For two days this week, we actually had some cold weather...and it really felt like fall...and it was kind of fun for a change. Actually, for this whole month, the weather has been GORGEOUS, and in the mid 70's or low 80's, and that is just how I like it, but this week, temps dropped, and we Floridians really felt it. We had lows in the 40's at night and only highs of mid 60's. We usually don't get weather like that until late November, or sometimes January. My kids were "freezing" each morning, and they don't like that (none of us like to be cold anymore), but they did think it was fun to wear jackets and long pants to school (a novelty). And, yesterday happened to be "Hat Day" at school, so they got to wear some cute hats too. I decided to document the Jackets and the cute hats...and it turned into a full blown photo shoot on my porch. But what else is new with me. Taking pictures and photography are some of my very favorite things, so my kids are used to this. Anyway, I liked the way the pics turned out, so I thought I would post all my favorites. Oh, and by the way, Carver is not mad or pouty in these pictures. He told me that he was trying to look "cool", and smiling was not the look he was going for. And actually, I love how the "serious" shots turned out. Maybe he is onto something. 
Thursday, October 30, 2008
It feels like Fall!
For two days this week, we actually had some cold weather...and it really felt like fall...and it was kind of fun for a change. Actually, for this whole month, the weather has been GORGEOUS, and in the mid 70's or low 80's, and that is just how I like it, but this week, temps dropped, and we Floridians really felt it. We had lows in the 40's at night and only highs of mid 60's. We usually don't get weather like that until late November, or sometimes January. My kids were "freezing" each morning, and they don't like that (none of us like to be cold anymore), but they did think it was fun to wear jackets and long pants to school (a novelty). And, yesterday happened to be "Hat Day" at school, so they got to wear some cute hats too. I decided to document the Jackets and the cute hats...and it turned into a full blown photo shoot on my porch. But what else is new with me. Taking pictures and photography are some of my very favorite things, so my kids are used to this. Anyway, I liked the way the pics turned out, so I thought I would post all my favorites. Oh, and by the way, Carver is not mad or pouty in these pictures. He told me that he was trying to look "cool", and smiling was not the look he was going for. And actually, I love how the "serious" shots turned out. Maybe he is onto something. 
A day with friends
Emma and Gavin Rose came to spend a day with me and Coop this week. Sara, their Mom, cut her foot really bad and had to have stitches (feel better Sara). We had such a fun day , and Cooper loves them both so much. Gavin is exactly one month older than Cooper. Sara and I were pregnant together and delivered at the same hospital, with the same doctor, 4 weeks apart. So Cooper and Gavin are together A LOT, but it has not been until recently that they really noticed that the other one was around. Now Cooper gets so excited to see Gavin and they really play so cute together. I think Coop has a crush on Emma, because he just wants to hug her every time he sees her (it is my plan that one of my boys ends up with Emma...it might be a competition for her heart). Anyway, I thought these pics were so cute of them, so I thought I would post them.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
"TRI"- ing in the rain
This past Saturday was the Orlando Women's Triathlon...at Moss Park. One year ago exactly, this was the first Tri that my friends and I competed in. This Tri was number 4 for most of us. We all remembered how nervous we were a year ago...being first timers, and it was so nice to at least know the ropes a little...though the nervousness never really goes away for me. It had been raining the whole day before the Tri, and we were all praying that the rain would stop. The thought of biking on a wet surface with tiny road bike tires...scared us all. Plus rain just makes everything a muddy mess. We thought we were in the clear as we got there and set up, but then as we started to swim, it started to rain. It rained on and off the whole race...with a good down pour at the finish line. You can't really see how wet and dirty it was in these pictures, but it was a little crazy. At least now I am not scared to do a triathlon in the rain...because I did it...and still felt like I did well. Following are some pictures of the race...but I do have a small disclaimer. My daughter Kinsey informed me that all my Tri Pictures from each race pretty much look the same...and isn't it kind of "weird" that I keep posting them all (gotta love a teenage daughter). And yes, she is right, it all kind of looks the same. So just so you know, and no one thinks I am too "weird", I am doing this mostly for my own journaling and for all my Tri-sisters...who I know will appreciate it. After all the hard work and many hours of training...we Mom's need a solid record of what we really achieved. Most things we do in life are ripped apart the next day (laundry, housework, etc.) so sometimes we need to feel like the things we work hard for...really happen. 
