I love Fall

Fall makes me happy. Maybe it's the pumpkin treats (pumpkin ice cream, yum!), leaves changing colors, pants with short sleeved shirts, cooler running temps but most of all I love fall walks with the family. This is one of our last hikes out at 1000 Hills.

Happy MomHappy Dad

Happy Kids

And one happy dog---doesn't it look like she's smiling?

You say its your birthday----

I truly can not believe Tyler is 30! I think I'm in denial because that means my turn is coming soon. But for those of you that know Tyler, you know he is quite young at heart. Always willing to play and have fun, thinks anything to do with farting is hilarious, loves his family. He is a very dedicated in everything that he does. Nothing is done half way for him---it's all or nothing. He's a hard worker and a family man. I love you babe---here's to many more BIRTHDAYS!

The kids made him poster board filled with pictures.

Thank you to everyone from home who sent birthday emails---he loved them.

We had a little b-day party.
We rocked out to guitar hero.

Hope you had a great birthday.
We love you!

BOO!!!

One Cat Woman

One Batman
2 cute superheros

And of course Halloween pj's
HAPPY BELATED HALLOWEEN!

Kansas City 1/2 Marathon

Can't believe this race has come and gone. I was so happy Tyler was able to do this one too (although he's much faster than I). It was wonderful to know that the kids were safe back in the hotel with Grandma. Thank you again.

There were 4 of us girls that all trained together. I love having people to train with. Bree and I ran together, although at mile 11 I couldn't keep her pace so I had to finish the last 2 miles alone. It was one of the hilliest races I've ever done. No lie first 10 miles up hill. It was challenging.

I love sharing these moments with Tyler. You did awesome babe.
Tyler finished in 1:43.54
I finished in 1:59.34 (my goal was under 2 hours, I barely made it)
I am now ready to rest from training and enjoy some dessert. It was hard going on vacation right before a race and trying to be good with eating and training. Tyler and I have already finished off a whole package of oreos in 2 days :)

Kansas City

Grandma Smith offered to fly back to Missouri with us(which i was so grateful for, thank you). She stayed in Kansas City with us for a couple days and watched the kids for us while Ty and I ran the KC 1/2 marathon.


Isn't staying in a hotel the best when your little? Actually it's still fun as an adult. J loved jumping from bed to bed.We went to a Children's Museum. The kids had a blast.

Thank you Grandma Smith for coming out and staying with us, buying us custard (mmm) and helping out with the kids. Come back soon.

Condor Classic Bike Ride

While in California me, my parents and my sister rode in the Condor Classic. It was in San Benito county which was about 90 miles from Kristin's house. So the night before we put the kids to bed and got ourselves a hotel room to be closer to the start. My bro-in-law watched ALL the kids for us. Thank you Brig! It was nice to get away with my family. It was a beautiful day. My mom and I rode the 40 mile route and Kristin and my dad did the 100 miles. I was so proud of all of them.

Utah to California to Kansas City

Needless to say it was a busy 2 weeks with lots of traveling. But well worth it! I'll have to break this into a couple post because it was jammed packed! The kids and I took a little vaca to see the family (poor ty had to stay at home, he had the dog to keep him company). We flew to Utah, stayed for less then 2 days then made the 13 hour drive to see my sister in California. I'm grateful my parents still love my children after spending that much time with them cooped up in the car. But we made it and it was fabulous and warm. I wish we could have stayed for a couple more days. After Cali we drove back to Utah, there for 2 days and then flew back to Mo.

Here are a few pictures from California

Olivia and MaisyCooper taught Jackson some sweet skate tricks.

Lots of outside time. Their backyard is awesome and they deserve it.

Cooled down just enough for a dip in the hot tub.

Thank you mom and dad for the trip---we love you. We were able to see both families and friends in Utah. It was a quick trip but we're grateful we'll be back in a couple months for Christmas. Love and miss you all already.

Parent Teacher Conference---What The!?!

I honestly still can't believe that I have a child old enough to be having a parent teacher conference. J had his first PTC yesterday. Tyler and I were the proud parents going into hear all the amazing things about our little boy. Well we were not disappointed. His teacher said he is very advanced in social and reading skills---said he was a "literacy teachers dream". Plays well with others, good listener. She said he's very curious and asks a lot of questions (that one we were well aware of). She also said that J notices everything in the room, if they were to change something they know J will point it out. It was fabulous hearing all the wonderful things about our little boy---makes you feel like all the hard work you put into parenting pays off. What a fabulous parent moment.

best surprise visit EVER!

