hooray for the 5K

It isn't super easy to see, but our 5k trail this morning was the brown line! It covers mostly the left half of swan Creek park. I was the first (and only) stroller finisher :) Not too many people run with strollers here I guess. People were quite impressed. Yet another reason to love ohio! Whenever we go places Kent and I always feel like we stand out for some reason. It makes for great opportunities to talk to and meet lots of people.

The race went really well! It was freezing cold! Perfect weather for running, but afterwards the sweat nearly froze to our bodies! We came home and I jumped in a hot shower. It was the coldest morning thus far I believe. It was 42 degrees, but we had 86% percent humidity so it felt like 30 degrees to me. The chill from the humid air reminds me a lot of moscow!

Sorry no race pictures! We forgot our cameras in the rush to get out the door this morning. Little Zeb let us sleep till 8:20 and the race started at nine. And speaking of Zeb, he loved the race - and the racers loved Zeb. There were so many comments about a baby running the 5K. He was all prepped for the race in his new running shoes. Thanks gma pat! Too bad he never even got to use them, he crossed the finish line fast asleep.

one more thing I love about Ohio.

The picture is bad, its a cell phone pic, but it gets the point across. When we first got here we saw these bright yellow license plates on random vehicles. I wondered what they were and found out that they are placed on cars that are pulled over with drunk drivers. What a wonderful idea! It causes me to be a little judgemental, but I guess thats the point, right? Be more aware and cautious around the drivers, they have been convicted of more than one DUI offense. It makes sense to me! I have been quite surprised to see just how many of them there are around here. I think that it would be a great idea in any state. I say they make them bright pink or purple though.

Zeb's favorite game

My Big Day

My Birthday was a blast! Leisy made my day wonderful and fun. She wrapped up all the things my parents and sisters sent (even if some were just for Zeb) and had me open one every hour or so. She picked me up from school and we went to the zoo. Our zoo is incredible! Toledo is amazing! Zeb LOVED the animals and entirely missed his nap. We went out to dinner and then had friends over for cake and ice cream. Zeb zonked at 7:45 and missed the party that evening. It was super fun - thanks Leisy!!

Look at him watch the bears!

Don't fall Zeb!!!

!?!?!?!mystery track!?!?!?!

So the song playing right now (turn up your volume if you aren't listening) is going to be in our ward primary program in just a few weeks! okay so it really isn't, but I was given a CD with the primary program songs on it a week ago and Zeb and I were listening to it in the car when suddenly this song started playing! I didn't even realize anything for a minute cause I quite enjoy the song. It really is track four. Apparently the lady who made the CDs accidentally mixed in one of her son's songs. Besides the "smokes in my pocket" part I think that it's quite primary appropriate :)

I did some research (when I use the word research it is a rather broad term, normally referring to a google search of some sort) and found out that the song is "Leaving Town" by Dexter Freebish. I'd never heard of the guy(s), but I rather like him now. enjoy.

one of my favorites yet!!

This was perhaps my favorite recipe yet! Kent and I have gone health food crazy. Okay, okay, so not insane-crazy, but you would all be relatively impressed (I think!). Check out this wonderfully healthy yet extremely tasty dinner!

These are Chicken Teriyaki Sliders! I couldn't find ground chicken so I substituted 99% fat free ground turkey (as seen on "The Biggest Loser"...at least that's what the packaging said on it). I can't do ground beef. I'm all finished with it forever maybe. kakashka. ew.

So, back to the sliders...they were so so so delicious and kinda cute. They are like mini burgers. The cucumber slice really added great flavor! and a little extra Mr. Yoshida's didn't really hurt either :)
We had steamed squash and fresh strawberries as sides. Really, my mouth is still watering. oh, p.s. I halved the meat and the garlic but kept everyting else the same. It made six little burgers.

1 pound ground, all-white meat chicken (or turkey)
4 scallions (or handful of normal chopped onions)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
1 tablespoon grill seasoning (I used salt and pepper)
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce (in my opinion only yoshidas would make a superior slider)
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 cup pickled ginger (didn't have any, but I'm sure it would have been good)
1 cucumber, sliced
lettuce
whole wheat dinner rolls (we toasted them on broil)
turkey bacon (we just added this for fun, it isn't in the original)

Combine meat, scallions, garlic, grill seasoning and teriyaki sauce. Score and divide meat into 8 portions and form small patties, about 1/2 inch thick.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add canola oil, about once around the pan. Cook mini chicken burgers in the pan, about 3 minutes on each side, until cooked through.
Place burgers on buns, top each burger with some pickled ginger, a slice of cucumber and some lettuce then place the top half of bun on top.

he's obsessed

Here I am, the epitome of first time mom. Documenting even the ordinariness of first time eatings. I vowed to never do it, and I wouldn't be if the pictures weren't so dang funny. I am going to miss his gummy smile so much once the rest of his teeth come in. why does he have to get teeth so prematurely? at least he wasn't born with them. It is a regular occurence you know.

He adores sweet potatoes. He ate an entire jar in one sitting, his first sitting at that. He was so excited that he grabbed, smeared, smelled, and ate all at the same time. This book the health place sent me said they will turn their heads away when they are finished. This little rugrat never even glanced away, let alone turn.