Women of Steel Triathlon

I was doing my cousin Ammanda's hair one day at the salon and she was telling me that she wanted to do a Sprint Distance Triathlon. "You're crazy!" I told her. But the more and more she talked about it i was inspired. It took me full 8 months after talking with her to actually commit myself to doing one though. January 1st 2009 that was my New Years Resolution to race in a Sprint Distance Triathlon. First things first I needed to learn how to swim. I found myself a coach and started swimming lessons immediately (I knew i needed plenty of time to practice). I signed up for the Women of Steel Triathlon close to home in American Fork. This was an all women's race and swim took place in a pool. I figured if I thought i was going to drown I could just stand up. I flew home from Virginia for my race. It was Awesome! I had so much fun! I had been so anxious to get it over with so that i could relax, eat sugar, and not freak out if I didn't make it to the gym, but I enjoyed it so much that now I just want to do another one! Thanks to my parents, in laws, Rhett, Kyle, and Grandpa Ray for coming to support. And of course my wonderful husband who took a few days of work and flew across the country to be there cheering me on.

Bridal Shower

Cicily and I had a blast planning Erika's Bridal Shower. Not being very experienced in the bridal shower throwing business, we were a little apprehensive. The party was at Cicily's beautiful home, the perfect place for a celebration. Going with the springy yellow and pink (Erika's Favorite color) picnic theme. We ate the classic chicken croissant sandwiches with strawberry salad and fruit out of white lunch pails. Friends and family came to celebrate Erika's upcoming wedding. We had a good laugh looking at the colored napkins Wendy had taped together to use as tissue paper, then laughed harder when we realized Grandma had wrapped her gifts in wall paper, I guess paper problems run in the family. As tradition goes Erika's last gift was from mom. Every year since we were born mom has bought us a Christmas ornament. When we get married we inherit our ornaments. Although it's no longer a surprise, it is always a sort of bitter sweet gift knowing that we are moving on. We had a great time. Thanks to all who came and helped out. We love you!

Delicious Chocolate Dessert Disaster

We found this recipe for these delectable, chocolate bowls, filled with chocolate cake squares, and drizzled with white chocolate. Sounds perfect for a bridal shower right? Wrong! Although they were very delicious I would not suggest attempting them for the first time the night before the shower; At least not the homemade chocolate bowls. Cicily and I spend hours trying to figure out how to melt the chocolate and cool it down enough to dip the balloons with out popping them. Literally 7 hours and about 30 popped, chocolate covered balloons later, we settled into bed crossing our fingers that enough of the balloons would make it till morning. Throughout the night Cicily kept hearing balloons pop out in the kitchen, Needless to say she didn't sleep much. The funniest part of the whole story? Well somehow we managed to get just enough of them to work. The chocolate bowls were filled with cake and drizzle, beautifully displayed. The house was cleaned, decorations out, and the guests were arriving. Now it was time to relax and enjoy the party, or so we thought... Just as we were placing the last of the food out, the top plate of our plate stand filled with desserts shook free, flipped upside down, and in one quick movement the top plate landed on the bottom plate of desserts taking out 2/3 of our masterpieces.

Battle of Bull Run

Sundays are sort of lonely when we are far away from home. We try to take advantage of Devin's one day off work and see some of the sights where we live. As you know Virginia is old and therefore full of history. So on Sunday we enjoyed a picnic out in the beautiful weather. Then off to see the grounds of The Bull Run Battlefield. This has a special place in Devin's heart because in Highschool he Chris Williams and David George did a big project on the Battle of Bull Run. A movie, and Devin was the star. A solder in the battle. They got an A+ on the project and I believe that Mrs. Wright played that video to all of her classes as a demo of an A+ project.

Easter Sunday

Devin and I spent Easter Sunday flying home from Utah. Luckily for us we have awesome friends back here waiting for us. When we got back Ashley and Andy had us over for a delicious Easter Feast. Ham, Rolls, Asparagus, Potatoes, and Key Lime Cheesecake. If it were not for them Devin and I would have had Honey Nut Cheerios for Easter Dinner. After Dinner us girls colored Eggs while the boys played Killer Bunnies, A game we have grown addicted to.

The Wedding: Brian & Sarah

Nine days after moving out to Virginia Devin and I flew back to Utah for Brian's Wedding. Brian and Sarah had their reception Thursday night at Thanksgiving Point. The reception was beautifully adorned in black and cream. Sarah pretty much put the whole thing on herself and it turned out perfect. The happy Bride and Groom mingled the crowds as they came in, while the rest of us nibbled on cheesecake, chocolate cake, and shortcake. It was so much fun to be back already and spending time with the family.

