Golfing with Grandpa

So while I was out shopping for wedding dresses with my Mom and Cindi, my Dad took Connor and Wesley golfing. I was so impressed that Grandpa remembered to take some pictures. I had just been thinking that I never post anything about the older boys because they don't like to hang out with me. I'm grateful to have these pictures to post and although Mom already did it on the family blog, I wanted to have them for my family album. The boys love their Grandpa. They love to go fishing and golfing with him. Looking cool! (Are sleeveless t-shirts allowed on golf courses?)

Aside from a few directions problems, the boy's kept up with their Grandpa.

Connor had been dying to go golfing with Grandpa, he really wanted to drive a golf cart. I hope Wesley was nice and shared!

Thanks Dad for spending some time with the boys and teaching them to golf. I'm sure it will be a memory they will always cherish! We Love you!

Gingerbread Cookies

So Parker gets to bring home "homework" every Thursday, and last week it contained puppets and a book of the Little Gingerbread Boy. It also had a cookie cutter and some raisins and M&M's, along with the recipe for making our very own gingerbread boy. Well, despite the fact that I never have a spare moment, I was determined to spend some time with my sweet 3 year-old and make some cookies. Even though we barely finished in time to get the homework bag and Parker to preschool, we did it. By the look on his adorable face, you can tell he was having a great time!!

Thankfully, his Gingerbread Boy did not run away!! It was a blessing, since we did not have the time to go and chase him!!!

Top of Utah Marathon!! September19, 2009

Well, I said that I would never do it! I always wondered who in their right mind would want to run 26.2 miles?!?! Regardless of my past (and present thoughts), as my 40th birthday approached I guess I hit a mid-life crisis. I began to think I needed to do something to prove that I was still "Young". So at the beginning of the summer I made the decision to attempt to run this crazy distance! This past weekend I did it! Although the last half was a little less running and a lot more walking/shuffling, I crossed the finish line! My goal was to finish, and not be last! I can proudly say that I did finish and I was not last! Just Rod and I went to Logan, so this is the only picture that we ended up with. I think I may have the greatest husband in the world! He ran every step of the way, except mile 8 where he stopped for a potty break. (He promptly ran mile 8 at a 7 minute mile to catch up!) He is so much faster than me, I am sure that it was complete torture to run at my snails pace! He was so encouraging and positive, even when I was frustrated and ready to give up! If not for him, I am sure I would have sat down on the side of the road, somewhere between mile 23 and 24, and cried my eyes out until they came and took me away!!

I can't say that I will ever do it again, but I am so glad that I can say that I've accomplished a marathon. If for nothing else, I will be a little more supportive when Rod attempts it again! (Rod, I promise never to sleep in until mile 21 of your marathon again!!!)

Red Rock Relay

Once again, I let myself get talked into running another relay race! As I get older, they become more and more difficult to survive. I think it is the lack of sleep that does me in. Anyway, this was the first year for the Red Rock. Because it went from Brianhead to St. George, Rod really wanted to run it. He loves Cedar Canyon and the Zion area. When he told me he was signing up a team for his law firm, Jeffs and Jeffs, I said "No way! I'm not running it!" Needless to say, I allowed him to talk me into it and I ended up running it just because I love him too much to say No! I don't mean to sound negative. We did have some fun. The scenery was beautiful and thankfully, our van didn't get much of the heat. We actually were able to shower twice and get a few decent meals. I guess my need for sleep and my inability to run well keeps me from really enjoying things like this. Rod loved it, so we'll see if he does it again next year. (This time without me!)

The start was a lot of fun. The team decided to dress up as the "Justice League" because they were a law firm. (Get it?) They had some friends running on another team who dressed up as the "Legion of Dome aka the Villians". It was fun to have a little competition going on at first. They eventually beat us by 45 minutes.

As you can see, the scenery was beautiful!

