Runners!

Dave and Jordan ran their first 5ks. Dave has been running for about 4 weeks, and Jordan decided to run with his dad 2 practices before! (figures right?) Our awesome friend Bryan ran the 10k. But he is crazy like that, he likes 1/2s and has done a full marathon!

I was super excited and proud of them! They did awesome! So glad we went! I wouldn't miss the next one for the world. and if things go as planned, maybe I will be doing one with him next summer...well WITH his is not the right word....far far behind him would be more accurate! Stuck in the pack at race start. (see him??) Dave rounding the corner for the finish. His stride is crazy long! Finishing up- official time 27:19 Jordan almost home! Official time: 27: 29 Bryan home- Under an hour!

Cakes and reunion mayhem.

Another fun Adventure at Cherry Hill has come and gone. I already miss my cousins and second cousins. Love them so much!The day before we left, Michelle and I went to a book signing at The Kings English. It is this CHARMING little bookstore at 15th and 15th in Salt Lake City! I loved it there- must go back when I have time to peruse. The authors were just as funny as their website seems to be- if you have not been a fan- have a laugh- go to THIS link. So here are a few pictures of the night. Michelle, Gabrielle, Jen, and Jon
The goodThe Badand...The Ugly

Then- our reunion at The Cherry Hills. We had a great site this year, which made chatting, sleeping, and out door movies perfect! (Thanks Dave!) Our new tent (thanks
Derrick and Kelli!) is a mini hotel! Our family and Chellee's family shared since we both had our tents blown to smithereens last year! It was awesome. I was SO exhausted- and have a comfy nap each day in my awesome tent- and will enjoy that again this weekend too! I only took 2 pictures this year- sue me. One was of nothing, but the other was funny! An advantage of sharing a tent with your sister is that when you see something funny- you can snap a photo! Jack is using Chellee as a pillow! This year we had some bawling kids- that kept everyone up- but you know us- Dave and I slept through everything- We are just fabulous like that! Our kids were assigned buddies- and wow- it is so easy now- I just floated and floated the lazy river- while the kids did everything else! I might be turning into my mom. She grabs the youngest- and will float all day with a sleeping young'un in her lap... yep I would do that!! I used to think she was crazy- but really- its the best lazy river I have ever floated. Once an hour it turns into spraying mayhem, but its makes it all more the fun.
The very next weekend we spent the day in Smithfield with Dave's family. We had a really nice time, and the cousins played night games into the night with Dave and Derrick...that is kind of a staple of the family party. Kids look forward to it every year! Dave trying to throw Nicole in the creek...I think she is about to lose. Jordan And Zacary Kira, on the playground Nicole Everyone

Oh wow- So nervous! I found out Thursday that I am indeed pregnant again. It kinda a funny story... I cried the entire day- missing my angel babies- and wondering if I would ever have a wee one again. Then boom! A positive pregnancy test! Can you imagine my shock??? I am so TERRIFIED that we will lose this baby too- if I would be able to survive that. I called the doctor- and I and taking a hormone called progesterone. It wears me right out! I seriously can barely hold up my head after I take it!!! Ahhhh!!!! Oh! My awesome insurance company who only covered $20 dollars of it- I was left with the 156.99 Portion. Lucky me- but SO SO SO SO SO worth it! Must be brave and trust my Father in Heaven to keep it nice and secure in there.

Kira- the Kikinoodle

Its amazing to me how fast time goes. I remember being a kid. Wasn't summer vacation so long? It seemed that by the time it was back to school, we had done everything a kid could do at least 50 times. It was even on the verge of boredom. Nothing concrete had been accomplished, yet to spend one more day playing in the wading pools, running through the neighborhoods, and taking a quarter to the mini-mart seemed almost unbearable.Time changes as you become an adult. Summers slip by in an instant. Signing up for high school did not seem so long ago, and your baby- yes- your baby, turns 9. It is almost mind blowing to think that its been 9 years since that little noodle was born! Don't get me wrong- its like she has always been here- but to think of her as a sweet little infant in my arms- the memory is so fresh and new it could have yesterday! 9 years. wow.We had a really great day yesterday! (Well- after a horrific start, a post for another day.) When Kira woke up, she came into my bed and snuggled- so I could sing happy birthday to her a few times. I told her we had to get Daddy so we could open gifts. (She said- "You bought me presents?! This is going to be the best birthday ever!!!") So after opening them and a few birthday photos- It was day-o-fun for Kira!We went to school to get lunch as usual, so we could be nice and full for Lagoon. We also gave our house key to Teresa- for her part in the days events. Kira had been wanting to go to the water park at Lagoon for some time, so we took the suits and went to it. Ok- now it wasn't totally warm since a storm was threatening, but not too cold for some slides- if it would have been anywhere else! Their water park is like swimming in the Logan river! Seriously! We all lasted...um 14 minutes. It was ridiculous. So- after changing back into our dry clothes- we went to ride the rides. I let Kira direct us- and after 4 hours we had our fill! (Jordan was brave and went on the Samurai- loved it)We had saved money so we could get her a meal at Lagoon- as per her request- because man- their food is PRICEY!!! We always take our own, but Kira had decided she wanted Chinese Food instead- so we left. It probably was more economical anyway! After a yummy dinner we drove home and lo and behold, someone had come into the house with a cake and balloons! (Thanks Teresa and Emily!!! The balloons were a wonderful surprise!) She was elated- made me text her Nanny about her BEST DAY EVER. Sweet girl.

