So Excited.

Apparently at the Sound to Narrows 12K race I ran a few weeks ago, there were professional photographers. I got this little postcard in the mail yesterday with my three photos on it and a website to order from. The pictures are outrageously expensive, but I do have a little postcard to keep. I went to the website and was able to save the pictures to my hard drive, small files of course. I'm mostly so excited because I didn't have any pictures at all of me for this race. I only had the pictures I took of my shirt with my number on it. So here are my three pics.






I'm not sure where along the race this was taken, I think it may have been in the first mile and a half.



Almost to the finish line. This pic is my favorite. You can see my gel pack in my left hand.



Crossing the finish line.


Also, the posted official finishing time and mine was 1 hour 11 minutes and 8 second. I have no idea how they figured that out. We didn't have timing chips. It's pretty accurate though. I had figured in ran it in 1 hour 10 min. and 30 sec. But I started my time when I got the the start line which probably was about 40 seconds after the race started; I was at the back of the pack. My overall finishing place was 1218 out of 2905. I don't know what to make of that, just a little tidbit of info.

Just For Laughs!

Honestly, if you ever need a good laugh, come back to this post. This is embarrassing for those of us featured, but just so funny. Both of these pics just make me laugh, I hope they do the same for you.

My Little Angel

There's nothing quite as angelic as a sleeping child.




Especially one that doesn't normally nap during the day!

Soup for Lunch

Gage: (Standing at the breakfast bar) Mom you have a customer.
Me: Oh hello sir, what can I get for you?
Gage: What's on the menu?
Me: Grilled cheese, vegetable soup with letters in it, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or easy mac.
Gage: vegetable soup with letters please....... but you can have the vegetables, I'll eat the letters.
(Big Surprise)


Kyah loves soup as well and so that's what we had for lunch. Usually I feed Kyah her soup, but was busy fixing myself a sandwich, so she fed herself. You can see for yourself what soup for lunch looks like at our house. :)

The Museum of Flight.

Over the weekend Gage, Kyah, Anne, and I went to the Museum of Flight. It was very interesting. They had special WWI and WWII exhibits. We also got to go aboard an old Air Force One plane and a Concorde. It was pretty cool.


Albatros D.VA. A German WWI plane. I thought the name was cute. I'm sure they didn't mean Diva the way that I read it. :)



Curtiss P-40N Warhawk. A WWII plane.


Gage just wanted to push every button he could get his finger on!




Loving the helicopter!



Gage wasn't so sure. I think he thought it might actually take off.




My little Astronauts.







The Concorde. This picture does not do justice to how long this plane is.


Feeling claustrophobic inside the Concorde.


Anne coming out of Air Force One.



Coming out of Air Force One pretending to be the president. This is the plane that Kennedy, Nixon, and Ford used. Pretty Cool.

The Most Driven Person I Know.

I've made mention before of Nate's desire to attend Harvard Business School. If anyone could pull it off, it would be Nate. Honestly, he is the most driven person I know. Not that long ago I was at the computer posting a blog on a Friday night and in the background I hear this math equation on the TV. I was thinking what the heck is Nate watching. I turned around to see a "how to take the GMAT" DVD playing on the TV. The man ordered a DVD; only Nate. Not to mention he probably has 20 books or more on the subject, all of which he has read cover to cover and solved every problem in. Big books, not small ones. Several times he has blocked out 4 hours on a Sat. to take a full version practice test on line. Everyday after work he goes to the Starbucks to study and then studies some more after the kids go to bed. The man is serious about this. Some of my family has asked me why he wants to go to Harvard because it is so expensive. I tell them that it doesn't really matter, he has a dream and I am not a dream squasher. I think it's great that he has ambition and drive. It sure beats the alternative. His drive and ambition are two of the things I love the most about Nate. In just a few weeks he takes this dreaded GMAT........... GO NATE! YOU CAN DO IT!





P.S. Part of the reason for my not as frequent posting is because Nate is at the computer desk studying at night and I can't post. Also, Anne-Nate's sister, has been here and we've been busy.

My Little Swimmer.

Ever since Gage was a baby, he has loved the water! For about a week now he has been asking me if he could take swimming lessons again. -He took them last summer. Failed Pre-1 the first time and passed it the second. It didn't matter though, he loved every minute of it.- So this week on Wed. I took him down to the pool and had him tested for his level since this is a new place. He LOVED getting in the water again even if it was just for a few minutes. He has been asking me all about new teachers and the new pool. He hasn't let this swimming lessons thing die since we had the test two nights ago. Oh, and wouldn't you know he tested into Pre-1 again. Anyway, I seriously have heard so much about this in the past 48 hours that I decided to take him to open swim tonight. He was so excited. By the end of our swimming adventure together he was dunking his head under all by himself. He favorite part of our swim was jumping into the pool to me. He's not actually a "swimmer" but he loves the water and is getting more and more comfortable putting his head under the water and holding his breath. We had a good time. It was really nice to have some one on one time with Frogger, I mean Gage. :)

His lessons don't start until July 9th, so I'm sure I'll have to go to open swim again.

