Family Pictures

This is for you KellyAnn. I am finally updating. I've been kind of busy lately and this has been in the back of mind. But we went and had our family pictures done. Afterwards I am reminded as to why we don't do them very often. Ms.Joe is emotional, Stryd is a typical kid that doesn't want to hold still and Brod was himself. Thank heaven's for editing-otherwise it would have been a disaster. But hope you enjoy.

Slip and Slide

It is finally getting hot enough to set up the slip and slide. The kids had a blast. They come up with their own ways of sliding. Brody jumps, Joe trips, and Stryder just runs the whole length. I would show them the correct form of slip and sliding, but that would require me to get in my swimsuit and throw myself in freezing cold water. It's not that hot!

Hide and Seek

Jo loves to play games! Her favorite lately is Hide and Seek. She is really good. She'll hide under blankets and won't move a muscle or even breathe. Other times she crawls behind the clothes in our closet and covers herself up. It would take me forever to find her. I actually am looking too! But today-Stryder was playing and he is a terrible hider. When I call out-"where are you?" He laughs or says "In here!" It drives Jo crazy. She is always shushing him or telling him to be quiet. The game doesn't last very long. Stryder always give away their hiding place when he busts out at you.

I always wanted a pond!

While we were at church I could hear that there was a massive thunderstorm rolling through! I had no idea. There was standing water in the parking lot that stretched from one side to the other. Water splashed over cars as they pulled out of the parking lot. We had to find an alternative route home because water would have reached almost the top of our tires if we tried to turn at the corner we normally do. Our garden is now the pond I always dreamed of. Except it looks dirty and ugly. In the picture above you may notice that you can see a flower. That flower is under water. The flowers used to be in my house, but I was chastised on how I didn't water them and they were dying. I planted them maybe a week and a half ago and they have been getting plenty of water since.

26.2

If you ever have the urge to run a marathon-I highly recommend it! If I can finish-you can too! I have to admit, it was the funnest thing I have ever done. All those weeks of traning, wondering why am I doing this, pays off in the end. It was an amazing feeling to turn that last corner and to see the finish line. It was even better to see Brad at the end. Water never tasted so good and walking never hurt so bad. I wanted to do a "I did it" dance, but my legs thought it best not to do anymore than I had to. It was the most painful punishment to run this marathon-I am not going to sugar coat it. I wanted to cry every time I saw stairs. I think I even broke my foot, though I haven't gone in to see a doctor. My joints and muscles protested any type of movement I made for a few days. Even with all that pain, I am willing to do it again. I never have felt so good about an accomplishment then I did about this one. I can now cross off one more item from my "Things to do before I die" list. CHECK! Thanks Holly for convincing me to do this. I would never would have done it without your encouragement. Next time though-you are running it with me.

3 little monkeys jumping off the bed

They all fell off and bumped their heads, but no doctor needed to be called. At least I don't think they have concussions. They are running around still so I think they'll be okay.

Marriage is what bring us together today...

Heather was married last week! We are so excited for her. Her husband's name is Dane and the sweetest guy you'll meet. She asked Holly and I to do the cake for her. I was so excited until she told me she wanted simple and elegant. To me that means that I will not have anything to cover up all my mistakes on the cake. I need flowers, ribbon, and dark corner to display the cake, but she wanted just a white square cake with a ribbon bow in the middle. I have never done a square cake before and I had nothing to cover up my mistakes. But it turned out in the end thanks to Holly for all her genius ideas. I hope she liked it. I guess she can't complain too much-it was free! Congrats to Heather and Dane.

It's cold outside

The kids love playing outside and riding around on the 4wheelers. When you put the two together-it's even better. That is if it doesn't feel like its below 0 degrees outside. It was awesome to go up to the south hills to go sledding and get pulled by the 4 wheelers. But when you stopped playing around and you realize that your toes are frozen, inside your nose is a block of ice and you are wet from head to toe, fun time is over. But it is a memory that we will remember. I just think next time we will wait when it's at least 32 degrees before we go.