Birthday videos

I am still new to this whole blogging thing, so I couldn't figure out how to add the videos on the last post. Here they are though...enjoy!


Big Joe and little Joe from Marinda Zaleski on Vimeo.

A video of the flips that we like to do with all the nieces and nephews and little Joe loves it! He lunges into the flip and then even swings himself so he can go higher when you're swinging him.



Blowing out the candles! from Marinda Zaleski on Vimeo.

Birthday candle wish! Lucky for me, I only had to blow out 5 candles for 23 (2+3) instead of 23 candles!

The Big 23!

Big Joe and little Joe having fun

My cute nephew Joseph

My brother tickling Joseph

My sister-in-law, Heidi and niece Alli reading a book

The cake my dad made for me

My cute parents

The day of my actual birthday, I naturally didn't document anything that my sweet husband did for me. He woke me up with breakfast in bed which was delicious! Then he couldn't wait to give me my presents so he made me open them all! He spoiled me. I got the Planet Earth DVD's, the Coldplay Mylo Xyloto CD, a new watch, a new shirt, and a package of Snickers Peanut Butter! After Joe went in to work for a little bit, we packed up and got ready to go to my parent's house. On the way out of Logan, we had lunch at Arby's and then went to the Animal Shelter in Logan! It was the best birthday present ever getting to see lots of dogs and cats and revel in their adorableness. If you know me, you know that I want to own a dog more than anything. Joe is totally opposed to this idea and so I have to get my pet fix somehow! We then headed down to Salt Lake and went to the movies with my parents. We saw Men In Black 3 which we all thought was excellent! The next day was a great day of shopping with my mom at the Park City outlets where I got new sunglasses and a scarf! She then made a delicious dinner for me which my brother and his family joined us for, after which I opened presents and we had cake and ice cream! It was just so fun to be with family, especially my brother and his family who just moved back from Ohio. I couldn't believe how much my niece and nephew had grown up since the last time I saw them and it had only been about 5 months! They are just so dang cute! Thanks to everyone who helped make this birthday the best one ever! Every single one of my siblings and siblings-in-law called and wished me happy birthday! I felt so loved on my birthday and am so grateful that I am part of two amazing families who made it the best ever!

In Which I Experience A Miracle

With the Ragnar fast approaching (5 days to go my friends!) and my parents living in Emigration Canyon, I found myself having to run through the canyon on Saturday for my run as we were staying with my parents. There is a lot of wildlife up this canyon but it's also highly populated with cyclists and runners which usually keep the wildlife at bay. I have seen lots of deer up the canyon and my parents had a muddy pawprint on their back porch which was determined to be a mountain lion. So when I run in the canyon, I am hyper aware of my surroundings...or so I thought. This last Saturday, I was on my way back down the canyon to end my run. I usually run pretty close to the green on the side of the road because many cyclists go by and I try to give them as much room as possible. Here I am, running along and listening to my music, when I suddenly hear something that sounds like a sprinkler turning on. This doesn't make much sense because I am running past an open field, one that would obviously not have sprinklers in it. I look over and don't see anything so I let my gaze drift back to the ground when I see a snake slightly behind me just off the side of the road. Yes, it was a rattlesnake that was ready to strike; yes, it had rattled it's rattle at me; no, it did not strike. At this point, I realize what's going on and start running a little faster. I was only about 10 minutes from my parent's house but let me tell you, nothing helps you pick up your pace like having a run-in with a rattlesnake. I'm pretty sure I went from a 10 min/mile pace to an 8 min/mile pace pretty quick. I am still in awe at how I was protected from this snake. I couldn't have been more than a foot from it when I ran past it which it could have easily attacked me. I am sure that this was nothing short of a miracle and can't thank my Heavenly Father enough for the safety I had that day.