Moab Fun

Last weekend was the annual Moab trip.  When I originally signed up for the half I kind of hoped that we wouldn't get picked in the lottery.  My wish didn't come true but I'm glad that I made the trip over.

 It was a much smaller group this year.  There was 6 of us running the half including a gent. 

I had a personal best coming in at 2:03:58.  After the New Year's Race I let things slide a little.  I was slightly discouraged with the results from the race and decided that I would just run Moab with out any set goals besides coming in at under 2:10.  I guess the relieved pressure on myself was the trick.  Saturday morning turned out to be a beautiful day for a run.  I think it was probably in the low to mid 50s with cloudy skies at the start.  I had checked weather before we left the hotel and it said that there was a 30% of rain for the early afternoon but it never came.  It was the perfect temperature, no sun, and NO WIND.  I think this is the first time in a few years that there has been no wind and it was wonderful.  As I was coming in at the last stretch I saw the clock at the finish line and knew that I could come in under 2:04:06 (which was my main goal).  I gave it all I had and finished right under it.  It felt awesome.  If the New Year's Race had been in the morning I think I could have broken the 2 hour mark.  So close...I guess I'll have to wait until next time.

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and gorging ourselves on way too much food.

While I was away Troy held down the fort and entertained the kids.  They went to the zoo, Wendy's, had a photo shoot, watched movies, etc.  Brooke and Connor love it when daddy's in charge.

Note from Dad: One of the pleasures of Mom being gone is your 4-year old daughter questioning your competence. "Dad, do you know how to get to Lizzie and Johnny's house?" (While making her a hopscotch board) "Dad, do you know how do the numbers? A one is a line, a two is like this. Good job, Daddy! A 10 is a one and then a zero. An eleven is two lines" "Dad, are you sure you know how to get to the zoo? Maybe you can just follow the arrows."

Fun at the Zoo

 

A couple weeks ago the kids and I decided to take advantage of some gorgeous warm weather and head to the zoo with some friends.  It really was a beautiful day

 We went with some preschool friends and enjoyed all the animals.

My favorite place is the Tropical Discovery.  It's a great place to let kids roam around.  Connor loves having all the freedom.

I think I've decided my favorite thing to photograph are the tropical fishes.  It's pretty much guaranteed that you'll get at least one cool looking pic.

 We came across this bad boy...any guesses as to whether it's real or fake???

We can never pass up the opportunity to bang on the bongo drums when we visit.
The zoo was a great time...so much so that Connor stayed up the whole way home.

Ode to Coco

Goodbyes are never enjoyable.  This past weekend we had to say goodbye to our favorite Coco.  It's been a quick 4 years but so much fun.

It's hard to believe that when Jonathan moved here Brooke was just a tiny little thing.

We are so glad to have had him so close that Brooke could get to know her Coco and be spoiled by him. 
We're going to miss the summer pool visits and she's gonna miss having someone to splash around with. 

Brooke always loved to be goofy with Coco.

 The princess innertube and pink arm floaties will be constant reminders of summers spent in the pool.

 These afternoons were instrumental in making Brooke much more comfortable in the water. We'll miss hearing her laugh echo off the apartment buildings surrounding the pool.

Coco has been around since Connor was born, entertaining him with tennis balls, styrofoam coolers and spinning chairs.

Thanks for all the memories Coco. We'll miss your pool, your tofu, your Disney movies, your friendship and your relationship with our kids. You'll always have a bed to stay in any time you want to come and visit.

This Girl

This Girl!!!  What can I say and where do I begin?

 

This girl is full of energy.  From sun up to sun down she's pretty much go, go, go unless she's bored then she might take an occasional nap which makes for late, late nights.

 This girl is sugar and spice and everything nice but she can also get down and dirty with the best of them. 

This girl loves to sing and dance.  She makes up songs all the time and her favorite place to debut them is in the car at full blast.

This girl also has a little bit of a sassy side and that's where our story really begins.

