Kids Pictures

It was time to update the frames in the living room so Sunday we headed out to snap some new pictures. I love the ones of Lucy and Garrett together by the yellow flowers. He totally put his arm around Lucy like that all on his own. I am always amazed how much they can change in just a few months, when I swapped out the pictures I just was thinking how much they have grown! Garrett was having such a hard time sitting still and looking at the camera. Even with JJ behind me while I snapped away he just wouldn't cooperate. Lucy even told her teacher on Monday how we took pictures and Garrett was difficult, her teacher said Lucy was funny as she told her the story. I am glad that we got a few good ones and I am happy with how they turned out and are now hanging in my living room.

October Giveaway

I love fall, especially in the south when the weather is still warm but the humidity isn't high. Fall here seems to last for a good 2 months and I love it. Yesterday I got out my fall decorations to put up in the house. I love how warm it makes the house feel. This year I made these cute pumpkin blocks to add to my many pumpkins around my house. You might recognize them from the centerpieces from the RS broadcast. Yes I copied them and split a board with a friend. For a couple of dollars I made a set. I also made an extra one to giveaway! So if you want them leave me a comment and I will pick a winner by Saturday morning. I think they are so cute!

Eye 5K

I am not a runner. I enjoy running about once a week to mix up my workouts and to escape my day to day while listening to some tunes on the ipod. JJ and I ran a 5K together back at BYU and when we moved her I heard they had a 5K at the school and I thought about running it. I also heard that you kinda had to run pretty fast, a friend who ran it close to the time we ran the BYU 5K was the last one to finish. I decided then that I probably should just enjoy running around my neighborhood. I have thought about running it other years but I was either pregnant, just had a baby or just didn't want to. So this was my year, last year here at SCO and if I was going to do it--this was the year. So about 2 weeks ago JJ signed me up and for the first time since 4h of July I set out to run with a friend our 3 mile loop. I was pleased with how I ran and the times I was running it in but there was still a part of me that was nervous to do the 5K. I didn't want to let myself down and not get a time I was wanting and I honestly just wasn't sure I could do it to the best of my ability. I wasn't even sure of the course. I didn't know if there were hills, or how steep the hills would be. I am use to running on pretty flat roads. Either way, Saturday morning we got up and headed up to the school ready to take on the Eye 5K. JJ and the kids were there ready to cheer me on!There were a couple of my friends that ran it as well, we didn't run together but it was fun to know there were some friends out there running as well. Here we are getting ready to start the race.

I had talked with my sister earlier the week and mentioned to her that I was running this race. I also voiced my concerns and things I was unsure about and she was telling me "who cares! Go have fun!" So I convinced myself that this was just for fun! I changed my whole workout play list the day before to songs I really enjoy and just fun songs easy to listen to. So I plugged in the ear buds, set my stop watch and headed out to run the race!

I really enjoyed the course, there were some small hills that were long but not to steep. The neighborhood and part of town that we ran through is one of my favorite parts of Memphis. I enjoyed the beautiful morning and just looking at all the fun big houses through the neighborhood. JJ told me that he would be with the kids around the halfway mark on the race. I looked for him around the neighborhood and he then passed me in the car, he wasn't able to get ahead of me fast enough and ended up being right around the halfway mark with the kids on the sidewalk. It was fun to see them standing there cheering me on! It was nice to have them be such a big support. They had made up a "Go Mom" cheer that there were cheering. I waved blew kisses and kept on running.

It was also about this point that I noticed that I might actually make my goal time. If I kept up my pace and only took short breaks if I needed it I would be able to do it! I was excited and also hoping that I could keep it up!

As I came up the last little road in the neighborhood I saw a friend's family. They were cute waving at me and also cheering me on. They snapped this picture--thanks Bibo family! Ella was so cute waving on the sidewalk!

I at one point thought I might beat my time. I ended up needed to take a 30 second break going up the last long hill ( I was proud that overall I only had to walk 2 or 3 times for short 30 second breaks). I knew as I headed back toward the school that I was going to make it!! I took the last turn and ran to the finish line. I got choked up a little seeing my family there and also knowing that I reached my goal!

My goal time for the race was 30 minutes, My official time was 30 minutes and 8 seconds!

I was SO proud of myself. I finished and went over to give the family a hug, I kinda started to tear up a little. I told JJ I did it! I told him how proud of myself I was for achieving my goal. He agreed and congratulated me for my accomplishment. I think it was more then just running the race for me. I just don't give myself credit for things and doing something like this and setting a goal and reaching it was so great for me. I think there are so many things in my life that make me feel like I can't do things or I am not good enough and at that time with that small accomplishment I proved to myself that I did it and I can reach my goals! I worked hard, pushed myself and I am proud of how things worked out.

Me with Lucy right after the race

Me with my cheerleaders! They were so cute and I am glad they were all able to be there with me.

After the race with my friends

Ashley, Heather and MeAfter the race we went back over to the school to eat some fruit, bagels and have a drink. The kids played around in the grass with each other. They announced the winners in each age group and handed out awards.

