Halloween Fun

Tonight was our ward Halloween Party, trying to decide on a costume was the most difficult thing, and was quite stressful, we couldn’t agree on anything. Luckily this morning we were looking for ideas, and I saw the Publisher Closing House, laughed and said that would be funny. We still couldn’t agree of decide for a while, but some reason we both agreed it would be simple easy, and for those that knew what it was it would be funny. Here are the end results:

We also ended up wining “Funniest Costume” at the ward party. I was so excited and proud of us, we had a great time. Also thank you Zoe for letting me borrow your robe :)

These are our friends Parker and Bekah Whiteman dressed as Link and Zelda

And these are some of our other friends Dash and Zoe porter, dressed as a Mafia Man and a Flapper girl.

We had a great time with our friends, and eating a lot of chili :)

Happy Halloween!

SNOW!!!

It is October! Why are there 3 inches of snow on the ground and more coming out of the sky?? Let me explain something here. Halloween is for fall weather, trick or treating and chilly weather. Thanksgiving is for eating, shooting guns, and cold morning runs. Christmas (which is 2 months away) is for SNOW!! So why in the world do we have to deal with snow 2 months in advance?? Because it's Utah and the weather here sucks! I have lived here all my life, maybe when I was a kid I thought snow was fun to run around in with our dog, and make snow angels and drink hot chocolate with the mini marshmallows, but ever since I got into Junior High and on I have hated, just absolutely dreaded snow each year, and for about 6 months out of a year it snows here. There is something wrong with this picture... The fact that I live in UTAH! Ugh! Why am I still here? Well I do enjoy spring, especially summer and fall is nice too, I love the mountains, and Southern Utah is especially beautiful, but I just can't stand snow. It's out, it's official I hate snow!! All of you snow lovers good for you, but I don't like being cold, I don't like being wet, and I don't like scraping off my car in the morning. I do love Christmas, and I do enjoy snow only on Christmas Eve and Christmas day after that it can go away. Today is a grumpy day because I woke up to 3 inches of snow, and Utah drivers are stupid when there is snow. That is all I have to say. For all of you that live in Sunny places, enjoy it because I am super jealous right now. :D


~Linn

Fun Times

On Sunday Nathan and I had a lot of fun together. We recorded ourselves singing, with our signing we recorded with goofy voices. Here are a few examples of our funny videos. (Discloser: Nathan and I thought they were hilarious, and he laughed so hard he was crying)

I hope you enjoyed the little videos. :D

Linn

All in a Name

To help bring the spirit of Halloween, and the fun of the Holiday, Nathan and I carved Pumpkins on Saturday with Mark, Amber and Isaac Pederson. It was quite the experience, and I will never go back to carving a boring pumpkin again. I have been introduced into the world of fancy pumpkin carving. Deciding what to carve was the hardest part of the whole evening. First there was the idea of a Posh Kitty, Burt and Ernie, silly pumpkin faces and several more. Finally we all decided on a Star Wars Theme. (I am wishing I had brought the movie with us so we could have watched while carving). 

We carved our pumpkin into Bobo Fet (A Sweeney favorite), Mark carved his squash into Darth Mal, and Amber carved her pumpkin into Darth Vader. We all used the evil characters on Star Wars, hmm.. It that saying something??? 

I've been thinking about carving my own pumpkin, since Nathan took over ours and wouldn't let me help, I will probably do Yoda, so that we have a good person on our side :) 

I decided to name this lovely pumpkin of ours Bubba (pictures coming soon).It's a very fitting name. Names should be fitting for people and should not be difficult, just a funny story from the weekend. I had a half marathon on Saturday, and when I went to pickup my packet and get my number before the start of the race, they had us find our stuff by first name. So I went up to the girl (blonde) when it was my turn and said Linnley, she turns to me and says "It's by first name not last name." Okay then, so I said Sweeney, and she got more confused. I told her my first name is Linnley my last name is Sweeney. Then a light went on in her head and after a minute she understood what I was saying and got me my stuff. Really people? Do you have to question my name that much, is it really that hard to get? 

Yes I've been called Scott (my maiden name) plenty of times, but now that my last name is Sweeney, you'd think that they would get it. So, until people start getting my name, I will then to by Linn. It's so much simpler for all the geniuses out there.  

Anticipation

Have you ever taken an exam? I am positive you ALL have. 

The anticipation of studying and preparing for an exam is just horrible. I am a terrible test taker. I get major anxiety when it comes to sitting in a room, with a test in front of me and people watching me I just freak out and forget everything. 

