Pocatello Kids Triathalon 2009

Saturday was a big day for us, as the girls participated in their second kids triathalon. This was Ava's first year, Michaela and Payden's second. The older girls improved this year, and Ava did so good!

Our three triatheletes!

Here is Payden swimming,

and Michaela swimming.I thought both of them did really well, especially given that they haven't had any swimming lessons or swim team this summer. The older girls went after the older boys, then the younger girls went after the younger boys. Ava was in agony waiting to "go swimming!"

After the swim, it was out to their bikes for the next event. It is so funny watching them trying to get socks on when wet and rushed.

Michaela was out of the pool and on her bike before I even made it outside.

After much waiting, it was Ava's turn in the pool. She was so excited!

The older girls had to do 4 laps, the younger 2. So Ava had to swim down and back twice. I hadn't explained to her that this was a race, but I did say she had to swim without playing. She did so good, even though she was the last out of the pool she swam the whole time!

It was so cute watching her swim.

Then outside for the bike. I ran the whole course with her, expecting to have to push her on the bike or carry her for the run. I didn't have to push her on the bike at all, and I have to say she looked just adorable with her number on her shirt, pedaling along.

By the run, she was tired and a little grumpy. I carried her a little, and up the stairs, but other than that she did it all by herself. I was so proud of her!

She didn't want the lady to put her medal on her; she wanted to do it! Last one through, but I think she made the biggest accomplishment.

Michaela and Payden had their pictures taken by Grandma, so when I get those pictures I will post those. They both had good time. Michaela felt sick to her stomach afterward because she pushed herself so hard, but after some refreshments she felt better. Payden really enjoyed the food table afterward! Both girls said they felt they did much better this year than last. Last year, Michaela said she never wanted to do it again; this year she said she wants to do it again! Last year, Payden said she had fun, this year she said she didn't want to do it again. I give up trying to figure my kiddos out. I have a good time watching them do this, and I am so proud of them for pushing themselves and doing something amazing!

A picture of Motherhood.

This just seems to sum up motherhood sometimes: a beautiful bath tub being used as a play pen so I can take a shower in the morning. I love this tub; nice and deep. That fact alone makes it so Corrine can't climb out of it; a perfect play pen. So it is filled with toys, my decorations that usually sit around the tub are in the window sill, and notice also that the handles on the faucet have been removed because Corrine could turn them on. She would scream when water came out and she got wet. Corrine gets my lovely bath tub, so I can grab a quick shower.

And she doesn't even appreciate being in it.

Last Camping Trip

Two weekends ago, we headed out for an overnight camping trip. We left after church on Sunday.
First thing when we got there, we set up and cooked dinner. My mom brought ribs already cooked that we just needed to add bbq sauce to and heat over the fire. YUM! I forgot seasonings for the zucchini, so I used mustard and some bacon to flavor it. It actually didn't taste too bad!


The girls rolled around the campsite on their rollerblades. Our van was packed full and we don't have a bike rack, so rollerblades were the next best thing. I brought mine as well, and the next day we went for a walk and rollerbladed. We stayed at Walcot Lake, and they have great paved paths throughout the whole park, day use and camping. It is great to bike through!

Here is our set up. Michaela and Payden slept in their own tents, we slept in ours with Ava and Corrine, and my mom slept in the van.

Of course we roasted marsmallows and had a nice fire!

Our darling daughters.


I may have forgotten some things for dinner, but I sure got dessert right! We use our sandwhich makers and use pie filling, chocolate, and sometimes marsmallows for the filling. Then we have whipped topping for the top. Soooooo yummy.

Cute little bundle! It was kind of cold in the morning. We cooked bacon and pancakes.

After breakfast, we packed up so we could frisbie golf on the course they have there. Here is Jason, hard at work taking the tent down!

We played on the playground first, here is a picture of all the girls on the swings: Corrine, me, Michaela, Payden, Ava, and Grandma.

Having fun, Payden?

Then we played frisbie golf, which I didn't take any pictures of. It was soooo buggy at the lake, that we packed up, went into town, and found a park to eat our picnic lunch at. Again, very cold! But that didn't stop us from getting shakes on the way home!

That must be pretty good!

I am glad we got to go camping one more time, even if it is a whole lot of work for one day. I actually like when it is colder; I don't like being hot when camping. The crisp air at night and in the morning make it perfect. We all had fun and are looking forward to next season!

Run!

Here is the picture that they took at the finish line at the 10K. Look how many people are behind me! It really doesn't matter that some of them are probably 1/2 or full marathoners, they are still BEHIND me! I am IN FRONT of them, so I will take that as being faster than them, Ha Ha. Ah, the wonderful ways our minds can decieve us....

Running the Gap, 10K

I ran my 10K today, and I feel great! I felt great while running, and I feel great now. My time was 1 hour, 6 minutes and 12 seconds. I was amazed to find out that my time was only 10 minutes short of placing! I'm sure I would have run faster if I had known that would happen; but I really though placing was such a long shot, that I just ran comfortably. I did step up my pace at the end. My goal was to finish in less that 1 hour 15 minutes, so I did pretty good, for me!

And I totally thought I would have to stop and walk for a bit here and there, like I usually do when I run 5 miles outside of a race.

Something happens, however, when you are in a race. You are motivated like nothing else, and you find a little extra in yourself. I didn't walk at all! I ran the whole time, pacing myself so I wouldn't get too tired. 6.2 miles in a race is nothin!

And what a gread reward at the finish line, to see my daughters, husband and mom cheering me on. That makes me want to cry!

My goal next year is to do the 1/2 marathon. Judging by how I did today and how I feel right now, I don't think that is such a stretch. I can't wait!

This is a great race, well organized with lots of free stuff at the end for kids to do. I got a meal for free, and all the drinks I could want. The Running the Gap marathon will be in it's 11th year next year, and they know how to put on a great race.

Come with me next time!

Back To School!

Last week marked the beginning of another school year, and our girls were so excited! Ava is again doing preschool with kids and parents in our neighborhood. She absolutely loves it; she asks everyday if she has preschool.

What a cutie! When I gave her the backpack to put on, she kissed it she was so happy!

Michaela this year is in middle school. How did that happen? I'm just not that old yet! She didn't want me to walk in with her, and would only let me take a picture if I stood next to the car so no one would see me taking the picture. Michaela is such a good girl, and she is really looking forward to middle school.

Payden is in fourth grade this year, and she let me come in to take pictures! She has the same teacher Michaela had for fourth grade; we really like her.

This picture is a tradition; the circle of bricks outside their elementary school. This year there was only one of them, however! Payden is my only kid here for now.

They both wore their "first day of school" clothes, outfits they really felt good in and were excited about.

I love back to school time, the routines and normalcy of it all. I also like to have more time to devote to my younger kids. And darn it all if my house is easier to clean and stays that way longer! I also like to go to breakfast with friends, and lunches with Jason. But I do miss my kiddos, and can't wait for them to come home and tell me all about their days.

Here's to another great year of learning!

A lesson in static electricity