Camping with friends

This was a camping trip back at the end of July. We went with a couple families in our ward and had so much fun spending time with them. The Hartmans, who moved a few months back, also made the journey to come play that weekend. We've missed them!! We love our whole ward and the friends we've made...we feel truly blessed.
So, yeah, it rained ALOT. We pretty much got rained out that last day and had to leave in between downpours. Not fun trying to take down and pack up while your getting dumped on! We did enjoy some dry times in the beautiful weather...the kids were always out and about entertaining each other. When it was raining, the kids stayed happy under the canopies....thanks to the help of the amazing older girls who kept them going with songs and card games! Can't wait to do this again next summer!

Our one and only miss Turkey Bacon...eating Turkey Bacon. She hearts TB.

Join Me Please!

One of my friends in my ward is a race director for a fabulous race...Shun the Sun (previously Run from the Sun). Everyone says it's the best around! It's at Hohokam Stadium on November 13th...a half marathon, 5k, and 1.5 m family fun run. As far as I know, the registration for the 5k right now is $30. Your registration fee goes towards fighting skin cancer...they will be raising money for schools in the valley who have NO shades up over their playgrounds. What a great cause!

I know there are lots of things for the kids to do on that Friday and Saturday of race weekend. According to my friend, the kid zone is is free; there will be 7-8 jumpers; one of those video gamer trucks full of wiis, and xboxes; facepainting, coloring, jewelery making, etc. They are trying to put together a large concert (sponsored by KNIX) right after the race. They have lots of goodies for the goody bags, like a $500 gift card towards sunglasses (comparable to Oakley) you just have to pay the $12 S & H fee, Biore face wipes, snicker marathon bars, etc. They are doing dog tags for "medals" so it will be something you might actually wear and they are also doing short sleeve tech shirts which I hear everyone loves. They are hoping to have 30 massage therapists there for free massages after you run and the list just goes on and on.

I started training for the 5k Monday, and believe me...I am starting from scratch!

Seriously. I'm hoping I'll just be able to finish the race.

So to ALL my friends out there who never run or casually run or always run...start training and come join the fun!!

Yikes, I hesitated to post this lovely picture of myself from Senior year in Cross Country. Makes me nervous. I was in shape back then and look at that face. But this picture also motivates me. I LOVED running and I hope that will all come back to me. Thanks to Shun the Sun for being a motivation to me as well! I lost twenty pounds so far this year, and hope that now that I've started running, I can say goodbye to some more baby weight (ps. I will not miss you).

My sister-in-law has started a blog for any women planning to run it. Just send me your email (ashleyolson4@yahoo.com) and I'll send you an invite. Everyone invited is an administrator...so you can post your training plans, share your favorite running songs, send other friends invites and get ideas and support from others running the race.

I'd LOVE to see you there in November!

Go to:

http://www.shunthesun.org/

to register.

18 Months

Blake says basic words plus "doggies" (barks), "tur-dulls", "dowwwnn", "heh-ho" (hello), , "back" (for put it back), "papa", "shhhs" (shoes), "ny-nyte", "cheeez!", "baaawh-dull" (bottle), sings "happy buh-day to woooo" and that's all I have time to type and remember right now.

He loves dogs and is right at home at Nursery. He kind of favors Anna over the other kids...he knows she has his best interest at heart :) Everything he does is funny and we all stay constantly entertained watching him learn new things. Much to Mom's luck, he still very much requires two naps a day and goes to bed early at night. That's probably because he's still keeping me on my toes all day long. He gives me the wonderful reward of hugs, cuddling and kisses throughout my crazy days.

Watch out world, he's growing up! * :( *

This Boy...

Is a boy through-and-through!
Stinky feet, always sweating (with his long hair...it shows because his hair curls and sticks to his head when he sweats), didn't cry when he got his two 18 months shots, always the one to start the wrestling matches in our house, busy, curious, destructive, and is one tough cookie.

He would wear these boots for naps and bedtimes if I let him.
We are all in love with this little man.

(pssst...would I make him less masculine if said that he loves carrying around Barbies and baby dolls...wears my heels around the house...and cuddles with anyone who will pick him up?? shhh...don't tell him I told you)

First Day of Preschool

Sweet, sweet Kate started Preschool! She goes twice a week...just enough to have her own time learning and being with friends. She loves it! I've never seen a bigger smile than what was on her face after she was done with her first day. She has a great preschool teacher and has so many of her friends from church in her class.

Love you Kate!