Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Elle's Winter Recital

Here is Elle in her fall studio recital. It went pretty well despite her shy moments. Her lips are chapped from all the tongue action though! I must admit, I'm impressed with her attentativeness. She definitely wants to get it right. We're so proud of our little dancer.

Workout Playlist Recommendations

A few weeks ago I asked my Facebook friends to help me get more creative with my exercise playlist by providing three recommendations from their repertoire. I got some good ones so I thought that I would share them with you. Enjoy the sweat!


Angela Godwin
One of my favorites on my running playlist is The Who's "Who Are You". For me, the BPM matches my stride and really gets me going. I also really like "American Girl", Tom Petty. :) If you really want something different, though, try some Japanese techno. Seriously! e.g., Anything from the Dance Dance Revolution soundtrack is great!

Erin Burkholder Leaman
Fergilicious by Fergie, I know you want me by Pitbull, and Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John (i was getting desparate for the 3rd one, but it's a good song)

Cathy Schmitt
Lose yourself by eminem, its awesome..weapon of choice by fatboy slim..and definetly anything by prodigy!!!!

Nicolle Carter Warren
Vertigo by U2. American Woman by The Guess Who. Get UR Freak on by Missy Elliott. :-)

Krystal Williams
It takes two- rob base and dj ez, don't stop the music- rhianna, and I told you so- Keith urban. Pass your playlist on when you're done, sounds like a good one!

Jason Doctor
Some of KJ's favorite workout/ running tunes- It's Raining Men, Karma Chameleon, Ladies Night, Sex You Up, I Got You Babe (he likes to sing Cher's part), Copa Kabana, Wake Me Up Before you Go, Half Breed (really most anything by Cher)
October 1 at 8:31am · Delete

Bill Langenheim
Praise you by Fat Boyslim. The Verve's Bitter Sweet Symphony. Those start slow but build fast. For the best intro in the history of Rock, it's Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell.

KJ Little
True, "If I could turn back time" is a motivator. Never can go wrong with Color Me Badd, N.K.O.T.B., or Milli Vanilli. Really hitting the road hard recently with anything from "Glee".

Jennifer Lindsey
I've got some INXS that I love to use.

Kathleen Cahill Wackowski
"Dancing in the Streets" by Martha and the Vandellas (aging myself) "Shipping up to Boston" by Dropkick Murphys and for something completely different "Christmas Eve Sarajevo" by Trans Siberian Orchestra, great driving rhythms for running and maybe it will inspire you to get your Christmas Shopping done early :~)

Angie Cox McAfee
You gotta have some Top Gun Danger Zone! :) Little Rocky Eye of the Tiger... topped off with Vacation's chariots of fire! Ha!

Mindi Murphy Johnson
The Mama Mia Soundrack is the best at least for walking as the tunes are a mixture of quick and not so quick. Perhaps there might be something of interest for those who can run.

Chris Caughern Fisher
nickelback has some good fast, crazy possessive, hip hop police, all the above,megamix by 2 unlimited,turn it up by autograph , flo rida is fun need more? I have a bundle

Chris Caughern Fisher
throw in bon jovi too

Beth Akins
Pump Up the Volume by MARRS
also...Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson

Tom Leibrandt
Lit Up- Buck Cherry , Thunder Struck AC/DC, Wild Side- Motley Crue, Unchain my heart- Motley Crue, Eat the rich-Aerosmith

Elle's First Day of Kindergarten

Her first day of Kindergarten was August 12th and I almost cannot believe that both my children are school aged now. I must say, she was more ready to make this transition in life than most five year old kids that I know. She's quite the social butterfly.

She was fortunate enough to be assigned to Mrs. Grant's class. Mrs. Grant was Dakota's Kindergarten teacher also and we love her. Elle is enjoying school and her new social setting very much. Her only complaint is the cafeteria food so we've been packing a lunch most days.

We couldn't be more proud of our strong little girl.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

Kelly, Jen, Amanda, Jill and I arrived yesterday afternoon at the Keystone Resort in Keystone, CO. It's now 4:45 a.m. And I cannot sleep due to the anticapation for what awaits me. In one hour we will head to the opening ceremony where more than 1500 people will start their walk to fight breast cancer.

I'm excited and worried (mostly about blisters) but I know it will be amazing. And fortunately, I will have a beautiful view of God's creation of this part of our country to occupy my thoughts.

This photo was taken from the back proch of our condo, Key Condo.

Wish me luck!

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Garage Sale

Yesterday's fundraising efforts were a success! We raised over $600 that is going to off-set travel expenses and/or is being donated to the cause. We are less than 1 week away from the 39 mile walk in Keystone, CO.

I'm looking forward to this amazing opportunity to spend time with my friends, see the beautiful countryside and donate more than $7,000 in the name of Team J.A.C.K.

A heartfelt thanks to all of our supporters!

Cousins

Cousins

We just returned from an awesome family vacation to DisneyWorld. But before I get into a recap of that, I wanted to share some memories that were made as we passed through OKC.

As many you know, Mandi and I grew up together. Although she lived in Muskogee and I was in Tulsa, there was rarely a summer that went by when we didn't spend some time visiting one another and sharing many a memory. As we became adolescents, we spent even more time together and over the years we have been fortunate enough to strengthen our friendship as adult women. Before we were born, our moms were similarly close and as far as we know, our grandmothers were loving sisters. And so now we offer the same to a fourth generation. Dakota and Elle spent some quality time with their cousin Hal while Doc and I caught up with Mandi and K.J. We were especially glad to spend the evening with cousin Scott whom we see far less of but thoroughly enjoy each encounter we have with him. Although our visit was short, I'm grateful for the time we had. I hope we're able to continue finding time for our families to be close and I hope that our kids do the same for their children and their cousins.

The Kids

The Boys

And The Girls