The anticipated update

I realize I've been out of the blogging world for quite some time. I want to assure you, I've still been diligently reading your blogs and enjoying each of them. I needed a blogging break. I was finding it difficult not to compare my world with yours and your little families and all of the wonderful things you have accomplished in your lives, so I took a break, to refocus and decide for myself if I wanted to keep blogging....and I do! I've missed it, so here I am. I wanted to update you on a few things we've been up to:

*Matthew had his first major surgery in July of last year. An emergency appendectomy. The surgery was successful and all is well although it was such a different feeling being on the waiting end.
*After finishing the 5K in May of 2009, I signed up to do a 10K in September of 2009 only to run into knee issues. I consulted my family doctor and then an orthopedic surgeon. After being told to rest I was unfortunately unable to run the 10K and stayed off my knee through the holidays.
*We were able to take a log of vacations this summer: We went to AZ in July for my mom's 50th Birthday Bash. We had our first trip to Lake Powell with friends, a trip to Island Park, ID just West of Yellowstone and a few other short trips .

Hike to Stewart Falls

Nora's 1st Birthday Party: Miracle and Ellie

Nora's 1st Birthday Party: Me, Lori, Tiffany & Kirbi

4th of July Weekend: Me and Matthew
4th of July Weekend: Sadie, Kirbi, Lori and Nora
4th of July Weekend: Kirbi, Me and Nora

4th of July Weekend: Me and Nora
Lake Powell with Friends: Lindsey, Dorothy and Me

*We spent most of the fall taking drives over the Alpine Loop listening to Colbie Caillat and hoping it wouldn't be the last time.
*In September I celebrated my 25th birthday in Park City where we rode the Zip Line and I got braces...again.

Brooke White's Concert: Joseph, Brooke, Tiffany and Me (with braces :D)

*We spent the Christmas Holiday with Matthew's family and then went to AZ for New Year's to be with my family. We especially enjoyed the drive through Las Vegas this time and secretly hoped it would be the last time we would make that drive.

Christmas Caroling: The Allphin Clan

Mesa Temple Lights: Only some of my fam! :D
Mesa Temple Lights: Jake and I
Mesa Temple Lights: Sweet Cousins, Cole, Jayme and Lillie

*In January I started running again with hopes of running my first Half Marathon on May 1st. I plan to run 4 races in the next 3 months: The Frigid 5K on Feb. 27th, the Spectrum 10K on March 20th, the Salt Lake 10 Miler on April 3rd and the Provo City Half Marathon on May 1st!!!
* We had 1 new niece and 1 new nephew born in 2010!!!!

Austin David Allphin
January 17th, 2010
4 pounds, 7 ounces, 17 inches long
Lyla Ann Hinchey
January 29th, 2010
7 pounds, 6 ounces, 20 inches long

*I've continued to sew more and have loved finding new projects, I will have a post soon of my creations!
*Most importantly, Matthew started his last semester of his undergrad and will graduate on April 30th!!!!! :D