First Day of Three Year Old Preschool!
Some more photos from this fall! We LOVE the pumpkin patch!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Fall Fun!
I'm going to do my best to post as many photos as I can over the next few months!
First Day of Three Year Old Preschool!
Some more photos from this fall! We LOVE the pumpkin patch!
First Day of Three Year Old Preschool!
Some more photos from this fall! We LOVE the pumpkin patch!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Take a Hike!
Wow - a friend pointed out this morning that I haven't updated the blog since EASTER! Now that's bad! In all fairness to this little endeavor I started way back when, I think I'm going to officially begin to wrap this up. I was debating making this my last entry, but with the holidays coming up and a birthday close behind, I am going to keep it going until February. I put my heart and soul into this in the beginning, but as the time has gone by, I've poured my heart and soul into three little wonders who fill our days with so much excitement that there is little time left for reflection! I wish I had the time to keep you all up to date with all the funny things they say and do, but the reality is, by the time I go to bed at night, I'm too exhausted to remember it all!
The kids are finally old enough to start joining us on some outdoor adventures! We weren't too sure if they would enjoy hiking as much as we do, but we figured it was worth a try! Well, much to our amusement, they loved it! And just in case you're wondering, I haven't fizzled out before hitting the top yet! Here's a picture of them by their first trail head!
Here are some more random hiking photos! We knew Elli and Tyler would do great since they are SO darn coordinated, but we were a little concerned about Haley falling and not enjoying herself. Well, she fell 4 times in the first 100 yards. And each time, in her sweetest little girl voice, she said, "I'm okaaaay", hopped up, brushed the dirt off her knees and hands, and kept on trekking! We were so proud of her! So while Elli and Tyler prefer trail running, she prefers a nice, slow pace, which is perfectly fine with me!
"I'M OKAAAAY!!!"
"WAIT UP, ELLI!!"
Sometimes life gives you moments of clarity, and for me, they mostly come when I'm outside, sweating and gasping for breath! Jeff and I had the opportunity to do some hiking this summer in Oregon around Mt. Hood. Talk about clarity...it doesn't get much more clear than this! I'm excited to share this with the kids when they get older! I'm pretty sure a video game never brought anyone closer to God or family. This stuff sure does...
The kids are finally old enough to start joining us on some outdoor adventures! We weren't too sure if they would enjoy hiking as much as we do, but we figured it was worth a try! Well, much to our amusement, they loved it! And just in case you're wondering, I haven't fizzled out before hitting the top yet! Here's a picture of them by their first trail head!
Here are some more random hiking photos! We knew Elli and Tyler would do great since they are SO darn coordinated, but we were a little concerned about Haley falling and not enjoying herself. Well, she fell 4 times in the first 100 yards. And each time, in her sweetest little girl voice, she said, "I'm okaaaay", hopped up, brushed the dirt off her knees and hands, and kept on trekking! We were so proud of her! So while Elli and Tyler prefer trail running, she prefers a nice, slow pace, which is perfectly fine with me!
"I'M OKAAAAY!!!"
"WAIT UP, ELLI!!"
Sometimes life gives you moments of clarity, and for me, they mostly come when I'm outside, sweating and gasping for breath! Jeff and I had the opportunity to do some hiking this summer in Oregon around Mt. Hood. Talk about clarity...it doesn't get much more clear than this! I'm excited to share this with the kids when they get older! I'm pretty sure a video game never brought anyone closer to God or family. This stuff sure does...
Friday, May 6, 2011
Happy Easter!
What a great day!! It was so beautiful outside - perfect for our first official Easter Egg Hunt!!
Evidentally they had an easter egg hunt at their school party - Tyler and Haley were telling us they found eggs on the slide, in the sand, and other places on the playground. I asked Elli if she found any and she said, "noooooo I didn't get any". Broke my heart! I was so concerned about her getting pushed around and not getting any eggs!
Well, if that scenario was true, and she really didn't get any eggs, then she definitely took some alone time to strategize on how to get her share on Easter Sunday! As soon as she saw Tyler grab the first egg, it was ON. From that second forward she was in egg-hunting mode and NOTHING stood in her way. If we pointed to an egg to help Haley or Tyler, she would sprint from the other side of the yard and grab it just as they were reaching for it! It was so hilarious to watch! I tried to put these photos in chronological order so you can see how innocent the egg hunt started, then you can see the transormation into ultra-competitive mode! Tyler mostly stayed to himself and even took a break mid-hunt when he realized there were treats in the egg! The girls were to busy "competing" to realize what they were actually fighting over!
