look at sporty me

I'm making brownies right now you guys, and they. smell. awesome. For real. I can't wait to eat them!

But this post isn't about brownies. It's about all the jazz I've been doing lately to earn these brownies :) That's right. I've been on the move since our move and I think it's thanks to the combo of the gorgeous weather here and my adventurous husband (he's been on cloud nine ever since we arrived - it's his dream to live here!).

We bike:

Oh yea!  See those growing muscles!  I'm obviously getting stronger.

We hike:

Isn't it beautiful!? Don't you want to come visit us?!?!

And we play tennis:

I talked a big game the first time because I was on the high school tennis team my freshman year. But then the next day we saw my parents and my mom told Paul the story about my first match...

(14-year-old Mariel gets in the car)
Mom: How was your game, Sweetie? 
Mariel: It was fun!
Mom: Who won?
Mariel: I don't know, but the other girl was really nice and we might go shopping together sometime!

And that about sums up my relationship with sports :) Unfortunately, Paul no longer takes me serious in the Tennis department. (let's be honest, how could he? just look at that picture!)

Oh and we also manage to do some non-sporty fun things too like go out on dates:

Ow Ow!  That's one handsome man :)

So you can see, I'm really changing into the athletic girl Paul wants me to be :)  And really he has been so sweet and patient with me when I need to take a break or I can't hit the ball straight or I whine because I hurt. I imagine I'm not the best sports-companion, but he's such a good husband to never complain. And overall, I'm just having a great time exploring this new life with my best friend!

Alright pals. I can't take it any longer!  I'm off to eat a brownie. Oh and we have to go get some poles after that because this weekend we're going skiing. Sheesh, I tell ya!  14-year-old Mariel wouldn't even recognize me!