Halloween weekend

RACE DAY:

Back in June at our sisters weekend, Julie and I talked about doing a half marathon in Seattle the next June with my sister in law Marcela.  Sean told me that I should run one in Utah first so he knew I was serious.  We found the Halloween Half Marathon in Provo and decided to train for that one.  I roped my sister Julie into doing it too and after her and Sean committed to do it.. I dropped out :)  I just didn't feel ready.  Well, that didn't stop those 2 from doing it and I'm SO glad that they did.

Julie flew in Friday afternoon from Denver. Since I had to work, my mom picked her up from the airport and came up to stay with my kids at my house until I got home from work.  Sean had to go down to Provo to pick up the packets for himself and Julie so we headed to Walmart to do some last minute shopping and then went out to dinner at Mimi's to "carb load" Julie. I think we were all carb loaded when we left. 

The next morning Sean and Julie woke up before 5 a.m. so that they could be down in Provo to get on a bus that took them to the top of the Provo Canyon for the start of the race.  The race itself didn't start until 9:00, but the last buses left at 7:30.  I was so excited for both of them and actually really disappointed in myself for dropping out. 

 Here they are leaving. sorry for the blurry, dark pictures.  Clearly I wasn't awake yet!

 It was a costume race so we put orange, black and purple in Julie's hair.

My mom and I woke up and got all the kids ready so that we could be down in Provo at the finish line to cheer them on.  When I saw the clock turn to 9:00 my heart pounded thinking that they were starting. I was seriously so excited for both of them.  We made it down just in time to see Julie cross the finish line.  On the drive down we took the exit which put us on the path the runner were on.  When we turned the corner and saw all the runners coming down the mountain I seriously got so choked up and started to cry.  It was such a neat site and I couldn't help but be SO proud of my husband and sister for what they were about to accomplish.  I really was overcome with so much emotion. We rolled down our windows and clapped and cheered all the runners we could see. 

 I definitely want to do it next year-- NO MATTER WHAT!

Julie crossed the finish line at 1 hour 47 minutes 33 seconds.  She was seriously a ROCK STAR.  Her very first 1/2 marathon ever and she freakin' rocked it and she hates running!  She put a "BOO" on her back for everyone to see as she passed them.  I love her!

 Such a happy sister!  I tried to put orange in my hair, but ran out of time putting my make-up on.  Sorry for the scary picture.  Good thing it was Halloween :)

Then came my AMAZING husband. He looked up at me just at the right time. He smiled as he ran past me and I lost it again. I bawled the whole time I ran to greet him at the finish line. My heart was racing and I was so full of amazement at what he had just finished. One year ago, he could barely run a mile and now he did a 1/2 marathon. His time was 2 hours 12 minutes (not sure on the seconds) .  He is seriously such a stud. 

I think they were both very relieved to have it done and over with.   It was so fun to be there.  I loved to see all the cute costumes that everyone ran in. 

On the way home from Provo we stopped at IGGY's for lunch/dinner. 

We had a trunk or treat that day at 5 p.m. so we came home and got everyone ready in their costumes.  Here are my little kiddos all dressed up.  They all chose what they wanted to be. 

Rylee was a BYU cheerleader

 Jayson wanted to be a ghost. This one he picked out at the store with his dad. A little more creepy than I thought it would be, but he loved it.

 Jax was a pumpkin

 Tay was a BYU soccer player/goalie. Her dream is to really be one some day.

 We had to light our pumpkins before we left.

 Getting ready for the trunk or treat to start



We made it about 30 minutes at the trunk or treat before it started to rain.  The kids got tons of candy so it was a success.  Jayson totally knew he had to go to every car to get candy.  It was so much fun to watch him weave in and out.  He would say "trick or treat" so sweet and then always say thank you.  Most people would say "what a scary little ghost you are" and he would laugh and say "yeah, I am".  It totally made my night.  Then, some cars gave Rylee and Tayler more candy for being BYU fans and other cars gave them a really hard time. I loved watching it all.  Sean stayed at our car to pass out the candy.  He was very generous with the candy at the start so we ran out a little earlier than we planned, but with the rain it worked out perfectly.