This week was Fall Break but I had arranged to take my test early because of a conflict, so we scheduled it for yesterday, I had prepared myself mentally and studied so hard  to do well on this test. When I got to the testing place yesterday I waited for a good 45 minutes just to find NO ONE showed to give me the test. All the anticipation that had built up all week was not getting released. I was a very very FRUSTRATED girl when I got home. Luckily we had a fun night planned to go to dinner with our friends the Hunters, to help me forget a little bit. 

This morning I got a call from the tester apologizing he realized he had forgotten, so we have scheduled it for Saturday Afternoon, but until then I get to continue to study and freak out, as I have both a Half Marathon (which generates enough energy and anticipation to power New York City), then the test after the Half. Tomorrow will be both the most stress inducing and rewarding day of this week. I am so excited for tomorrow night, to have both things accomplished and to relax the rest of the weekend. 

I hope you all have a great weekend! Enjoy the rest of your Fall Break!

~Linn

Better Days...

We've all had better days, so have my running shoes. 

In may of this year I started reading Born to Run and was inspired to look into barefoot running. I saw a study on the discovery channel and it inspired me to do more research. So I made the switch to barefoot running. My shoes went from expensive supported foot weakening shoes to Vibram's Five Finger Shoes, though the switch wasn't easy, it has been the best thing I've done for my hips and knees. 

I've always suffered with hip pain and started developing knee pain, but since I changed to barefoot running my pain has decreased, and the only pain I had was in my calves because they were strengthening. I have loved every minute of these shoes. 

On Saturday Amber and I headed out for a trot, and when I was putting my shoes on I noticed a hole developing in my left shoe, but I put them on and put in more miles. As of this morning there is an official hole, I can see my foot through it. 

I just love these shoes, and I want them to last as long as they can. I figured out tonight how many miles I have put in these shoes and I calculated that in seven months I have put in around 1,200 miles and as of last month in this time that I have enjoyed the Vibrams I have started feeling healthier and lost a little weight, it's been a great seven months. I have never calculated the mileage I've put on my other running shoes, but typically they've only lasted about 4-6 months. I am impressed at how well these shoes have worked for me. But they aren't done yet. I have a half marathon this Saturday, and 5k next weekend and another half marathon Halloween weekend so they still have many many more miles. 

I have accomplished a lot these last seven months and I am excited to see how much more I can accomplish. 

What have you accomplished these last seven months? I'd love to hear!! 

Fall

FALL is here. The Leaves are starting to change

I love the beauty of the change, and surprises that come with all the changes. There is such a miracle with the rotation of the Seasons. 

Spring and Summer are by far my favorites, but if I have to pick another season that I love too I would go with Fall. The beauty, and magic that's all around us. 

Halloween is one of my most favorite holiday's. I love dressing up. 

It takes me months to find the perfect costume, and I rarely do. This year is different, and I am so excited for our adventures this year. 

I hope you all can enjoy the rest of the warmth with me as we have just a little bit left. I am not excited for the SNOW but I am excited for all the holiday's ahead and to be with family. 

I hope you all can enjoy the seasons that are a head, and have fun with the family

and dress up too. 

Lovely fall Image from Bing

HaPpY

Last night I went out for a run, yes it was a little late, and rather dark, but it was such a great run. Recently I've ditched the iPod because of my fear of people while I run. All this news about girls getting attacked has me creeped out, as of late I've been running with out music. It is my thinking that keeps me on pace and in my runners land. 


While running, well more or less sprinting, I had a lot going through my mind, but what I could distinctly pick out from all my thoughts was how happy I actually am. I don't know really the last time that I was this happy. I am not stressing over anything, I don't have too many worries, I am simply happy. I am doing everything I can to support my husband in his schooling, and volunteer work, to love him, and show him that I love him. I am working on making and keeping friendships with the amazing girls in my ward, I am regularly studying the scriptures with my handsome husband. I make time for the important things like school work, work, as well as family time, but along with getting everything accomplished that I need to I still have a lot of time each day for myself to go for my runs, or to the gym. I am finding a good balance in my life and I have noticed that as this years progressed Nathan and I have been receiving so many blessings. 


I can not express how happy I really am, and how much I love this feeling. I love not stressing out. We are enjoying each other now, and I am so glad it is the two of us, that we can have our long talks when ever and not have to worry about anything else. I am so glad that tonight we get to go to the temple. 


