Kadence - 1 Year Pics @ the Park

Kadence is ONE!

The last year has just FLOWN by!!! It's hard to believe that Kadence is O-N-E already! Here are her stats from her latest doctor's appointment:

Weight: 20 lbs. 8 oz. (41%)
Height: 31 inches (95%)
Head: 17 3/4 cm (50%)

Easter

It was so nice to be able to spend Easter at Mom and Dad's house this year. The kids had so much fun playing together - as always - and the rain seemed to stop just long enough for us to have egg hunt outside! We also celebrated Kadence's 1st birthday, complete with a yummy ice cream cake. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day:

1st Annual Neighbor Reunion

Take 1!


Take 2!


Take 3!


We had such great neighbors when we used to live in Fishers, IN. We instantly bonded and became such great friends with many of them. We continue to be in close contact with both the Marshalls and the Herringtons so we decided to have a Neighbor Reunion in Ann Arbor! We had such a great time and it was so good to see everyone. The Herringtons were only able to stay one night but we are so thankful they made the long hike to see us! The Marshalls got to stay with us for 5 days and it was a great time!

Some of the fun things we did:
- Toured the Teddy Bear Factory in Chelsea, MI
- Took a group photo
- Went on a Gelato/Mozzarella Cheese making tour
- Introduced the Marshall's to Dim Sum, Mediterranean food, and Sushi!
- Went to My Urban Toddler in Saline, MI
- Went to Jump City in Ann Arbor, MI
- Made rainbow cupcakes

We will definitely have to make this an annual tradition. We miss you all already!

Toy Story 3 On Ice

The Saturday before the big race, we went with the Pipers to see Toy Story 3 On Ice. It was performing at The Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. The kids LOVED it (and so did the parents)!!! It was a rather long story line but with the help of some popcorn at the end the kids remained content in their seats the entire show. It was a great performance!

My First 5K

I ran my first 5k race today (3.1 miles). I started this journey back in November when I joined a local gym and decided it was time to start exercising, get in shape, and lose some weight. In December I ran a mile on the treadmill and that alone felt like such a huge accomplishment. I hadn't ran a mile since high school!!! I have never been a runner by any means and didn't even think I could do it. After running that first mile, I knew I wanted to do more so I signed up for a 5K. Better yet, a good friend of mine, Mary, signed up with me and promised to drive up from Fishers, IN to run it with me.

Here's a picture of Mary and I in our racing gear getting pumped up for the event!



The race was definitely challenging for the following reasons:

- This is only the 2nd time I've ever ran outside. (Winter isn't the ideal time to run outside in Michigan. :)
- I have a bad cold and was very congested.
- There were several hills that the treadmill didn't prepare me very well for.

Ryan was waiting to take our picture at the top of the last hill not far from the finish line. It was motivating to see him at the top and made me want to push myself even harder to make it to the top.





I tried to look good for the pictures but who was I kidding? That last hill was TOUGH!



Are you wondering what my time was? I finished 3.1 miles in 37 minutes and 32 seconds. (That's about a 12 minute mile.) While I know that may sound like such a slow time to many people...I view it as such a HUGE accomplishment! I did it!!! I ran a 5K and I did it without walking! It was so motivating and touching to be able to give my son a big high five just steps before the finish line! He was so happy to see his mommy running today!

Will I do it again? Heck yes!!! I would love to run another 5K and be able to beat my previous time. It was such a great experience and I had such a great coach to push me along at a couple times during the race where I really wanted to slow down and walk. (Thanks Mary!!! You are such an amazing friend!)

This last picture is Mary, Kadence, and I at the finish line with our souvenir glasses. I will drink out of that glass with pride and hope to add many more souvenirs to my collection.

Funny Bath Time Pictures

I was giving the kids a bath yesterday and decided to have a little fun with Kadence's hair.





I tried the same thing with Carson's hair but his isn't half as long as Kadence's!