Dear Toy Packager

Dear Toy Packager,

Why on earth do you find it necessary to package toys in such a way that even Houdini could not get them opened in less than 30 minutes? Hmmm??? First there's the hard plastic packaging, usually covering some sort of hand-held video game. The kind that you can see the toy right inside but can not get to it. You think that maybe you can just rip the plastic, or pull it apart, but no. So you finally resort to getting your scissors to cut it open, but that is also virtually impossible. Finally, you grab a knife to cut the stupid thing open and THEN you get a plastic cut on your finger that hurts like crazy. UGGG.
Then there's the packaging that most trucks come in, a box of some sort. Looks simple enough from the outside. Then you open the thing and find 30 thousand twisty ties, not the easy ones that you would tie up the trash with, but the kind coated in plastic that barely move. The kind that CAN NOT be cut through, you can try until your fingers hurt from your scissors and you still will not be able to cut through them. And it's not like the twisty ties are on the toy nice and easy. OH NO, they are twisted and looped and everything else difficult. It's like a maze just trying to figure out which way to untwist them. Because they are coated in plastic, it's hard to twist them, and then your hands ache by the time your done. As if all that isn't' bad enough, by the time you get them untwisted, you figure out they have been looped around every tire. Then, when that's finally figured out, it's nearly impossible to pull the tie out because it has been kinked and will not come out of the toy.
Seriously toy packagers, it's getting ridiculous. I almost dread Christmas morning knowing that I'm going to have to deal with the packaging of the toys in the morning. Honestly, it's unnecessary. I realize you don't want to toys stolen out of the packaging in the stores, TRUST ME, you can do half of the twisty ties and still be alright! Please, help a mother out, lay off the difficult packaging!


Sincerely,

Tired of Hearing My 4 Year Old Whine While I Try To Get His New Toy Out.

Puppy Love.

I'm thinking 20 months is a little young to be in love. But, she loves him. He goes to church with us and I am good friends with his mom. The two of them will shout out each other's names during church. Most of the time it's cute. Anyway, I babysat him and his sister today and Kyah spent most of the day showing her affection for him.

Surprise!

I was changing Kyah's stinky diaper and noticed something blue. Upon a closer examination, gross-I know, I found this.


A bright blue light bright peg.


Not this exact one, but one just like it. I told Gage to come and see. I explained how she must have swallowed his Light Bright piece. He immediately began whining for me to get it out. Then I said, "Gage, do you really want that light bright that is in Kyah's p***?" He Luckily he saw the reason in what I was saying and said no.


When Nate got home I relayed the story to him. In true Nate fashion he became all sorts of worried wondering if her intestines were torn to pieces from the pointy end. I assured him a trip to the ER was unnecessary and that if there were problems, we would see some symptoms. Oh, the joys of motherhood.

A Father's Day Message

I don't think I tell Nate enough what a great Dad he really is and how much I appreciate it. I am so lucky to have a husband that is so involved in the raising of our children. It is so important for children to feel loved and accepted and that is exactly what Nate does. He takes them outside to play ball, reads to them, colors with them, plays board games with them, prays with them, and loves them like crazy. He is not afraid to express his love to them. He also is a Daddy that is a wonderful provider and protector. As the Momma, I appreciate that Nate is such a helper too. When he is home, he shares the job of taking care of their physical needs. He changes diapers, gives baths, gets them ready for bed, and whatever else that I might need help with. He has absolutely been the best Daddy that I could have imagined for my kids; I love him greatly for that.

Meet Rocky.

A true middle child.


Rocky is child number 5 of us 9 kids. It was so much fun to see him these past couple of days. He is kind of like a gentle giant. He is a big boy standing tall at 6 foot 7 and solid as a rock. (Get it). He has such a good heart and really is a good guy. He is a football player at Eastern Washington University and will be a senior this year. (He's majoring in Criminal Justice...perfect for him!) I love football season. It has been so much fun watching him play. My family get intense at his games. Kim actually went to a game with me at Oregon State University last year. We gave him a ride back to our hometown after the game as my other brother's wedding was the next day. Kim commented to me on what a nice guy Rocky was. She said he was not your typical football player, and she's right. He is very great with my kids, he helps people all the time who are in need of assistance. He is very handy. Just this past week he built new steps off the deck for my mom. He is an outdoors kind of guy. He loves hunting, fishing, and camping. I think he is probably every one's favorite in my family. He has a beautiful girlfriend that I love. Anyway, I got a couple of pictures of him with the kids the other day that I thought were cute. My kids love him, as do I.

Putting Kyah's "pretty" back in her hair. Isn't it sweet.





Gage loves being tossed in the air like this.

So Not Fair........ and my weakness!

Background information: Nate bought the LL Cool J's Platinum Workout book a couple of weeks ago. (I asked him why he chose that book and he just showed me the cover with LL Cool J on it. Good Point!). Anyway.