Here are five of my seven friends that competed (we were all rushing around when we got there, and it was hard to get a group shot) early in the morning as we set up for the race. This is Rachel, Sara, Me, Andrea, and Beckie. I think we have a little "super hero power" going on in this shot. Our Tri suits have some serious reflectors.
This is Rachel Mann, one of my favorite people. She did not do the last three Triathlons with us, but...she is the INSPIRATION for all of this. She did a Sprint Triathlon a while back...told us all about it, and basically inspired us to start. I had just had Cooper at the time and I thought it would be a great way to get back into shape. Rachel got pregnant a few months later (so her Triathlon days were on hold) and now she has a beautiful 6 month old baby girl. We were so excited to have her "Tri" with us. I did a lot of training with her, and it was so much fun that way. Thanks Rach.
And the race begins. The 1/2 mile swim went okay. It always feels so long and a little creepy to be so far out in a dark lake...with the alligators. I did improve my time, so I guess it went okay.
Here I am heading out for my bike, with wet roads. Not raining at the moment, but after about three miles, it started raining pretty hard. I had water dripping from the front of my helmet. I was able to keep my speed up pretty much to what I was used to, but the corners were the tricky part. It would have been so easy to fall, and so I just took them very carefully and was careful to pump my brakes. But actually I felt good the whole bike, and I was able to push myself and the rain kept me cool. When I was around mile 8 of the 12, a girl ahead of me got a flat tire (that would be the end of the race for me). As soon as she stopped, two of her team mates (they must have been on a Tri team together), stopped, jumped off their bikes, and started helping her change her tire. It was amazing and gave me chills. No one would have blamed them for going on ahead and achieving their own goals, but they stopped to help a friend. What an amazing example.
It had stopped raining by the time I did my run (2.7 miles). Mentally, this was my best run. I just felt good during it. The first 1/2 mile is hard because my legs are so tight, but the rest I felt great. Usually I feel like I want to die during the run, but not today. Who knows why...but I'll take it.
Made it to the finish line, finished the race in 1 hour 23 minutes...which was a little better than my goal. As soon as I finished the race, it started raining again...hard!
Me and Sara after the race. Wet, but happy to be done.
All seven of us. Me, Sara, Rachel, Tracy, Marie, Beckie, and Andrea. Wet, sandy, and filthy, but happy that we accomplished our goal. And though you can't see it...it is POURING by this time. Many of these girls ran across the finish line in a downpour. 
What a dedicated...and cute family. They were such troopers to stand in the rain for so long and cheer me along at each transition. Carver even made me a sign. They were the only ones smart enough to bring raincoats. (yes..we are from Seattle, so we actually own raincoats) Thank you to my sweetie John for taking on the task of photographer, videographer, kid wrangler, wife supporter, and raincoat police. Love you baby!
Oh the cuteness. 
Cooper, hanging out at the Tri...while the Sand Cranes follow him around. (These birds are everywhere in Florida. In fact, we have a family of them that practically live in our back yard)
Here are five of my seven friends that competed (we were all rushing around when we got there, and it was hard to get a group shot) early in the morning as we set up for the race. This is Rachel, Sara, Me, Andrea, and Beckie. I think we have a little "super hero power" going on in this shot. Our Tri suits have some serious reflectors.
This is Rachel Mann, one of my favorite people. She did not do the last three Triathlons with us, but...she is the INSPIRATION for all of this. She did a Sprint Triathlon a while back...told us all about it, and basically inspired us to start. I had just had Cooper at the time and I thought it would be a great way to get back into shape. Rachel got pregnant a few months later (so her Triathlon days were on hold) and now she has a beautiful 6 month old baby girl. We were so excited to have her "Tri" with us. I did a lot of training with her, and it was so much fun that way. Thanks Rach.