We came home bathed the kids for church and called it a night. 

Thanks mom and Julie for the wonderful weekend.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of us waiting by the finish line.  Darn it, I don't have any of all of them.  I can't wait to do it all again next year.  Hope you all had a wonderful HaLlOwEeN!

PUMPkin time

Last night we had our annual pumpkin carving night.  We had yummy soup and bread bowls for dinner and then started carving!  Last year when I looked back we did it on the exact same night too.

 Pullin' out the guts.. Jayson wouldn't even put his hands in the pumpkin. 

 Tayler wanted to do her very own this year, so she did!  I helped her with a few things, but she did it almost all by herself.  I think she did an amazing job for her first time.

 Rylee had 2 pumpkins to carve last night.  She got one on her field trip from school.  We did "BOO" on her little one and then she choose a bat for her big one.

 Jayson was very proud of his.  He choose it out of the book and was determined that was the one he wanted to have.  Thankfully his daddy made his day and did it.  We weren't even sure exactly what it was, but he was convinced it was a ghost. (he's obsessed with ghosts these days).

 All 5 pumpkins done and ready to go out to the porch

 Jayson's

 Taylers owl

 Sean did the cross bones.  It looked cool out of the porch glowing.

Rylee's bat

I sometimes dread pumpkin carving night, but last night was so much fun.  I'm grateful for the little things we get to do together.  It is always fun and I love to see how happy my kiddos are while we are doing it and then afterwards. 

9 and counting..

this is us by the same pillar at the Bountiful temple that we stood by 9 years ago. 

9 years ago today I was able to marry Sean and it was such a wonderful decision.  I have really lucked out.  He is such a wonderful person in so many ways.  I am grateful that he puts up with me!

Happy Anniversary babe.  Can't wait for many, MANY more to come.  Love you.

My little string bean

..decided to grow up some more and turn 9 months this past Wednesday. 

I can't believe how quickly time is going.  His smile still melts my heart!

Friday we had his 9 month check up with his pediatrician.  He was not so happy after they had to poke his toe multiple times to get enough blood for the hemoglobin test, but when the Dr. came in he perked right up.  He loves Dr. M.  I love our pediatrician too.

Here are his stats from this check up:
Weight: 15.25 lbs. guess where that lands him... a big fat 0 percentile.  Literally WAY off the curve.  It looks like he gained a whole 2 oz. since his 6 month check up. Nice work buddy.  His doctor told me he must have an extremely high metabolism and that we need to calorie pack him as much as possible.  It looks like he is following the same pattern that Tayler did.  I was curious to see how big Tayler was at 9 months and she was only 13 lbs 5 oz, so she was even smaller.  She gained 1 oz. from her 6 month check-up to her 9 month check-up.  Interesting. 

Length: 28.5 inches (41st percentile)
Head: 8th percentile

here are some fun things Jax has been learning:

• he crawls like a champ.  Pulls himself up on everything and is cruising around the couch.
• loves to clap and wave "hello" or "good-bye"
• hates his crib and sleeping for that matter
• is so close to popping his top 2 front teeth
• loves to suck his 2 fingers
• loves to play with toys and be in the action
• still loves to cuddle and be held
• hates to lay still to put on a new diaper.  He cries like someone is torturing him.
• loves any food that someone will share with him.  His new favorite foods are Cheetos Puffs, pizza and pudding.
• has a very pleasant demeanor and we sure do love him.

He is so much fun and growing so quickly.  I really love this stage in life. 

FUN with my sisters

Last weekend my sister Julie and I got to go to GEORGIA to visit my sister Jen and her adorable family.  It was so much fun and so good to hug and kiss them all again.  Jackson got to tag along with us as well.  We arrived Friday evening and made it back to Jen and Steve's around 7:30.  Jackson and I started out Friday morning and flew into Denver where we met up with Julie.  We had an hour and a half before our next flight left so we went to an awesome restaurant in the airport and had lunch. The flight to Atlanta was perfect.  Julie busted out some Sudoku and we gave it a try.  Jackson slept.  It was great.  Jen and Alyssa met us at the airport. It was so good to see them. 

