THRILL the World!!

Is there anything better then dressing up in costume and getting totally into character???
How 'bout dressing up in costume, dancing "Thriller" with a few hundred other people locally and tens of thousands all over the World, and attempting to set a new World Record?!!

On Saturday, October 29th, Brett, my sister Taylor, and I participated in "Thrill the World", an annual worldwide simultaneous dance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to earn money for charities and attempt to set a World Record for the “Largest Simultaneous Thriller Dance."

For weeks prior, we studied and learned every move to the 6 minute routine.  Then Saturday morning we got together early to "zombify" ourselves.  I think we did a pretty good job...

(please don't mention my totally out-of-character sandals.  i have a split toenail and i seriously tried every other option.  these were the only shoes that didn't send shooting pain up my toe.  yes, i realize they look horrible.)

Once we were looking the part, we headed out to the Arizona State Fair, where our "Thrill the World" event was being held.  We made a few pit stops along the way, and got some very fun reactions. :)

We got to the fair around 3:00pm and then spent a lot of time waiting, finding our dance spots, waiting, watching the sun go down, waiting, touching up makeup, waiting, rehearsing as a group, and waiting some more.
We had plenty of time to pose for more pics...

...and visit with our fans. :)

Then finally...the official dance! 

We did a world-wide synchronized countdown with 226 other "Thrill the World" events located all around the World, and then at exactly 7:00pm we all danced "Thriller" simultaneously!  Our Arizona group had 236 dancers!!

Here's the "official HD video" for Guinness World Records.  It is taken from very far away so it's sometimes hard to tell what we're doing.

Here's an "unofficial" video closer up.

Once the dancing was over, we were finally able to enjoy all the exhibits, rides, and fried food the State Fair has to offer.  Yum.

To say we had a BLAST would be a COMPLETE understatement! The official head count is still underway, so we won't know if we set a World Record for awhile still. Either way, it was SO MUCH FUN, and we are already planning our outfits for next year!

" 'Cause this is thriller, thriller night

And no one's gonna save you from the beast about strike

You know it's thriller, thriller night

You're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight"

My Little Monster

Oh how I love my little monster!

Before suiting up, we spent a little time getting our jump on...

...getting our "cheese" on...

 ...and getting our fight on (apparently it's *hilarious* to hit Grandma in the face. who knew?).

Then we shed a few tears...

...gave a few snuggles...

 ...and got ready to pArTY!!

Oh, how I love my little monster!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Painkillers

When FOUR big new MOLARS are popping through and you don't feel good, sometimes it's just best to cuddle up with a blanket and watch cartoons...

...or play video games...

...or watch more cartoons.

Hmmm... does anyone else see a VERY bad trend starting?! :)

26.2

26.2 miles.  46,112 yards.  138,336 feet.  1,660,032 inches!
On Saturday, October 1st, Brett ran the St. George Marathon!  I still can hardly believe it!!  Considering that the furthest distance I have ever run is 7 miles, 26.2 seems almost impossible.  Even more unbelievable, he did VERY LITTLE training for it!!!  Brett started running only a few months before the race, and ran only one 16-mile and one 20-mile training run before the race!  Seriously, who does that??!!  Brett does.  He has more mental strength than ANYONE I know.  (And I'm not just saying that because I'm his wife.  He also ran a triathlon a few years ago with NO training whatsoever!)

Weston and I drove up through Snow Canyon to cheer him on with hugs and kisses at mile marker 16.  Then we headed back into town to claim our spot at the finish line.

After watching runner after runner get hauled off in ambulances, I literally burst into tears when I finally saw Brett turn the corner heading for the finish line.  I have never been so happy to see him safe and still in one piece, and never been so PROUD of anyone.  Ever.

Who looks this good just SECONDS after crossing the finish line??!!  Seriously.

Brett's final chip time was 5:03:41.  With the amount of training he put in (or lack there of :]) I can't believe he was able to finish in that amount of time!  He even said that he never felt winded, but that he felt like his legs literally couldn't hold up his body another second.  Apparently his mental strength won over, because he finished his last mile in 7:30!  Seriously amazing!

His #1 fan is very happy to see him. :)

Brett's brother-in-law Gabe ran the marathon as well.  We had fun seeing Brett's sister Bobbie, Gabe, and their kids for the few days.

While in St. George, we were able to stay with Brett's best friend John and his family.  It was so fun to spend time with their cute family, and so nice to not have to pay for a hotel!  While at their house we played games, watched General Conference, and enjoyed some absolutely uh-maz-ing meals!!  They even took us to visit their neighbor's brand new baby pigs.  SO fun!

Thank you thank you to the Leavitts for letting us invade your house for 3 days! 

And thank you thank you to Brett for surviving the 26.2 miles and not making me a widow.

Uno

Wow, has it seriously been a month since I've blogged??!!  This is a new record that I am NOT proud of.  But, we are back in town, and I am realizing that my small "things to blog" list has now become a VERY large "things to blog" novel.  So, be prepared for a slew of updates.  But for now, we'll start back almost a month ago now, (gulp!) with the most important event in the last month - Weston's BIRTHDAY!!

Weston turned one on Tuesday, October 4th!

It absolutely AMAZES me that a year (plus a month now :]) has already gone by since we welcomed our new little boy into this world.  It is so true: time really does FLY!

 It took him about two seconds to figure out how to hold down the button and make this thing light up.  His words every time it turns on, "OOOOoooooo!"  :)

 Don't even TRY to make him get out of his car!

 Look at that face!!  This boy is ready for some CAKE!

 When you can't shove it in your mouth fast enough, forgo the hands and go for the direct shot!

 I think he liked it. :)  What do you think?!

Every day is such an adventure with Weston, and I feel SO blessed to be his mom. 

At one year old Weston LOVES...
...dogs! Especially his dog, but any dog will do.  He recently got bulldozed by a large bulldog - he came up laughing hysterically!
...to walk on the treadmill.  I'm not sure if he's excited to copy mom and dad, or if he's just really into fitness. :)
...to eat!  His favs include scrambled eggs, ice cream, any and all fruit, and Squeez applesauce.  The only food he has EVER turned down is avocados (which means more for me! YAY!).
...to play dirty-sock tug-of-war with Kenzie.  He usually wins. :)
...anything with buttons, i.e. cell phones, computers, house alarms, stereos, tvs, cameras, etc.  Basically anything that can be broken.
...to wrestle.  If mom or dad are not available, the next best thing is his 4.5 foot teddy bear.  He is a boy through and though!
...to be outdoors.  Don't try to bring him inside unless you are prepared to deal with the consequences :)
...to have his picture taken.  Seriously.  He gets the biggest cheesiest grin every time I bust out the camera.
...water! Anything that creates a splash, including the toilet and the dog's water bowl (ugh!), are great fun to Weston. :(  We're working on this.
...to read books.  His current favs:   "I Love You Through and Through", "Brown Bear Brown Bear", and "Good Night Moon".
...to give head butts... to people, to walls, to toys, and even to the dog.  Again, he is SUCH a boy!

We feel so blessed to have such a happy, healthy boy.  Happy Birthday Weston!!