Evidentally they had an easter egg hunt at their school party - Tyler and Haley were telling us they found eggs on the slide, in the sand, and other places on the playground. I asked Elli if she found any and she said, "noooooo I didn't get any". Broke my heart! I was so concerned about her getting pushed around and not getting any eggs!
Well, if that scenario was true, and she really didn't get any eggs, then she definitely took some alone time to strategize on how to get her share on Easter Sunday! As soon as she saw Tyler grab the first egg, it was ON. From that second forward she was in egg-hunting mode and NOTHING stood in her way. If we pointed to an egg to help Haley or Tyler, she would sprint from the other side of the yard and grab it just as they were reaching for it! It was so hilarious to watch! I tried to put these photos in chronological order so you can see how innocent the egg hunt started, then you can see the transormation into ultra-competitive mode! Tyler mostly stayed to himself and even took a break mid-hunt when he realized there were treats in the egg! The girls were to busy "competing" to realize what they were actually fighting over!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Fun Times!
Spring is in the air and we are SO glad to get out of the house and have some fun!!
Haley hangs out with the boys at school - I know this because our blue-eyed blond with piggy tails picked up a stick in the back yard and tried to shoot me! I asked her what she was shooting me with and she said "a laaaaaser". Excuse me?! I then asked who told her about lasers and she said "Sammy", then just ran off and shot Jeff. Oh boy. We have a tomboy on our hands!
Ellison is still in princess land and likes to put on her tutu every morning. She loves shoes. I really think we can motivate her to be potty trained by offering up new shoes...I'll let ya know how that goes! She has certainly come out of her shell in the last several months and is actually the only one of the three that will acknowledge strangers when they stop to talk to us (we still attract more than our share of attention, but not nearly as much as when they were babies - thank God).
Tyler loves being outside and is so excited to be able to play baseball with Jeff. It's so cute to watch him try and copy what Jeff does! He tells us all the time what a big boy he is! He loves his sisters, and we're constantly hearing, "I want one like Elli has", and "I want one like Haley has". He's finally figured out that pink toenails are for girls, and he has toes like daddy has! He dropped a die cast car on his big toenail (ouch) and was actually excited when it turned black so he could have one like daddy has!
I think Tyler's shirt says it all...
Haley hangs out with the boys at school - I know this because our blue-eyed blond with piggy tails picked up a stick in the back yard and tried to shoot me! I asked her what she was shooting me with and she said "a laaaaaser". Excuse me?! I then asked who told her about lasers and she said "Sammy", then just ran off and shot Jeff. Oh boy. We have a tomboy on our hands!
Ellison is still in princess land and likes to put on her tutu every morning. She loves shoes. I really think we can motivate her to be potty trained by offering up new shoes...I'll let ya know how that goes! She has certainly come out of her shell in the last several months and is actually the only one of the three that will acknowledge strangers when they stop to talk to us (we still attract more than our share of attention, but not nearly as much as when they were babies - thank God).
Tyler loves being outside and is so excited to be able to play baseball with Jeff. It's so cute to watch him try and copy what Jeff does! He tells us all the time what a big boy he is! He loves his sisters, and we're constantly hearing, "I want one like Elli has", and "I want one like Haley has". He's finally figured out that pink toenails are for girls, and he has toes like daddy has! He dropped a die cast car on his big toenail (ouch) and was actually excited when it turned black so he could have one like daddy has!
I think Tyler's shirt says it all...
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Run Daddy Run
A Note From Jeff...
This is my first blog on this site, and I am not the writer in the family but I had a big weekend and am going to share it. Jennifer said this blog is like therapy, so have a seat on my couch...
Ran a freakin' marathon.
Wow, I was not sure what to expect but what I got was not even close to anything that crossed my mind. Let me try to put it in words, that are age appropriate, because on the course I'm sure I used a few choice words that were not so appropriate. Woke up around 4:00 A.M. to get eat a bagel and drink a bottle of water, needed to get some calories in me, then went back to bed and tried to sleep a little more as the race did not start until 8:00 A.M. Then got back up around 6:30 of course did not really sleep for the past hour and a half. Got dressed and headed for the start line. It was cold and windy in the morning so Todd and I found a hotel lobby close to the start line that we ducked in. Todd left me there soon after, as we was a pacer for the race and he had access to the VIP tent. So there I sat by myself in a hotel lobby with a bunch of other running strangers wondering what the day was going to be like. Finally 7:45 so I headed for the start line, soon learned we were delayed 15 minutes. Not what you want hear when it is so cold out. Finally we get to 8:15 and the race is about to start.