Garrett and Ella are so cute together, they are such fun little buddies. We went to the store with them the other day and he held Ella's hand the whole time.

I am glad I ran the race and had a great experience, who knows maybe my next run will be a 10K!

Outdoor Movie, Ward Activity

Friday evening we had a ward activity at a members house. We had a "country movie night", we ate BBQ, roasted smores, played games, watched a movie on a big sheet and had a pie contest. I am on the planning committee and I knew this activity would be fun. I love the beautiful fall weather and we had a great evening outdoor planned. We had most of the dinner brought in by a local restaurant, yummy pulled pork sandwiches . We rented a cotton candy maker and borrowed a popcorn popper from another stake.

I got there a little early to help set up and they had a tractor out hanging a sheet from a couple of tree's. Garrett walked right up to the guy on the tractor and put his arms up and said "ride?". He knows from Grandpa Rahm's house that tractors are for rides. The guy was so nice and let him sit up there with him, gave him a ride and then was his little buddy as they started the fire for the smores. We had a fun time getting all the details in place and Monica and Lori were soon Cotton Candy pro's.

Lucy found a dog and put him in the stroller and spent a good chunk of time pushing the dog around, Garrett then got a turn as well. Can you tell Lucy had some blue cotton candy?

After JJ got off work he meet us there. We enjoyed dinner together and watching some short films from BYU animation with some fun commercials from the 40's and 50's.

Crayons

The other day we took all the broken crayons and melted them into new ones. Lucy was a little worried about how it was going to turn out. She was excited to see the finished result and to color with her new crayons.

JJ Turns 30!!

On Thursday JJ turned 30! He was able to swap his normal day off to Thursday so he had off on his Birthday. We had Lucy skip school and Garrett skip Thursday so we were able to spend the whole day together as a family. We started the day with the traditional birthday donuts. He asked for maple and so Lucy and I went to the donut shop and picked some up for the family. We then loaded up the bikes and headed up to Shelby Farms to ride our bikes on the Green Line trail. On the north side of the park there is a trail that use to be a railroad that they have turned into a trail you can run,walk, bike or whatever. It goes 6.6 miles one way and then stops, they hope to have it go all the way to Mud Island some day. So we thought we would be ambitious and do the whole trail, so we started up by Shelby Farms. The trail was really pretty and often our ride looked like this, beautiful trees and some nice shade. Which was nice since it was in the high 80's that day. It was so nice to get out and enjoy the day. Especially for JJ since he spends his days inside!

It took us 45 minutes to ride one way, we didn't stop at all but the kids were getting antsy and were ready for a break. The did pretty well sandwiched in the trailer together. At the end of the trail we got a drink and had a snack. The kids enjoyed running around together and getting rid of some wiggles.

On the way back we stopped a few more times to snap some pictures and let the kids run and walk a little along the way.

I loved this part of the trail with the bridges and all the trees. We want to go back in a few weeks and see all the leaves when they are changing colors. It took us a little longer to get back but over all the whole thing took us exactly 2 hours ( not bad for about 13 miles). We packed a picnic lunch and sat in the shade by the car and ate. It was such a fun family activity and we look forward to going back again soon. After our bike ride we headed back home and let Garrett take a nap. I got a few things ready for a little party we were having later on. When Garrett got up we had JJ open his gifts and cards that came in the mail. The kids were so excited to see him open the presents.

We got JJ a new shirt, notice he changes his shirt right after opening it. He also got 2 new things of cologne. He had mentioned he was all out recently and that made it easy for me to pick something out for him. He got some nice cards from family members.

After gifts we headed out to eat at Central BBQ, our favorite. When I mentioned maybe going out to eat for his birthday he was all for it--especially if it was BBQ! We enjoyed tons of food and left feeling completely stuffed. We ordered the BBQ nachos for the first time and they were pretty good. They had some live music when we were leaving and Garrett started to dance.

After dinner we had a little party for JJ. After all you only turn 30 once and I thought it would be fun to have a few friends over. We had fun decorating and making some fun food for everyone to enjoy.

JJ requested Cheesecake with strawberry topping. We also had some root beer floats, rainbow fruit kabobs and candy. Here is JJ with his cake and all 30 candles!!

He blew out ALL 30!

Here is a group shot of all the friends visiting with each other. We had a lot of fun visiting with everyone that came.

Bordners, Jackmans, Andersons, Bibos, Shurtz & Lambert Families

The boys had fun talking about eyes, externs, teachers, tests and classes. Isn't that how most conversations with all our SCO friends end up?

The kids had fun playing with toys together, they played really well together as all the adults visited with each other.

It was a fun day together and I hope that it was a special day for JJ. We tried to make it special for him and let him know how much we love him and appreciate all he does for us and the family. I know it is hard to think that the 20's are over! He told me that when he was 15 he made a goal to still be able to dunk the basketball when he is 30. We will have to make a trip to the court so he can test his skills!

Happy Birthday JJ!