Blood. Sweat. Tears.

The past 14 weeks of training has led to this day.




For those that don't know, I've been training the past 14 weeks for the Denver Rock n Roll half marathon. I spent my whole summer at the gym on a treadmill. I gave up all my favorite classes to spend my days on the treadmill. My kids gave up their summer mornings to be at the gym's child care so I could spend time on the treadmill. And my dear sweet husband, stayed home with the kids every Saturday morning so I DIDN'T have to spend more time on the treadmill; I could run outside instead. And thanks to Christie, I always had a running buddy!



On the eve before my very first half marathon, I'm nervous, anxious, and a little worried I might not be able to do it. But I've done all the training I could possibly do, and there's nothing left to do but

Movie day!!

I took the kids to the movies today to see the rerelease of beauty and the beast. Five four year olds, one five year old and two mamas!! I have to admit, we have some pretty well behaved kids.

Here's half of the crew with Alvin and the chipmunks.




They're ready for the movie to start!

It's Avery Bieber!!!!

Avery got an iPod for Christmas from Santa this year. And who knew Santa was a belieber!!! Here's Avery rocking out!

Happy new year!!!

One of my resolutions will be to blog more often!!! I keep saying it but I guess I should definitely make more of an effort!! Hold me to it!!

Back to School Night @ NUMC

Last night was Avery's turn to get back into school. We went to school to meet her new teachers and see her new classroom.  She will be in the Spiders class, which meets Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Avery's usually my outgoing child, willing to go into any new situation. Unfortunately, I think Lucas has rubbed off on her. She was very shy and standoff-ish. Didn't wanna talk to the teachers at all!! Luckily her friends, Ally, Grace, and Abby, were there too. She mainly colored and ignored the teacher when she was talking to her! Hopefully she'll warm up because the first day of school is monday!!

Avery, Grace, Abby. and Ally

Lake McConaughy

This weekend we went camping with some friends at Lake McConaughy, which is in Ogalalla, NE. For my second attempt camping, it went very well, thanks to Rikki and Charlie and their fifth wheel! :)

We headed out to Nebraska right after school on Friday. We got to Ogalalla around 630 and had dinner at McDonald's. Lucas said, Mommy, we don't eat at McDonald's. There's a Wendy's over there, we should just eat there. Now he only knows about Wendy's because we've taken them there for frosties.

Anyway, we got to camp around 7pm, and thanks to the Studebakers, our tent was already set up and air mattresses were blown up. The kids immediately ran off to play in the sand and water!

Lucas and Ally 

We made s'mores when it got dark and sent the kids off to bed around 9. Saturday morning, we had breakfast and went out on the boat with the Landers.

Eric knee boarding

Rikki and Eric did some knee boarding, Charlie did some wakeboarding, and I just watched. I really don't think I was made to be in a boat! LOL We came back in for some lunch and the kids just played from sun up til sun down!

Avery pulling Eric in the tubes

I had such a great time and the kids really enjoyed it also! I would do it again in a heartbeat! we'll definitely be back again next summer! :)

Kindergarten... The big leagues.

When did it happen??!?! Have I just slept the past 5 years away??? It went by soooooo fast and this morning I found myself taking Lucas to his first day of Kindergarten.  I thought his 5th birthday was a big but dropping him off for kindergarten just reminded me how quickly they grow up!

Enough of that! Lucas is attending Prospect Ridge Academy, temorarily located in Thornton. They're new facility just broke ground on Tuesday and is suppose to be completed by Winter break. It is a core knowledge curriculum with an emphasis in math and science. The school is opening with grades k-6 and adding on a grade every year til 12th grade.

Lucas' teacher is Ms. Cade. She seems super sweet and excited to get the school year started! We know a few families attending PRA also, but none in Lucas' class.

Lucas was a ROCKSTAR this morning!! I was able to drop him off without any hesitation or anxiety! He walked right up to his teacher and stood in line with the other kids! I know he will do GREAT!

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 Hope you had a great day, baby!! You've grown up to be such a big boy and we're sooo very proud of you!