What NOT to Wear (for a half-marathon)

So perhaps most of you know by now that I am running in a half marathon in April with some very good friends of mine. I am very excited and totally scared to death, but one thing I do love is that I get to shop for new running clothes! Even though I haven't stayed in shape since I stopped coaching soccer, I have continued to love my running sweats! Now a few weeks ago, before we actually started training outside, my friend Katie (who has never been an athlete before) asked me what kind of clothing she needed to get for the cold weather. I laughed to myself because I immediately pictured the types of stuff I wore in track in high school...it wasn't pretty. I thought I'd share with you a little sample...and Katie...this is what NOT to wear!

Lyndsay & Lisa (1996)

Landen's 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday Landen!

My cousin's little boy, Landen, turned one this week and we celebrated with a party on Sunday. Landen didn't have much interest in opening his presents, but Makenzie and Kendall sure did! We spent the rest of the day at my parents visiting. Makenzie did NOT want to leave Mimi's house that night! She is so showing some very strong signs of becoming two!!!
Our present to Landen!

Dolls and Dress-up

The girls have had a cold all week, so they have had just each other for playmates all week. A lot of the time they play the "that's mine" game with their toys, but this day I captured them playing dolls together. They each have a "diaper bag" they love to carry! They've also been going through the dress-up box this week too!

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Daddy!

Last weekend the girls made a batch of chocolate chip cookies with their daddy! The girls love to "cook" - if you even mention the word cook, they will begin to push the stools at the island out of the way, so that they can push the dining table chairs over to stand on them!

Kari Ann's Baby Shower

At Tuesday playgroup this week we had a small surprise shower for Kari Ann, and boy was she surprised!!!! It was really sweet! Everyone had a nice time and Kari Ann got some cute new things and lots of diapers! Makenzie had a great time chasing after Sophia, Grace, Emma, and Reaghan (they are all a little older) while Kendall spent her time playing with her twin friends Conner and Josh! Thanks Lara for organizing such a nice shower!!

100 Things About Me

Well, I guess I will take the challenge as well. Here is a list of 100 things that you may or may not know about me. Hope it allows you to see a little more of who I am. Thank you for the idea Katie. This was harder than it looks.


