Bits and Pieces

It was 35 degrees when I went running this morning. I have decided to come to terms with the fact that fall is here. I will embrace and enjoy it; in fact, I think I already have been. Here are a few things we've been up to lately since this started:
(Meg's 4th grade class, first day of school)

We've enjoyed volleyball, football and soccer, of course. Go Bombers, Cougars and Shooting stars!

I decided to take the kids camping to our ward campout by myself last month. Nate had supervision duties at the high school football game, lawns to mow, etc. so I thought I would be super mom for doing so. Well, we got there in the dark so if it weren't for my friends, Aaron and Lindsey, who set up my tent for me already I would have been struggling to do that in the dark. I was so thankful they offered to do that! I also packed really light--it was only going to be overnight. Turns out I could have used a few things and it was sooooo cold that weekend! I got lost only twice and killed the battery in the suburban so I needed help getting the car started the next day. I think in spite of all that, the kids had a great time and I learned a valuable lesson: I am only a super mom when I have super friends and loved ones around to help me :)

Megan was thrilled we ended up with some extras in our tent. She had a blast with Pyper and Amelia. Jared slept in a tiny little pup tent with two of his friends so they stayed very warm.

We have had spectacular "indian summer" weather. The thought of trying a half marathon had been nagging at me and I finally took the plunge! It was a beautiful day and I really enjoyed myself for the most part. I finished about 10 minutes sooner than I thought I would, which was great and the very longest and hardest part was the last four miles-they were a killer for me!I am thankful for the cheerleaders at the end of the race! I feels so good to have someone to celebrate with after an accomplishment like that.

We are looking forward to more fall fun AND someone's 40th birthday very soon!!!

So Long, Summer.

There. I said it. I was in denial but here it is, 9:00 on Sunday night and the kids are in bed (well except for Amanda who is making her lunch and puttering around and asking me to wash her volleyball stuff but even that reminds me that summer is over). School supplies are in backpacks and clothes are laid out, kind of. While I love the idea of a new start, new goals, new school year, new time to organize I am a big baby about summer being over. Summer is my favorite season, hands down. I even feel short-changed that we didn't have a big streak of triple-digit temps like we usually do. I feel short-changed that the boat was broken ALL summer and I only got to the river once. I feel short-changed that my older kids spent a lot of the summer actually at school. I feel sad that our summer bucket list is nearly all crossed off and sad that we didn't get to some of the things still on it. Although this would seem like a total downer of a blog post, I am glad that I feel short-changed; I want summer leaving me wanting more. In fact, as I think of the pictures I have not posted or maybe even not taken, I have comprised a list of "summer unexpecteds" that I don't want to forget--some good and some not-so-good but here they are:

We painted the inside main floor of our house and we did it ourselves!

The back deck and shutters were painted and we did not do that ourselves but we helped! :)

The gate to the side of the house was re-done properly, fence fixed and painted. Actually, Nate did all that with a little hired help.

I took (well, carpooled) Jared and Amanda to B.A.D. (Bomber Athletic Development) every morning at 7 and 8:30 which in turn prompted me to get up way earlier than in the past and get my workout done. It was definitely not a lazy summer and the kids did awesome at B.A.D.; I am proud of them!

My brother-in-law, Kevin, was diagnosed with cancer. We are hopeful and prayerful that he responds to the treatment he is undergoing at this time and are glad we got to go and hang out there a little before he started chemotherapy. We also enjoyed having their daughter come stay at our house for several days and hope she had fun in spite of the fact that she missed her parents terribly.

After three plus months of an annoying condition called piriformis syndrome, I am FINALLY back to running again. Six miles felt sooooo good last week; I won't take my body for granted for a while.

I really enjoyed an unexpected lunch with my friend, Kristi, who was in town for her birthday and we were able to meet up. I think it had been about nine years!

I played a little softball again after taking several years off. I love late-night summer softball and getting out and playing with the ladies. Somehow, I still got game! :)

So, now we have down a little more to help us remember summer 2010 and as I watch my kids and my husband head out the door excited for what the coming school year holds, I wonder what more "unexpecteds" lie waiting.

NYC/DC Part 4

This is the view we saw as we drove back to Virginia. I attempted to take a picture while in the car of this beautiful scene of the Wshington D.C. temple at night. It was breathtaking! Back in Virginia, some of the gang took in another Major League ball game and watched the Nationals play. Jimmy Smitts threw the opening pitch. Later, we met back up and staked out a spot to watch the fireworks show. It was only about 15 minutes long it turns out but a fantastic display and we felt quite patriotic. We even got a crazy metro story to remember for years to come on the way home--something involving a vomitting passenger and hot sweaty bodies packed like sardines. Ugh! The next day we headed to Mount Vernon which was well worth walking around in the hot hot weather for. George and Martha's tomb. The kids getting a feel for early American times. This was such a fantastic vacation! Thanks Parkers for hanging out with us and being wonderful hosts. We love and miss you!

NYC/DC Part 3

Mothers and oldest daughters in Central Park.The temple.
Um, the back of Leann Rimes head in Rockefeller Plaza. See snapshot of Sarah Palin on earlier blog post for explanation of my celeb photography skills.


The Barbies around the World exhibit at Ellis Island. Cute and not so cute Barbies--I'll let you decide which.




Busted again!

DC/NYC Part 2

We hit the road very early Thursday morning to surprise the kids with tickets to the Mariners vs. Yankees at Yankee stadium! Jared happened to be wearing Mariners stuff and was afraid he was going to get mugged after we got closer to the Bronx and everyone was getting on the subway wearing Yankees gear!
The kids had fun at Toys R Us.




AND, we met up with Nannee, Jen and Sara who were on a little vacation to NYC themselves!
Times Square with my sis. Notice our non-stylish comfy shoes. I learned my lesson last time I was there.
Nate kept snapping pictures of me near every roasted nut cart. Not that I am addicted or anything!
Jared's favorite movie quote here: "Did you say Grand Central Station or my aunt's constipation?"

We clocked the boys in the NBA store at about two hours (although we were there for a lot of that, too). AND they HAD to go back the next day . . .

Washington D.C./Virginia/New York Part 1

Warning: Posts of vacation pictures to follow : )
We had a fantastic time going to visit the Parkers and taking in the sights on the East Coast. It was a wonderful experience for our family!Ready for take off!

We flew in to Virginia at midnight so as soon as we got a little rest and recovery, we headed into D.C. to get right to the sights. There was some sort of festival going on in the mall so it was fun to come right in and see all kinds of things going on.
We headed to the Museum of American History. Some of our favorites were Dorothy's shoes from the Wizard of Oz, the original flag that inspired The Star-Spangled Banner (no pics allowed), the History of War exhibit and of course, Kermit the Frog.


>Jared planned from the beginning to wear his Bomber garb and get his picture taken with the "Bomber shirt" for the Manhattan Project exhibit.
We toured the capitol building next. The rotunda was beautiful.
This was one of my favorite murals. Our guide told us the story of the artist depicting that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams weren't always friendly and this particular version of this famous painting has him stepping on his toe to illustrate that.
We then headed up to the top of the Washington Monument. The views were incredible.