Last Wednesday night was a typical night.  Finish up piano lessons, make dinner, sit down together as a family.  If anyone really knows this girl they know that she is notorious for being the world's slowest eater.  She's not terribly picky but she definitely doesn't enjoy food as much as her mom and dad.  She is also the world's best dilly dally-ier and knows how to take her sweet time doing anything.  While eating dinner she decided to play around in the curtains.  Mom and dad try to keep her in her seat but she always has something else in mind.  After many warnings to stop playing in the curtains (mainly so her little bro, this boy, would not follow suit.  Too late) we put her on the couch to calm down.  She proceeded to climb over the couch knowing full well that this was not acceptable.  Mom said she needed to go to her room and she could come out when she was ready to sit and behave.  This girl scoffed at the idea and giggled running away.  Mom took her by the hand and guided her to her room.  In the process this girl decided to play dead and go limp making it more difficult to get her to room but still giggling along the way.  Mom pulled her up the stairs and let go at the landing.  Disaster struck.  Giggling turned into crying.  Mom wasn't sure if this girl was just upset about going to her room so she picked her up and took her the rest of the way.  Dad checked a few minutes later and stated that this girl might actually be hurt.  Great!  A huge wave of guilt came over mom.  Mom went to check and this girl was babying her right arm.  Mom had her wiggle her fingers and rotate her wrist.  All was well until mom had her touch her nose and touch the top of her head.  This girl would have none of that which made both mom and dad concerned.  After much back and forth Mom took her to the ER.  By this time this girl should be getting ready for bed but instead we're filling out papers and waiting for her to be seen.  All this time Mom feels awful.  AWFUL!!!  After spending a couple hours this girl was diagnosed with a possible fracture in her humerus.  What?!  How in the world could a possible fracture occur?  This girl's arm was splinted and we were sent home with the instructions to call the orthopedic surgeon to schedule a followup the next week.  Mom and dad put this girl to bed and she was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.  The next morning this girl said her arm was feeling better.  It helped that her arm was splinted, completely immobilized, and in a sling.  Mom sent her off to preschool where her teacher said she did fine.  Mom called the pediatrician and was instructed to get a second opinion from a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.  Best advice.  An appointment was scheduled for Friday morning.  Meanwhile, Valentine's day was spent low-key.  Friday rolled around and mom and this girl were off for the appointment.  After meeting with Dr. P it was determined that this girl did NOT have a fractured humerus (can you feel the relief) but what is called a nursemaid elbow.  Think of it as a dislocation of the elbow.  With a simple manipulation this girl's elbow was back in its rightful place.  This girl spent the rest of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning being very cautious with it.  The cure for her pain was church.  After primary she was good as gold as if it didn't occur.

Through this whole ordeal we have also learned that this girl is one tough cookie.  She is brave and still manages to crack a smile and giggle when things are painful.  She was very brave at the ER and doctor's and barely shed a tear when her arm was getting fixed.  This girl is also very forgiving and loving.  Mom and dad are so grateful that she is a part of this family.

We love you, Brooke!!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!!!!

 Another successful Chinese New Year celebration has come and gone.

On the menu was Chinese ribs, potstickers, fried rice, ginger/scallion fish, stir fried veggies, BBQ pork buns, don tat (egg custard), and almond jello.  The food was delicious and the company was even better.

 

I'm pretty stoked that I was able to feed a crowd of 21 and still have a little bit of leftovers that both Troy and I have been enjoying.  Troy and I were trying to recall how many times we have done this in the years past and I think this is #4.

 

 This is definitely a tradition that will come every year and hopefully the menu will keep getting better and better.

On a side note, I just realized that Connor is 21 months today.  That means in 3 short months he'll be 2.  Yikes!!!!  I'm still amazed at how quickly time passes

Finally February

So we survived a busy January that involved too many activities and too much work, but we made it to February. Which means that swimming lessons are back in for Brooke, though it was Connor dressing up in the gear...

 ... not by his own choice. It didn't last long.

 We watched the Super Bowl, but Brooke really only paid attention to the halftime show. She connected on a diva level with Beyonce.

 With Brooke in preschool, Connor is left to keep himself entertained in the mornings.

 Really that means following Mom around the house. Though most days he just flashes this smile to get his way.

 Occasionally, he is goofy as well.

Looks like Brooke learned a few moves.

Par-tay!!!!!

We've been partying it up here this last week.  We decided to dust of the Wii and break it out for Brooke.  She is a true fan!!

 We let her test her skills in boxing and let me tell ya...

 She let Troy have it.

 Going in for the kill...KO

 "Wait, he's not supposed to get up?!"

 "Get 'em!!!!!"

Troy doing his best not to let a 4 year old beat him.  In the end I think she actually won.  She totally bested me in bowling with a record score of 168.

Saturday rolled around and I decided to host a dumpling/potsticker party. 

I taught the ladies how to mix the dumpling mixture and how to wrap them...complete with crimped edges.  My mom would be proud!

The kids kept themselves entertained while I played cooking teacher and Troy was the photographer/sous chef.  I complimented Brooke on her hair only to find out that Troy had done it.  Good job!!!

There is not a picture of the final product but I can tell you, they did not disappoint!!!  The secret ingredient...shiitake mushrooms.  Makes a world of difference.

Brooke was able to celebrate her friend's birthday at preschool.  She loved the goodie bag especially the silly glasses.

Connor thought Squishy was asking to join her party but I think he totally misinterpreted what she was really thinking...that she just wanted to sleep...ALONE.

Lastly, Brooke, Connor, and I have been battling colds.  Mine and Brooke's are on their tail end but Connor keeps being a drippy faucet.  I tried to help him out with the snot sucker but he would have none of it.  Smart kid!