Goodbye, Steeds!

This summer we had to say goodbye to our very good friends, the Steeds.  Kevin and Jayna worked in Alaska together before either of them were married.  Then they both brought us spouses up to Alaska later on.  I became instant friends with Jayna and we have been friends for the last 10 years.  We have always lived within 25 minutes of one another (and usually much closer).  We have had 3 babies each, so our kids have become great friends as well.  We probably have seen each other 3-4 times a month for the past 6 years, so let's just say that it is an understatement that I will miss her and her family SO much!  They are taking their journey to Pennsylvania so Ryan can finish nursing school.  It's only been like a month and a half since they've left and I'm already ready for them to come back! :(

 Corbin, Norah, Eliza, Will, Taryn, Reed

 Best friends

Eliza was one of the only girls Reed liked to play with :)

Pony Ride

Guess who got brave enough to take his first pony ride?

On the other hand, this girl is a natural.

A dream fulfilled

I have wanted to be a mascot ever since High School.  I even tried out to be Cosmo at BYU (but I got intimidated and didn't go the second day--one of my biggest regrets).  I thought there was still a chance when Kevin thought he wanted to be a HS Athletic Director.  But then he went into computers instead.  I thought that ship had sailed.  Until...

I found out that a girl in my ward was sometimes Lenny the Lion at the end of itty bitty ball.  I immediately confronted her and asked if I could sometime have the opportunity to be the mascot.  She hooked me up.  

It was perfect and everything I imagined it would be.  I couldn't stop smiling (though my face was covered by a huge lion head....I am trying to get the pics she sent through my phone to show my whole costume).  I came in to some music, danced a bit, went around to all the groups of little kids and gave high fives, and then took pictures.  It was SO fun!  Even though Reed and Taryn knew that I was Lenny the Lion, they were still terrified and refused to be near me.  

I do feel fulfilled now, but I definitely would love to do it again!  

Lagoon

We took a day trip to Lagoon with Kevin's mom, sister, and Walsh cousins (who were visiting from Minnesota).  The kids had a great time, and Kevin and I were able to take older nephews and a niece on a few bigger rollercoasters.  It was a lot of fun but, dang, I am getting old!  I certainly can't handle spinning rides like I used to!  Reed still prefers the kiddie rides. :)

Happy birthday, Reed!

Reed turned 6!  Can you believe I have a 6 year old?!  

Gosh, I love this little boy so much!  Here are a few things about Reed:

1. He is so smart.  Once he started reading, he just took off.  Now he is reading chapter books and he       loves books that teach him something (he is really into volcanoes and storms right now)

2. He loves his friends and would play with them all day every day

3. He complains and whines, but he is still a rule follower and pretty obedient

4. He is an awesome big brother!  He loves playing pretend with Taryn and being silly with Corbin

5. He is getting funny.  I love that he is starting to "get" things

6. He is, by far, my most favorite 6 year old!!!  Love him!

A "successful" hike

We finally went on a successful hike!  We hiked Stewart Falls which has been a favorite of ours) pre-kids).  It was much longer than I realized - 4 miles roundtrip. 

As you can see, 2 out of 3 kids were being carried.  We only had to deal with a ton of whining from Reed!  So much that strangers were encouraging and cheering him on.  But Reed did it and lived to tell the tale!  Taryn made sure to point out that she never complained and had a great time. :)

Corbin

I don't think this baby was ever really a baby.  Since I can remember, he has wanted to be with the big kids.  I distinctly remember him taking a matchbox car at 9 months and zooming it around on the couch.  If Reed and Taryn are outside riding bikes, he has to be sitting on one as well.  If they are reading books, so is Corbin.  He is definitely our busiest baby we've had but also maybe the happiest.  We sure do love our "cute, cute!"

"The Beach" in Utah

We discovered a gem about 20 minutes from our house--a sandy beach!

It's just a small reservoir, but it has a sandy beach!  It was like a dream come true when we found out about it this summer.  We spent quite a few afternoons at the "beach."

Marathon

 I ran my first marathon.  It was hard.  

It has been on my bucket list for a few years but didn't think it was possible since I've had IT band problems in the past (I tried training for a marathon a number of years ago.  Remember that depressing post?)

I trained for a half marathon that I ran in May.  So when my knee didn't hurt at all during training or the race, Kevin brought up the possibility of a marathon.  I still wasn't too sure about the whole idea, but once I decided that I wanted to, I knew I wanted to do it quick.  So I put in 2 long runs and 3 weeks after the Half, I ran the Marathon.

So I still don't claim myself as a runner.  I would never say I love it.  I do it because it is free and I want to exercise.  After the Marathon, I was convinced that I would never run one again.  One and done.  Check it off the list. 

 26.2 miles is really, really far.  It was long and hard, but I completed my goal of running it without stopping (I wouldn't allow myself to go the bathroom or walk while I was drinking, etc.--yes, I am a crazy person).  I totally understand how runners sometimes have poop running down their leg...I didn't, but if it happened, I don't think I would've stopped.  Crazy, I know!  But I'm the type of person that if I make a goal and don't do it exactly as I intended, it is basically the same as a total failure.  I knew I'd be so disappointed in myself and would have to run another Marathon.

So I did it.  My time was 4:03 which was faster than I predicted.  Which meant that Kevin and kids weren't at the finish line until 30 minutes later.  It wasn't anyone's fault, but I was a little sad.  I think I was just exhausted more than anything.

So now that it's been a couple months, I can see how people get addicted to the Marathon.  I still don't love running, but now I feel that since I know I can run a Marathon, anything less is just not good enough.  Jeez.  So the lesson learned here is this: Never make goals and accomplish them.  Just live in mediocrity and you will always be happy. ;)  

Randoms

 Reed has really gotten good at reading.  My favorite is when he Reeds aloud to Taryn.

 Kevin got to pick the FHE treat.  He asked the kids if they wanted plain sugar (which of course they said yes), so he felt obligated to follow through.  This may be linked to the fact that we have picky eaters....

FUN IN OUR MUD PIT!!!

(with friends, Oliver and Henry)

Farm Country

We've definitely gotten our money's worth out of our Thanksgiving Point membership.  They all love Farm Country-maybe because they feel like they fit right in looking all homeless most of the time.  Taryn especially LOVES the animals and will pet all of them.  Not sure where she gets that...