Jessica's 25th Birthday

Devin and I moved out to Centreville, Virginia 4 days before my Birthday. I was a little bummed about being far away from home. But Devin made it up to me. Saturday morning of my Birthday he woke me up with breakfast in bed from Panera. Cobblestone muffins, pineapple upside-down cake, and ham and egg sandwich. Breakfast of Champions! That night he took me to this famous restaurant Filomena in Georgetown. We had called that morning for a reservation and the earliest they had available was 10:00pm. DC Traffic was crazy as usual so we were happy once parked in Georgetown. We walked around the shops surrounding the restaurant until dinnertime. I had the most amazing manicotti i have ever in my life tasted. The "Pasta Mama's" sit in the front of the store making the dough and noodles for the restaurant. Seriously. I can honestly say that was one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Everything was a fresh as you can get. We are definitely looking for another excuse to go back!

10K

One of my new years resolutions this year is to race in a Sprint distance Triathlon. So in January I started running, biking and swimming. (Well taking swim lessons (: ) Devin got all excited about the whole, work out and do races thing and before I knew it he had signed us up for a 10K. For most of you out there, this is probably no big deal. But up until this point in my life I have never run more than the fun run in jr. high. But we did it! March 21st St. Patricks Day we ran our 10K. I actually had a really good time. It was a pretty low key race with all of maybe 40 people there. The funniest part? I took first out of the women and won $10.00! Who knows maybe i'll start racing some more!

Farewell Party!

For the first time in the history of the Gibbs family we are saying goodbye for more than like a month at a time. Jace is leaving in April for Boot Camp with the National Guard. He will be gone for about five months. Erika's Fiance Zach is looking at jobs out in Washington D.C. area. They may be leaving us in the end of June. And as you know Devin and I take off every summer to do summer sales. So we were not sure when the next time we will all be together is. Possibly not till The holidays this winter. So we threw a big bash, Celebrated just about everybody's Birthday, and ate three desserts.

Erika is Engaged!

The day has come. My little Sister Erika is engaged to be married to Zach Barney. We are so excited for them. It is so much fun bringing in new personalities into the family. So far Zach seems to be a keeper. Erika and Zach will be getting married in the Draper Temple on June 12th 2009!

Devin turns 26

One year older and wiser too. Devin's 26th Birthday has come! I can't believe how old he's getting. :) For Devin's Birthday we saw the under the sea in 3D up at Clark Planetarium then out to one of our favorite restaurants, Thaiphoon up in Salt Lake. And of course for the family Birthday party on Sunday Devin got his favorite German Chocolate Cake. Mom makes the best German Chocolate Cake around, it's not a Birthday without it!

Thursday Night Camp Out

When Devin came home from work on Thursday evening he asked me what I wanted to do. "I'm up for anything, lets go do something that we only get to do while were in Utah since we will be leaving for the summer in a few short weeks" I realized i should have been careful when saying i was up for anything only after Devin suggested a camp out. Trying to be a fun and exciting wife i agreed. A quick stop at Harmons for some hotdogs and we were making our way up the Provo Canyon. The weather had been warming up and had actually been quite nice during the day, but by the time the sun went down and we got up into the canyon that warm weather was long gone. Then it started to snow, Utah weather... I sat bundled in in my coat and blankets while Devin worked to get the fire started. We cooked up our hotdogs and laughed because we were so cold. Luckily i convinced Devin that hotdogs over a fire would be good enough to get our camping fill for the night. Shortly after our faces were fed we hopped back in the car to go sleep in our warm, comfortable, house.

The Black & Gold Party

This New Years Eve was Awesome! Mike and Jamie planned a killer Party! We held it at the Highland Gardens Reception Center. Everyone came glammed up in Black and Gold. We danced the night away. With great food and great friends i could not have asked for a funner night.

Christmas 2008

This Christmas we spent the night over at the Peterson home. Mom sure knows how to make it feel like a holiday with plenty of delicious food and treats to eat. As we were getting settled in for our traditional Christmas Eve movie the doorbell rang. One of Santa's elves had dropped a package by. Christmas Pajamas! Always a favorite Christmas tradition. As you can see we girls are a little outnumbered. We are hoping to remedy that this upcoming year.