summer = wear work out clothes every day

I have been obsessed with work out clothes lately. When I go shopping, in stores or online, they're all I want to look at. I've been 'window shopping' a lot lately at lululemon, and I thought I'd share what I've been drooling over.

I've actually never bought anything from them, because a) I'm not a huge fan of ordering things online and b) I'm not sure on their sizing. I wish I could just buzz down to Seattle really quick and browse the store, but I don't think that's going to be happening anytime soon ;)

1 | bang buster headband

I have a problem with the thin headbands staying on my head but I think this wider design would work great. I love they colors they offer too, a few of the headbands are even reversible! I would probably get a black one and the teal/white colored one (both pictured).

2 | free to be bra

I love bras like this for just wearing around. It's not supportive enough for running (for me at least), but I love the strappy back and I think it would be really cute under tanks. I love the power purple, white, inkwell, and mellow lemon colors.

3 | cool racerback

I have heard rave reviews about this lululemon staple and am dying to get one. They are really long which I love and they come in a lot of cute colors and patterns.  

4 | transparent-see jacket

this is in the 'we made too many'/final sale section so I'm a little scared to get it just incase it doesn't fit right but I want it  sooooo   badddd. I have been craving a see-through windbreaker for morning runs and just running around in and this one seems perfect. 

I love it. I want it. ahhhhh... 

5 & 6 | wunder under crop and pant *reversible

I've also heard rave reviews about these two items and actually need more tights-type pants but they are spendy and I'm scared. I love the colors and they are full price so I could always swap them out if somethings not right so I don't know why I don't just get some. I think I might try out the crops first because they're better for summer.

There are many, many other things on their site that I would just love to have, but these are some items that I'm actually seriously considering. If anyone has any experiences with lululemon stuff and the sizing please let me know! Should I just go for it and get a few things? Help!

is it really 80?!

It's been 80 degrees, blue skies, and sunshine here for the last couple of days, with Sunday being the only exception. We have been loving it! I think Riggs and I have spent more time outside than in other than for bedtime and naps. It has been so very nice, and I'm thankful! I hope there are more days like this throughout the summer, at least ten would be nice ;)

Monday Beka and her bf Carlo came out to visit, we had a great time eating ice-cream and meandering around the neighborhood. Riggs woke up from his nap when they first got there and clung to Beka like a little monkey, he loves snuggling with her!

Monday night we went to a BBQ at Sarah and Davids with her parents and we were having so much fun I didn't even have a chance to get any pictures. Riggs was so dirty from playing outside all day long but we didn't get home until 9:30 so he went to bed dirty. And I didn't even feel bad because he was so happy and worn-out and I just washed his sheets and blankie in the morning.

sweet little sleeper
and yes, that's how bright it is at 9:30pm

Yesterday we met Sarah and Lyla in Palmer for a 'run'. The run didn't go so well (that's what happens when you have a hungry toddler and a hot and sweaty baby-girl) so we scrapped it and went to lunch instead, always a good alternative ;). Then we walked, and walked, and walked and walked. It was so fun! We just marched around and talked all afternoon in downtown Palmer. I'm pretty sure we walked about 4 miles total by the time we headed our separate ways! So I guess we made up for the missed run.

Riggs is officially walking now, it only took him a full sixteen-months to get the hang of it. He is so funny now that he's decided to walk, he like speed walks from point-a to point-b. He'll take one slow step away from the kitchen island, and then walk as fast as he can with his arms out in front of him till he reaches the cabinets. He's so cute! We got him some more little shoes since he's outgrown his little wool booties (plus they're too hot and high up on his leg for right now anyway). Such a big boy!

Today I was walking around in my yard when I saw something that just made my afternoon. My little rhubarb plant that I planted last fall survived and seems to be thriving! I planted it last fall, and about a week later we had the huge windstorm that just ripped all the leaves off the little plant and I thought for sure it was a gonner.

Then after a fun Skype-meeting with Mitch we went to the river to play for a bit. I was just going to go on a walk and throw the ball for Tutka down the road, but it was just too hot and I knew he'd get completely over-heated. Fetching in the water is a lot better for him. Riggs played in the back of the truck, then drove his turtle around, and then played at the edge of the water.

He tasted some of the gravel, but decided it wasn't so palatable and spit it out all over himself. Then he wiped the wet gravely sand all over himself and the little log he found. So much fun for a little boy! He even stood in the water for a bit, which surprised me because it is really cold. Even with the 80 degree temps that water is like ice.

We had such a good time and I was reminded again of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place. I love living out in the Valley so much and I'm so glad we moved here. We thought we'd like it, but it's such a great feeling to know that we don't just like it, we love it!

What have you been doing to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather?!

running: fourth week of May

Lots of sun this week during my runs. I love it! I went four times this week and managed to increase my mileage by two miles again (15.29 verses like 13.5 from last week). This was my last week of 'training' since the Twilight 12k is this Friday, May 31st. I'll just be doing a few easy jogs this week before the race. After the race I'll probably take a two or three day break and then start training in earnest to be in good enough shape for the Skinny Raven Half Marathon on August 18th.

