so so long ago

This morning I remembered that I once upon a time did a blog. It has been so fun looking through all of our posts. I think I want to start up again. I mostly have been doing instagram, which is quick and easy, but the blog seems to give a bit more of a journal feel. Let's me remember a little bit better... I guess they both do the same thing, but it was fun to look back. 
Here we are today, so grown up

Chiggity Check this out

I love that my basement is making progress, here is a whole new room that was created for our utilities (water softener, water heater, and furnace). Still lots to do, but we're workin on it.

Thanks Gary, Jordan, and Aaron for all you hard work!

11 Minute increase!

It is Sunday night, pain still fully enforced in my legs and I keep thinking what my next 1/2 marathon goal should be? I could always try to increase my time, but I am super pleased with my time on this race. To me speed is not everything - each race I do I am reminded of how the only person you are competing with is yourself. Because I am not a competitive person it is the perfect sport for me. The entire idea of running a race, even a 5k (3.1 miles), was completely undoable a year ago, here I am now wondering what the next step will bring. I am happy to say that I am enjoying running - it is no longer a thorn in my side.

13.1 - two

This weekend brings my second half marathon. Although my training for this event has not been as diligent as my first, I feel good and excited for the challenge. In my preparations for this race I was able to run the course - it takes you through some fun neighborhoods of well kept yards (always a favorite of mine), and some cute older homes. There are moments of down hill which will be great for momentum and rest of pushing myself forward.

HI HO, HI HO

Spring break is here! I am so excited to have some time off, hopefully the weather will cooperate. Aaron on I are on our way down to St. George for time away from the kids. Thanks Mom and Steve for taking them for the weekend. Who knows what we will do, but that is the best part about vacation. Enjoy your kids this week my friends.

My new favorite thing

Van is LOVING reading, he wants to read books to himself, he wants to have books read to him, and he wants to read to Finn each night before bed. He is such a good big brother - the first night he read to Finn before bed was the cutest thing I have ever seen. They read and finished a book, then Van says "OK Finn, lets say a prayer" They then got on the floor to pray, it was so sweet. Of course I did not have my camera out and ready, so this is a partial replay of the new nightly reading ritual.

Dear Friends and Family

Next time you see me and/or my sweet ride, please tell me how good my new tires look. It was the most un-fun, un-satisfying thing I have ever spent money on. - oh well, that's life. Right?

Zoo in a winter wonderland

This weekend we headed up to the zoo. Van got a new book from the book fair with 100 facts of deadly creatures, we took it to the zoo to see how many from the book were at the zoo. He was very into the search and taught me about how deadly they were. Thanks to Kevin and Shannon who let me play mom to a little girl-it's so fun, but no it has not changed my mind about more kiddos.

Here you go

Aaron just got back from a guys road trip. Rob that used to live with us was/is moving from near Chicago to Dallas, Texas. Aaron flew back to drive this journey with Robert. I sent the camera with Aaron telling him to take lots of pictures - I have never seen that part of the country. This is what he came back with, yes there are only TWO. So, the top is Rob getting gas, hi Rob. The second is an accident on the freeway, that diverted them off the free way (that, and Rob's Tom Tom).
They had lots of fun and glad they could be reunited for a few days.

THIRTY THREE

Aaron has hit his 33rd year of life. Wow member when you were little, and to think of 33... you didn't even know that was an age someone could be.
Happy Birthday Aaron! I love you so much and am so glad I am married to you!!!

Christmas in a nutshell

This Christmas was the perfect amount of everything! I really enjoyed spending time with my boys, and seeing family here and there. When the kids are not in school they get to watch movies at night and play later than usual. I thought the boys were playing, when I went in to check on them this is what I found - asleep in the clothes baskets. We did have to move them to their beds because I was afraid Van's head was going to pop off, and Finn might have major crampage in the morning. Cute brothers

Finn testing out some pilot gear at Jeff and Carolina's.

On Christmas Eve morning we get together with my mom and Steve to celebrate. The kids were so excited to be together, and of course to be spoiled by Grandma and Steve.

Here we are, checking out/opening what Santa brought for the kids.

A tradition lost then found. We each create a gingerbread house, I think we think it is a competition, but then they are all to good to decide - what do you think? Here is Van's house

Shannon and Kim's creation, inspired by Phobee's doll house on Friends.

Kevin's house.

Finn's house, mostly made for eating not to look at.

Aaron - architectural mastermind.

As a farewell gathering before the cousins left, we went to Chuck E. Cheese - always a good time.

