Mother's Day Get-Away

My sister, Jolene, has had seriously crappy Mother's Days in the past so this year we planned to meet up in Zion National Park and celebrate ourselves! We flew in to Las Vegas and had a teary reunion (it's been 3 years!) and then drove up to Zion National Park.

Our hotel had a awesome view of the beautiful rocks around us and deer that ate in a garden about 25 feet from our door. We hiked for 3 days straight and it was awesome to be seeing and doing awesome things with my sister. We only went just under a third of the way on Angel's Landing because we thought it would be stupid to kill ourselves when we were having such a good time. Got other beautiful view on another hike. Would love to do Observation Point some day.

Change the World 2016

As part of our community's and stake's day of service, girls Sophie's age were organized to collect donations for our local community outreach and pantry. We had fun serving!  In the meantime, Neal spent the morning teaching Rhys to be an awesome husband some day by fixing things around the house.

No! Poison Ivy!

In our back yard!  My husband is my hero.  He carefully eradicated it and carefully--no rashes!

STAAR Test

Uhg! STAAR state testing.  I am no fan that teachers are forced to teach to it and my kid's self confidence has taken a beating because of it.  BUT I am a fan of my daughter and the responsibility she put into her learning this year.

Yard Work...mostly?

Behold!

Behold the indisputable cleanliness! No really, look, because it won't last and it is a rare occurrence.

Only Half Crazy! - 13.1 Miles

My training for the past 4 months came to an end when I ran the Texas Big Star Half Marathon in Frisco mid April. I drove the course a few days before and realized that with that many hills I was not going to PR but I was going to have a great run...if it didn't rain.  And the rain did hold off and the clouds provided relief from direct sun. I RAN the whole thing but I had those doing run/walk intervals right along with me. I ran it in 2:45:32 but that included a 1 minute potty break. Placed 74th of 94 in my division (female, age 40-44). I did great and it was hard, especially at the end.  I had my dear in-laws Rudy and Becky along with my kids cheering me in.  My kids even came out to me on the course (and as they approached in their excitement, my internal dialogue was "Please don't hug me! You'll stop me!") and gave me fives as I held out my hand. Neal was tied up in work problems over the weekend but wanted to be there for me. Life is messy. I took it carefully, slowing for ups and letting it go for downs and found hills are really fun.

Yep, I am too cheap to buy it so I snapped it. But don't I look happy?! Definitely the first half of my race.

Feeling pretty smug!

Later, we met up at my cousin, Barbara's, house and we had lunch and just chatted for a good long time.  I love them. They let me use the shower, offered Advil, and made yummy food.

Later, I treated myself to a new running visor and a whole pint of ice cream. Yay me!

Allen American's Game

Family fun at the Allen American's hockey game last night.  The kids and Neal went out on the ice to help collect hockey pucks after the "toss to win" game. Sophie also caught a T-shirt that was hurled our way by a cheerleader.  Yep, it's Texas so they have to have scantily dressed cheerleaders even in a icy hockey arena. It gives me lots of opportunities to discuss the importance of modesty. But Yay! for Sophie.

My children are weird and I love them.

All Hail the Weather!

Love that Texas weather.  We mananged to get both cars in the garage which is a feat in itself.  I actually had to pull the van in with the mirrors turned in and then wait for Neal to go out back and open then back hatch so I could crawl out. Teamwork, I tell you!  Then we prayed that the hail wouldn't rip through our skylight again like it did 1 or two years back.  We had one ping pong ball size that I could see from the back of the house and the noise was considerable.  Passed in a few minutes. Our friends in Wylie, about 10 miles away got beat with softball size. Very busy insurance agents in Wylie. 

Falcon of the Month

 Yep! That's our girl!

Easter Weekend

Friday: Our family met up with Opa and Oma for lunch and the kids got goodies from them. Neal attends Fear Factory concert and got home at 2 a.m. just to get up at 6 a.m.m and take someone to the airport. Also learns that he will bring ear protection in the future.

Saturday: Easter bunny visits while we were gone to the library and shopping. He left goodies and an egg hunt out back. Sophie and I attend the General Women's Meeting and get ice cream afterwards while Neal and Rhys enjoy games and company at the Garvins.

Sunday: Church, family games, egg dying, and discussion about Christ's last week of life, death, and resurrection. Great weekend!

Ward Campout

Good morning!  Sunrise at Lake Lavon and hilly kids ready for the day.  I did not stay overnight as I had a 12 mile run in the morning.

Miffed

Yep, when a child is overly zealous to parent, they get more parental responsibilities.  Miffed.

St. Patrick's Day

We were hoping they'd forget but 5 minutes before bed time they remembered and made a leprechaun trap. The light blue, opened plastic Easter egg held paper "gold" coins. They hoped he'd jump to get the coins and fall into the pot. Inside the pot is a pencil and questionnaire to indicate if the leprechaun was a boy or girl.

 Pretty shabby work, if you ask me, but given the time constraints, not bad. I was already prepared with to turn it down a few notches this year no matter if they remembered or not and had easy thing prepared.

We acted as if the leprechaun, Troy, seemingly overlooked their trap, leaving a note about how nice they were to not attempt trapping and left some gifts--shirt, scarf, and a jar of huge pickles.

In our master bedroom. Coincidentally, my favorite wall too.

 Sophie actually started to pout and cry at the breakfast table because the leprechaun had not messed up the house as in previous years. Really?! With some sharp input from her mother she turned it around pretty quick. They had a good day at school and Rhys even pinched me before he got out of the car for school.  I made sure I was wearing a bit of green after that.

Pinch-proof perfect!

Spring, Yet Not

The week before the kids' spring break from school (neither of which were actually in spring, but winter) was the most beautiful weather! The trees started bursting with blossoms! I felt inspired to put up a few spring/Easter decorations.

 The Saturday before spring break, I ran my best 10K ever, beating my personal record set 3 years prior by 2 full minutes! I cried like a beauty pageant winner!

Then the kids had a week off and the weather was such a jerk! It rained the whole week. We stayed inside, baking, reading books to the kids, doing crafts and experiments, etc. until Sophie, in her dismay, expressed that this week just wasn't turning out like she had wanted at all.  I thought the rain and being stuck inside so I was taken back when she said all she wanted to do was watch TV all day.  I was actually relieved and said for her to have at it! She's a great kid and deserves all the down time she needs during a vacation. Everyone was happier.

I learned how to make my own organic yogurt!

I nagged an acquaintance at the park after school for weeks until she gave me this recipe of her grandpa's. It is so good but came with a warning to pace myself because of all the bran in it. I named it this as to not confuse it with my other pumpkin bread in the freezer.

The Saturday of spring break week, the rain let up enough that we were able to go on a family outing.  We headed out to Athens, TX to visit the fishery there. Learned some, had fun trying it out, and enjoyed eating out. Didn't catch a fish but had a good time just being together and being outside.  Great cure for cabin fever!