This Just In...

Written by Shannon Leigh

I FINALLY updated my photoblog. Check out the wedding images here.

Outdoor Adventure Party: CANCELLED

Written by Shannon Leigh

Woah, back it up.

Where did the month of April go?
Don't ask me. The last thing I remember was celebrating Matt's birthday at the beginning of March.

Whirlwind is the only word I can use to describe the last 30 days . How appropriate since it is tornado season and all. Have I mentioned that I hate the month of April?

When I was in the 3rd grade my mom agreed to let me have a killer birthday party entitled Outdoor Adventure Party (original, I know). Me and 15 of my closest friends were going to participate in all kinds of outdoor activities including a scavenger hunt around the farm. When we sent out the invitations I could HARDLY contain my excitement. I wanted to be the first to find a robin's nest so stinkin bad.

Anyway, the week of my party finally came around and surprise, surprise it was raining (much like it has been here in Champaign for the last week). Hence the old adage..."April showers..."

By that fateful Saturday, it was downright swampy outside. After some heartfelt resistance on my part the Outdoor Adventure Party came to a screeching halt. I was so upset, stupid April storms.

Luckily my mom whipped up some inside games and we partied our little hearts out while the thunder rolled outside. I remember getting my first dangling earrings at that party (now that changed my life forever).

The Outdoor Adventure Party was a wash(pun intended) and I never really forgave April for that one.

Oh and I never did find that bird's nest.

Only one more day left in April (the one that I turn 24)... maybe we'll see those May flower's soon.
Oh and maybe I should take down my Easter decorations... or maybe not. Jesus is still risen.
Praise the Lord for that one.

Meet Brooke (Roth)...

She completes me.

She has done so since 1991 (1st grade) when we met at our sister's t-ball game.We were On the swings.

I love her.

One time she broke her leg and was in a full leg cast. I got to push her around in her wheel chair and got to go to lunch early. I felt really special.

But I love her most of all because we do silly things together and no matter how long we haven't seen each other, we pick up right where we left off.

Thanks for being You, B.

Oh and she introduced me to Oberweis ice cream.  To die for.  Period..

We tried real hard to take a picture of last night's Dessert Thursday

but this was what we got.

Oh well, the Insomnia Cookies were fab and I came home to a spotless house and a single red rose. What a stud. I'm glad I married him, he makes me really stinkin happy.

In a few minutes, I am headed back here to shoot a wedding this weekend.

At least I get to stay with her

We always have a good time together.

Guess I'll be back Sunday.

I have many more pressing things to talk about...

But I can't get over President Obama's dog. Have you seen him? His name is Bo and he is ADORABLE. I am thinking Izzy might need a Portuguese Water Dog for a brother. Could you imagine our tiny little house with two crazy dogs. (Amber...He reminds me of Piper, don't you think?)

I am finally heading home tonight after a week of training in Chicago. The bad news is that I will be coming back tomorrow night to shoot another wedding on Saturday, this time with Matt Debackere. The good news is I get to shoot and hang with my bestie Brooke. Apparently I can't get enough of this city. I will be back every other week for 8 weeks or so.

I have lots of things to talk about but not a lot of time. I am looking forward to spending the night with my husband, something I haven't done in a week. It happens to be Dessert Thursday so I win in many ways tonight. The next 10 weeks are going to be NUTS with all of the traveling and weddings. I hope I'm up for it. I think I am.

Anyway, happy Thursday! Love you all.

Oh, a Cupcake for Me?

Last Dessert Thursday Matt and I went to Pekara,  in downtown Champaign. I was salivating over all of the baked goods on display.  You should read this little bakery's story here.

  

I ended up with a delish cupcake and some sort of yummy/chocolaty tart. Matt had his standard chocolate brownie which he loved. We enjoyed our food and the time we spent together, as always.

.

Since it's raining in Chicago

I decided to work on some of Matt and I's "First Year" scrapbook, among many other digital projects. 

It makes me feel close to him, even though we are so far apart. 

Maybe some day I'll finish it and print it and think fondly of our first year.  I hope so.

First Wedding of the Season

Visit my photo-blog later this week for more photos.

When We Find a Green Wall...

We really can't help ourselves.

And a lovely Dessert Thursday it was.

I ran 3 miles today.

So I have decided to kick my exercise routine up a notch. After watching my non-blood relatives compete (competitively) in last weekend’s marathon, I decided that I need to get my butt in gear. They might leave me in the dust if I don’t (for real, apparently I’m slow). I mean Pat ran 26.2 miles at a 6 minute 40 second pace. He clearly lived to tell about it so why do I feel like death is around the corner when I run?

I discussed the pain with my lovely cousin, Lesley, who was in town last weekend (cheering on her friend Tina and some Bradley girls). She is a Physical Therapist (well almost, she graduates in May with her Doctorate) and a runner. Can I write a sentence in this paragraph without parentheses (I don’t think so). Anyway, she was telling me that my body may actually contain more fast twitch muscles than slow twitch, hence my speediness. Maybe my cousin Shauna, who has her PhD. in PT, could give me some good exercises to build up my slow twitch muscles.  She is the expert.

My point is it’s not my fault. It’s all hereditary, dang genes. So my new goal is to be able to run 5 miles on a consistent basis before the end of June, especially now that Matty is getting back into running.  He's running another 5K in Springfield this weekend.  Maybe someday I'll run one with him.  I use the term "with him" very loosely.  Most likely I'd be the one crying in the back.

I've been going to the gym over my lunch hour for the last few weeks and this was the first time I completed 3 miles without stopping to walk. I was pretty proud of myself.  At the end of the run I glanced down at the calorie counter on the treadmill and it said 350 calories.  I wonder if those things are accurate.  If it is true I can think of lots of things I could eat for 350 calories, 2.25 star crunches to be exact.   The possibilities are endless.  I guess working out does have it's perks. 

WHAT would YOU eat for 350 calories?

Easter Goodies.

The Easter bunny came in the form of a mod-podged statue this year.  He jumped around a lot before finding a permanent spot on our plant shelf (which I still don't know what to do with, ughh).   Anyway, it was a really easy way to spruce up an old bunny statue (there are some really ugly ones out there, trust me).

I loved my Easter flowers too:)

What Can You Do in 2 Hours and 53 Minutes.

I bet you can't run 26.2 miles.

Don't worry, neither can I.  But my brother-in-law can.  The Anderson clan came up to Champaign again this weekend for the marathon/half-marathon/5k.  

The 3 Anderson boys represented each race.

Pat- Marathon (placed 20th out of 1900)

Josh- Half-Marathon (85 out 4000)

Matt- 5k (68th out of 2200)

They did pretty awesome if you ask me.  I am proud to share the Anderson name.  Here's to hoping my children get the love of running gene from that side of the family.  We all know they won't get it from me.

The happy (cold) cheerleaders.  Good thing I had my cuddl duds

Pat at mile 10.  Looking good.

Josh at mile 10 (only 3.1 miles to go)

Rounding out 26.2

 

I think he's tired.

My boys.  I couldn't be more proud.

p.s. I tried to get one of Matty while he was running but I was too busy cheering. Love you babe.