Before I get into the race let me tell you my goal, I wanted to run a 4 hour and 15 minute marathon. That is averaging 9 mins and 43 secs per mile. But I knew there was a hill from mile 16 - 19 so I wanted to bank 3-4 minutes so I could slow down going up the hill.
Started off the race 1st mile was 9:42, perfect, mile 2 - 9:02, whoa better slow down before I burn myself out, turned on the ipod and settled in. The next 10 miles went by averaging around 9:20 per mile. Perfect, no issues, no pain. Mile 12 I got to see Jennifer and the kids cheering on the side of the road. I ran over got some high-fives and headed on. At this time my sister-in-law Erica joined me as she was going to run the last 14 miles with me to give me some company. We talked for the next 4 miles and everything was still as planned, but I noticed things starting to change. Started the uphill climb at mile 16, mile 16 and 17 were moving but slowly. Mile 18 came and the 4:15 group caught me, I tried to hang but just did not have it, not sure if I went out to fast or just not strong enough. Finally mile 19 was done and I thought I was up the hill, I was leaking oil and had hit the wall, or I think it hit me smack in the face. Erica would probably have a few funny stories at this time, because she said I was not being very pleasant (not age appropriate). Everything hurt, I did not want to go anymore, I wanted to stop, this was a feeling I had never felt before. It was more than just physical. This was both physical and mental, they say it is because your body has no more food supply to take from so it switches and starts to take from muscles. Also it needs to send food to your brain and vital organs so your muscles don't get anything, this is when your legs feel like lead. I pushed through this with whatever I had, cussing most of the way. This lasted until about mile 22, then my legs started to give out, I was getting cramps in both legs. I had to stop and stretch, this was the first time I stopped or walked to this point, my other goal was to run the whole thing no matter how slow. Well there went goal number 2. By this time I cleared my foggy head and realized there is only one goal now and that is finish no matter how hard. So for the next 3 miles I labored on run for .3 maybe .5 then stop and stretch, walk a little and get the cramps out then start again, until the legs tightened up again. I was at least a little more mentally focused, somehow I pushed through the wall. I was coming up on mile 25 and there were some people passing out beer on the side of the road, Erica ran over to them and got 2 cups, gave me one, I looked at her said "Cheers" we clinked cups downed our beers and I was off again. That lasted about .3 miles then the cramps started agin. But now I was close, I had about .7 to go last water stop and down the boardwalk, at mile 26 Jennifer, Todd, and kids were waiting for me cheering me on. That was great, what a lift that gives you, I got a few more high fives a kiss from Jennifer and off for my last .2 miles by myself. I left them and was already finding myself getting emotional, but .2 is no joke after running 26 before that, I looked at my watch and I was getting really close to 4 hours and 40 minutes, so I took off with whatever I had left to cross the finish line, I finished in 4 hours 40 minutes and 59 seconds. In marathon running you get to throw out the seconds so 4hours and 40 minutes is my time. Finished finally I see Jennifer and start to break down and cry.
With all that said, many have asked if I would do another one, Jennifer thought it would be one and done, but I think I'm going to do another one. I feel like I was close to my goal but did not reach it, I had it for 22 miles and just need 4 more. A little more training and maybe I can get there. To use a golf analogy it's like if you are trying to shoot an 80, but you shoot and 85. For a golfer like me that is a good score and you are not upset at all about it but you think with a little more practice I can get below 80. That is where I am right not. Crazy, stupid, insane or just driven by something deep in me, I'm going to get back out and log some more miles. That is once this body heals, and I can move again.
Thanks to all my family and friends for their support and encouragement. Todd: what an inspiration you are. Thanks for all your advice! Thanks to my running buddy Erica who got me a beer even after I called her every name in the book!!! Special thanks to Jennifer for her love and support without her I would not have taken step 1. As Jennifer said when she watched the 3:10 and 3:30 runners, they are driven, determined and are in form, then when you get back to me and the crew around me it looks like we went through a war, hats on sideways, shirts half tucked, drooling, stumbling, but still moving forward. I'd say that's one of life's lessons learned in the midst of a 26 mile journey.
Maybe someday I will get to run with one or all of my little wonders in their first marathon. Hopefully daddy can be there to help them get over their wall (in life and in racing).
Still moving forward,
Jeff
Waiting for daddy to come by (still in our jammies!)
Lookin' good at Mile 1
Feelin' on top of the world at Mile 12
Mile 26...not sure if Erica is congratulating me or holding me up!
