July

I had good intentions of posting at the end of July but once again life happened.  So now that I have a spare, quiet moment I thought I'd take advantage of it. 

We started the month off with our annual camping trip out in the the backyard with our friends, the Cowans.  I opted to sleep inside with Dylan and their little one and still managed to not sleep in.  I actually think the older kids slept longer than any of us expected considering that the sun comes up so early.

 

The big highlight of July was Troy's family vacation to Bear Lake.  Bummed that we weren't able to see Jer & Kenz's family.  

We started the vacation off with a family birthday party.  We have about 5 birthdays in July so we decided to celebrate it all at once with a pinata.

 Dylan knew immediately what to do with a bat in hand.

 

 Poor Olaf didn't stand a chance with 7 kids attacking him with a whiffle bat.

The beach was awesome.  I had some anxiety with the thought of Dylan being so close to open water and showing no fear but thankfully Bear Lake was the perfect place for us.  No waves and the water was super shallow.  We rented a paddle boat, waverunners, and stand up paddle boards.  So much fun for all!

 

 

We also did some hiking and spelunking.  Although the weather wasn't super cooperative we still managed to find fun to do.

Including wrestling with the uncles.  It's a good thing we've got college age guys who don't mind rough housing.

 

The kids loved spending time with their cousins and got them even more excited for our trip at the end of the year to go see them.  (stay tuned...)

 

We also celebrated Brooke's big 7 birthday (complete with birthday waffles).  It's still hard to believe how fast time has gone.  She is a great big sister, fun, silly, smart, beautiful, kind, thoughtful, inquisitive, adventurous girl and we love her!

June

I really had good intentions to get another post in before the month was over but all of sudden July came out of nowhere and we're now 5 days in.  June was a blur.  With school ending I thought life would be nice and slow but it seems like it's been go, go, go.
The first week of summer break the older kids went off to craft camp.  I don't have any pictures but they came home with an armload: a fairy garden, teepee, summer hats/fedora, kinetic sand, and travel lego kits.  My parents also rolled into town.  Whenever my parents come into town we always make a trip to Chuck E Cheese's.  That's usually the first thing Connor asks when he knows Gong Gong and Popo are coming. 

 

5 adults, 3 kids, 200 tokens, and 500+ tickets later we walked out happy and spent with prizes I can't even remember.

My mom was kind enough to teach a cooking class to the ladies from church.  Many of them came ready to learn and hopefully they'll be able to take it home and recreate them.

 We spent a perfect day at the zoo.  The weather was fabulous and we pretty much got to see everything.  Troy was even to join us for the second half. 

Looking back at old pictures it's crazy to see how much Brooke and Connor have grown over the years. 

Brooke and Connor introduced Gong Gong and PoPo to our local mini incline.  They all made the 200 steps to the top and enjoyed the views.

We celebrated Father's Day twice.  Once while my dad was still out visiting and a second time with my mom still here. Both celebrations were complete with delicious meals.  I tried my hand at paella...still needs work but we've got a great base. Then my mom spoiled all of us with Chinese ribs and potstickers.  Mmmm...my mouth still waters thinking about it. 

I ran another half marathon (Slacker Half Marathon) in hopes to break the 2 hour mark.

My chip time finish was 1:59:51.  Talk about cutting it close.  I pushed myself more than I could imagine and still thought my goal slipped through my fingers.  My gun time was 2:00:22 but thankfully I had somehow bought an extra 30 seconds at the start because it took me that long to cross the start line.  Phew!  The course was long and in the sun pretty much the whole time.  The start was at Loveland Ski Resort and we descended just under 2500 ft. into Georgetown.  Talk about a fun recovery!!! 

The last mile was by far the worse because we had to zig zag through the streets and what I thought was the finish was not the finish and I had already given my last burst.  I felt so defeated when I crossed the finish line and saw the 2:00:22. It wasn't until my friend pointed out that what I saw was the gun time and not my official time.  All I can say is that I fought for those 9 seconds like I hadn't fought before.  Now I get to rest from running for a little bit then pick back up for the Tough Mudder in September and another half in November. 

School's Out For The Summer!!!

Here's a quick recap of May:

The beginning of May brought the last big and wet snowstorm.  I don't remember how many inches we got but it was a quick storm.  The rest of May was wet and rainy.  I think that we got rain 28+ days out of the month.  Definitely one of the rainiest Mays we've ever had.  It delayed the planting of our garden until today!

 

 

It was about time that Dylan got his first haircut.  Connor and Dylan are completely different when it comes to the hair department.  Connor was over 2 before he got his first haircut and I think his hair was even shorter than Dylan's when he got it.  Dylan was good for the most part and didn't wiggle too much.  He was much more still when I whipped the bubbles out.

Dylan decided that he was tired of crawling and has been walking for the past 3 weeks.  I am determined to remember at least one big milestone!!!!!  He loves walking and being chased.  It's crazy to see how sturdy he's gotten in just the past few weeks.

Connor had another birthday.  Hooray!!!  The big 4.  There are times that I feel time goes really slow but whenever birthdays come it feels like the year has gone in a blink of an eye.  Connor is the best middle child.  He is all energy but can chill with the best of them.  He still loves his sleep.  I have a feeling that he will be difficult to wake up during his teenage years.  He is the most inquisitive kid.  He has a question for anything and everything.  I've finally resorted to telling him to go straight to the source.  For example-Why is it raining?  Why is it windy?  Why is it cloudy?...I don't know...go ask the meteorologist.

I ran the Ogden Half Marathon.  The week going into the race I had my eyes glued on the weather.  Friday morning said that we were in the clear with a 3-6% chance of rain.  By that night it had changed to 100%.  The rain came right when the race started and proceeded to rain the WHOLE ENTIRE TIME with times being a total downpour.  Moisture wicking clothes didn't do much and I was completely frozen by the end of the race.  My hands were numb and my legs were tight.  Thankfully I had Troy and a donut waiting for me at the end of the race.  Final time 2:00:39.  My goal was to get under 2:00 and I was sooo close.  I blame the rain.  I'm determined that I will make it under 2:00 so I signed up for another race at the end of this month.  I think my legs are getting angry with me for running so much but I will get there.

Brooke's school hosted a fun run.  Her goal was to run all 35 laps and she did it all with a few extra.  She ran over 2 miles.  Way to go Brookie!!!!

 Connor finished up his soccer season.  He did awesome and his team only lost 1 game the whole season.  Troy did a great job coaching and hopefully we'll see some of these kids back next season.

Connor finished up his first year of preschool.  All of his teachers were fantastic and he has grown so much.  I think about where he was, verbally, a year ago and I am so proud of the progress he has made. 

Brooke had her dance recital and she did awesome.  She has been taking ballet and jazz/lyrical this past year and has truly worked hard in learning her steps.

 

 

The last big event at Brooke's school was field day.  It is a lot different than how I remember doing it when I was a kid.  What ever happened to the long jump?  She loved it.  Always a smile on her face and a tongue poking out.

Too keep the older 2 busy this summer and to keep my sanity I signed Brooke and Connor up for tennis lessons.  Yesterday was their first lesson.  Troy took them and said that Brooke got the hang of it.  Connor...not so much but he's definitely on the younger side.  Nonetheless I think they'll enjoy learning it together.

Today was Brooke's last day of school.  Hooray!!!!  She has had an awesome year with an awesome teacher.  Her enthusiasm for school and learning has only increased over the years and I attribute it to her teachers creating a great place for learning and growth.  I can't believe I have a 2nd grader it the midst.  Seriously!!! Can someone please slow down time for just a little bit?????