Thank you to all of you for being in our lives and enjoying life's adventures with us. It's been a hard week, but it's been a great week. It's fall break next week, hopefully we will get some pictures taken so I can post some more, it's been a while since I have, and you have to see our progress with the 100 push up challenge :) We are both looking pretty good haha.

I hope you all have a great day! <3


Linn

Worry Wart

That is what I am!! I am a worrier. I got that from my mom and my grandma. It's not bad, until you stress and worry like I do. I am often reminded by my worry free husband to relax my eyebrows, I have them constantly furrowed (if that's a word).

Yesterday I saw a bit of what it looks like on other people, and uh, can I say I am going to try to not stress and worry. After my wonderful swim last night, I just sat and observed the life guards in their dutiful manners, I think I only watched because only a few months ago that was me. As I was watching they were putting lane lines in one of the pools at the U, after the kayaks had finished. While they were putting in the lanes, a gentleman hopped in the pool to wait from them to finish, but as soon as he jumped in one of the young life guards was right on top of him, telling him he had to get out of the pool and wait for them to get the lanes in. So he hopped out, not so happy and waited, while he was waiting they were trying to put the lanes in around him standing on the deck. One of the other life guards looked so frustrated that he was just standing there in the way, she just looked so stressed about it. Why should she be stressing over something so stupid? Trust me, I was a life guard for almost 7 years, I have been in situations like this, and I know that him standing in the way or him in the water makes no difference. Often times when a person was in the way I put them to work, I asked them to swim the lane down for me, it makes my job easier.

So why would she be stressing so much about that? I have no idea, but I know that I have done the same, possibly even worse, well actually I know for a fact I have stressed over more stupid things. Why do we worry and stress??
I know one thing, that stress increases your metabolism, so there is one excuse for me to stress, so that my metabolism won't slow down with my age ha ha.

My new goal is to TRY to not worry so much, and to relax my face more. I am thinking yoga is going to become more of a regular thing for me, I need to find my inner chi or whatever it is.

Linn

Safe and Sound

It's always such a great feeling being at home, feeling secure and safe. Not only while being at home, but out running, and driving around as well. Two weeks ago I think it was, my dad called me late on a Wednesday night, well late for them, gave me some horrible news that both my brother and his wife were in the hospital for different reasons. My heart just sank. He explained to me that P had gone in for excessive blood loss, so J was riding his bike home to get the car and their 14 month old son, but on his way home he was hit by a car. When my dad said those words I burst into tears. It was kinda odd because I was sitting at the gym finishing my work out, sorry for those who saw. I felt completely helpless, and I really just wanted to be there for my brother and his family. It was comforting to know that I had a support system that I could turn to to get comfort. Both my parents as well as my in-laws, and we did all that we could do, by just praying for them, and keeping them in our thoughts. Though they are both doing a lot better, last night I was talking to J on the phone, and listening to the extent of the damage not only to his bike, but to his body, the only thing that comes to my mind is that our prayers that we have said for them on a daily bases before this accident helped keep the damage to a minimum. I feel very blessed that I have been kept safe with all my activities, and that though at times I do face an injury or sickness here or there, it is not as bad as it could be. We are all watched over, and I know things have a purpose. So what is my purpose today? To cheer up someones day by saying hi or simply asking them how they are, or is it to take a little extra caution while riding my bike, or crossing a cross walk, or even driving home. I am so so grateful for the prayers that were said for J and P, while going through this hard time. I love them, and I never want either of them to scare me like that again. Love my family you are all so wonderful!! 


~Linn~ 

~OcToBeR~

Yay! It's October, fall is such a great time. I enjoy the cool weather, just as long as there is NO snow and NOT cold. This weekend is Nathan's birthday, as well as General Conference. Yay!! Another reason to love this month. I like to look forward to April and October because of Conference, it's such a great time to learn and find new ways to be a better person.  I am motivated constantly to try to be better and I am glad that I can change and can improve my life. 


So for a little focus on Nathan since Sunday is his birthday,  I threw him a little party type get together with a few friends from our ward. It was so fun to be able to mingle and associate with our friends. Here is a list of a few things that I love about Nathan:

• He loves to laugh and play
• He is a great cook, and so good at making different things
• He is a great teacher 
• Super Smart
• Hard Working- Motivated in School
• Reminds me to have fun when I'm too serious (most of the time)
• Really good with our Nieces and Nephews
• A family guy
• I love that he loves me :)

This is just a small quick list, there is so much more about him that draws me to him. He can be annoying, but it's always with love, and for fun :)

He is a cutie and I hope that I can help him have a good birthday and show him that I love him. 

~Linn