Finn rode this little ride over and over and over again. The ride would take a picture of you and print out a black and white photo for the rider. I think we had 10-15 photos by the time we were done.

Crazy hair day

I love that I get to share these precious moments with my kids at school. Van was so excited to be able to wear his hair this way.

Done, Done at last

Hats off to all of you who have run a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles), or full marathon (26.2 miles). Man oh man was that the hardest self motivating thing I have done, EVER! I am glad I did it, and glad it is done. I now have a time frame to work towards for my race in April. Thanks so much to all of you who have expressed your support, and encouragement. And thanks to my two lady friends who committed to do this task with me, I will forever be grateful.

Viewer discretion advised

Here is my oldest son getting his first stitches. I fear this will not be the first time. Van was tubing down at the school (it was a tube someone gave them at the playground - we do not own tubes because of things like this.) He ran into the basketball stand and busted his head open.

Luckily Gary was available to help out with this incident. This is a picture after the stitching. Van was so brave and didn't make a sound while he was getting fixed up with 14 (I think) stitches.

Five days later it is time for the stitches to come out. I think he is nervous.

Grandpa at work. Thanks to Dr. Grandpa and Nurse Nana for staying calm and helping us (Van and mom) stay calm.

Here is Van telling his story.

10 down, 13.1 to go

Today was the last long run I did before my 13.1 mile race next weekend. All went well, except for the nasty cold weather, my training schedule says I should be able to go the whole 13.1 with out any problems. For those of you who keep saying "how do you even get to a point where you can run 10 miles?" Here is the site I used, loved, and will use again www.halhigdon.com it is a 12 week program that incorporates running, strength training, and stretching - LOVED IT!
AND I finally feel like I can call myself a runner with having a half marathon under my belt, and one planned for the future.

I can't even stand it

As my boys grow older they have new things that make me want to cry. I remember crying when Van started sounding out words when he was 4 almost 5. I remember watching Finn go from hardly any talking to jabber jaws. Now as they continue to make progress in every way possible, tears are leaking out of my eyes regularly.
Van is learning to roll with the punches (his wining has been happening less and less - not gone yet, but less). I can see Finn growing in all the ways he needs to, striving to be ready for kindergarten next year.
This week has been a lot of craziness with kids going here and there, being picked up by Shannon, and Aaron while mom gets to stay late and school and tend to her other kids.
Tonight I came home to a fantastic inventive surprise. Van created a potion for me to see. Not only that but he included (in his new journal from the book fair) the recipe for this secret potion. Once again the tears are streaming -

I truly can not stand how cute and ... there are no words for how much I love being their mom!

Look at this

Look what I came across as I was cleaning out my files on my school computer.
SO LONG AGO! Doesn't quite seem complete without Finny.

A ya

Van has shown an interest in Karate. We have discussed it is not a sport you get to run and goof around while in session. This is a little clip of his first trial run - part of the reason we have decided to put Van into karate is because of his overexcited personality that keeps him from staying focused at school. It has been less than 24 hours and I have already seen him trying to have the mind of a karate kid. This karate school I took him to has 3 rules (sweet, sweet rules):

1. Obey your parents

2. Keep your room clean

3. No fighting

What more could you ask for?

Stay with me

And once again I have not stayed on top of blogging so here is a catch up post.
I don't know if I will ever get tired of the casual strolling through the zoo.

When we were at the cabin for Van's birthday we say these mom and baby moose, the picture on top we nearly ran into the baby on the trail - noticed the mom was not far behind. We decided to turn and walk the other way.

Our evening out on the Trax. They have a sweet deal - $16.00 for 4 riders using any of the UTA transportation. We did the "Frontfrunner", and Trax. It was fun, and the boys LOVED it.

First day of school for my very first 1st grader.

Van invited a few friend from school to Boondocks for his birthday. They played laser tag, and rode go karts. First grade boys are funny.

We spent the night up at Aunt April's house. It was so fun, we took our bikes and rode around Liberty, and played a little guitar hero. The next day we went up to watch Kevin race at Snowbasin.

More pictures from the cabin. Van is showing off his sweet new bike. This was his birthday cake, he all of a sudden loved snowboarding for a few days - where ever that came from?

The moment you have all been waiting for...

BEFORE
As you may have read in an earlier post, this summer - in JULY - we re did our roof. Although I am forever scared from this experience, yesterday we got the final finishing touches added (gutters, soffit, and fascia). I am so excited to have this project complete and super excited about the way it looks. Thanks again to all who helped with labor, watching the boys, and cleaning the house!

AFTER