some summer pics

This summer has flown by!!  We have had a lot of fun and have gone swimming a ton (as you can see by the pics).  I am soooo ready for the heat to go away!  I am not a fan, although I hate snow even more!  Anyway...here are some pics from the summer.  We have a ton more, but I need to find them.

Here is Alexia jumping the waves at Seven Peaks.  Evidently I had some water on the lens and didn't notice...oops.

                                                       Alexia and Savanna in the wave pool..

                                         These two are kind of weird, but I love them dearly.   :)

Here are the kids playing at the playground in Jackson on our second trip there this summer.  They love to go play, but I wont take them because I don't want any animals to get me during the walk.  AND....a couple of years ago when we were there a baby moose and her mom were outside of the condo eating the trees.  I mean we are talking 15 feet from us!  It was cute, but scary.....anyway my point is that I make Antonio take them to the playground.  :)

                                                  Here they are walking back to the ol' condo.

While we were waiting for our food at Bubba's the waitress brought us out warm chocolate chip cookies.  Savanna is not known for her clean eating habits as you can tell by this picture.

Antonio and Alexia going on the alpine slide.  What we really needed was a picture of is me trying to calm Savanna as she was crying the whole time for Antonio and throwing herself onto the ground.  I think people thought I was trying to kidnap her because she didn't want anything to do with me.  I keep reminding that I gave birth to her and gained 70 pounds while pregnant with her (yes it's true!!!!) and my body will never be the same, but she doesn't seem to care.  Rude!!

Alexia liked her new found freedom from her floaties.  She went all over the pool with them.  We REALLY need to get her into swimming lessons. 

Antonio was trying to show Alexia that it wasn't scary going under water with the goggles so he told me to take a picture of him so we could show her.  After I saw it I was like nice picture of you flipping me off.  He swears he didn't mean to do it, but you never can be too sure. haha  ALSO....poor Savanna got dunked as he went under water trying to show them it wasn't scary.  He didn't believe me until I showed him the picture. 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this little girl.  She is so fun and happy!  She says the funniest things.  She just barely turned two and she talks full sentences.  It's crazy!  I'm so glad that I made Antonio have another child sooner than he wanted.  Women always know best!!!  ha

After swimming and a bath, Antonio was blow drying their hair and Savanna fell asleep on the bathroom floor.   

She is obsessed with taking pictures.  Here is one that we took of her a week or so ago.  I'm not sure what she is doing with her face, but it's kinda cute. 

I'm fixed!!!

Thursday was the big day....I had the hole in my heart repaired.  Originally I wasn't even going to go to the doctor until next week, but one day I lost my eye sight in my left eye and my left arm kept going numb and so they got me in early.  I feel surprisingly good.  I got a little scared once I got to the hospital, but I was trying not to think about what they were going to do and tried to trick myself into thinking I was just going to take a nap.  Anyway... they had to use a 30mm helix to repair the hole which is BIG.  The Dr. said that he has hardly ever used that size and especially not in a woman.  I think he had to use such a big one because on top of my hole I also had atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) which I don't completely understand.  I think it is the membrane that separates the left and right upper chambers of the heart and mine isn't closed, but flapping.  The procedure wasn't too bad.  I'm not in too much pain and I even turned down a loritab!!  ha!!  Anyway....I should be up and running (literally...I hope) in about 4 weeks.  I am even planning to do a half marathon in November in St. George so I better be better.  :)

pics...I hate thinking of titles so I'm not going to!

I have no idea why I can't type by the pictures, but I don't want to figure it out so I will just write here.  Above is a picture of  my Daddy.  I think it is such a cute picture of him.  He looks so happy.  He was talking to my Uncle Basil.  They are buds.  The bottom picture is of me rolling down the hill in his back yard.  When I was younger I used to love to go to his house and roll down the hill.  It seemed like such a huge hill when I was little, but it really isn't as big as I remembered.  I also don't remember getting so dizzy when I was younger.  :)  I guess old age is kicking my butt.  It was so fun though.  My uncle and dad thought I was a little weird. 

Anniversary, Swimming and update

Happy Anniversary to me!...  oh and Antonio.  We have made it 14 years!!  I think....just a second....yup 14 years!  It has been so long that I have to subtract the years.  Crazy!  I will admit that I didn't want to do anything because I am a party pooper.  Antonio bought me some new running shoes.  I think it was a hint that I needed to get running again.  I got the new Brooks Ghost 4.   They are cute!  They didn't fit so he talked me into exchanging them and then tricked me into going to dinner.  I didn't want to, but I'm glad that he forced me to.  We went to Carrabas which is my favorite!!!  A normal person wouldn't bring their kids on their Anniversary date, but we waited so long to have kids that we actually like being around them.  GASP!  It was fun.  Afterwards I tricked Antonio into going to the mall....fair is fair!  The girls got some ice cream and I shopped a little....ok a lot.  hahaha  I love to shop and I'm not afraid to shout it from the rooftops!  The swimming pictures are from another day.  We all love to go swimming (well I just love to lay out, but swimming is fun too, I guess).  I would put up more pictures, but Antonio has them in some weird format so he can edit them and I can't figure out how to use them.