THE FINAL 0.2
Shirt half tucked, feet barely off the ground, but still moving forward...
This is my first blog on this site, and I am not the writer in the family but I had a big weekend and am going to share it. Jennifer said this blog is like therapy, so have a seat on my couch...
Ran a freakin' marathon.
Wow, I was not sure what to expect but what I got was not even close to anything that crossed my mind. Let me try to put it in words, that are age appropriate, because on the course I'm sure I used a few choice words that were not so appropriate. Woke up around 4:00 A.M. to get eat a bagel and drink a bottle of water, needed to get some calories in me, then went back to bed and tried to sleep a little more as the race did not start until 8:00 A.M. Then got back up around 6:30 of course did not really sleep for the past hour and a half. Got dressed and headed for the start line. It was cold and windy in the morning so Todd and I found a hotel lobby close to the start line that we ducked in. Todd left me there soon after, as we was a pacer for the race and he had access to the VIP tent. So there I sat by myself in a hotel lobby with a bunch of other running strangers wondering what the day was going to be like. Finally 7:45 so I headed for the start line, soon learned we were delayed 15 minutes. Not what you want hear when it is so cold out. Finally we get to 8:15 and the race is about to start.
Before I get into the race let me tell you my goal, I wanted to run a 4 hour and 15 minute marathon. That is averaging 9 mins and 43 secs per mile. But I knew there was a hill from mile 16 - 19 so I wanted to bank 3-4 minutes so I could slow down going up the hill.
Started off the race 1st mile was 9:42, perfect, mile 2 - 9:02, whoa better slow down before I burn myself out, turned on the ipod and settled in. The next 10 miles went by averaging around 9:20 per mile. Perfect, no issues, no pain. Mile 12 I got to see Jennifer and the kids cheering on the side of the road. I ran over got some high-fives and headed on. At this time my sister-in-law Erica joined me as she was going to run the last 14 miles with me to give me some company. We talked for the next 4 miles and everything was still as planned, but I noticed things starting to change. Started the uphill climb at mile 16, mile 16 and 17 were moving but slowly. Mile 18 came and the 4:15 group caught me, I tried to hang but just did not have it, not sure if I went out to fast or just not strong enough. Finally mile 19 was done and I thought I was up the hill, I was leaking oil and had hit the wall, or I think it hit me smack in the face. Erica would probably have a few funny stories at this time, because she said I was not being very pleasant (not age appropriate). Everything hurt, I did not want to go anymore, I wanted to stop, this was a feeling I had never felt before. It was more than just physical. This was both physical and mental, they say it is because your body has no more food supply to take from so it switches and starts to take from muscles. Also it needs to send food to your brain and vital organs so your muscles don't get anything, this is when your legs feel like lead. I pushed through this with whatever I had, cussing most of the way. This lasted until about mile 22, then my legs started to give out, I was getting cramps in both legs. I had to stop and stretch, this was the first time I stopped or walked to this point, my other goal was to run the whole thing no matter how slow. Well there went goal number 2. By this time I cleared my foggy head and realized there is only one goal now and that is finish no matter how hard. So for the next 3 miles I labored on run for .3 maybe .5 then stop and stretch, walk a little and get the cramps out then start again, until the legs tightened up again. I was at least a little more mentally focused, somehow I pushed through the wall. I was coming up on mile 25 and there were some people passing out beer on the side of the road, Erica ran over to them and got 2 cups, gave me one, I looked at her said "Cheers" we clinked cups downed our beers and I was off again. That lasted about .3 miles then the cramps started agin. But now I was close, I had about .7 to go last water stop and down the boardwalk, at mile 26 Jennifer, Todd, and kids were waiting for me cheering me on. That was great, what a lift that gives you, I got a few more high fives a kiss from Jennifer and off for my last .2 miles by myself. I left them and was already finding myself getting emotional, but .2 is no joke after running 26 before that, I looked at my watch and I was getting really close to 4 hours and 40 minutes, so I took off with whatever I had left to cross the finish line, I finished in 4 hours 40 minutes and 59 seconds. In marathon running you get to throw out the seconds so 4hours and 40 minutes is my time. Finished finally I see Jennifer and start to break down and cry.
With all that said, many have asked if I would do another one, Jennifer thought it would be one and done, but I think I'm going to do another one. I feel like I was close to my goal but did not reach it, I had it for 22 miles and just need 4 more. A little more training and maybe I can get there. To use a golf analogy it's like if you are trying to shoot an 80, but you shoot and 85. For a golfer like me that is a good score and you are not upset at all about it but you think with a little more practice I can get below 80. That is where I am right not. Crazy, stupid, insane or just driven by something deep in me, I'm going to get back out and log some more miles. That is once this body heals, and I can move again.
