Wild 4th of July Weekend...

Here are the five little grandkids. We just can't get enough of this group of kiddos.
Logan, Jake, Kennady, Isaac and Sawyer

Here we are sitting enjoying the "candy parade" aka Riverton Parade.

We love the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Provo. For any of you that are reading this we would LOVE to have you join this HUGE crowd next year!

Here's to our attempt of getting all 13 grandkids on one tree branch. All in order of age...Kierra, Conner, Olivia, Alayna, Logan, Sawyer, Isaac, Jake, Kennady, Everett, Caleb, Rigdon and new baby Blake. (Yes, there are a few dad's hiding in the background to hold up the little ones!)

The weekend was fast, long, and really FUN weekend. Let's just say that I am glad to have a clean house and things back in order again. I do love the fireworks and I am sad that we have to wait another year for them again! Oh, I love the summer traditions!

Dinner Questions...

Thanks to my good friend Emily, who really has the BEST parenting, family and fun kid ideas ever. She introduced me to Table Topics. She gave me some for my birthday and my kids LOVED them. So we purchased more when they were on sale at Amazon. Anyways, my kids love this ritual at dinner around the table. I must admit it has developed a sense of "family" and discussion. Our kids have named our dinner table as the "family table" they love asking, "Are we eating at the family table today?" I really hadn't used our "family table" because Jared works most nights until about 6:30-7pm. Which I tend to have dinner done and over with by 6pm. So I used to just throw the food at the kids at the counter and sit there. Until Em, gave me the encouragement to at least do it the two nights Jared was home. So we started there and we now eat dinner at the family table anytime I cook dinner...which changes from week to week. Oh, the other reason I love these questions is because we tell the kids they have to take a bite before we ask another one. And for those of you who know my kids you know that they need all the encouragement they can get to eat ANY food! (Why don't I have this problem??)
Alayna's Question:

Me: "What's the first thing you'd do if you were President of the United States of America?"
Alayna: Deep sigh..."Wow, that's a big job."Me: Yes, it is.
Alayna: But that's for only boys mom not girls.
Me: Well, actually a woman ran for President during the last election.
Alayna: Wow! Really?Me: Yup.
Alayna: another deep sigh, "The first thing I would do if I were the President is I would pray to Heavenly Father and ask Him what I should do first! That's the only way I would know what to do!"
Me: Well, that's an adorable answer. Big sigh and hug from me!
What an adorable answer. Moments and conversations like this honestly just give you that little "pay day" or "pat on the back" as a mom. Here is Jake's answer.

Me: What's the first thing you'd do if you were President of the United States of America?
Jake: Um...long distracted pause, then finally..."I would find Wyatt?
Me: a little confused I asked, "Who's Wyatt, Jake?"
Jake: he laughs and rolls his eyes in that silly Jakey way, like come on mom...then he says, "On, Super Why Mom, he's a Super Hero"
Me: What would he do to help you as President, Jake?
Jake: "He'd look in a book!"
Me: So cute!
For those of you who don't have Super Why playing at your house on a regular basis you learn that the Super Hero's (Wyatt, Princess P, Alpha Pig, and Red) are faced with problems and then they try and solve it by looking in a book! This is a typical Jake answer, something to do with Super Why, Lighting McQueen or BYU Football. I should have guessed he would have tied in the answer to one of his three favorite things in life!

I think that both of my kids would do a good job as president what do you think? First pray, then look in a book! Adorable.

Reading to a 1 yr old...

As each of my children have grown out of the newborn stage I think I have forgotten what to do. Seriously, reading books with Alayna and Jake is a daily event at their ages of 5 and 3. But then there is little Caleb who I would have "thought" would just squirm off my lap and wiggle down. But then one quiet afternoon I picked him up to snuggle and I grabbed a book...Yes, I'm a horrible parent. It was my first book I "read" to just him. Yes, on Sunday he looks at books that I prop up at him during Sacrament meeting to keep him quiet, but to actually read to just him it hasn't happened. So to my surprise he sat so cute and excited on my lap. He LOVED it! I was having such a great time with his excitement that I had to have Jared do the same thing with him today. So as usual I had to snap a photo to document his love and excitement for books! I hope it continues because his other two siblings LOVE books, so I will need his love to continue!

Seriously, here is a cute kid. Well, now that I have crossed this milestone of opening up books and reading to him. I guess it's time to put books in his bedroom now to read to him more at nap and night time.

Here is his other trick. He pushes the stool over to the counter to attempt to climb up. I watch him carefully as he was plotting to make steps out of my kitchen drawers. Jared and I were thinking he was a little out of control, more than the other kids until we found a picture of Jake standing on laundry baskets, his high chair and doing the same things as Caleb. So we were quickly reminded that they ALL do the same things! I guess he's not as aggressive and wild as we thought! That's just ALL of our kids in general. Good thing we LOVE them! :)

Herriman Town Days...