OK now for all of you who care...I officially have a diagnosis!!  I will spare you the whole story because it is loooonnnggggg, but the diagnosis is that I have a hole in my heart.  Yes....a hole.  Evidently everyone is born with a hole in their heart, but when you breathe oxygen it is supposed to close, but mine didn't. The Dr. said it is pretty common (about 25% of people)  Some people go a lifetime and never find out about it.  Others (like me) start to have symptoms and find out later in life (but not too late because I am still young...you hear me?  I'm still young! :))  I have an appointment with my cardiologist in August to do further testing to see how big it is and to make an appointment for surgery.  I couldn't get in until mid August because I am going to Jackson again the first week of August!  I know I just got back, but my dad bought another condo there so I am going.  Who can resist?  not me!  Anyhoo....My doctor has told me not to run until I meet with the cardiologist because I have had 2 TIA's.  Yikes!  He knows I am concerned about gaining weight, but he told me that I can just buy a corset if I gain weight.  Yes, he really said that!  He was joking, but I thought it was funny.  He said that my sparkly toes and shoes were cute.  He also asked me if I was always so talkative and "fast paced".  I was like "what?  I actually am low key today because I have had a migraine."  I think he thinks I'm psycho...just like the last doctor.  I'm just nice!  and friendly!  and cute! and .....ok a little psycho!!  So...I know I shouldn't be happy that they found a hole in my heart and I'm not, but I'm just relieved that they actually found something wrong with me and now I can get fixed!  I have been saying for years that something was wrong.  I am not imagining it. All right that's enough for tonight....bye!

A health update.... sorry, but people have been asking me about it....

So....I was innocently sitting in the condo in Jackson when my phone rang.  I looked at the number and I realized that it looked like my doctor's office phone number.  That's weird (I thought) and I answered it and it was them!  The nurse said that she had my results from my blood work....blood work?  I thought that it was done and that I don't have a blood clot.  Hmmm..... the next thing I hear is "blah blah blah....blah blah blah.....so as soon as you can we need you to come in to see what is causing this.".  What??? Whoa, whoa, whoa,  usually when the nurse calls with my lab results they say "it all came back normal".  I had her repeat the information.  She said that I have too much calcium in my blood and that is not normal and so they need to do more tests to see what is causing it.  Ok...I told her I would come in when I got home.  Of course I immediately go to the computer and google this.  The most common reason is hyperparathyroid.  Thyroid?  That's weird.  I look at the symptoms...."Loss of energy"....hello....I have two small kids that run me ragged.  "Feel old"...yes that is actually a symptom! uh yeah because I AM getting old.  "Headaches"  Yes, but I just had an MRI that showed that I have a spot on my brain consistent with migraines.  "Spouse claims that you are more irritable and harder to get along with" ....hahaha....I don't think Antonio would dare answer this one.  :)  Anyway my point is that anyone could have these "symptoms".  OK....what else could this be?  I scroll down and see cancer.  Of course I always think I have cancer because of all of the cancer in my family.    My dad has lost 3 brothers, a sister to cancer and he has had it himself.  On my mom's side there is my mom who died of cancer, my cousin, my grandma (she didn't die from it though)....my odds are not good.  Then I read the #1 type of cancer that can be associated with high blood calcium is: Multiple Myeloma.  My heart sinks...that is the cancer that my mommy died from.  I know that the probability of me having this is very low, but I'm still scared.  I gave more blood and I should know the results tomorrow.  I'm pretty certain that it is not cancer, but it is still in the back of my mind.  I just want whatever it is to be fixed so I can start running again.  I keep seeing people out running and I get angry because that should be me.  Ohhhh I don't think I ever told you how the ol' inhaler works.  Well...I finally went running in Jackson where it is higher altitude and I didn't get that "sports bra being too tight" feeling, but I only went 3 miles.  I promised the family that I wouldn't go more than that because they think I'm going to kill over or something.  It was a little harder to breathe, but I think it was just the altitude.  Yesterday I decided to give it another go and about 1 1/2 minutes into it I started to see black spots and feel very dizzy.  I thought I would just run through it and it would stop.....wrong!  I managed to go 1.50 miles ...I had to stop at the even number.  I actually had to grab a hold of the hand rail a couple of times because I thought I might pass out.  I checked my heart rate....48.  That is pretty low especially when you have been running 15 minutes.  I don't know what to think.  I guess I'll just wait to see what the doctor finds out from my tests.  I'll keep you posted!! 

A few pictures ... finally...

