Triathalon - Photo Essay

So here are the pics from today, probably more than you want to see unless you're my mommy or daddy, but feel free to skip ahead! Here's how it went down. . .

This is me nursing the baby, in my wetsuit, 5 minutes before my start time. At this point I'm still feeling more like mommy and less like the athlete I must transform into in less than 5 minutes. I'm still worried about her poopy diaper and get her all cleaned up.

Then, I put on my flaming green swim cap and head down to the water! Man, do I look funny in a swim cap! I was a little nervous so I swam out and back really fast and then felt better about the whole "open water" situation.

Now I'm all wet and ready to go!
And there I am, looking very much like a cod fish and just a little like my little brother, Theron. It's amazing what going bald can do for your femininity.
On the final length of the swim. The swim went really well for me, but it did get off to a rough start with a kick that took my goggles off, and I was a little breathless the whole time. I think maybe all the bodies all around me threw me off a bit. Very refreshing though!
Chris Jones gives me a big high five on my way up to transition. . . His wife Robyn is competing in the Olympic Distance Tri and has been out of the water for about 20 minutes now. . . I also call Robyn "coach" as she's the one that got me into this. . . The swim took me 18 minutes (much longer than normal) Her swim took her only 22 minutes, and it was twice as far! What a pro. . .

Transitioning to the bike. . . feeling great!
And she's off. . .

For the craziest hilly bike ride ever. Seriously. . . so difficult.While I was gone the kids had fun with the kids. . . Oh, and picked me a victory boquet.
And then there was running. The run was great, though the hills were once again, brutal.

Why are the best pictures always the blurry ones?
On the way to the finish line. . . almost done!
Thanks hunny for supporting me in this little adventure! I had a great time!
Oh, and I won my division! Here I am with my medal. . .
Aidan is bursting with pride! There's nothing like a gold medal mama! Go me!

Just for the record, Gordon wanted me to title this entry "winner winner, chicken dinner" but I refused. Love you hunny!

This and That. . .

One Down Two to Go!

Gordon was able to convince me it was time for baby/mama torture (read - sleep training). He was right of course, it's just hard to know you're going to let your little one cry it out. So, the night after mom left, little Emilee was not fed when she woke up for her 11 o'clock feeding. She cried for maybe 45 minutes, with comforting every 10 or so.

I bailed after 15 minutes and curled up in the fetal position in the bonus room, fighting the "you're not taking care of your hungry little helpless child" demons. I hate crying it out. But, after 45 minutes, back to sleep she was.

And guess what. Last night - only about 1 minute of whining, and then nothing. No feedings until 2. It is a marvelous thing to get 4 + hours of sleep at a time! We'll try to cut out another feeding here in a week or so, once we've got this one good and gone! Thanks Gordon!

Random Acts of Kindness

On Wednesday I was downstairs picking up and starting to ready dinner. I heard Aidan running like mad upstairs. Thud. . . thud. . .thud. . .thud. Back and forth from the bonus room but I didn't know what he was up to.

After about 15 minutes of this, he came downstairs to get me and led me upstairs with my eyes closed. Then, he proudly popped open the bonus room door to reveal a completely cleaned up room. I was so happy I dropped to my knees for a hug and a kiss and then immediately said, "Let's go make a cake!!!" He was already feeling pretty great from his service project, and this was just the icing he needed to make it a truly great thing. We went straight downstairs and I let him make the cake. We talked about how great it feels to do something completely out of love for someone else, and how it makes BOTH people happy.

Yesterday I found my desk completely straightened up. Another wonderful surprise. He asked if we could make another cake. I said no of course (and then we had the "we'll get chubby if we eat cake every day" talk), and we played a rousing game of UNO instead.

Gordon told me last night that Aidan told him "I'm going to clean up one thing every day without being asked. It makes mom so happy." Yes it does little man! This has been a wonderful development after a couple of weeks of a VERY grumpy Aidan who is SO ready to start kindergarten!

Final Thoughts for Today

I have pre-race jitters.

The end.

What have we been up to?

Grammy's been in town! So we've been. . .

Snuggling in the morning. . .

Going to Church . . .

Eating lunch at Costco. . . all of us. . .

Picking raspberries. . Playing. . .
Picking peaches. . .

Back to school shopping. . .
Making M&M Mosaics

Giving lots of baby baths . . .
learning to roll like a pro! . . .
Visiting the berry farm . . .
It's been a busy and fun week! Thanks for the visit Grammy!!!

6 months old today!

How could half a year have flown by so fast?

Such a Slacker!

Okay, Okay, I know it's been FOREVER since I've had a worth while post. But seriously. . . the baby gets up 4 times a night. I'm training for a triathlon coming up in only 1 week. (eek!) My mother is in town for the next five days. School starts in a week and a half. It's peach canning season (yum!) and there are berries ripe for the picking right now. We've been in swim lessons. We've been to the ward camp out. We've been. . . all over! So busy. And so tired. I hereby pledge to get back on the blog-wagon next week, after I'm done playing with mom. Lots of fun to share, a new dress getting smocked, fun activities with boys. . . so be patient with me. I promise I'll stop slacking one of these days!

The kids keep asking me why i'm giggling. . .

Ever wondered if you look like your parents. . . I'd say this is proof that I am my mother's daughter. . .

Presenting. . . Me. . . in. . .

1952

1956

1960

1970

1984, woah! Scary! 1990 - I'm channeling some gymnastic coaches I once knew. . .

And my Oh so handsome husband! in. . .

1964

1970

1976

and 1986

Come on, you know you want to try it too!!! And Hunny, I'm glad we met in the 90's! :)

Sunday Sillies

We've had some silliness around here today!

First, Aidan decided to try on the baby bunting. . .
. . . and declared himself the "super bee." There was some serious Wedgie going on here. . .
Next, there was an hour of "rides" in the suitcase. Always a good time!
And for our last silly moment, Aidan came strutting in from getting on his PJ's and proclaimed himself "a grandpa." We think it's a pretty good imitation of a few old men in our ward.



Not so silly, but Gordon and I got to go on a little getaway this Friday evening to a friends sealing. We made a trip down the Columbia gorge over half way to Idaho. We made one fun stop on the way home at the "vista house" to check out the view. Here is our fun little trio. . . It was so much fun to get away with just Em. One baby along is a piece of cake!
and isn't she just the cutest thing?

Hope you had a fun and silly Sunday too!

10 years ago. . .

a boy and a girl went hiking at the top of Snowboard Ski resort. They rode the tram up and walked around in the wildflowers. . .

they took pictures with their little point and shoot camera. . . and had lunch with martinelli's in dixie cups and cheese and crackers. Then, the boy said he had a rock in his shoe. He had to get down on one knee to get his boot off to get that rock out. . .
That rock turned out to be a diamond in a ring. And so their story began. . .
And when they came down the mountian they were engaged.
What a fun memory! I love you hunny! You are my best friend and I would say yes again in a heartbeat. I can't beleive that was 10 whole years ago. And I can't beleive how young these children in the photos are. Who in the world gave them permission to be married! :)