homeschool learning

Today James took Grace to his dentist appointment and Gwenevere and I stayed behind to do school.  Today Gwenevere wrote her very first sentence.  The look of satisfaction on her face was priceless and I was there to witness it.  Every moment like this makes me so happy we are doing home school.  I love being the one she's sharing this with.

PS  She's counting to 100 and doing lots of math.  Gwenevere loves math  

Growing Grace

Can I just say, I love having a 3 year old in the house.  She is so funny and is thinking of new things everyday.  She is also growing more independent and less whinny.

Today while getting into the car I try to help her put her buckles on. With great discuss and frustration, wanting to do it herself she growls,  "I don't want parents."   hahahahha

It took me by surprise.  I started laughing and then decided to let her buckle herself since I know she knows how to do it.

I'm glad we are reaching this stage Grace, I was afraid you might always want me.  Just hang in there we've got a few more years to get through before I'll let you be on your own.  Even when you're all grown up, you'll still be my baby girl.

Love you Grace.

Las Vegas the party continues

After the race I realized we where about 10 minutes away from the hoover dam.  And since I'd never been and don't know when I'll ever go again, I convinced the group to a trip to see the site.  When we got there we realized we'd have to pay 10.00 for parking so we drove across the dam and counted how many times we could say dam while there.  It was pretty funny.  Flash backs to the movie Fools Rush In flooded my mind and we sang the song to celebrate the occasion.  

Hoover Dam  (Arizona side)

 After our rendezvous at the Hoover Dam we drove back to Vegas and where ready to eat some major calories.  In-N-Out was suggested and since I had never been there before it was readily agreed upon.

First bite of IN-N-OUT

 After filling our stomachs we went back to the resort to shower, soak in the hot-tub and rest.  When we all felt recharged we made our way to the Strip to bask in the crazy and enjoy the water show. Going by the Bellagio made me want to watch Oceans Eleven.  I guess it was a movie themed weekend.  ‬ 

 

About the time our feet where really sore we found a cute little Pizza Cafe where we decided to have dinner.  Next to the cafe was a crepe stand and Grace was excited to have one.  Little did we know it would take them 15 minutes to make a crepe because the chief was using the rest room when she made her order.  with 5 minutes to spare we raced back across the Strip to catch the shuttle back to the resort.  It was funny to watch as we all limp ran through the streets.

We missed the bus and the next one didn't come for an hour and a half.  All exhausted we sat there thinking while we watched 3 rats run back and forth between two casinos.  That's when we realized we didn't want to just hang round for another 1.5 hours.  Laura did some researched and we found a cab that could take us back to the resort.  Yippee!!  It was a fun night out.

When we got back to the resort, husbands where called and pjs put on.  Then we call feel asleep happy half marathon runners/Vegas Tourists.

The next morning we woke up, barely able to  move.  LOL that's when the real fun begins.  Thankfully Laura in her wisdom brought a yoga roller and we all took turns rolling out ache-y muscles.  We listened to the Relief Society Broad cast and soaked in the hot-tub some more.  Grace had to catch a plane early that morning so we missed her the last part of the party.

It was a fun vacation.

Half Marathon

Grace, Elizabeth, Laura, Mom

My mom spoiled me with a trip to Las Vegas so I could participate in a half marathon with her and two of my sisters.  The experience was incredible.  It was just what I needed.  I came home from the trip knowing I could endure longer than I thought I could, I can have the discipline to put my wanted actions before my comfy habits, and a renewed spirit ready to be the best person I can be.

I experienced new things, and enjoyed immensely being around my sisters and my Mom uninterrupted by my role as a mother to three Littles.

So where do I begin?

My crazy week had left me with little time to get ready for the trip.  Thankfully a friend called Friday afternoon and offered to watch my Littles so I could pack and frantically clean my house before I left for the weekend.  In the hour to myself I sorted and folded laundry and packed my bags.  Unfortunately cleaning the house did not happen.  But I knew James would be able to take care of everything, he's just that good.

