unblogged bloggables-csatt seattle meetup part 1

when i signed up for csatt fitness last january, i really thought i would keep to myself, do the workouts for a month or two, and be on my way. i had basically no intention of being socially involved with the group, and i definitely did not expect to find some of my best friends and soul sisters. i am so glad i was wrong. after a month or two i knew i wasn't going anywhere. i started connecting with people in the group, and all of a sudden i was more socially involved than ever. 

fast forward a few months. people started planning a weekend meetup in seattle, and i decided to go. after the meetup was planned, debra z won the challenge and the meetup turned into her winner's weekend making it even more fun.

mandi and i flew in early in the morning. we went to breakfast, and i dropped her off at debra's. i picked up michelle and jenn and we got in a quick workout. i luckily ended up in an accountability group with them my second month in csatt, and we've been good friends ever since. they were 2 of the biggest reasons i wanted to go to seattle. i was so happy to finally meet them.

jen hosted the group at her house the first night. she had a taco truck for dinner. everyone ate and mingled, and it was so much fun to meet so many people.

mandi, papa z, jen

jen and cody

with jen and michelle (my #APF girls)

with grace, michelle, jen, lisa

kate surprised everyone

we all met at the lake the next morning for stand up paddle board yoga. it was a little bit of a chilly, windy day. the instructor said she would normally cancel the class due to weather. she didn't want to cancel on us so we still had our class. i was scared out of my mind, but i knew i would regret not trying it. it ended up being so much more fun than i thought. it was hard but not impossible. i definitely want to do it again sometime.

we got some instructions with our boards on land before getting in the water. our boards were attached to a rope during the class making it a tiny bit easier than i expected.

after the SUP yoga, Cody did a short workout in the park.

we all went to brunch together after the workout and then had a few hours of free time before dinner that night.

part 2 coming tomorrow

December Happs

i started this post part way through december. it is now april and i'm playing major catch up.

The holiday hustle and bustle is in full force. I love all the fun holiday traditions, and even though it's a crazy time of year I love it.

We had our annual babbling book club Christmas gathering earlier this month. We exchanged socks filled with goodies and picked our books for next year. Courtney gave us a lesson in sugar cookie decorating and we laughed and talked far later than we planned.

 we did a sock exchange this year and filled our socks with some fun surprises.

 our annual GNO party had an 80s theme this year. some people dressed up more than others (wink)

 i skipped out on the white elephant exchange this year, but per usual it did not disappoint. holly got a stuffed turkey mask.

 the generation gap ladies planned a run to temple square to see the big tree at the joseph smith building. it was a beautiful winter run. we rode trax back to our cars.

 i always love looking at lights.

 the big phat group celebrated christmas with dinner at california pizza kitchen and did our gift exchange. we all love to shop so everyone got great gifts.

 i gave sugar scrub and bath salts for friend/neighbor gifts. they were simple and everyone loved them.

unblogged bloggables-another year older

i LOVE any reason to celebrate, and i especially LOVE birthday celebrations. i like making a big deal of people's birthdays probably because mine is so close to christmas. my friends made a big deal of my birthday this year and it was a lot of fun.

tiffany planned a really fun surprise party at tsunami. she did a great job inviting so many friends from various parts of my life. i felt so loved having so many friends take time out of their busy holiday schedules to come celebrate my birthday.

they brought the cutest gold and white decorations.

 laurann made the prettiest cake

 i started my actual birthday with a workout at the gym and then a pure barre class. nothing beats a good sweat first thing in the morning.

 i took myself to get a pedicure to celebrate.

lisa came to town for the holidays and happened to have free time for lunch on my birthday. we met at cubbys and had a fun time catching up.

mandi, brenna, heidi, and i went to luminaria at thanksgiving point the night of my birthday. the lights were amazing, and we had so much fun walking around looking at it all.

by the time we finished at luminaria, a lot of restaurants were closed or almost closed. we ended the night at cafe rio for a quick dinner, it was a really fun birthday.

mandi gave me a baby bundt cake from nothing bundt cakes. i ended up eating it for breakfast on the plane to california the next morning. it was delicious.

 i got a few late birthday gifts which is always fun. it extends the celebration a little longer. i got this card with one of the gifts.