In love

Love this boy

Noah's Birthday

The last part of October always finds me in crazy town.  I've done myself in by having three of my four boys in the fall.  Noah's birthday always seems to suffer.  I decided early on that I would do my best to make sure he felt celebrated this year.  It started with a birthday book from Aunt Courtney and Uncle Dave before breakfast, muffins and hot chocolate for breakfast and then some morning time with mom baking cupcakes. 

Kindergarten was awesome.  He was crowned and sung to by the whole class and then got to share his birthday poster.  His teacher is OLD SCHOOL and hugged him the whole way through the song.  At the end of the song she asked if he wanted birthday spanks or kisses.  He chose spanks.  Pretty sure she's not afraid of law suits. 

I finished off the cupcakes in the afternoon and then got ready for his party.  He wanted Ninjago cupcakes and these were super easy and fun to put together.  Lately my birthday cake strategy is to make cupcakes that are sticky sweet that the kids will like but I won't so I don't eat them.  Worked for these.  The kids were thrilled and I wasn't even tempted.  

The intent of his party was that it was going to be small, just a couple of friends and the family.  Well, we have a big family.  There was nothing small about it.  It could have been worse though.  I didn't plan a single activity.  We just ate pizza, opened presents and ate cupcakes.  It's a far cry from the parties I planned for Luke in less busy days.  

 Noah's buddy Sam was really excited about the gift he gave him.  His mom sells homemade super hero capes and he brought over a spiderman/batman reversible cape.  He helped Noah get it on.  The whole exchange was darling!

Halloween 2012

This year's Halloween theme was classic, spooky Halloween. 

 We had a darling pumpkin, toddling around in tights.  

There was a spooky vampire, very excited about his teeth. 

Here's our spooky ghost, who loved his mask.

And finally, there's the tough skeleton- think Johny from Karate Kid. 

Our Halloween celebration began early with a trip up to Boise to play with the Fredin cousins.  Doug and Barb were in town and there was Halloween partying to do.  We attended their ward's trunk or treat and had a great time with the Idaho Fredins.

Then there was the preschool Halloween program.  I. Love. Preschool. 

 

 

Then we had the elementary school parade.  Nat was able to take the day off- he spent the whole day on the phone with work but hey, at least he was home.  

 

Our Halloween evening was spent with all the cousins, whom we had coordinated with. 

The girl cousins were both black cats. 

The babies were both pumpkins. 

Luke and Samuel were skeletons together.  Ashley really showed me up with her homemade costume-- it was darling. 

Then the kids made the rounds with Nat. 

Then came home and got as much candy in as they could before it was time for toothbrushing and bed. 

Halloween Morning

Our little spooks on the porch before heading off to school for the Halloween parade. 

Running

While this blog is mostly about my kids and their growth I feel like it might be okay to talk about myself once in a while.  I guess I am a part of our family history as well. 

I learned a long time ago that my health (mostly my mental health) depends on me exercising regularly.  I also have learned that I do better when I am working towards accomplishing a goal.  I ran a 5k on the fourth of July and it left me hungry for the next step.  I wanted to do something I had never done before.  This led to signing up for my first half marathon this fall.  I strained my hip flexor little less than a month before the race and spent two weeks injured and wondering if I was going to be able to even run the race.  I was able to pull it off and came in about two minutes slower than my original goal.  (Nat came in fifteen minutes faster than our goal, which is another story for another time.  He's an animal.) I was pleased but felt like I had more in me and this led to signing up for a Spring marathon.  Which led to this morning's run in the snow.  I came home soaked but happy that I found it in me to get up at quarter to five and go despite the weather.  I was so frozen that I didn't even notice that my reflective vest had inched all the way up my torso.  I have a great group of ladies that I am training with and that have similar goals.

I also love what running does for my relationship with my body.  This body of mine has made four healthy boys and now comes along with me as I chalk up mile after mile.  I really feel like I find myself along the way.

Pushing myself like this physically and having the strength (both mentally and physically) leaves me really grateful.  Grateful that I have a body that can run, grateful that I've learned what I need to do to keep myself happy, grateful for the ladies that keep me happy and entertained through all these miles, grateful that I live in such a beautiful place, grateful that we have the means to pay for another pair of running shoes, grateful for my mom who exercises every day of her life and grateful that I have a husband that supports and encourages me.   Grateful is a good, good place to be.  

Celebrating Hyrum

We celebrated this little man's first birthday last Sunday.  There were cousins, grandparents, brothers and parents to hold this little guy as he enjoyed "pupcakes", presents and singing.  He was pleased as punch with the whole thing, ripping into his presents and squealing with joy at the contents.  He was careful with his cupcake and ate each part individually.  I love this guy.  So much.