My Explorers

Sept. 20th was an adventurous day, for sure. I decided at the last minute that I would do a race at 8:00 a.m. A duathlon- The Barnstormer (run 2 miles, bike 13 miles, run 2 more miles). I figured I could fit it in before the kids' soccer games, so I aired up my bike tires, grabbed my hat and shoes, and took off early.

It was a beautiful morning. Not a cloud in the sky! A bit warm, but not too bad. I got there, registered, set up my bike, and then made my way to the nearest restroom.  I don't know what it is about going to the bathroom before the race. Sometimes, I think it's more of a mental thing.:)

I'll spare you the other details except to say that I finished. My time wasn't too bad despite the fact that I hadn't done much riding lately. There were about 2x the # of people in this Year's Barnstormer Duathlon than last year. Glad to see a local race growing in number!

After the race, I went straight to the soccer field. All 3 of my kiddos were playing at the same time, so I "split my eyes" to watch both games and take pictures and video of their FUN!

After soccer, we all raced home to take showers and then left for Union City. It was Lewis and Clark Day at the Discovery Park and my boys REALLY wanted to go and earn their 1st Boy/Cub Scout patches. In good momma fashion, I sucked up the fact that I really wanted to work on the house and rest form the race, and I drove the kids to Lewis and Clark day. 

Have I told you how much I love my kids?

We had such a great time learning about Lewis and Clark! The boys earned a Lewis and Clark patch for the work that they did discovering facts about these two explorers. We visited the rest of the park that we didn't get to see when were there in July.

Jonah

That's John Owen!

John Owen had the BEST aim at shooting BBs at cans!

Jonah takes aim and shoots!

Of course, little sister cannot be left out of the fun.:)

Is this about Lewis and Clark or pirates? :) Mary Claire thinks PIRATES, I guess...

Grizzly bear paw mold

Hope this isn't how he looks sitting in his REAL classroom!

What an adventurous day for us all!

Random September Shots

Finally got a new phone! 1st picture I took was a "selfie" with my boys!:)

Then, of course, I had to have a "selfie" with the princess!

Grandparent's Day Picnic with 2 special Grandads!

John Owen taking a break at soccer! He has played so HARD this year! I'm super proud of him.

Bicycle Safety Night at Cub Scouts!

Jonah and John Owen are on the same soccer team this year, and they both have made great improvements in their game!

I can't believe September is almost over! We have been super busy with dance, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, soccer, school, church...Have I left anything out? However, it's nice to have nights at home where we can regroup and relax. I love these kiddos with all my heart (and their Daddy, too)! Whether running from one activity to another or just watching a movie at home together on the couch, I am thankful for every precious moment.

A Boy and His Imagination

 Jonah is such a joy! His imagination for building things is wonderful! He built this "fort" by himself behind my parents' house on Labor Day weekend. He used fallen branches form the trees you see pictured behind him. I love this child...

A Royal Birthday!

 No, I'm not royalty. :) I'm not wearing the crown because it's my birthday, but because I was the "Queen of Books" at Sir Readalot's Castle at school. Our fall Book Fair began on my birthday, Sept. 4th, and lasted though Sept. 15th. It's a fun time in the library, and I enjoy playing right along with the theme every time! My 37th birthday was GREAT! Jan sent me flowers and balloons to school along with a snickers and diet coke. (He knows me so well!) I had to work late on my birthday:(, but we celebrated with CAKE (my favorite-strawberry made by Mrs. Baugues) after I got home. We all ate in our pajamas. It was perfect!!
My coworkers gave me such sweet cards and even treated me to lunch! I FINALLY got a new phone, and I LOVE it! I opted for the one with the best camera seeing as how I never carry my camera with me anymore. I need a phone that takes somewhat quality pictures because it's the easiest thing to carry with me as I RUN form activity to activity with the kids!

Do you see all that icing? I usually have a stomachache after eating so much sugar at once! Once in awhile indulgence...

My flowers from Jan. (Couldn't fit the balloons in the picture with the OLD phone!)

 My kids made me the sweetest handmade cards. Made me cry! (And I didn't take a picture.) But I will! I never throw away the cards they make me. I have a special box where I keep every Mother's Day card and birthday card they have ever made for me. Super special!!
I'm 37 years old now. Wow! Maybe not a royal birthday, but a blessed birthday FOR SURE!