ONE!

Today, my baby turned one, can you believe it? What a wonderful year this has been. She is so sweet, so happy, so wonderful. I'm so thankful she chose me to be her mom. Everyday I find myself loving her more and more.

She took four steps last night, and has seemed to think it's okay to walk now. Her favorite word is Happy, and tells so much about her personality. She will eat anything and everything.
She is fought over every morning on who gets to get her out of her crib. She only has two teeth and very little hair and the longest eyelashes ever.

She loves to be outside and will sit for hours in her swing happy as can be.

She is such a joy. I've loved every minute of her and can't wait to see what the future holds for this sweet spirit.

Just had to share

Sorry I promised something funny, but this moved me so much more. This is how I felt about my race. Sums it up perfectly. Watch this it is so good.

Don't Worry...

I'm still here and all is well. I've just been enjoying these guys

and this girl

and resting my legs.

Funny posts to come when I get the chance.

The RACE

Today was all about ME ad my father in law Brent. After over nine years of either being pregnant or nursing today was all about me claiming my body back. Thank you Matt and Cora for watching the kids and taking care of them all day so I could run and recover.

This morning, Brent and I ran our first half marathon.

The start time was 8 am and we were all too excited to get started.

It rained the whole race, which was kind of nice since it was cooler.

Our fans with Nana taking the picture.

The first three miles we did at a crazy pace, around 8 minute pace. Excitement and adrenalin got the best of us. By the time we hit mile six we where still running 9 minute miles, which is crazy in my eyes. Then the hills started. I swear miles 9 and 10 where all up hill, or at least it felt that way to my body. The low point, or humbling part of the race came when a guy with an above the knee amputation passed us.

The hardest mile for me was 12, I finally told Brent to go on; I was dying.

Thankfully Scott, a good friend from church who runs marathons but wasn’t running today, found us just before that and ran the rest of the way in with me. He talked my ear off, encouraged me, told me what else I had to expect for the rest of the race and took my mind off running which was so helpful.

Brent came in with a time of 2 hours 4 minutes.

I came in just a little slower with a time of 2 hours 6 minutes.

I am so happy! When I started working out last December, I could barely run a mile and was so depressed because everything jiggled when I ran.

Now I’m happy with my body and am planning my next race in February, in Myrtle Beach, anyone want to run it with me?

Nana and Papa day 2

We started off the day by going to the Zoo.

Then we let the kids play at the park by the zoo.

After that Brent and I picked up our race packages and we ate lunch.

We ended the morning with a trip to Falls park.

As you can see from the picture, we had some babies ready for naps, so I took the 3 little ones home and made these while everyone else went to see this. We are all going to bed early in hopes of surriving this tomorrow.

Nana and Papa Visit Our New Home

Nana and Papa came in to town today for our big race this weekend. But today we spent the day playing. We first went out to lunch at my favorite place, Jason's Deli and did a little shopping, can't wait to show the cute clothes off. We then met Matt and went to the best place, Frankie's Fun Park.

We started at the fun house.

Where Caleb was so nice and took care of Isaac when he got scared and lost in the maze.

She loved riding the ride that didn't move.

Then we did some putt putt.

This little guy loved it and was purple afterwards from playing so hard.

This guy got a little angry.

She had the patience of a saint with all the little guys.

He got really upset when he couldn't get the little ball in the hole.

These guys where the professionals.

Then we moved on to the bumper boats.

Too much fun.

Notice how dry we are.

She got to hang out with Nana and enjoy the show from the sidelines.

Check out Isaac's face, love it.
This is how I spent most of the time, hiding from Caleb, I swear that kid had the best water gun on his boat.

Getting soaked.
Notice how I'm getting wetter.

Look how Isaac is hiding by Papa, he asked to get out mutiple times.

Caleb even took aim at Nana on the side line.

Love how Andrew is hiding while trying to get away from me.

Now look at how wet I am and how squished Adam is.
The after shot, the water was really dripping off me.

One Hot Mama and her baby.
A girl and her boy on their hogs.

I then put my head under the hand dryer in the bathroom and we went out to dinner at Red Robin, so good.

Trunk and Treat

We had our churches Trunk and Treat party tonight. First off, I have to go off on the weather again; it was so beautiful, cool but not freezing, perfect fall weather. The kids and I went as characters from Peter Pan, I was Mrs. Darling, and then we had two pirates, Tink, Peter, and a lost boy.

The kids did great with the dinner, and actually sat well with me. We then hit the games, which were really good and the kids loved them.

We even brought Nana along with us to help hand out the candy.

Then the treating began. I love my job at church, I teach the 12 year olds and they are awesome. One boy from my class took Isaac around for me so I could hand out candy and another one who is going to be in my class next year took Adam around. I hope my boys grow up to be as wonderful as these young men are.

We came away with a ton of candy, hyper kids and happy memories.