Honestly, does it get any better than the SUMMER HOLIDAYS? I think not. There is something about dressing the kiddos up in red, white and blue and just loving every minute of it. For me, it's the traditions. From early morning until night. I love having those warm hot days of fun outside. Why we haven't incorporated some swimming in it yet I don't know! So Shan & Todd put up that pool!!! Anyways, here we are representing our little family at the Herriman parade on Saturday morning. (Jared was at the church doing the monthly cleaning...way to go honey!) I woke up early at 5:45am to run a long (7 mile) run with Camille. We had debated back and forth to run the Herriman 10k...but when we heard the starting time was 7am...we passed...because we KNOW how HOT it gets...and then to run 6 miles in the heat...NO THANK YOU! So just as we were finishing we were passing all the runners. Oh, boy did it feel great to run, be done and to have done it for FREE! (That paid for our pizza later that night!)

Jake & Isaac enjoying the parade...I love how TALL Isaac is and how SHORT Jake is.

Jake, Isaac, Conner and Olivia. Alayna & Kierra went to a cabin with my parents. They returned for the fireworks but missed the parade.

Here is a cute family picture of us sporting once again the RED, WHITE and BLUE! The fireworks were great again as usual! We can't wait for Riverton next weekend!!!!

Haircuts, Sandwiches and Walking...

The day had to come...I know some of you mothers out there are yelling at me in that "how-dare-you-ever-cut-a-babies" hair kind of voice...but it had to be done! When you realize your little guy has more of a mullet and curls than any "boy haircut" than it must be done. Sorry, I had taken enough. Loved the "old-man" look and "shag" but the buzz had to come eventually!

Goodbye LONG hair!

Hello "dorky" baby as Jared called him! Yes, his hair grows VeRy CrOoKeD...Oh, the joys....What did I uncover? And the teeth...I have to admit this picture just makes me LAUGH and giggle as I look at it. He's just adorable, with or with out hair.We also like to call him Mr. Cheese...

Does he really look that different without all those long locks of hair??

Here is Jake's new Summer look..he informed me that he would like to be referred to as "baldie." As for Alayna I warned her last night that if she did not allow me to "do her hair" today than I would cut her hair too. She reluctantly agreed to letting me do it, she looked adorable. (I just didn't get a picture of it until after she took a bath!)
Here is to a "family sandwich" the kids thought they were so funny tonight when they started jumping and laying on Jared. Then they decided they were going to make a sandwich. Dad's the bread, Alayna is the meat, Jake's the lettuce and Caleb was the cheese. I was the bread but then they changed me to be the one to eat the sandwich and Caleb was the bread. Really does it get any better than some quality family time on a great summer evening? I think not!Yes, he is walking. He officially today has taken off. He also has learned how to get in a standing position from a sitting one. My little guy is getting big!
I also had to document Caleb's favorite words, "No-No" sad but true they are his first words. This would be him going over to the BBQ and trying to touch it...then repeating to us, "no-no!" He also says, done or "dun" and "eh-dun" for all done, and who can't forget, "ah-oh" yes, the Uh-Oh has arrived. Oh, he also points to everything saying, "thisss?". He has turned into a major jabbering baby who really, let's his presence known. He is a handful at home and at church! Ah, you have to love this age from 1 years to 18 months!!! :) (Yes, you did read TONS of sarcasm in that sentence!)

Many things...

Congratulations are in order...Baby Blake Madsen was born today at 3:45pm weighing in at 9 lbs 1 oz...Way to go Shan and Todd he is another chubber and SO adorable.

From one baby to another...well this is my cute baby. We just couldn't get enough of this little thumb sucker. You see he loves his thermal blanket. Now, we have him leave his blankie in his crib. But when baby Rigdon comes to our house Caleb instantly goes over to him and steals away his blanket.

Oh, just so cute!

And the only bad thing with the day... a Green Smoothie gone wrong. So here was my lunch (and sharing with 5 kids and my sister). But sadly I didn't screw on the bottom tight enough so when the frozen yogurt went in it exploded. Not to mention it exploded down the side of the stove. AHHH Thanks to Krista she helped me pull out the stove, clean everywhere. Sadly, the smoothie no longer held any interest to us because we thought we were cleaning up throw up. Really, as gross as it looks it was honestly the most annoying thing I have ever had to clean up. Yucky stuff. So I will take a few days off and I will try it again. I don't know that Krista will ever trust me again with a smoothie.

The last of them...

Here are the final birthday pictures for the little guy. With three birthdays in a row it's quite the process to schedule three different birthday pictures. Actually it's worked out well. I do it on Jared's day off and take one kid at a time. So it's all about them and not a LONG process. Today we were in and out in just about 10 minutes. I was totally pleased with them. What a cute little monkey boy! We love you our baby Caleb.