Thanks to all my family and friends for their support and encouragement. Todd: what an inspiration you are. Thanks for all your advice! Thanks to my running buddy Erica who got me a beer even after I called her every name in the book!!! Special thanks to Jennifer for her love and support without her I would not have taken step 1. As Jennifer said when she watched the 3:10 and 3:30 runners, they are driven, determined and are in form, then when you get back to me and the crew around me it looks like we went through a war, hats on sideways, shirts half tucked, drooling, stumbling, but still moving forward. I'd say that's one of life's lessons learned in the midst of a 26 mile journey.
Maybe someday I will get to run with one or all of my little wonders in their first marathon. Hopefully daddy can be there to help them get over their wall (in life and in racing).
Still moving forward,
Jeff
Waiting for daddy to come by (still in our jammies!)
Lookin' good at Mile 1
Feelin' on top of the world at Mile 12
Mile 26...not sure if Erica is congratulating me or holding me up!
THE FINAL 0.2
Shirt half tucked, feet barely off the ground, but still moving forward...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Blink, Blink, Blink
I blinked once and Haley was digging into her little Bee cake for her first taste of birthday cake. She was so tiny, barely any hair, and had this crazy little way of crawling around the house that earned her the nickname "Scooter". I blinked twice and she was celebrating her second birthday. Running around the house with little piggy tails in her hair, she was quiet with not much to say besides mamma and daddy. I blinked three times and she was sitting at the beach making a princess house in the sand on her first birthday vacation. So smart and so observant, I love to sit at the kitchen bar and hear all about her day. Such a big girl now, no longer a little baby. She takes my breath away.
That first blink caught me giggling at Elli on her first birthday. I could barely find a single strand of hair for her bow I bought to match her little outfit. Such an easy little baby who was determined to be the first to walk! Second blink and she's running full speed around the house, faster than I've ever seen a child that tiny run! She fell in love with all the princesses at Disney World and knows them all by heart, including their hair, dress colors, and theme songs! Third blink and she's face to face with a horse on the beach, patting him on the nose. Not an ounce of fear from this animal loving princess. So very laid back and so very, very sweet. I am in awe of her every day.
First blink...Tyler is zipping around the house in a little walker, just itching to get out of it and walk all by himself. I was amazed by him (and still am) thinking about how tiny he was the first time I saw him. Such a tough little baby. Blink again and he's peddling a tricycle around the house, zipping around obstacles at full speed...his only speed is full out. Our little "Peanut" isn't even on the growth charts yet, but we all know he's just fine. Third blink and he's standing next to Jeff watching the waves roll in at the beach. His tiny legs running as fast as they could run to get away from the freezing, frothy water as it rushed over his footprints in the sand. He still looks small, but he's such a big boy now. Truly a miracle.
Happy Third Birthday to our Little Wonders. The three of you cannot possibly understand how blessed we feel to be your parents. We can't wait to see what the next year brings. Don't blink mommy!
That first blink caught me giggling at Elli on her first birthday. I could barely find a single strand of hair for her bow I bought to match her little outfit. Such an easy little baby who was determined to be the first to walk! Second blink and she's running full speed around the house, faster than I've ever seen a child that tiny run! She fell in love with all the princesses at Disney World and knows them all by heart, including their hair, dress colors, and theme songs! Third blink and she's face to face with a horse on the beach, patting him on the nose. Not an ounce of fear from this animal loving princess. So very laid back and so very, very sweet. I am in awe of her every day.
First blink...Tyler is zipping around the house in a little walker, just itching to get out of it and walk all by himself. I was amazed by him (and still am) thinking about how tiny he was the first time I saw him. Such a tough little baby. Blink again and he's peddling a tricycle around the house, zipping around obstacles at full speed...his only speed is full out. Our little "Peanut" isn't even on the growth charts yet, but we all know he's just fine. Third blink and he's standing next to Jeff watching the waves roll in at the beach. His tiny legs running as fast as they could run to get away from the freezing, frothy water as it rushed over his footprints in the sand. He still looks small, but he's such a big boy now. Truly a miracle.
Happy Third Birthday to our Little Wonders. The three of you cannot possibly understand how blessed we feel to be your parents. We can't wait to see what the next year brings. Don't blink mommy!
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