I first have to start by saying thank you to my wonderful husband---it's nice to know someone is proud of you. Ty took 4th in his division, he did awesome. It was a great race and I'm happy I have someone to enjoy them with.

Now back to the surprise visit. My sweet sister-in-law Shante' (my lil bro's wife) made the exciting trip to Missouri to come see us (sorry sisters, shan is now at the top of my list. Come pay me a visit and you can work your way up). I'll have to back the story up a bit to the "surprise".

Last weekend we had an over nighter in St. Louis. We went with a couple other families. Went to a Cardinals game (very fun), ate good food and dessert and enjoyed some family time. Then I got the glorious call from Shan asking me if I could pick her up at the airport. I was so excited, jumping up and down, not quite believing she was serious, and filling Tyler in on the details (he of course had known for weeks). Surprises rule!

Here are a couple pics from the game.
Odee taking it all in.

J is always happy if popcorn is involved.

Shan has a great eye for decorating so she helped me give the kids room a lift.
BEFORE

DURING

AFTER
I'm so happy with it.

One of the days we drove to Jefferson City to watch a stage of the Tour of Missouri. It was awesome.

We spent a lot of time staying in our pj's, eating, exercising to work off all our eating, talking, laughing, crafting and taking family walks. Thanks again Shan for coming out, it was just what I needed. It's not easy to get to our little town, I truly appreciate it. Please come back again.
Love you!

My Wife is Fast

That's right! Aimee won her division at the NEMO Tri, in her triumphant return to triathlon. It's been a couple of years since she has raced (since before she got prego with Odee) so it was nice seeing her back in the habit of winning today. This makes it 3 podium finishes for Aimee and all 3 have been the top step. Actually 4 podium finishes if you count the 3rd place that her relay team took in last years Nemo Tri.
Here she is on the makeshift podium with the 2nd place girl (3rd place was not around for the awards ceremony, too embarrassed by the wooping she got I'm sure).
This is Aim with our friend Valerie who also won her division today. She is in the division just under Aim's so the competition between them is still friendly.....
It was nice racing with Aim again, it has been a while since we had done a race together. The feel of this race was so different from past races. First of all, we are in Missouri (DUH!). Second of all, no family to cheer us on, but plenty of good friends. Third, we didn't have to travel for this one. The tri was at the lake just 10 minutes from our house so it made for a relaxing race. Our friends did us the biggest favor and watched the kids during the race and then we hurried and went and picked them up after we finished and went back for awards (Thanks Warners, we owe you guys. 6:30 a.m. is not the most convenient babysitting time). Fourth, I felt a lil' gay parading around in little spandex in front of a lot of people I know (including classmates). Not sure why that mattered this time but it did. I guess it's just been a while since I squeezed into tri lycra. My cycling lycra is sooo much cooler and leaves more to the imagination.....or does it?

The kids and I didn't come away from this tri empty handed either. Jackson scored a bag of doritos form the post race luncheon, Olivia walked away with Aimee's half-full bike bottle and I came home with fatigue and sunburned "power allies". We're all winners. Congrats Aims.....you are an incredible mommy, wife and triathlete!

Oh Odee!

This girl is a busy body. Now I thought J was a busy baby but I think she's got him beat. Not only is she into just about EVERYTHING she also has a lot of sass. All day long I find myself picking up after her messes. Even as I'm cleaning them up I think "aimee why don't you just wait until the end of the day, you know she'll make the same mess in about 30 minutes". Anyone else have a difficult time following that rule? I'll look at it as I'm teaching her how to be tidy :)

Miss O emptying out all our shoes and making herself comfy in the shoe basket. This girl LOVES shoes. She usually keeps hers on all day.

Making herself a spot in my cupboards. She likes to throw everything out and then climb on in and shut the door. Helping with laundry.

Chasing Gretta under the bed and then she'll scoot her way under with her.

Ah something to climb on---I'll climb up and then jump off onto the hardwood floor, it's safe.

But seriously could you say no to this face!?! O we love you, you are a sweet girl who is always ready for some fun. Our family would not be the same without you.