Happy Friday :)

June is just around the corner! I have lots of fun things planned for this next month!

Yesterday, we had a good time at the Boise Zoo. The highlights for my kids were carrying there little backpacks with snacks inside and playing on the toys. They had fun and going to the Zoo on Thursday is half price so it was a great deal.

Well, today Dallin is going camping with his Daddy for the ward 'Father-son camp out' We need to go get some snacks, bake cookies, fix the video camera, get bags packed and send the boys off and Penny and I are going to watch thumbelina and have a princess night :)

Have a GOOD weekend!

Dallin drew this picture for his friend Spencer. It's a picture of the two of them having a sword fight and there is a little bug in the middle "Watch Out little bug"

Dallin is a good little artist :)

I would like to display Dallin's art by doing something similiar to the picture below (idea- from Martha Stewart)

Family Hike

We went to Jump Creek Canyon Yesterday for a family hike!

The kids had a great time! It was a perfect hike for kids. You do have to watch out for poison ivy! It's a simple trail thru this rock canyon.

Dallin loved crossing the creek! He is an adventurous little boy. He would go to one side and then back and then do it again.

It is a beautiful waterfall!

"Treasure of Eternal Value" The April Ensign had a wonderful article written by President Monson. I have been reading this article over and over again. An article that I am going to value for a long time and put it in my journal.

If you haven't read it, you can look at it here! And I would like to quote from his talk because this is what I have been thinking about all week!

I don't even have the words i would like to use to express my appreciation and love for our new Prophet. But, I know he loves us and is concerned for the well being of us all. And he gave us some wonderful words of counsel: "I wish to provide the three pieces of your treasure map to guide you to your eternal happiness. They are:

1. Learn from the past
2. Prepare for the future
3. Live in the Present

Each segment of his counsel is so inspired! The part that especially hit home for me was "Prepare for the future" "It is necessary to prepare and to plan so that we don't fritter away our lives. Without a goal, there can be no real success. One of the best definitions of success I have ever heard goes something like this: success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. Someone has said the trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never cross the goal line. Years ago there was a romantic and fanciful ballad that contained the words. "Wishing will make it so / Just keep on wishing and care will go." I want to state here and now that wishing will not replace thorough preparation to meet the trials of life. Preparation is hard work but absolutely essential for our progress." "We must pray daily to a loving Heavenly Father, who wants us to succeed in this life."

"Live in the Present" "Sometimes we let our thoughts of tomorrow take up too much of today. Daydreaming of the past and longing for the future may provide comfort but will not take the place of living in the present. This is the day of our opportunity, and we must grasp it. . . Every day of your life is a special occasion. . .and each morning, I say to myself that this could be a special day. Each day, each hour, each minute is special."

This article is amazing and has inspired me to want to plan and achieve future goals and to not take for granted special ordinary days in life! It is important to focus on the real treasures in life that are of eternal value!

Having just accomplished preparing for and finishing my first 1/2 marathon has changed my life! It is so rewarding to set a goal and literally cross a finish line!!! That finish line is very symbolic. Now that i have learned that lesson physically, I have some life long spiritual goals I need to conquer!

Well, Today we have Doctor Appointments that remind me how mortal we are and how important it is to not take for granted your good health. Penny has been having ear problems again. Her ear tubes are both out now and since they have been out she has had a constant ear infection. Poor Baby! And I get to go see my Colon Doctor today :) I have been feeling great but I still have to have colonoscopys to make sure I am alright. It is better to be safe than sorry. But to leave on a happy note it is Memorial weekend and we are planning on being spontaneous and having a great weekend! So, who knows we might show up on someones doorstep :0

Make Today a Special Day!

This comic strip is a great example of Penny at bedtime! As a parent i need to try and change my thinking process of reasoning with a toddler and if i would be a little more creative in my discipline, life would probably be much smoother with my kiddies :)

My Mom called this afternoon . . .

and has committed my whole family to running a 5k together! Mom, Dad, All my Sisters and my Brother too :)
It will be a cherished moment to all cross the finish line together! I'm so excited!

Our Theme Song:

We are family I got my Mom, Dad, Sisters/brother with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing

Everyone can see we're together As we walk on by(FLY!) and we fly just like birds of a feather I won't tell no lie(ALL!) all of the people around us they say Can they be that close Just let me state for the record We're giving love in a family dose

We are family I got all my sisters/brother with me
We are family Get up everybody and sing
We are family I got all my sisters/brother with me
We are family Get up everybody and sing

Living life is fun and we've just begun To get our share of the world's delights(HIGH!) high hopes we have for the future And our goal's in sight(WE!) no we don't get depressed Here's what we call our golden rule Have faith in you and the things you do You won't go wrong This is our family Jewel

We can do it!

Photos from our 1/2 marathon - Check it out!

more pictures :)

This one is my favorite picture! We're both smiling at our families coming into the finish line!

CUTE!

I did not know that Mary Engelbreit is from Missouri! An added reason to like her even more! I lived in beautiful St. Louis Missouri for 18 memorable months ;)

Thanks for coming . . .

We had a good time with Uncle Ryan, Londyn and Adam

Do we look like brother/sister? We have cool matching t-shirts now. We can wear them to our next family reunion and brag about our 1/2 marathon together ;) The picture was taken this morning before Ryan left, I look tired!

Classic Adam :)

It was a hot day yesterday and the kids had fun playing in the sprinklers!

We ended the evening with some hot schmos (smores) and making up ad lib stories!

1/2 Marathon

We did it! It was a beautiful day! I am not used to running in hot weather so that was a little tough. It was a good/LEARNING experience and I am ready to do another run.