I got to the airport and through the security in a record breaking time.  Once settled in and waiting for the flight I realized I hadn't done a good job eating and getting ready for the race in the morning.  So I spent a small fortune on airport food but enjoy some claim chowder and fish and chips for dinner.  After eating my jitters settled down and I was able to enjoy the flight to Las Vegas.

I arrived in Vegas an hour late do to thunderstorms.  Grace arrived at the same time and we meet each other by the baggage claim before going outside to find Mom and Laura.  The reunion was fun. we drove back to the hotel and climbed into bed around 11pm.

4:30 am was the wake up call,  we packed our supplies, did our hair and headed out the door to begin the big event.

 We got to the starting line around sunrise.  It was cool but not cold and the excitement for the race was getting everyone pumped up.

See i'm all pumped up

Grace did some calculating and realized her shirt was wrong, it's been three months since her last run. But she still rocked the run like no other.  She also took on the roll of photographer.  

The first 5 miles went by fast with Grace by my side chatting it up about her new job.  I asked every questions I could think off to keep the conversation going, good thing I find the idea of a cloud based apartment management program exciting.  She's flying all over the country training management companies on the new software.  It's pretty cool stuff.  

  When we reached the 5 mile marker I was in shock.  I had never run that far before and it seemed like I was just getting started.  I was pleasantly happy to know this run wasn't going to kill me.... yet.

Miles 6 and 7 weren't as pleasant do to an upset stomach.  But once I got some more water in my system I was feeling good again.  I pushed through the not so fun part (which really wasn't that bad) jamming to little Grace's birthday party jams.  Running to "Sophia the First" and "Barbie life the dream House" and Milan's "A Girl worth fighting For"  really does make a difference.  LOL

In honor of my crazy brother Will who runs 100 mile runs and holds his breath while running through tunnels.  

The last 4 miles where beautiful with a view of the lake, a nice warm breeze but not too hot, and several tall tunnels.  

Laura and I chatted the remaining run, talking about schools, kids and the like.  It was very fun to visit with everyone during the run.  

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel 

The view was beautiful

 Laura and I made our way to the finish line finishing with an average of 11 minute miles.  needless to say I was pretty excited about my outcome.

After crossing the finish line

After getting a bottle of water we walked back up the trail to find Grace and Mom on their way to the finish line, finishing strong and with a time about 2 hours 50 mins.  This is a huge accomplishment considering the fact that Mom had food poisoning a few days before and was just barely getting her strength back.  So proud of her.  Way to go mom.   

Grace and Mom getting ready to cross the finish line.  So close to being done

chowing down on some yummy finish line food

Proof she is an Angel

That is one big metal

When we where all done hanging out at the finish line we caught the bus back to the car and continued our adventure.  

Happy Birthday Everett

You went from this...

To this....

In just one year.   

I've loved watching you grow.  You are crucial to our family and we love you.  I love your loyalty, your love for me and your smile.  

Celebrating your birthday was so fun. 

Since your love for balls is all you talk about these days, we decided to celebrate you your way; with a ball park birthday party.

Auntie Rebecca and Grandpa Roemhildt did a great job taking pictures.  Cousin Stephanie saved the day with all the food prep she did and we all had a fun time hitting the pinata.

you were not happy with the idea of a photo shoot.  Mostly because Mama was missing

But you were all about playing with balls

...And so were all the cousins

Reach Kaden, Reach!

Charlie thought this was a good idea.  More pinatas please

No blind fold needed

hitting a pinata can be nerve racking for some.  

Look at that force 

Love

 The food was yummy.  We had hotdogs, popcorn, nachos, veggies, sunflowers, corn nuts and Capri Suns.  Just the ball park favorites. For desert we had cheese cakes and pumpkin pie, (round ball shapes just for you.)

Nothing like cousins relaxing and a foot in the crotch to say we're friends 

  

What good listeners we have, explaining the rules of the pinata.  :-)

Waiting for the birthday pie

You sure love your utensils 

I love that the weather was so warm and sunny for your birthday.  First day of fall, and the last day of the summer sun.  

Thanks to all who came and celebrated.

Cousins Lexi and Kaden brought you a fisher price airplane that you love to play with.  It was a great day.