I did it! 3/27/11

Not quite 3 months ago, January 5 to be exact, I made it a goal to train for and run a half marathon. The longest distance that I have ever previously raced was a 10k (6.2 miles). I found a great training plan online and diligently started to put in the mileage necessary to get me to my end goal. Today was that goal deadline! It was a beautiful morning and I had my own support team with me.

Here they are doing some practice sprints while I am out on my course. Not to be outdone by the older two, even Trent loves to run. After my race was over, Tessa ran the quarter mile kids race and Caleb ran the half mile kids race. They loved the medals they earned.

Here I am right before the start. 13.1 miles, 2 hours and 17 minutes and 52 seconds later. Caleb jumped out on the course at the last quarter mile to help run me in. Tessa jumped out with about 50 yards to go to help me too.

Now for a few weeks rest before I start training for half #2.

Stake Conference brings stitches

Our Tessa girl might look tiny, petite, and fragile. But inside this little doll is a daredevil who likes to run with the big boys. This is the girl who decided to join the t-ball team instead of sitting on the sidelines with the other younger kids. This is the girl who isn't scared to go down the big slides as fast as she can. And this is the girl who saw her big brother jump off the stage during the middle of stake conference and decided that she could too. Unfortunately, the stage is much taller than she is and her little legs don't quite know how to catch her fall. She did a complete belly flop/face plant into the gym's hard floor! Her poor little chin caught the brunt of the fall and split right open. This brave tough little girl hardly even flinched when the doctor put in 8 stitches!

Trent turns 1 on 4/6/2010

Trent at 1 day old

Trent at 1 year old

I can't believe that Trent is turning 1 today. I am not really sure where the last year has gone. It seems to have flown by with the blink of my eye. It also seems like our sweet baby has been with us longer than a year. Trent really has such a great personality, he can melt my heart with his hugs and cuddles. And I love his laughter. Caleb and Tessa love helping him and playing with him. Trent has gotten very fast at crawling and is starting to show interest in walking. Still no teeth yet, even though we can see his first tooth trying to poke thru. I love the gummy smiles and I know they won't last long. And I love how he looks like his brother and sister and yet he looks more like me too. I love his chubby thighs, and his squishy cheeks! To celebrate we are headed to the Diamondback game, fitting I think since thats where we celebrated his 1 week old birthday! Happy Birthday Little Man!

Spring Break March 2010

John had some vacation time built up that needed to be used, so he took off the week of Spring break. We loved having him home with us everyday! Caleb has been asking for a long time to go ice-skating. So we took Tessa and Caleb for their first time ever. They both loved it and Caleb built up enough confidence to try skating on his own by the time we were done. I forgot how cold it is on the ice! The kids loved wearing their winter hats and gloves.

Later that week, we taught Caleb how to ride his bike with out his training wheels! It took about 20 minutes for him to figure out the balancing and then he took off. He really has loved this new freedom of bike riding. Tessa also wanted to try with out training wheels, we let her try. She is not quite ready for that yet.

Tessa turned 3 -- Dec 30, 2009

She is a princess through and through, and has the attitude to go with it.

Tessa's animal crackers

This is what we've been working on for a few weeks.

Happy 5th Birthday to Caleb!

It amazes me still that this sweet little baby grew inside of me. Caleb has always had his own agenda in life, he decided to be 13 days overdue, and then he decided to put me through the ringer with a 32 hour-hard labor that ended in almost 3 hours of pushing and a vacuum assisted birth. This little guys has always known what he has wanted and has figured out a way to get it.

I know all mothers think that their child is so smart and so wonderful, and I am no exception. Each day I am thankful to learn more about this person, what he likes and doesn't like, who his friends are, what he believes...but most of all I love seeing the softer, more gentler side of him-- when he is helping his sister or his baby brother or lovingly calls me momma.

I know that he was determined to be my first born--to help me learn and grow as a mother.

And so today on his 5th birthday I am grateful to this first son of mine for all that he has given me without even knowing it!

Tip Tap Dancing 9/2009

Tessa has been taking dance classes for the last few weeks. Last Saturday, they had a mini recital. She loves ballet and tumbling but the tap shoes make her nervous. She did a great job and loves to practice her dance moves at home.

Saguaro National Park Labor Day Run 9/7/09

To get ready for the St. George Marathon, John signed up to run an 8 mile race in Saguaro National Park in Tucson. We drove down Sunday evening and spent time with his brother and his family. We woke up at 4:30 to get ready for the race!

Trent and I went to cheer John on. Getting warmed up before the race.
Rounding the last 100 yards to the finish!
Relaxing after running 8 miles in 60 minutes flat!

The highlight was meeting Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat from the University of Arizona. Wilbur came over and gave Trent some high fives and Wilma did a little dance. They kept us entertained while we waited for the runners to finish.

Camping part 2, 8/29/09

Some of the kids in the ward went exploring and found a great place to play. My kids joined in the fun. I couldn't believe that Tessa had no fear in sliding down with the rest of them.