Do we look exhausted! The run was a lot tougher than I thought it would be, my brother was very patient with me and instead of me leaving him in the dust, it was the other way around. He did great and he actually stayed by my side the whole time. He kept on trying to encourage me to go faster but my muscles were really tight and fighting against me. Mentally i did great but physically I look forward to improving. 8 months ago I could barely do 1 mile and today we did 13.1 miles yahoo :)

My running group: striking our crossing the finish line pose!

Rachel, my Ricks College roommate (10 yrs ago) ran in the race today! It was so nice to see her and her cute little girls. She ran the Boston Marathon a few weeks ago and she made great time today! Good Job Rachel, she still looked beautiful even after running eight minute miles!

Ryan and Me running to the Finish line :)

My Brother and his kids are coming to our house today! Yay! My Big brother is running the race with me tomorrow :)

I planted a bunch of pansy's/violet's from the temple at my house! What is the difference between a Pansy and a Violet? They are beautiful flowers.

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY that I have been preparing for the last 8 months. I will be running my first race! 13.1 miles or bust :)

The Great famous Potato 1/2 marathon

Tomorrow will also be 27 days that I have gone without Chocolate! I know a few of you thought that was going to be impossible for me ;) well I did it and tomorrow I am rewarding myself with ice-cream and chocolate :) I don't know if I am more excited to run the race or get to eat sweets. Now, I need to cautious and not go over board because I have waited soooo long to have a treat ;) This challenge of no sugar treats and chocolate has been great for my kids. They don't even ask me for chocolate anymore. We were addicted to sweets at our house and we have had to find other ways to entertain ourselves other than baking goodies. The hardest part of the challenge was not being able to have sugar things like syrup, cookies, ice-cream etc. I thought I would have wanted chocolate more! I found that interesting. Well, NO RESISTING sweets tomorrow I am having a snickers marathon protein bar for breakfast, and ice-cream for after the race :)

• I love the smell of lilacs! I have been picking some and bringing them inside my house!
• Dallin picked the single pink tulip for me on Mother's Day :)
• The day after Mother's Day I went to the Boise Temple and picked a bunch of pretty tulips. I have three boxes full of daffodil and tulip bulbs. I spent at least 4 hours digging up flowers. The temple gardeners/workers were very kind, you come and help and you can keep all the flowers you want. They plant new bulbs every year. Next spring I am going to have a gorgeous garden.
• My little girl was up all night with an ear ache so I need to get ready and take her into the Doctor at eight. (she has an infection in both ears! :(
• Have a Beautiful Day!
  
  

I am so excited!

I have two more days until my first 1/2 marathon!

Mother's Day

Sunday Morning my little boy was so excited to bring me breakfast in bed. He was a good little helper with his Daddy! Dallin went out in the backyard and picked some pretty flowers to put in a vase. Rolo, made a delicious BREAKFAST! Croissant French Toast with Fresh Strawberry Syrup. It was sooooooo good! He also made a Berry Smoothie: This recipe is just like the smoothies at Costco! Must try! 1 banana, 1 c. frozen berries 'Nature's Three Berries', 1/2 c. vanilla yogurt, 1 cup Orange Juice. My husband is a great cook! I love Mother's Day! My hubby is always so thoughtful and he always surprises me with something I never expect. Dallin brought me breakfast and then while he was sitting on the bed with me, he said "Mommy, I have something in my pocket for you" So then he pulls out a black jewelry box . . and he has a big smile on his face :) So, I open the box and find . . . a mini MP 3 player! Sweet! I have been wanting one and my husband was sneaky and put together a bunch of songs for me to listen to for my 1/2 marathon!!! Some of the songs are . . 'I'm so Excited', 'Eye of the Tiger', 'Chariot's of Fire' . . . Dallin and Penny had fun listening to the music with me. All day Dallin kept on asking 'what else can i do for Mother's Day?' I am so blessed to have Rolo be such a great example to my son! Thank you for a special Mother's Day!

Thank You . . . My Dear Friend . . .

for this beautiful book . . . . I LOVE IT!

"Mothers are their children's nurturers, heroes, booboo fixers, cheerleaders, confidantes, ENTERTAINERS, and first loves - and no one is more adept at depicting these many facets of motherhood as Mary Engelbreit"

I love this picture. There have been countless times that I have sat down with my babies and have relished every second!

Here is a little stroll down memory lane . . .

'Be warm inside' (9 mo. pregnant with Penny)

'and out'

Being a Mother is exhausting!

"Most of all the other beautiful things in life come in twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends -- but only one mother in the whole world." -Wiggin

I'm glad that I am a Mother!

WOW!

I can not believe, well actually let me word that differently. These pictures help me to believe that my daughter looks, acts, CRIES just like her Mommy :)

Cute Girls :)

The girls looked so pretty in there dresses! The pictures were taken at the Boise Temple! My little girl did not want me to take any pictures of her! She made every possible effort to avoid taking a good photo. I have pictures of her with her mouth wide open with food in it, blinking, frowning, NO eye contact etc. she is good at not letting me take pictures of her. Candee's girls were cute little Angels :)

My little girl . . .

. . .is an Angel after she has completely worn herself out! She was so tired yesterday from taking pictures, shopping, playing outside, running around pretending to be a Super Y hero. She is wearing her Super Y cape! This picture was taken at 4:30 pm when she finally sat down in HER chair and fell asleep within 3o seconds, maybe 5o seconds :) She is so sweet WHEN she is sleeping ;)

My little lady