1 I am the oldest of three kids. I have a sister and a brother.
2 I was always the boss. My sister always did whatever I told her. She still lets me have the front seat in mom’s car automatically.
3 She even trusted me to cut her hair when she was three. (I also cut my own hair that day – hers looked MUCH better than mine!)
4 I hate cold weather. My parents had to MAKE me play outside in the snow.
5 I was EXTREMELY shy in elementary school. My mom used to give me lectures about how people were going to think I was snobby if I didn’t talk to them.
6 I used to borrow library books 5 at a time (the max allowed), read them all, and then return them days later for more.
7 I met my friend Hannah in second grade. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding and still one of my best friends today.
8 Although I have no musical talent or sense of rhythm, in fourth grade I decided to play the drums; when given a list of instruments to bring home from school, I noted they were the cheapest, and therefore my best chance of being allowed to play an instrument.
9 I was the tallest in my class, at 5 foot, 4 ½ inches, in fifth grade. I haven’t grown since. (NOTE: that makes me 6 inches taller than Jason at the same age!)
10 I started playing soccer in fourth grade. I was one of two girls on the team and spent most of the time doing cartwheels on the field. I had a long way to go to become captain of my high school team and play in college.
11 One time after a junior high game, I was very upset when someone told me “Congratulations on your hat trick.” (On a team of all boys, I usually assumed they were being insulting even after I had scored three goals.)
12 In junior high I played a teacher in a community theater production. My name was Mrs. Quiggley. I was so excited to have a “real” gradebook prop.
13 In seventh grade I started coughing and couldn’t stop. No seriously. No one could figure out what was wrong with me.
14 I have since stopped coughing. (Lots of allergy shots and inhalers.)
15 After my freshman year, I went to Young Life camp with a few friends. I learned so much about becoming a witness of Christ to my friends.
16 I was a majorette in high school (the ones that twirl batons.)
17 In eleventh grade, my friend Jessica backed her parent’s brand new car into a pond because I told her it looked clear behind her.
18 I was pretty much a good kid.
19 I ran track in high school just to stay in shape for soccer. I wasn’t very good, but I lettered every year. There were hardly any other competitors in the 2-mile.
20 I graduated 4th in my class of 160.
21 I applied to Grove City College early admission. It was the only school to which I applied.
22 I made some great friends in college right away, including the very first person I met at GCC: Jami. I just couldn’t believe her voice was real. (She had a very strong southern accent.)
23 I do not like fruit punch Gatorade.
24 I do not like gin.
25 I DESPISE them together.
26 I got to spend New Year’s 1999 in Europe with my friends Erica and Jeff.
27 I do not like mussels.
28 I started college as a math & chemistry secondary ed major. After a semester of courses entitled: organic chem, linear algebra, analytical chemistry, and discrete math (all in the SAME semester), I decided to choose just one major.
29 I worked all but one summer in college as a gas station attendant.
30 The “other” summer, I did a chemistry internship at manufacturing plant, testing and adjusting the chemical baths used for electroplating.
31 I met Jason because he was a chemistry major too, so we had lots of classes together.
32 He says I ignored him for a year. But really I thought he was too cool for me because he was in a fraternity.
33 We started hanging out during a semester of p-chem when we both showed up to our class problem sessions without having tried any of the problems.
34 Our first real date was to a Penn State game.
35 I kind of liked the halftime show.
36 A month after we started dating, I told my roommate I was going to marry him.
37 We married five years later.
38 We had an outdoor wedding at my parent’s house along the river. It rained all day until 5:00. The ceremony started on time at 5:30.
39 I once told Jason that I always wanted a boyfriend who could play guitar. Now he does. Refer to #2.
40 I taught honors chemistry for almost 5 years.
41 I coached junior high soccer for 4 years.
42 I have my master’s degree in math & science education.
43 I have never taught since I’ve earned my masters. (what a good investment.)
44 When we walked into the hospital for our first pregnancy ultrasound, I told Jason, “I can’t wait to call my mom and tell her we’re NOT having twins.”
45 We are the proud parents of twin girls.
46 The girls were born 8 weeks early and spent 6 weeks in the NICU. You would never know it to see them now.
47 I cried and cried when we decided to move.
48 I couldn’t imagine being happier now.
49 I am running in a half marathon in April. When I finish, I think it will be one of my greatest accomplishments ever.
50 I have some awesome friends. They make me laugh and help me enjoy every day.
51 I really miss my friends that are far away.
52 I have two boyfriends on the side. Ben and Jerry. They make the best Brownie Batter.
53 I love classic rock music.
54 I love to sing along to any music. If I don’t know the lyrics, I make up my own.
55 I love Neil Young’s “Comes a Time.” My dad and I listened to and sang that song lots together.
56 I love my laptop. How did I ever spend so much time online before?
57 I never have my cell phone on me.
58 If you ever leave a voice mail on our house phone, it may be a week before we hear it.
59 I check my email 10+ times a day.
60 I hate calling people. Not the people. Just being the one to make the call. It’s a very weird phobia.
61 I can quote the “Princess Bride” most of the way through.
62 I loved “Friends.” I still cry tears of happiness ever time I watch the final episode.
63 I refuse to watch the season Rachel likes Joey.
64 I can’t get enough of crime drama TV shows.
65 I have always loved to take pictures. I got my first 35mm camera in fifth grade.
66 I’m finally getting a little better now that I have a DSLR. I love it!
67 I love to craft. Scrapbooks, cards, gifts…Katie, will you teach me more?
68 I believe that all objects should have a home in my home.
69 Kendall is learning my ways well.
70 I am slowly changing my philosophy on cooking. I’m accepting that fact that some things will take longer to cook than to eat.
71I’ve never broken a bone.
72 I’ve never had surgery.
73 Just when I have finally started to understand golf, Jason decided to take up biking instead.
74 I have a mountain bike.
75 I have really ridden it. I love a technical ride, but hate the hills!
76 I learned that you can’t trust a biker when he says “its all downhill from here.”
77 I love the Steelers.
78 I love the Cheesecake Factory.
79 But not cheesecake.
80 Our favorite car-ride game is Name that Tune using the XM radio.
81 I love long car rides with my family.
82 Although I rarely have time, I love to take a bubble bath.
83 I cherish the rare occasion when I get to go the bathroom alone.
84 I love to shop.
85 My favorite store is the GAP.
86 I’m a sucker for a good bargain.
87 I love being a stay at home mom. Although we rarely stay home all day.
88 I love the way Kenzi calls Momm-me!
89 I love the way the girls giggle and smile when I get them out of their cribs.
90 I love the way Kendall tries to take care of others.
91 I love the way Makenzie knows exactly what she wants.
92 I love the way I have no idea what they are saying, but they understand each other completely.
93 I love the way they love their daddy.
94 I love the way their daddy loves me!
95 I love our parents
96 I love my life.
97 I love what God has planned for us in the future
98 I love Christ.
99 I love that God sent Him to die for me even though I don’t deserve it.
100. I love that fact that you care so much about me to read all 100!