And the race begins. The 1/2 mile swim went okay. It always feels so long and a little creepy to be so far out in a dark lake...with the alligators. I did improve my time, so I guess it went okay.
Here I am heading out for my bike, with wet roads. Not raining at the moment, but after about three miles, it started raining pretty hard. I had water dripping from the front of my helmet. I was able to keep my speed up pretty much to what I was used to, but the corners were the tricky part. It would have been so easy to fall, and so I just took them very carefully and was careful to pump my brakes. But actually I felt good the whole bike, and I was able to push myself and the rain kept me cool. When I was around mile 8 of the 12, a girl ahead of me got a flat tire (that would be the end of the race for me). As soon as she stopped, two of her team mates (they must have been on a Tri team together), stopped, jumped off their bikes, and started helping her change her tire. It was amazing and gave me chills. No one would have blamed them for going on ahead and achieving their own goals, but they stopped to help a friend. What an amazing example.
It had stopped raining by the time I did my run (2.7 miles). Mentally, this was my best run. I just felt good during it. The first 1/2 mile is hard because my legs are so tight, but the rest I felt great. Usually I feel like I want to die during the run, but not today. Who knows why...but I'll take it.
Made it to the finish line, finished the race in 1 hour 23 minutes...which was a little better than my goal. As soon as I finished the race, it started raining again...hard!
Me and Sara after the race. Wet, but happy to be done.
All seven of us. Me, Sara, Rachel, Tracy, Marie, Beckie, and Andrea. Wet, sandy, and filthy, but happy that we accomplished our goal. And though you can't see it...it is POURING by this time. Many of these girls ran across the finish line in a downpour. 
What a dedicated...and cute family. They were such troopers to stand in the rain for so long and cheer me along at each transition. Carver even made me a sign. They were the only ones smart enough to bring raincoats. (yes..we are from Seattle, so we actually own raincoats) Thank you to my sweetie John for taking on the task of photographer, videographer, kid wrangler, wife supporter, and raincoat police. Love you baby!
Oh the cuteness. 
Cooper, hanging out at the Tri...while the Sand Cranes follow him around. (These birds are everywhere in Florida. In fact, we have a family of them that practically live in our back yard)And to all my Triathlon friends...I will have all my other shots of the Tri posted on Face book if you want to check them out.
Here is a link to one of the professional pictures of me on the bike.
HSM 3...A fan, and proud!
Okay, I have no problem admitting that I am a High School Musical Fan. Proud of it. Why not. Me and the girls have loved watching the first two movies numerous times, (Carver loves the movies too), and we were very excited for the 3rd one to come out. I love anything that is full of dancing and singing, fun costumes, and a little Utah scenery. Plus, I love having something that me and the girls get excited about together. I told Kinsey that she could have a little HSM 3 party last night, and that I would take her and her friends to the movie. I love it that Kinsey is the kind of girl that loves this kind of stuff...and isn't too cool for it. So Kinsey invited a few friends, including her guy friend Clay (gotta love a well rounded boy that can play football, or the piano...and is up for a movie night with the girls). I invited my BFF Sara, and Kennedy came a long as well. We had pizza at our house first and then headed to the movie. Such a fun night, and we all loved the movie. Me and Sara especially loved listening to all the girls sigh when Troy Bolton would come on the screen. Kennedy was more concerned about the lack of "rule following" in the movie ( Why was Troy walking right into the school late at night and not getting in trouble? Why are they dancing on the roof instead of heading to class...and why would Troy and Gabriella stop and sing to each other during a basketball game?...all valid questions...yet i have no real answers), but I know she loved it. She is just my "literal" girl when it comes to movies. 
Savannah, Keriann, Kinsey, Savannah, Veronica, and Clay
Okay, now we can see a smile from clay. Five cute girls...not a bad situation to be in.
Mommy and girls ready to hit the movies.
