YES, We LOVE it!" and was super excited to have her invite us down to Denver for the Broncos pre-season game Sunday night. Kyle & I decided to make a weekend of it and were offered Rockies tickets by my boss (he has connections, apparently). So, we got treated to a weekend of free tickets! Super fun. We headed down to Denver early Saturday morning and got a bike ride in before getting ready and heading to the Rockies game:

Outside Coors Field

We had great seats. However, we were totally confused. Our tickets said section 2 hundred and something and we totally couldn't figure out how to get there. After traipsing to the upper deck and getting nowhere, we finally asked someone and found out we had club level seats! Club level! Ok, we had no idea what that meant either. And all it really meant is that you enter your level through a fancy elevator and you have a few more expensive food options. But, the seats were great and we sat by fun people. Oh, and the weather was good, which is a first for a rockies game.

Inside Coors Field

Sunday we got up early and went biking again. I totally crashed on my bike. Ok, I didn't crash so much as tip over. Yes, I tipped over on my bike. I banged up my knee and my elbow and got a bruise on my hip. Totally embarrassing. Luckily, only Kyle saw. But, he's been telling people about it ever since. So, how do you tip over on your bike? Well, I was clipped in on one side and starting tilting to that side and couldn't get clipped out or regain my balance. Kyle totally ignored my cried for "HELP! HELP!" :) I'm such a dork. But, after all that hard work, we met up with Bryan and Jessica at the Cheesecake Factory (YES!) and then headed to the game:

Bronco Fans

Jessica & Bryan (also Bronco Fans)

It was super fun. I had never been to a Broncos game, so I was into all of it. The Broncos won, which I'm sure was only because I was there cheering them on. Seriously. Afterwards, Bryan insisted that we get dessert. So we went to the Macaroni Grill (YES!) and had appetizers AND dessert. Not great for the diet. Oh well. Super weekend, just super.

Birthday Weekend...

Last weekend was Macy's first birthday party. She's one. Crazy. I headed down to Wagner with my Mom, Duane, and Maggie. We stopped in Mitchell to drop Dylan off at college. Yes, Dylan is a freshman in college. Crazy. He's playing football and basketball this year for DWU.
Anyway, back to the party. I have pictures:

A terrible picture of the sisters. I'm still missing one (Maggie, my mom's daughter was down by the lake and missed out.) Me, Katie, Tera, and Serina (the new step-sister).

With Grandma & Grandpa Ellefson. They just keep getting cuter. You can tell Grandpa is in the middle of cracking a joke in this one.

Macy got her own cake to tear into. She did a pretty good job, even left some of her frosting for me.

While it pains me to say this, Macy liked her first John Deere best (not my present!) and played with it during the rest of the party. She liked pushing it around better and would just giggle as she was walking. Adorable.