Riggs is such a trooper during my runs, I'm so thankful that he doesn't mind being stuck in the stroller for 30-50 min every other day! I usually plan the time I run so that he doesn't sneak in a nap, then when I'm done running I stretch out in the front yard and then go on a walk with him and Tutka down the street so that he gets some exercise too.

It's very rare that he gets fussy in the stroller and so far he's never cried/thrown a fit - I just have to keep moving, which is obviously easy to do when you're running ;) It's when I stop at the Green Store to grab a Rockstar Recovery that he usually reaches his little arms up to me and and says, "mama?" So cute! I love his little arms reaching up!

Whenever I run on the bike trail next to the Old Glenn there's a spot I always run by that I think I should stop and take a picture of, and I finally did last week. It's this swampy area with all these old tree trunks and I just wonder what made it that way since it's surrounded by woods on every side. It's so pretty a little later in the summer when everything's green and there's often a moose or two out wading through the murky water, especially earlier in the morning.

Anyway, I'm happy with how my running/training has been going. I had kind of hoped to do at least one 7 mile run before the 12k race (this Friday) but the most I ended up doing was 5.5. Time just sort of got away from me. I'm not too worried about it though, I'm sure it will go fine. I'm just excited at this point, I love races! The energy and the cheering at the end is just so fun and motivating.

What's your favorite part about doing community/road races? And if you've never done one, would you consider it? You totally should - they are so much fun!

we love weekends!

Steve's watching some NASA show on Netflix and I'm getting distracted from finishing this blog post by the vibrant, green leaves(!) on the branches swaying outside our window. Every time I look out and see them I just get so happy. It's finally spring and nearly summer!

Friday we were happily surprised when Steve got home a little early from work, and we ate dinner then let Riggs 'air out' in the warm evening sun before his bath and bed. There is just something so dang cute about seeing a squishy little bum playing out in the yard - just makes my heart melt. 

Saturday we woke up to clear blue skies and the golden light of the sun rising up over the mountains and shining in our window. I went for a run and then we started our day. I wore shorts and it felt wonderful! By 11am it was already so warm out, I knew it was going to be a glorious day. I hung out in the yard with Tutka during Riggs' nap, impatient for him to wake up so he could come out and play.

After Riggs woke up, we headed down the road a bit to meet Steve's friend for shooting some clay and taking the dogs down to the lake. It was so gorgeous and the weather was seriously to die for, a perfect Alaskan day.

The dogs had fun swimming together, although Tutka was a little too dedicated to finding his ball. He's a crazy swimmer and loves being in the water, we had to force him to leave. He kept taking his ball back and just standing in the water looking at us like, "Just one more time?!"

Then we drove up to a little shooting range down the road/trail to shoot some skeet. I stayed in the cab for a bit with Riggs because there was another dude and his kids out shooting and I didn't feel comfortable getting Riggs very close to them - I don't trust other people's shooting skills around my baby!

But after they left we got out and he hung out in the bed of the truck playing in the dirt. I watched the guys and then even shot a few myself - it was actually really fun. My shoulder was pretty sore afterwards though, and it's a little bruised today. Oops! Need to work on my form haha. Riggs was so cute in his little ear muffs and he did so good keeping them on the whole time!

When we got home it was just still too nice to go inside so we played in the yard all afternoon and didn't go in until after dinner when it was getting close to Riggy's bedtime. I got him a little beach bucket last week and he loved playing with it, stacking the cups, throwing them across the yard and most of all digging in the gravel of the driveway and putting the rocks in his turtle push-toy. So much fun! We also read from his National Geographic Kids magazine and went on a family walk together. 

When we went inside for the day, Riggs went right into the bath then got in his pjs and we read a little bit in the living room before bed time. I'm so glad that he loves books so much, partially because I love reading and am happy to share that with him and partially because it's the only time (other than nursing - which is only once before bed now) that he sits still in my lap!

Today was a bit busier but still fun. We headed to Wasilla to pick up a backhoe from Steve's boss for work, then went to church, then came home and got to work. Riggs shocked Steve and I and was terrified of the back-hoe when it was moving around. I guess I can understand why, it's so loud and big, but I just assumed he would like it! He didn't mind it when it wasn't moving, and even wanted to climb up in it to sit in Steve's lap, and he even ran the controls for a minute or two ;) but then he started to get scared as it got louder and he had to come back to the safety of mama's arms.

He didn't mind watching Steve work in the backhoe from afar as I was with him, and he happily played in the yard the entire afternoon. I wasn't a very happy camper because the mosquitos were swarming me and I had to keep moving to avoid bites (I got at least 10 ugh). We sort of lost track of time and had to wash Riggy in the sink really quick before getting him into bed late at about 7:30 - he was asleep almost instantly! It was a fun day but I'm pretty tired and can't wait to go climb into bed.

Hope your weekend has been fun so far, we're going to have another fun day in the sun tomorrow! Happy Memorial Day and be sure to thank a Veteran tomorrow (or two or ten)!