On Sunday, Nate got serious about doing the work out/eating plan as outlined in the book. He typed me out a shopping list and a eating schedule for him. Today he informs me that he has lost 4 pounds since Sunday. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! It must have taken me six weeks to lose four pounds!! And that was with faithful dieting and exercising. So not fair. So today I said who the heck cares anymore, and I binged!! I went out and got my newest favorite thing.



Apple Crunch Bread from Great Harvest!



I took this picture a couple of hours after I got the loaf. It is now just after 10 at night and believe me, it will be gone before I go to bed. And I'm sure I'll feel guilty and fat, but at least my hunger is satisfied!!! I'm sure calorie counting will begin again tomorrow. But sometimes, a girl just has to binge!!

It's Official.

We had a little BBQ at my mom's house yesterday since Rocky is home for a few days. We decided to conduct a measurement of height between Hunter and myself. I am officially the shortest member of my siblings now. My youngest brother Hunter has finally passed me up. He's 12.




I guess now when we have pictures like this(tallest to shortest), I'll be at the end now!



As you can see there are nine of us. I am by no means a short girl measuring in a 5 foot 6 and 3/4 inches. In my family though, apparently it is short. Everyone still loves me though.

Hunter are you reading, I can still beat you up! You too Jordan. :) Don't forget it.

His Latest Obsession

I recently inherited the game of Twister! Gage LOVES it!! We have to play it all the time. Unfortunately I can not get away with being the all time spinner. I have to take my turn playing as well. Kyah likes to jump in on the action as well. Gage cracks me up with how hard he tries to stretch and twist to get his little hands and feet on the right colors. So what if sometimes I make up the colors just to see him have to stretch a little farther. :)



Playing with Aunt Kristen.







The good news is that I know Gage knows his left hand from his right. :)

A Slice of Humbe Pie.

So yesterday I was feeling all proud of myself for doing so well in the race. Then I woke up this morning and was reminded that I am 28 and not 14 anymore! OH boy was I aching!! My calves are so sore from running up those hills. I had planned on wearing a cute pair of heels to church, but had to revamp my outfit and wear flats. Also, my back is sore. Plus, I'm sore in a joint kind of way too as apposed to a muscle kind of way. I don't exactly remember feeling that way when I ran it 13 years ago. :) The poor knees have been through a lot of sports through the years. I'm still glad I did it though and will probably do it again.

This Momma's Still Got It.

The Sound to Narrows race went great today. I have ran this race before. Once when I was 14 and the other time was when I was 15. Basically at the end of my 8th and 9th grade year. My times then were 1 hour, 9 minutes and then 1 hour, 19 minutes the next year. I was hoping that I could finish somewhere in the middle of those times but wasn't sure if I would be able to do it. I remembered the course being super super hilly. I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't quite as bad as I remembered. Granted, there were hills, but they weren't as steep as I thought they might be. I was able to run the whole course without stopping. So I was really pleased with myself. I came in with a time of 1 hour, 10 and a half minutes. It feels good running it just as fast as I did when I was a teeny-bopper. It was a good day for me. Unfortunately I have no pictures of me racing, but I did take a picture of my shirt with my number on it, and my new Sound to Narrows shirt.





I forgot to mention that it rained on all of us racers today! We were soaked at the finish! Also, my friends Jana and Lisa ran too. They are also Mommas that still got it! :)

Positive Energy.

I need all the positive energy in the universe headed my direction tomorrow. For some crazy reason I have decided to run the Sound to Narrows race. It is a 12K race that is VERY hilly. It's almost midnight and I need to get some rest. Just wanted to let my blogger friends know what I'm up to tomorrow so I can feel your support as I race. Oh, two of my fellow Rainier to Ruston relay team members will be running it too. (Jana and Lisa). So think of them too. :) Full update coming tomorrow night!

I'm Super Spontaneous.

On Wednesday, my good friend Michelle called me up at 12:30 and asked if I wanted to go to the Mariners baseball game that started at 1:35. There were having a family deal where you got 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 sodas for on $50. I said what the heck, let's go. We each only needed 2 tickets since both baby girls are free still.-Michelle has two kids, one Gage's age and her little girl is 5 months younger than Kyah- We met at Safeco Field and had a good time. So we spit the family package. What a deal huh. It was fun to just do something random like that. We are really lucky to only live 15 minutes from the field. (minus traffic) We actually had a hard time parking so when we finally got all parked we had to hustle. You should have seen me. I had Gage on my shoulders and was holding Kyah in front on me while carrying a huge diaper bag. Whew, that was a work out. The Mariner's lost, again, but it was a fun day. Here are some pics. I only had my little 4 megapixel camera so the pictures are horrible, but you get the idea.

I just wanted to show the field. I took a picture of the field, but my memory card is faulty and sometimes doesn't show all the pics I took.


The boys get along really well.


Seriously, how cute is Michelle and her little kids. I have her linked on my blog on the sidebar.