Sunday, September 12, 2010

The Hiawatha Trail

















So here are the pics from the Hiawatha trail. We met the Colvins up there and had a great time. Sawyer and Skylar are great friends. I guess Keller has a great time with them also. The boys or I should say all the kids were obsessed with the chipmunks. They were trying to get them to eat out of their hands. When we took a lunch break the finally got one to take a chip out of their hands. They were kind of rude little chipmunks. I had my lunch sitting on the ground and a chip in my hand and one came right up and got in my lunch box and when I was thinking of giving him a chip and snatched it right out of my hand. Mike had all the kids sit together with their food and he was calling them the lunch bunch. I thought that was kind of cute. I cant remember if the pictures of the bus run off the road are on this or not. So if they arent I will post them next. Jaren was riding the bus back to the pickup. The bus on the first big corner has to stop and back up because its too sharp of a corner to make. So the poor driver instead of putting the bus in reverse he put it in first and gunned it. Not just once but twice and you guessed it it went right off the road. Hahaha, Jaren said people were freaking out. No one was hurt obviously but still it was kind of funny. (only because no one got hurt of course) Thanks for looking.

Cataldo Mission









Just before Coeur d' Alene there is the Cataldo Mission. It is really interesting. Built by missionaries back in the 1800's. I cant remember what religion it was but it really is very neat. They have restored the mission and the living quarters for the priests and missionaries. It is worth stopping and paying for. I thought that the picture of the little boys standing in the confessional was very appropriate. Its a good thing we are not Catholic or they would really have to spend alot of time in one of those. Just kidding they are good boys. A little rambunctious but still good.

Riding the trails






This summer we went up to Coeur d'Alene like we usually do and road the bike trails. This has to be one of our favorite things to do. I know it is one of mine. We had plans to meet up with Jaren's old college roommate and good friend Mike Colvin and his family. But we had one day to kill before they met us to ride the Hiawatha so we rode around Wallace and Kellog. We were able to find Sawyer a new bike that was a hit with the kids every campground we went to. Here are a few pics of our day. I have to add that Jaren is such a sport. He always volunteers to drive in the pick up so I can ride bikes with the boys. I am sure he wants to ride but I usually get to. So thanks Jaren.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Missoula Half Marathon

















Okay so these were taken a almost 2 months ago. I ran the Missoula half Marathon. It was voted as the best marathon to run by runners world mag. This was the 5th year (I think) that Missoula has held it. They had over triple the runners this year than last year. There was at least 1 person from every state there. Jimmy Falen paid for someone from Nebraska so that every state would be represented. And a guy from Montana won it and he has won it every year. There were over 6000 runners and I came in 1115 place. I didn't think that was too bad. It was a really fun race. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful course. The only thing it lacked was a great running partner. So Erin if you are reading this you are going with me for sure next year. It really was fun. I was soooo nervous the night before the race. We camped along the side of the road just up the hill from the starting line. I some how set my alarm clock wrong but luckily it didn't matter because I really didn't sleep much the whole night. AAhhh not really what you want happening just before a big race. The last run that I had had before we left didn't go well so I really was nervous and since our whole summer trip was arranged around this race I couldn't really woose out of it. I'm glad I didn't. I have never been in a race with that many people. When the shot went off to start the race it was a good 5-6 minutes after that that I crossed the starting line (your time doesn't start until you cross the line so that was good) I thought for sure that Jaren would not be able to find me during the race so I really didnt watch for him. I though I would just see him and the boys at the end. Around mile 7ish I started to feel a little tired and just then I heard these cute little voices yelling "Go Mom" It made my day. Talk about a boost that was really needed. They were able to find me like 4-5 times through the race. It was the best. Then when I finally crossed the finish line they were all there again. It couldn't have been any better. I love MIssoula. I could live there for sure. Sorry for all the pics but I really posted them for myself to remind me of how fun it was. The random pic of the car was a car that was at the finish line. And as you can tell the guy didn't throw anything away. He was against global warming and everything that went along with it. It was kind of gross but I guess everyone has to have a passion. Anywho, I thought the pics of me and my boys were pretty cute. I love the one of Dylan kissing my medal. What a fun and very tiring day that was. Cant wait until next year!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Keller's soccer pics








Okay so I really have a ton to do but its like everything else I love to procrastinate. I really don't like to procrastinate but I do it anyway. I was just thinking that it has been almost a month since I posted last and I hate to make my avid readers angry!!! The boys are back in school and I think they are pretty happy about it. Keller has a new friend Parker. He talks non stop about Parker. You know "I did this (hits himself on the head or something clever like that) and Parker laughs" or "Today me and Parker and Kaleb played this at recess" Anyway I finally said "well it sounds like Parker is a cool kid, is he the oldest in his family?" To which Kelller responded, "Mom, Parker isn't a boy! she is a girl!!!" Oh of course she is!! Stupid mom! So finally after hours of hearing about Parker I asked Keller if he was sweet on her? He looked at me from the corner of his eyes and said "Yes, but don't make fun of me okay!" I said, "of course I wont make fun of you, so is she your girlfriend?" "ya I guess you could call it that" I said well no kissing yet okay buddy!" And Keller says "ewe gross mom! why would I want to kiss her? I only kiss you and grandma and sometimes dad and grandpa! And so it begins!!! Wouldn't you know it Keller the absolute biggest boy is the first to have a true girlfriend. Poor girl! Just kidding. Actually I think Sawyer and Carly have been boyfriend and girlfriend but he just chooses to keep it under wraps! Smart kid. Anyway here are a few pics of Dylan with his great foe hawk and pb&j face. And of course Keller playing a bit of soccer and him and Kaleb. What cute little friends. I hope that this new relationship with Parker doesn't get in the way of the dynamic duo Keller and Kaleb. One more quick story since it just popped in my head. The other day my sweet little baby says to me "mom you are soo beautiful, but as he is walking away he raises his eyebrows and says to himself "but not as beautiful as McKenzie" Aaahh nothing but the truth from the mouth of a 3 year old. Still I sure do love that kid. P.S. Mckenzie is the babysitter we have had since Sawyer was Dylan's age. They (all 3 boys) have had a thing for her. They love her. Each kid has said cute little things about her over the years like, Oh I love McKenzie's hair, or Oh McKenzie smells sooo good mom. They think she is great. We owe her alot.