Texas

(Lydia in her first pair of cowboy boots, thanks Kirsi and Taryn for the loan.)

(Lydia and I enjoying the heat!)

(Lydia getting pushed by Taryn Ingram.)

(The Gaylord Hotel from our room balcony)

My daughter Lydia and I took a little vacation to see friends down in Dallas, Texas. We had a blast and enjoyed some really hot weather! It was in the upper eighties most of the days. We stayed a few nights with my college roommate Kirsi Ingram who is now a photographer. Kirsi did Lydia's first birthday pictures and I'll post them on this blog when I get them. Unfortunately Lydia was a bit under the weather so she didn't quite cooperate with the photos. Kirsi had made this cute pink tiered cake for Lydia to "smash" into. Lydia put one finger in it, cried and crawled to me...oh well. I also got to see some other friends, another college roommate Delana Mota, her husband and their little boy Preston. And you may remember my former co-anchor Chris Flanagan. I was able to see him and his family. He also has a new little one. Quinn is just three weeks younger than Lydia and he is just adorable. Lydia and I also stayed at the Gaylord hotel. What an incredible place. We walked all around in their Alamo themed atrium. There were so many beautiful flowers and trees inside. All Lydia wanted to do was walk. She can't do it on her own so I had to hold her little hands...yikes backache! We also splashed around in the pool a bit, Lydia is such a water baby! It was nice to get away for few days but I sure enjoy being back home.

Rachel Pierce rpierce@myabc5.com

A new family member

ABC5 has a new sister station. Our parent company, Citadel Communications just purchased the ABC affiliate, WLNE, in Providence, Rhode Island. It's locally known as ABC6.

It's the nation's 53rd largest TV market.

Ray Cole, President and COO of Citadel says, "We look forward to extending our relationship with the ABC brand in a fourth TV market. Serving the viewers in the capital city of Providence is a significant commitment that we're proud to undertake. We look forward to growing and developing the stations presence in the market."

My sister Natalie is officially a Des Moines Police Officer! She had her graduation ceremony today at Hy-Vee Hall. We are so proud of her. Hundreds applied for the job and she was one of thirteen selected to go through the twenty-two week grueling academy. She'll hit the streets next week.

Our family and friends were on hand to see her graduate this morning, along with Lydia who was more interested in playing with my lip gloss.

ABC5 was on hand to get some video and sound of the ceremony. We had in our newscasts today, you can also see it online http://www.myabc5.com/Global/story.asp?S=14281341

Congrats Natalie!

Rachel Pierce

rpierce@myabc5.com

St. Patty's Day

What a perfect day for the St. Patty's Day parade in downtown Des Moines! And what a turnout of people, there had to be thousands. I was a judge for the event and it was hard to pick the winners! All of the one hundred twenty two floats were awesome. My daughter Lydia helped me out she particarly loved the folks who gave her beads. Hope you are having a wonderful St. Patty's Day, I sure am!

Rachel Pierce

rpierce@myabc5.com

Kosama

This past Saturday I just wrapped up my ten week training program with Kosama. Kosama is six days a week doing either plyometrics, kettle balls, yoga, kick-boxing, upper and lower body workouts. It was tough. I was so sore or tired most of the time. But it was totally worth and I feel so strong and in shape now. I would workout either at 5am or 9am. Getting up at at 4:15 am after getting off of work at 11pm was a little tough, not to mention I still am nursing a baby. (Probably too much information).

The first day of the program we did an assessment which included pictures, body fat measurements, weight, push-ups, planks, sit up and more. I had my "final assessment" on Saturday and I was really happy with my results. I lost weight, body fat and gained so much strength. I was able to do a pull-up, may not sound like much but I have NEVER EVER in my entire life been able to do a pull-up. I also improved on how many sit-up, push-up I could do. For planks at the beginning I was able to do a minute and a half, my final assessment I was able to do four minutes and forty five seconds! I'd share my before and after pictures, but I was in a swimsuit and I don't even know if I'd share that with my husband.

I could have become an alumni and continued on and I may do so in the fall but for now I'm just going to get ready for some upcoming races. I even got in a four and a half mile run today.

If you're interested in doing Kosama I highly recommend it! I loved it! In fact Amanda Krenz has had to listen to me talk about it the last ten weeks and she must of liked what she heard because she started her first day today!

Rachel Pierce

rpierce@myabc5.com

37th Annual Variety the Children's Charity Telethon

This year's telethon raised more than three million dollars for Iowa kids. It raises more money than any other local telethon in the world. It's apparent, the generosity of Iowans shines through during this event and so many kids will benefit from it. Here are some pictures of us with other members of the telethon cast.

From left to right: Ms. World, Amanda, Mr. World, Rachel, Ms. World Africa

Jason Cook

Jim "Hacksaw" Duggan (will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame April 1st)

David Anthony Higgins and Emma Samms, two very lovely people

Our favorite star, Don Schmith, ABC5's Chief Photographer

Incredible

Click on the link below to check out live video of a bald eagle sitting on the eggs in her next. It's from the "Raptor Resource Project" Decorah Eagle Cam. The eggs are estimated to hatch April 1st. There's just something majestic about seeing America's National Emblem up close. The camera works day and night.

http://www.raptorresource.org/falcon_cams/

This is a still shot from the camera.

Enjoy!

Amanda

Making Srides For Breast Cancer

Pictures from last year's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

This morning I was the emcee for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer kickoff breakfast. The actual walk is Saturday, May 7th at the Village of Ponderosa in West Des Moines. Last year twelve hundred people participated and raised a little under one hundred thousand dollars! This year is going to be bigger and better. I'm happy to be involved and will be there for the walk, along with my family.

Consider signing up to show your support for breast cancer research and awareness for Iowa:

http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY11Midwest?fr_id=28111&pg=entry

Rachel Pierce

rpierce@myabc5.com

Baby Food, Part 2

I know you've all be waiting on pins and needles for this blog post. I would just like to take a moment to boast about the top shelf of my freezer, it's full of sweet potatoes, carrots, pears, peaches, apples, blueberries, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, edamame, peas... and probably some other stuff. They're all mixed in various combinations that my 8 month old seems to love.

I should probably calm down with the blender or I'm going to end up with way too much. My baby will be eating this food when he's four :)

Rachel and I had a viewer email us a very simple, yet great idea for getting kids to eat healthy, or at least snack healthy. Here's what he said:

"I think a good way to get kids to eat healthy is to always have a bowl of fruit set out, especially for snacks. I remember when I was growing up and visited some friends at their house there were bowls filled with bananas, oranges, apples, etc."

It seems so obvious, but I don't really see people do this. I think I might give it a try.

Oh, and happy March! Who's ready for spring?

Amanda

akrenz@myabc5.com