The company was great also. A big thanks to my niece Sarah and her roommate for volunteering for us. I don't mean to sound too negative, I did have fun. I'm glad that I can say that I've run the Red Rock, once!!!

Preschool!!!

So my baby started his first day of preschool today! Wow! It's seems like just yesterday I was struggling with the shock of my little surprise! Who would have ever thought what a great surprise he would turn out to be. I have mixed emotions about this day. I am thrilled to have a few hours to myself, yet will miss the life that children bring to a house. Oh well, I guess it's time to go and "find" myself again! (Or at least go shopping!!) Heading in to his first day. Parker was not one bit nervous. Of course, even under the shade of the tree, the glare was too much. Good thing we brought his sunglasses for one of his 5 items to tell about himself.

It didn't even phase him when I walked out of the door! My only consolation in that I have helped to create confidence in him, so he doesn't need me every second. (That's a good thing, isn't it!?!?!)

What... School Already?

So where in the world did the summer go? I have to admit that I am sad to see my kids go back to school. I do love having a little structure in our lives, but I hate to think they are with their teachers more than they are with me. I guess I get a little jealous! Oh well, I'm not ready for home schooling, so I must obey the rules! Sunday night we bid a sad farewell to my niece. It is sad to see her go, but we are glad that she is making the choice to go to college. Good luck Sarah! We miss you already! (Who knows why I only ended up with a picture of the cake and not the actual college student?)Hard to believe Wesley will be a Junior this year. They grow up so fast!Connor is relieved to not be the "low man" on the totem pole this year!Braden is thrilled to be the one of the oldest kids in the school. I think he is going to have a great year! Check out his shoes. Both he and Connor have shoes that remind me a little too much of when I was in school. I guess what they say is true, Fashions always come back! My little adorable princess. She was very nervous to start 1st grade this year. She was so excited to get a blessing from her Dad to put her mind at ease. Although she went to the first day clutching her stomach because she was so nervous, she came home very excited about the coming year.

Parker doesn't start for another week and a half, so I'll post that when the big day arrives!

Here's wishing my kids the best school year ever! I love you all!

Zions National Park

So, this post is a few months overdue. Over Memorial Weekend we finally took the trailer and went to Zions National Park. Even though we had a few kinks to work out, the trailer was awesome and we had a great time! I love the picture below because I think we look like the Beverly Hillbilly's, all loaded up and ready to go.The campground was right next to the Virgin River. Connor ended up with strep AGAIN, so this is about as far as he ventured out the first day.We went on a short walk up the canyon. It is such a beautiful place.Unfortunately, Connor didn't join us on the first hike, but the boys had fun.The campground had a pool. Although it was VERY cold, the kids seemed to enjoy it. The scenery was amazing!After a very EXPENSIVE trip to the doctor, Connor tried to do a little swimming.Rod even made a quick pool appearance.The next day, we did a fun hike. Connor even came along. Wesley was so cute. The hike had a lot of drop-offs, so he would not allow Halle out of his sight!We had a great time hiking and camping with the Jensen's. Nate was such a big help with ALL things relating to the trailer. Sandy was great to have around because she always has such a fun, cheerful attitude!What a cute little family!!The last day we were there, Nate and Rod took Wes and Chase on the hike up Angel's Landing. Once again, Wesley was being overprotective and would not allow his brothers' to come. He said he would be too stressed out worrying about them on the drop-offs. The trails really are STEEP. Notice the chain that you hang on to.
Lucky for Rod, Wes was in great spirits.

I love this picture of Rod and Wesley at the top. The scenery is beautiful, but I especially love how it shows how grown up Wesley is becoming. It is nice for Rod to have someone physically able to help him and also do things that they both enjoy.
Thanks to the Jensens for coming with us on our first big camping adventure with the trailer. It was great to have such good company. I loved having my kids undivided attention and getting to spend time with playing games, cooking smores, and hiking. I hope this is the beginning of many more fun adventures.