Oh...and I have one more adventure to add to this story. We went to a pretty late showing of the movie, and on our way home (around midnight), I got a flat tire. So I had a bunch of kids in my car and felt so bad that they got home so late. Anyway, John had to come and save us...and I don't think I got to bed until around 2:00 a.m. Not the best idea the night before a Triathlon...but it worked out just fine (Tri-post soon).
I'm glad I have such fun daughters that love to party with their mom.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Anyone up for some ROCK AND ROLL?
Friday night we went to a "ROCKIN" birthday party for our good friend Andrea Rediski. We were all told to dress like rock stars, and then we had a night of playing "Rock Band" at her house. So fun to channel our inner "rock star". I kind went for a "Rock Diva" sort of thing, and John went for a bit of a Jonas Brothers look (okay...so we watch a little too much Disney channel at our house. We left the skulls and the black fingernails to our other friends, but we loved that look too). We had such a fun night.
Half the fun of the night was seeing our kids faces as we came out all dressed up. Carver said we looked "SOOOO COOL" and the girls were equally impressed with my sparkly-ness (I even had glitter make-up and fake eye lashes). The silver arm bands were from one of Kennedy's old dance outfits...and my sequin tube top happens to be from one of my old dance outfits. Gotta love the dress-up box.
Some of my "rockin sisters" 
We played "Rock Band" (a video game that has all the instruments and the microphone) for a good solid three hours, and had some great food and tons of laughs. Kinds of a surreal experience to see all my "mommy friends" dressed up and rockin out. These are all my Triathlon buddies, so it was fun to see them in a different light, and to see all these guys just cut loose. John and I had never played this game before...so I'm sure we made fools of ourselves with all these experts, but who cares. Still so much fun. 
Me and the birthday girl, Andrea, who is a real live rocker at heart...and a very talented musician.
Play that guitar for me baby!
(above) Beckie and Mike singing their hearts out, and Chris Rediski on drums (which I must say is a treat to watch. He is a drummer, so he put on quite the show. Loved it)
Half the fun of the night was seeing our kids faces as we came out all dressed up. Carver said we looked "SOOOO COOL" and the girls were equally impressed with my sparkly-ness (I even had glitter make-up and fake eye lashes). The silver arm bands were from one of Kennedy's old dance outfits...and my sequin tube top happens to be from one of my old dance outfits. Gotta love the dress-up box. Some of my "rockin sisters" We played "Rock Band" (a video game that has all the instruments and the microphone) for a good solid three hours, and had some great food and tons of laughs. Kinds of a surreal experience to see all my "mommy friends" dressed up and rockin out. These are all my Triathlon buddies, so it was fun to see them in a different light, and to see all these guys just cut loose. John and I had never played this game before...so I'm sure we made fools of ourselves with all these experts, but who cares. Still so much fun. 
Me and the birthday girl, Andrea, who is a real live rocker at heart...and a very talented musician.
Play that guitar for me baby! 
(above) Beckie and Mike singing their hearts out, and Chris Rediski on drums (which I must say is a treat to watch. He is a drummer, so he put on quite the show. Loved it)THOSE WHO CHOSE TO ROCK!
Me and John
Andrea and Chris (the real life rockers of the bunch. Andrea actually met Chris while he was a drummer in his band)
Looks like Mike found a hot chick (his wife Beckie) at the concert
Tracy and David Lee Roth...I mean Robert.
Karl, his wig, and Rachel
Jessica and Mark...a new side of both!
Gotta have a little bit of country in the mix...Though Nathan and Marie sure knew how to rock the game!
Me and John Andrea and Chris (the real life rockers of the bunch. Andrea actually met Chris while he was a drummer in his band)Looks like Mike found a hot chick (his wife Beckie) at the concertTracy and David Lee Roth...I mean Robert.Karl, his wig, and Rachel
Jessica and Mark...a new side of both! Gotta have a little bit of country in the mix...Though Nathan and Marie sure knew how to rock the game!Thursday, October 9, 2008
General Conference. Loved it!