 This was on Mother's Day.  I got the Brazilian Butt Lift DVD.  Before you get all mad at Antonio for being so rude....I asked for it.  I have been meaning to buy it for a while now and I just didn't get around to it.  I'm excited!  I will have a tight rear in no time.....especially since I can't run until I find out what the heck is wrong with me. 

 Alexia graduated from preschool.  She didn't want to wear the cap and gown and would not take off her coat.  She is quite a character.  She wouldn't sing and when they called her name to get her diploma she stood up and let out the biggest sigh I have ever heard.  She did tell everyone that she wanted to be a "great artist" when she grew up.  I was surprised she even talked. 

 She doesn't like crowds.  She gets very shy. 

 I was watching the graduation and asked Antonio where Savanna was and he didn't know so I knew immediately that she had found the cupcakes in the next room.  I ran over there and I was right.  She had frosting all over her hands.  She is such a little stinker. 

 Antonio was making fun of me because I look more excited than the kids do.  This was at Thanksgiving Point at the Lamb and Wool Festival.  I had never seen a sheep sheared before.....come on.  It was kinda cool. 

 Alexia informed us that she was going to have an art show.  Antonio and I went to her room and she said "Welcome to my art show" and we smiled....then she said "you can clap now".  It was cute.  She originally had all of her art covered in a blanket and then she pulled the blanket off for the big reveal.  She really does draw very well.  All of her teachers comment all of the time how good she is.  She doesn't get it from me that's for sure.

 She LOVES to ride ponies.  Savanna wouldn't even sit on one. 

a little snag in my plans

OK...first off I have been trying to post pictures and stuff for a couple of weeks now, but I cannot get it to look right.  My settings have changed on this blog....so all 5 of you will have to wait a little while longer especially since I am out of town for the week.  So...on to the "snag" in my plans...  I have some bad news.....I cannot run the AF Canyon half marathon.  :(:(:(  "Why?" you ask.  Well I have been having some chest pain.  I first noticed it on a little 5 mile run when I started to breath heavily.  I thought that was weird.  I couldn't catch my breath.  It felt like I had a really tight sports bra on.  I don't know how else to describe it.  Sorry for the visual.  :) I ran about a half mile more and I had to stop and I was kind of having a asthma attack.  I don't know what that actually feels like, but it was what I imagine one would be like.  I had been sick a few days before that so i figured I just wasn't 100% better.  Anyway.....it happened the next time at mile 4....then the next time at mile 3......and then mile 2.49!!  Crazy!  It's getting worse.  I actually got scared and got off of the treadmill at 3.23 miles which I don't do because it isn't an "even" number.  My heart rate was 39!  39!!!  I have a low heart rate anyway, but it is usually 55 - 62ish.  39 is practially dead.  My blood pressure was low too.  I was actually scared that I was going to die.  I went to the doctor and he did an ekg, x-ray and some blood tests to see if I had a blood clot.  All of the tests came back normal.  He said that some "elite athletes" (his words...not mine) have a very low heart rate.  I told him I would hardly call myself an elite athlete and he said that the fact that I said "I was only on mile 5 and I couldn't breath" tells him that I am.  I have him fooled,.  Can I tell you how much I love him for saying that?  He is  my new best friend.  I wonder if he is on facebook.  haha.  Anyway....he said that he thinks I have exercise induced asthma.  He gave me an inhaler to try.  I haven't tried it yet because I am in Jackson and it is already harder to breath up here.  I have a whole bunch of excuses, but mostly I am scared to run again.  It has almost been a week.  I hope I don't die....if I do...this may be my last post.  OK, OK, I'm not going to die.  If this inhaler doesn't work I have to go back and do a stress test on a treadmill while hooked up to some machines and also visit a cardiologist.  I hope that this inhaler works.  I will try it out tomorrow (I have been saying that for days now) I'll let you know and I promise to post pics because let's be honest....it's the only reason you all even come to my blog.  You probably aren't even reading this....RUDE!  j/k

Am I Crazy????

