The Crafts

Kate decked out CJ with some cool shades during last night's bottle. I think she looks pretty smooth. We bought Kate a gift for passing swimming lessons...Sleeping Beauty Ballerina Barbie. She was incredibly excited when she opened the package but since then, Barbie hasn't been played with much. Sigh.

A little someone in our house is getting awfully brave. Princess #2, CJ, has begun pulling herself up on everything.   And it hasn't stopped there. She is also climbing stairs and will occasionally let go and test her free standing abilities. She chases Kate (and the cat) everywhere. She has climbed the stairs bottom to top in about 30 seconds. And just this morning she did some slight cruising along furniture. Boy, oh boy, our world is about to turn upside down!! All in time for her 10 month birthday...which is today, by the way! In other news, we have had a very busy two and a half days so far this week. We have visited four parks, the pool, library, City garden, City museum, and have had two outdoor picnics. And to top it off, today we went shopping in Dysart with Grandma Craft. We stopped at a quilt shop there.  Boring, right?  No way. This place was cool.  Fun, funky fabrics.  A hip, young owner with cool designs. I bought two patterns.  The fir...

While neither Matt nor I finished our training programs for the Sturgis Falls half marathon, only one of us actually chickened out of running the race.  And that chicken is your's truly.  Bock, bock. So despite not training, Matt ran the entire half marathon. His proud wife and daughters met him at the finish line. And look, he is even smiling. Doesn't he look good in his cool running gear. It was a birthday present from me. I imagine the real reason he chose to run was so he could wear his cute outfit. Matt won a finisher's medal. Kate thought that was super cool. Oh, and that house they are posing in front of is awesome.  I wish I would have taken some pics of that place! After the race we went out for breakfast with Matt's folks. They were working the Iowa State University water stop along the half marathon route. And while Matt took an afternoon nap (an all afternoon nap!) I made us the most amazing muffins. Bake them NOW and thank me later. Seriously, these...

I love desserts...but who doesn't right? I read somewhere that desserts is stressed spelled backwards. That made me laugh.  And then I ate more desserts. I have some favorite desserts. LeAnn's monster cookies and lemon bars. My mom's kringla. My Grandma Holthaus' chocolate pie. My Grandma Smith's apple pie. My chocolate chip cookies. Sorry girls, but nothing beats this new favorite. Amazing.  Delicious.  I made it yesterday and it is almost gone. Key lime pie. I've never made it before.  In fact I've never even eaten key lime pie before. I've had Yoplait's key lime yogurt and it was kind of blah. Why I decided to make this pie is beyond me but man, oh man, am I thankful I did. I didn't even try to make this picture look pretty.  That is why it doesn't look pretty. I had to snap a photo fast before I ate yet another piece. Here is the recipe.  Hurry, fast, as quick as you can. Run to the store and buy the ingredients.  You won't be so...

I'm a little behind on my blog.  I think I have almost recovered from the icky salad attack last Friday.  I won't be eating salad for a very, very, very long time.  Blah...I can't even write about it. I wish I had some pics to share.  Kate, CJ and I spent a couple of days in Cedar Rapids hanging with my family.  It was nice to get away from the house for a bit.  I guess that is all I have right now.  When it seems to rain every day and you end up doing the same thing day after day, well, it doesn't make for good blogging.  Boring, eh?

This morning was the La Porte City 5K. We all finished and really did quite well. From left to right starting in the first row, Gary Smith, me, Lindsay Smith. Back row, Jess Vilsack, Matt Craft, Tom Joensen. I didn't meet my goal time.  Boo hoo. I ran a 25:21...51 seconds short of my goal. However, I am still very happy with my performance.  Primarily because I won my age division! That was a complete surprise! I have also felt sick since yesterday afternoon. Remember that pretty salad pic I posted yesterday? Well I ate it and have felt terrible ever since. I want to give up veggies all together.  Blah!