New Year's Eve

Wow, I know, I know...I'm finally posting New Year's Eve! We had a great time with all of my old college friends (plus some exciting new additions!!!) From the left is: Jeff, Jami, and 6 month old baby Ryan - next is Ed, Alyssa's boyfriend (she is sitting on the floor in front), then Diane, Erica, Hannah, and Hannah's boyfriend Ryan - then Sally & Andrew. It was nice to get to meet Ed and Ryan for the first time, and of course catch up with everyone!!! (Oh yeah, George (Jami & Jeff's dog) is that pile of white fur on the floor! )

NEW "ADDITIONS" to our New Year's Party:

Hannah & Ryan

Alyssa & Ed

Baby Ryan trying to help celebrate the new year!

Christmas at Gram Hughes'

Last Sunday we had a big family dinner celebrating Christmas at Gram Hughes'. Most of my cousins are grown (the youngest, RJ and Katie, are still in high school) and Mike & Tina also have a little one, so the presents this year were really about the babies (including the expected baby Vavra)! Makenzie and Kendall were not so nice playing with Landen (maybe they are just not around enough baby boys!!) They kept trying to steal his toys! The girls were also very sneeky trying to climb upstairs! They did get very excited about their present from Aunt Karen - a twin set of baby dolls with twin stroller, twin highchairs, and twin bassinette! I tried to get some pictures of the girls and Landen together....not very successfully! Oh well! It was a nice visit, but we had to hurry back to get ready for New Year's!!

Christmas Day

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning when we went downstairs, the girls totally ignored their unwrapped gift from Santa - their new kitchen! They dove right into unwrapping! Once they did notice the kitchen, they LOVED it! Kendall especially loved "adding" spices to the pot! She is even meticulous about putting it all back!
This was a great Christmas; I feel so blessed to have such beautiful children and a loving family! God is pretty amazing!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we all joined Daddy at church a little early for music practice before the service. The girls got to try out the drums!! The girls were little angels during practice...they saved their crazy stage for the middle of the service!!! After church, we headed over to Noni and Pappy's to open presents!

Daddy playing guitar in the praise band!

Kendall practing the drums!

The girls coloring.

The girls opening presents at Noni's!

Here is Makenzie acting like a super-sleuth from My Friends Tigger & Pooh! We asked her what she should do when she has a problem? "Think, Think, Think!"

Christmas in Pittsburgh

Christmas Eve Eve

Saturday morning we packed ourselves into the car and drove to Pittsburgh. We dropped off the girls for an overnight stay with Mimi and Pappy. The girls were SO excited to get there! Then we drove down to Andrew and Sally's to celebrate Andrew's birthday. We met a bunch of Andrew and Jason's old fraternity brothers (and their significant others) at Mad Mex - we had a great time other than Jason and I both had a bad cold! We got up early and drove back to my parents in time for church. After church, we had lunch and then opened presents! Makenzie and Kendall loved helping EVERYONE open their presents, making it a long afternoon!!! Then we headed next door to my grandparents' for a big dinner with all of my cousins and their kids! This was followed by the traditional Christmas Eve Eve service (actually it's called a Candlelight Service, but we always referred to it by our own name!) at the church where I grew up in Clinton. Then we headed back home!!!!

Makenzie loves her noodles with cheese!!!

I started trying to take pictures in complete manual mode! So don't mind if all my pictures are at little crazy right now!

The girls love helping their pappieeeeeee!

This is a present for Baby Vavra! Hmm...maybe "Makenna?"

Kendall helping Aunt Whitney!

Makenzie helping Uncle Tyler!

I have to say this picture made me a little teary - This is my cousin Hannah playing with the girls - Hannah has always been a special cousin to me...I remember clearly when she was born (I was in high school), and I ALWAYS spent time playing with her at church and family stuff - if my scanner was working, I'd show a picture of Hannah putting on my lipstick when she was about the same age as the girls! Hannah was a junior bridesmaid in our wedding, and now she is getting so grown up!!!! It's so funny to see her playing with all the new little kids!

Mimi, mimi, mimi!!!!! The girls love to spend time with their Mimi!

Aww...kisses from Daddy for Kenzi!

Christmas Card Photo Shoot

Here are some cute pictures from our photo shoot that didn't make it into the Christmas card. The girls are definately easier to "pose" with someone else around to distract them!!!