And the Winner is...

All of us of course. So here we are sporting our medals. The RAINY night passed...an early morning happened and a wet run began. Considering the nerves and the excitement of the night we had a great time. Bring on another half marathon! Speaking for myself only I really had a great time. My body felt good and it was a very enjoyable run. Not to mention that the weather could have been SO much worse. There was a point in the canyon that the rain was falling, we just happened to be running down hill. I started to wonder if I might make it down faster sliding on the road on my bum. But thankfully I stayed upward and kept on trucking. This was an awesome journey and I literally enjoyed myself very much. Since running is all about running your time that you set for your goal I did. I came with in one minute of that...and yes that included a 10 minute delay for a potty break. So I really would have smoked my time had I not HAD to use the restroom. But that is the joy of an early morning run and having to wait your turn. Well, ladies here's to the next race...who's going to pick it this time???

Posing with the ladies!

The bigger group. (Still missing about four people!)

Here is Krista and Riley, my sister and her hubby. I have to wait to get more pictures off their camera to post a few more group shots.

Family Pictures

Here's to a family picture...it's been about um...three years! Well, thanks to Amanda and her parents AMAZING backyard we snapped a few. I am just so glad we ended up with a few of the kids looking and even smiling...why does taking a family picture have to be so challenging sometimes? Oh, well we have another three years, right?

I just love this one...how cute is that little guy in the middle? Sadly, the sunshine wanted to peak over the backyard, so the camera caught the sun, but either way this picture is so adorable! Cute kids!!!

The sun did the same thing on this one, but oh well it's so wonderful to have a picture with Jared and I.
THANK YOU AMANDA...and Emily for doing Alayna's hair! Seriously, taking pictures require so much help!!!

The final week...

Most of you know that I have been training the past 12 weeks for a half marathon. I must admit that I am SO excited for it to get here. It has been one of the best personal journeys of my entire life. This post is to simply document why I decided to run a half marathon. As I sat in Relief Society today and listened to the lesson on writing in your journal. I realized I haven't even documented this journey. This decision started exactly 1 year and two months ago. I was pregnant with my third baby and suffering from some complications from being pregnant that I didn't relize would eventually push me to the point of pre-term labor. On April 11th, 2009 around 10pm I was sent to Alta View Hospital where I was then 31 weeks pregnant and dialated to a 4. My body wanted to have this baby but because of much prayer, a preisthood blessing and a wonderful doctor all things happened just as they should. Me delivering a healthy baby boy at 38 weeks. This is when the "half marathon" journey begins. It was probably around bed rest week 5 or 6 when I realize this isn't going to change for a few more weeks. I was literally glued to the recliner, more comfortable than not sitting in it, but incredibly tired of sitting and relaxing in it. Not to mention I entered this pregnancy, running and being fit hoping to reach my personal "weight loss" goals. So being put on bed rest was a shock and a slight disappointment. I must admit that Tuesday night on bed rest were my favorite...why you ask because of one show. The Biggest Loser. Yes, I love this show. I have watched nearly all seasons except for one or two. I still LOVE it. But this is when I was overcomed with emotions. Watching these amazing people turn from people like me, sitting on the couch (me due to bedrest, them due to choices) but going and running a marathon. Yes, I was inspired. I was completely motivated to the point it burned in my soul. That night I said, "If they can do this so can I!!" So with that in mind I delivered this baby and started working my way back to being me, one day at a time. So as I sat on this idea for several months I began getting that little fire or voice within me say, "Now is the time..." So I turned to my dearest friends who I feel support me with all my wild wishes! And I convinced them to join in the experience. We have encouraged each other in so many ways, than just running. I am so appreciative to them for their continued support and friendship. Those long Saturday runs on 11800 South wouldn't be the same with out everyone. So because of this one experience I had and convinced my friends to join me we have a great group finishing this journey on Saturday. There is Emily, Amanda, Andrea, Amber, Camille and Krista. (I hope I'm not leaving anyone else out!) But here's to the women running this journey with me. As I have shared on previous early morning runs. I have had many "tender" moments of loving these dear friends. We truly inspire one another to grow and achieve goals. Thanks for being my "train" and letting me be your caboose and "pushing" you all to the finish line! Here's to the last week of running and as the ad says, "PAIN YOU ENJOY!" I have enjoyed the pain so far and I hope to enjoy and finish the journey on Saturday! Until then here's to an easy week of running, resting, and eating some good carbs! GOOD LUCK HERRIMAN RUNNING GIRLS!

(Here's to a sneak peak at the offical finish line! We drove down last night to see the actual route...we wanted a picture incase we never make it to the finish line!!)