Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Taylor's Baptism
















Birthday Suprise

I remember when I was younger, my sisters and I making secret potions. We would go through my mom's herbs and spices and make nasty smelling and tasting potions and try to get people to taste them. Well, for my birthday Devin and Ashton were insistent that I needed a cake. Since my DH was working a 24 hr. shift I wasn't going to mess with it until he came home the next day. The boys started mixing and stirring and made me a garlic, pickled, basil cake. Yummy!




Ashton wanted to cook it in the firepit.




Sunday, June 20, 2010

My first Triathalon

Well, I survived and have a shirt to prove it. Here I am in my stunning helmet with my nice borrowed bike. I love nice friends (thanks Sharon & Co.). It was lightning and thunder all night beforehand; I kept waking up thinking, they're not having it. It cleared up though and the weather was great. Besides some small equipment problems--goggles leaking, sunglasses steaming, etc.--I think it went well. My transition times were great and I got 10th in my 25-29yr. old bracket. I will complain that they had me down as 29 when I am still 28 for another two weeks. I've got to keep it while I can. I felt like I couldn't move going to each event until the old muscles turned off and the new ones turned on; a very different feeling then just running. Now what should I do next?

Taylor's Eighth Birthday

Taylor finally had a birthday party at home on Friday since he's been gone at grandma's over his official birthday. He's excited with a handmade cake from dad. You can tell which side is for the parents and which side is for the kids. Hmmm, let me see--fresh raspberries with chocolate or nerds and sour worms? That's a toughy. Lucas is enjoying the celebration and loving the cake. I think he'll never want his bland oatmeal again.
My he's getting so big. We spent all day at the water park so I hadn't even had time to change (hence the birthday cake made by dad; we swam, then grocery shopped to kill time to pick up my triathalon packet which wasn't available until 5pm since the race was the next day--fun times). I'm still taller, but he keeps measuring. I'm sure it won't be long until I'm looking up at him.
They were doing little poses over his presents after he opened them. He was so excited and grateful. It makes me think of Harry Potter's cousin who threw a fit because there were only 37 presents at his party instead of 38 like the year before. I'm so happy Taylor is happy with what he gets and not the number. One of our quotes we learned from grandma and use often is, "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit". How true!



He feels pretty mighty. We've been playing games since he opened his presents, and yes gramsy's gift has 570 pieces. Thanks mom:)







Father's Day

On Father's Day my dear husband didn't get breakfast in bed. Actually, he left while we were all in bed for church meetings, but he did get a feast later in the day and a homemade, made from scratch razzle dazzle pie was the dessert. The berries were fresh and everything was scrumptous. Add a little homemade whipped cream and heaven!

Ashton with his mischievous smile.



Here's all the boys. They have a wonderful dad and he is the perfect parent blend for me:
He comes home and spends time with them instead of unwinding in front of the tele.
He's patient when I'm irritated
He's energetic when I'm tired
He's hard when I'm feeling soft
He listens when I'm distracted
but most of all they know he loves them and
I hope they are just like him.





Monday, May 24, 2010

The Lemonade Stand

Ever since we stopped at some kids' lemonade stand, Devin has been wanting to do his own. When I asked him how much we should charge, he said, "$10". I thought that might be a little high, so we priced them at .$50/cup.
He stayed outside for an hour or so and poured lemonade to the masses. Unfortunately, most of those masses were me buying cup after cup of lemonade. All in all, he made $14 (it helped that one man didn't have any change and gave him a ten in the name of free market). Good work, Devin!




The Race Results

After months of training, my friend, Kelley, and I completed the Indy 500 half marathon for a second time. Although it was a cold and very windy day there were still over 35,000 participants. If I'd taken an hour off my time I would have won, but I'm still happy at a 9 min. improvement at 2:01. Here I'm sporting my medal and am definitely more warm and showered than in the picture above. I'm glad it's over and now can focus on a sprint triathalon this summer. That will be a lot more fun and less stressful. Thanks to my family for all the extra help they gave so I could take my long runs and to my great husband who made breakfast for the boys and did the soccer game rounds for eight Saturdays in a row. I couldn't have done it (nor lost 23 lbs) without your support!