www.afcanyonhalfmarathon.com

I think I am crazy!  I have been very annoyed lately because I haven't been exercising like I should and it wasn't a priority for me or my family (ahem...Antonio) to get my running in. I don't know why because they should see that I am in a lot better mood when I get my run in. I can't believe that I have turned into one of those people who love to run!   It all started on my 34th birthday...(holy crap I'm OLD!!)  Anyway the only thing I wanted to do was sleep in and go for a long run.....well not long...just 6 miles.  That's all I wanted to do and I didn't get to do it.  I was not happy.  The next week came and went and I hadn't been able to get very many runs in.  I need this for my sanity, people!!!   I had a mini nervous breakdown one weekend and my dad asked me if I wanted to go for a ride to my brother's house and while driving I saw a sign that said 6.25.11 American Fork Canyon Half Marathon.  I told my dad that I should sign up for it so that I could at least get my  exercise in.  I got home and googled it and found out that it was to support cancer!!  It was a sign from above.  I had to do this race.  For a moment I wanted to be a slacker and just do the 5k, but I knew that I didn't need to train for that and it wouldn't help me towards my goal so I decided to do another half marathon.  It is pretty much down hill so MAYBE I can get my time under 2 hours.  I really don't want to put pressure on myself, but I can't help it.  :)  All of the proceeds go to help families that cannot afford treatment.  I know first hand how much that can be.  My dad paid a TON of money each year.....more than most people make in one year salary for my mom's medication.  I can't imagine how sad it would have been to watch my mom die and know that she might have been able to live longer if we could been able to afford treatment.  Sad.  So...my mission is to get all of my family to run this race (at least the 5k) in memory of my mommy.  My dad is even going to do it.  He is 71!!!  He works out though so he will be fine!  Me and my brother are going to do the half marathon and everyone else is going to do the 5k.  I am kind of nervous because my brother volunteered me to fill in if anyone drops out of the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay the weekend before so hopefully all of his team runs it because I don't know if my feet will be better by the next week to do a half marathon.  My brother is doing Ragnar AND the half marathon and I think he is crazy!!  My toenails better not fall off or I will cry!  Last week after every run my toes were bleeding because my toenail kept digging into my skin even after I cut them way short.  I told my dad that I might be too vain to run because I don't want my toes to be ugly.  :)  I think I need new shoes.  Actually I KNOW I need new shoes.  I will get some tomorrow.  My running shoes are a year old so it is definitely time! Wish me luck and let me know if you want to do it with me!!!  There is still time to train!

Happy Easter

All of the kids with their loot and candy from the Easter egg hunt my sister did. 

I made these with my own two hands!  I'm turning into quite the domestic goddess!  haha....don't look too closely, I was running out of frosting and I didn't want to make any more so I skimped on the top.  These take FOREVER!!! but they are so worth it.  I gained 2 pound over Easter and I blame these little bad boys!!

What is it with kids and bubbles? 

Savanna is quite pleased with her bubble that she thinks she made. 

After church Antonio wanted to take a picture because we can NEVER get Alexia to wear actual clothes let alone a dress.  I can't believe she isn't crying because usually when we get home she says "mom, I'm tired"....that is usually the cue for me to say "yes, you can wear pajamas".  My trick to avoid the meltdown was that I didn't let her go into the house until we had our picture.  hahaha....I'm a sneaky snake!!  Hope everyone had a good Easter.

Las Vegas

Trevor didn't want to carry Sheri for the picture so I took matters into my own hands.
We went on a trip to Las Vegas with our good friends Sheri and Trevor. It was soooo much fun. We didn't take the kids and I missed them a ton, but I'm glad that we went alone. Have you ever seen a little gem of a show called "Pawn Stars"? It is such a good show. We went to see the pawn shop and here we are.
The whole inside was so crowded. The girl that worked there said that it actually wasn't busy at all. She said that they usually have a line wrapped around the building. It was probably because we were there on a Monday morning. We didn't see any of the stars that are on the show. :(
So.....these are out of order. I'm not very computer/blog savvy so sorry. You will have to go through our trip backwards...I guess. This was the last night there. It was late and we were eating dinner. We were all so tired.
Trevor, bless his soul, wanted to go on all of the rides at the Stratosphere. I was going to maybe go on some, but once I got there I decided not to. It was soooo high and scary. I felt like the whole thing was moving. Does it? I swear it was swaying in the wind. Here is Trevor on one of the rides. I think he looks a little scared....don't you? He said it was a little scary, but not really. Yeah right. Have you seen that thing???
I finally found some comfort behind the bars. I'm telling you....it's scary. Have I mentioned that? I was looking at the lights of Las Vegas. It was pretty from up there, but SCARY!!
That was as close to the fence as I was getting. Here is the gang on top of the Stratosphere.
Antonio and me inside Caesars Palace. We love to go to Vegas.
I believe this was inside of Paris.
New York New York
This was us driving down to Vegas....yes I drove. That is the farthest that I will drive. I hate riding in a car.
Sheri and Trevor got married at Treasure Island so we went back there to recreate their wedding...except Antonio tried to steal a kiss from Sheri after our fake ceremony.
This one is my favorite (I didn't post all of them because there were a lot)...look at Antonio's face!
inside the Venetian. We were going to go on a gondola ride, but the boys pooped out. I told Sheri that we should just go, but we never did.
Antonio jumping.....it took me by surprise.
Waiting for the water show at the Bellagio


Antonio had his wide angled lens on so that is why we look like giants. He wanted to make sure the ceiling was in the picture. We look distorted...I know.
me and my Snug Bug

Thanks Babe....for a great weekend.