Guess What

Dear Dad,

I lost my second tooth at school today. I pulled it out myself during social studies. First I pulled it down, then I pulled it up and then I pulled it forward and it came out. But my teacher was grossed out by all the blood. Now I'm at home and it's under my pillow and when you come home I want to talk to you. Check out moms blog for pictures.

love,
Caleb

Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains

We drove up to Caesar Head this afternoon to experience a true fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Let me tell you it was beautiful. The boys complained the whole drive up saying looking at leaves was boring and asking when we will get there. But they loved it once we stopped. The pictures don’t do it justice; it was like looking out over a carpet of color. It was beautiful to see the artwork of the Lord. Enjoy the pictures.

Check out that color.

It just went on for miles and miles.

The whole family.

Kind of tight, good thing I wasn't pregnant.

Hiking off the trail and loving it.

Lookout.

My boys.

She's getting kind of too big for this.

Can you see the worm on Caleb's head, he was pretty proud of himself for this one.

Beautiful.

The drive.

X marks the spot.

So beautiful.

We ate peanuts on the top of this hill, then hiked down it. I would have loved this as a child, but as a mom it freaked me out, I just knew one of the boys was going to slip and roll all the way down the hill. We made it and no one got hurt.

Eating peanuts.

Look out.

Throwing sticks and rocks into the creek.

Sweetness.

Me Too, Isaac, Me Too

The other day Isaac and I were sitting at the table coloring when he looked up at me an said, "Hey mom, you remember that weekend we let you sleep in and Dad and us kids did all the work? Remember that?" I said I did remember that, that it was last Mothers day. Isaac then said, "I think we need to do another one of those weekends, Mom you need it." I think so too Isaac, now if only we could get Daddy on board.

The Sweetest Thing

Once a week our church leaders have asked us to gather our family around and have a family home evening. An evening where we teach our children the gospel. An evening of song, of prayer, of family bonding, of sweets.

I’m so thankful for this time we get to be together, and know that our family is better when we have these nights every week.

Tonight was one of those wonderful evenings when everything went wonderful, where all the kids were good, were we felt the Spirit of the Lord in our home. I think they learned something from the lesson and I know they enjoyed the snack.

Cooler Weather

I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve loved the fall here in beautiful South Carolina. Fall in Minnesota always depressed me; it meant that the dreaded winter was just around the corner. I hated it and would yell at the trees when they started to turn colors. Not that it helped any, but it sure made me feel better. But here in SC, fall has been a gradual, inviting time, a celebration that the summer heat has finally come to an end. The trees have been changing colors so gradually; it is a different picture every time I drive around. And the temperatures are wonderful.

It was another beautiful afternoon today, so after our Sunday naps, we went on a short family walk.
Isaac has been fighting a cough, still wanted to go, so it was a short, short walk.
Poor Adam hit his head again, not as bad as last time, but the poor guy just can't get a break. Didn't seem to bother him on this walk though.

We made it down to our super cool, fun neighbor’s house.

The best Halloween house on the block and the boys had to have their picture taken by the graves.
It was a beautiful outing, we are hoping to take a drive next weekend up to the mountains and are hoping the fall color isn’t all used up for some even better pictures.

Bunny Ears

I love my boys!

For the last 40 minutes they have been putting their stuffed animals to bed in their room. They have been singing them songs, tucking them in, quietly whispering so not to wake them up. They even brought Gracie in to enjoy the fun. (Don't worry I was there watching over so no one feel off or split their head open again.)

Try to ignore Isaac's wandering finger and instead enjoy Adam.

My fourth son, at 2 he thinks bunny ears are so funny he does them to himself. Gotta love him.

On a side note, can you guess who played photographer this afternoon?

Can you tell by the eyes alone?

My Girl

Last Day of Soccer

It was a good season, the boys loved it, and we are all happy now to be moving on to basketball.

What a Difference a Week Makes

There is a very little scar (good job Dad) and the bruises are starting to turn yellow. YEAH!

It finally happened

This kid has been waiting forever for this day. I swear he was the last 2nd grader to loose a tooth. But now with a little help from mom, it finally happened. He is currently trying to shoot water through the hole in his mouth and is all too excited.

I Miss

I’ve been home for the last couple of days with sick kid’s, nothing major- just some fevers and coughs, but I'm still stuck at home. And all I can seem to focus on is my poor baby boy’s face.
I swear everyday the color comes in darker.
I miss seeing his happy smiling bruise free face.
I miss seeing his eyes squinty from a huge smile, not from swelling.

Instead everyday this is how he looks and it makes me so sad.

It Keeps Getting Worse

This picture doesn’t do it justice. Adam’s poor face is really starting to bruise. The swelling is going down, but the black eyes are coming in with all their glory. Good thing we don’t have family pictures planned for anytime in the close future.

Poor Little Big Guy

For the last couple of nights we have been giving Adam sponge baths, to keep his wound dry. Tonight after dinner I sent Caleb in to have a long bath by himself since he wasn't feeling too well. Apparently Adam really loves bathtime, since he jumped in and dunked himself before I could run into the room. Matt said it should be okay, and at least I get to share pictures of his cut now.

You can see how the swelling is giving him black eyes.

And a very pronounced forehead.

At least he is still smiling.