Saturday morning we helped clean at the new house they are moving into this week.  Julie and I needed to get a run in so Steve gave us a map and we ran over to the new house.  It was a gorgeous run and the air was amazing to breathe.  It was a big difference. 



All the cute kiddos (minus Em) vegged on the couch watching Saturday morning cartoons.

The new house is adorable with so much room and a HUGE backyard.  I am so excited for them.  We had fun cleaning and getting things ready to move into.  Afterwards, we came back to their apartment, showered and got ready to go to Stone Mountain.   We spent half the day at Stone Mountain and it was a perfect day.  I couldn't believe that every day there was still in the high 80's!  Steve kept Eli home, so just the girls (and Jackson) went. We missed Eli and Steve.  Julie, Em, and Meg did this awesome ropes course while Jen, Lyssa, Jackson and I played in the creek, ate fudge, and played on the other toys they had.  It was so much fun to just chill and enjoy the day.


Alyssa, Meg and Jackson by the creek

Jen and Lyssa

Jackson really loved the fudge.. can you tell?

We loved this decorated pumpkin

Julie, Em, Meg, Lyss, Jen and me

Jen and her cute girls

Julie and Lyssa on the zip line

Meg and Lyssa zippin' along

Here is the 1st level of the ropes course they did

Ready to cross another section

After we finished playing on the zip line and climbing tower we walked back to the car to get our picnic dinner.  There were tables right where we parked so we enjoyed a nice little picnic.  We had some crazy hornets join us, but we all used our mad swatting skills to get rid of them. 

Meg, Em, and Julie

After dinner they put on an amazing laser/firework show on the mountain.. hence the name Stone Mountain.

My darling sisters

Jackson all bundled up

Jacks and Meg dancing

Getting ready for the show



 

Here you can see the mountain behind the kids.  It is HUGE!

We had such a great day and loved seeing all that Stone Mountain had to offer (well, most of it).  It was a crazy, busy day there, but great nonetheless.

Sunday was the Primary Program practice at church.  It was fun to sit and listen to all the kids.  Jen did an amazing job writing the program.  She is a wonderful Primary President.   Steve also taught Gospel Doctrine and did a great job.  I wish I would have heard all of his lesson, but due to Jackson's blow out I spent a good portion of the time in the Mothers Lounge :)

Monday we went shopping.  We always have to get a shopping trip in when we are together.  We were hungry after we started so we grabbed a bite to eat at Chick-Fil-A.  Love that we all got kids meals.



Monday night after the kids were tucked in bed, we went back over to the new house to paint Jen's entryway benches.  It was so handy having Em stay home and watch the kids.



Steve and Eli hanging up some blinds.  He is such a cutie

Jen taking a turn painting

Julie and I attempting to paint.. I hope it turned out okay..??

Tuesday morning came and it was time to say goodbye.  It is never long enough, but it was so great to see everyone. We had to say good-bye to all the kids before they left for school.  They are all such amazing kids.  It is hard to be so far away from them.

Jackson helping Julie pack her suitcase

Saying good-bye to Alyssa and Meg

All ready for school.  Aren't they adorable.

Julie and Em.  She is the Student Body president at her middle school.

We went out to eat at Panera Bread for lunch before heading to the airport.  It was so yummy. 

It was hard to say goodbye. I am so grateful for the time I do get spend with them.  My sisters have become 2 of my very best friends and I love it!  They are amazing people.

The flight home was uneventful (thank heavens).  Jackson fussed a little bit on the flight from Atlanta to Denver, but didn't make a peep on the flight from Denver to SLC.   I always worry about that.  On the way to Atlanta a little boy screamed the EnTiRe 2 1/2 hours. Yikes!  Julie hung out with me in Denver until my plane left.  I am so grateful that she was with me most of the way.

It was fun seeing my family waiting to pick me up at the curb.  They had LOTS to tell me on the way home :)

I am so grateful to Sean for ALWAYS letting me go no matter what.  He did a great job being the mom and dad for 5 days.  He had the house clean, the kids homework done, and took them to do fun things every day I was gone, not to mention juggling all the work he still had to do every day.  Thanks babe.  You are the best.