Our prophet, Thomas S. MonsonOne of my favorite things about being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is knowing that we have a living prophet on the earth today. Twice a year I look forward to General conference so much, as a chance to hear the apostles of our Savior speak, and to hear our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, address us. This conference was wonderful. I love to have my little family gathered 4 times in two days, all of us sitting in front of the T.V, (we only get conference through the internet on BYU T.V., but John hooked our TV to the computer, so it was great), usually the kids have some sort of activity to do or they take notes...and we listen to conference together. Yes...we had to get over a bit of grumpiness at moments (Kennedy's b-day sleep over Friday night...not much sleep happened in this house), but we still enjoyed the sessions so much and the kids were really good.
I had many favorite talks in this conference. I always come away feeling like I can improve myself in so many ways, yet I don't feel overwhelmed. This year considering our country is going through such financial stress, I wondered if the feeling of conference would be a bit cautionary and a maybe gloomy. Instead, I was so touched as our loving Prophet spoke to us in a talk entitled, "Enjoy the Journey". In these times of strife, he was inspired to speak to us on how we should enjoy every minute of our lives and see the beauty of the small things. I could feel the love that he has for us and feel that our Heavenly Father truly wants us to be happy here on earth, and whether times are prosperous or tough, we need to live in the moment and remember how blessed we are. He told a story of a man named Jay Hess, who was a P.O.W. and how while he was in prison, he really tried to think of the simple and pure things that he wanted his family to know that he held dear. Things like the temple, family, photographs, memories. This man (Jay Hess) lived across the street from me growing up, and was in my ward most of my life (and still lives across the street from my parents), so it was fun to hear a story about someone that I know. The kids and I also really enjoyed the biography of Pres. Monson that was aired on BYU TV after the Sunday morning session. What an amazing man he is and what a wonderful life of service and love he has lived.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Swim and Slumber
This past week-end, Kennedy had her birthday party...which consisted of lots swimming, lots of singing (karaoke), and lots of silliness...but very little "slumbering". Slumbering or not...I think the night was a success. These are such nice girls, some from church and some from school, and it was a joy to have them with us. Kinsey was the party planner for this shin dig. She and Kennedy planned it all out, made the invitations, and Kinsey did the food and decor and planned activities. She took care of the whole party (along with her helpful sidekick Savannah), and I just got to stand back and be an observer. Kinsey is using this for a Value project for her Personal Progress program. I think that worked out well for all of us. She did a great job.
swimming sweeties!
Fun in the waterfall
This is pretty much how Cooper spent the whole party. Just walking around the pool...helping himself to more pizza...and enjoying every minute of it.
The PARTY PLANNERS at work. Kinsey and Savannah were so great. After the girls swam at the pool, Savannah taught them all a dance. When they got home, they painted their nails, did Karaoke with them, and taught them to play some new games. They oversaw the gift giving, made appetizers for the girls, and watched a movie with them "Another Cinderella Story". They even slept in the same room with them. Kinsey made Belgian waffles for breakfast, and even made a "Kennedy's birthday mix" CD for all the girls to take home. I keep telling Kinsey that she could start a business doing this. It was awesome to sit back and watch the girls have fun...but I didn't have to BE the fun. Plus, teenage girls are way more exciting than a silly old mom. It was a very fun night and we are thankful that all of Kennedy's friends were able to come.
swimming sweeties!
Fun in the waterfall
This is pretty much how Cooper spent the whole party. Just walking around the pool...helping himself to more pizza...and enjoying every minute of it.
The PARTY PLANNERS at work. Kinsey and Savannah were so great. After the girls swam at the pool, Savannah taught them all a dance. When they got home, they painted their nails, did Karaoke with them, and taught them to play some new games. They oversaw the gift giving, made appetizers for the girls, and watched a movie with them "Another Cinderella Story". They even slept in the same room with them. Kinsey made Belgian waffles for breakfast, and even made a "Kennedy's birthday mix" CD for all the girls to take home. I keep telling Kinsey that she could start a business doing this. It was awesome to sit back and watch the girls have fun...but I didn't have to BE the fun. Plus, teenage girls are way more exciting than a silly old mom. It was a very fun night and we are thankful that all of Kennedy's friends were able to come.
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