Race for the Cure

On May 9th my sisters and I participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. This was my second 5K this year. Lindsay, Carly and I all signed up together through Lindsay's work. This time I decided to take Sammie and Eston with us in the stroller. Lindsay had told me that due to the mass amounts of people that come out to do this 5K, you end up walking anyway. Sammie and Eston were so excited that they got to go do a race with mom this time. They woke up early to come with me and just ate breakfast in the stroller.



We raced in honor of Gram, who has fought cancer a few different times, some of which was breast cancer, and lung cancer. She is amazing and continues to be a support and inspiration to me.



About 2 miles into the race, Sammie and Eston wanted to get out and walk with us. Sammie actually ended up walking about 3/4 mile on her own and wanted to do what we were doing.



Both kids were very happy and enjoyed themselves.



After the race was over (it took us 1 hour) we went and enjoyed the snacks and party that they had going on.

I enjoyed spending time with my sisters and hope to do something like this with them again.

Pinkalicious is 4!!

This is a long post, WARNING!!

On May 11th, we celebrated Sammie's 4th birthday. We started the festivities out with a big Pinkalicious party on May 9th. Sammie invited 12 girls to come dressed in pink to the park and play. It was centered on cupcakes, pink, and all things girly. We had a lot of fun. We started the party out by reading the book Pinkalicious. It is one of Sammie's favorite stories.



There was a lot of family there to help. Grandma Brenda and Kim came down from Idaho to play with us. Nana, Carly, Cathy and Lindsay also pitched in with several things. I don't think I could have pulled this off without all their help. Lindsay painted all of the girls faces with cupcakes, flowers, etc.



The girls decorated pink cupcakes to use later for the game pin the cupcake on Pinkalicious. Then they got to take them home to put on their fridge as a magnet.



Other party fun included painting every one's fingernails pink. That went over big.
Anyone who knows Sammie knows that she loves attention and she received a lot that day. She was in heaven with all the friends that came.



Even Lucy was happy to be part of the party. You wouldn't guess it from this picture though.



This is Sammie with her cousin Christine. I love this picture. Christine is just adorable.



On Monday, May 11th, we sang to Sammie as she came down the stairs. She was finally 4. I let her pick her birthday breakfast. She choose Pancakes. I through some chocolate chips in them for fun. She didn't like that. Kudos for being healthy girl.



This year Matt and I gave Sammie her first 2 wheel bike. (okay it still technically has 4 wheels, but has the potential to just be two wheels.) Later in the day we went and picked out a new helmet and elbow and knee pads. Everyday she asks if we can go outside to ride bikes. She loves it.



Here are a few quick likes that Sammie has:
Books: Pinkalicious, Eloise, Olivia, Fancy Nancy, and Samantha (American Girl series)
Favorite Food: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Favorite Drink: Root Beer
Favorite toy: dress ups and jewelry
Favorite Movie: Anything High School Musical
Favorite Color: Pink and Purple
Sammie is very into how she wears her hair and what she wears each day. Sammie is a planner (surprise with that pedersen gene) and loves to help decide what our agenda is going to be for the day. She loves little kids and wants to mother them. She is an amazing big sister and likes to be with her 2 brothers and sister. She is already talking about boyfriends, dates, and her girls. We are in trouble with this one.

Happy Birthday Pumpkin!! We love you tons.

Happy 30th Baby!!

Isn't he hot!?!

We started off the morning with breakfast in bed from the kids. We then went and had lunch with Matt at his office and the kids made him birthday cards. They also made him a treat to share with all his little friends.



Later that night we had (kinda) a surprise dinner for Matt. He was under the impression that it was just going to be my parents and him and I at dinner. Matt invited his family several times to come along with us, but they told him they had too much going on. Matt's family and I had already planned about 2 months earlier for them to be here. The plan was for my brothers and sisters along with my parents to meet us at Pat's BBQ. Matt's family came down and drive with me over to the restaurant. We got there just in time before Matt walked in. I was just excited that I was able to keep his dinner a secret for so long.



The food at this place was amazing and the portion sizes were huge. I ate 1 rib out of my 3 and was completely full.



We love you Baby. I hope you have an awesome 30th birthday!! Man, you are good looking!!