It still is so crazy to me. She has always been the happiest child. At just months old- she would laugh and giggle these huge belly laughs, like no baby I had ever had before. At 18 mo, her grin was completely infectious and people would stop me all over telling me how beautiful she was. (Heck! It happened last week!) When she was young she did so many things that made us laugh- we had no idea how to survive with out the laughter! When she was in kindergarten, she would come into my class room for the second part of the day. I had a group of 4th grade math students who classed every day when she would be coloring or doing puzzles at my desk. I was teaching place value- and after a big explanation and demonstration, I asked the kids- with all of that information- could they figure out what the largest 2 digit number out there was? I just had blankness. I again explained and gave examples before posing the question again- and again- Crickets! Finally Kira stood up from her c hair and said- (Oh how I have that memory seared into my mind!!) "Its 99! 99! Stop asking! We GET IT!" The whip lash of my 4th graders from her to me , then the boy in front asking- "Why do you give HER the answers!" Well, lets just say from that point on she spent the second part of her day in first grade as to not make my special education students feel bad. Kira was constantly doing things like that!

I also feel a bit of guilt that I did not seriously keep a journal until 2 and a half years ago- all the priceless gems I have lost. I can never do that again.
Kira is my love, and my life. she is a beautiful, talented, hysterical, naughty, brilliant, and delightful person whom I love deeply. Birthdays are such special days. For your children and for Mommy. Mommy never forgets the day her children are born. I can't believe my baby is nine years old. In 9 more years she could be leaving us! NOOOOOO!!!!

Mind on a loop

Its getting late. I have a race track of a mind. So many things going on and on and on.
Worried about lots. Its way too hot in here. I swear I don't WANT my feelings hurt- but do I ask for it? Do I make it up? Kira will be 9 tomorrow. How is that possible? I am thrilled that Nicole is going to camp tomorrow. So worried that she is going to eat MSG and be barfing the entire time. Seriously- its SO hot in here! I wish Bauer would not sleep right on my feet. Makes me hot. I really like this keyboard. I might have to claim it. Feeling lonely is the pits. Hate not being able to say what I really feel. I am so glad I do not have a headache tonight. Mmmm. A diet Pepsi sounds so good. Stupid pop. Why do I like it so much. Its terrible for me. My hair is about hideaous. Kira is so cute- how did she get to be 9 years old? I can't believe I still think about my babies. I wish I could forget them. Its SO HOT in here! This keyboard has just the right amount of clicky-ness. I should really call WyN. Its been a long long time. Why does she have to live so darn far away. Same with shelly. Darnit. I swear if this dog does not move.... Its getting dark- I should go find Jordan. where is Kira? Oh nevermind- she is cutting stuff in her room. Should I be worried??? I am glad I will see Kelli this weekend- and yay for getting a new tent! I hope its as big as she says it is! Do I shelter my feelings so much that I am hard to know? I can't ever be sure if I am too much or too little. I am so so hot! I wonder if Dave is as hot as I am. Oh and Dave- can't even think about that. No job. It just sucks. At least I have one. I need to brush my teeth. Ooooo! and shower before tomorrow, but then I will have Medusa hair. Maybe I will wear a hat. I should go find Jordan.

Week of craziness....

Being a slacker again. Not a slacker in life- just a blogging slacker. I have been SO busy! You would think that being out of work I would have so much laying around reading a book time- but NO!!! I have been doing more things that I want to- but its just rush rush rush!!!Monday we went to the dentist. Lori was awesome enough to need to go to Ogden anyway- so she let us ride up with her. That was just run stop run stop run stop. Dropped the girls off at Lagoon.Tuesday the day started with Jordan leaving at 4 AM for scout camp- a river rafting trip down the mighty Colorado. I helped a friends and cleaned bathrooms. Yay! I bought some fabric and started on another quilt. Its totally adorable by the way. We had brought my niece Aspyn home from Ogden- the girls never provided me with a dull moment. Especially when they constantly were trying to find clothes that match each other.
Wednesday I ran all over trying to take care of this that and the other. Not to mention a whole ton of cleaning! I also watched a movie with my friend!
Thursday again- cleaned all day. I think the house has recovered from its working mom state. Its nice to have the closets cleaned out again and the laundry all piled all over in states of washed, folded, and ready to wash. Then off to a great Relief Society BBQ. We had a blast.
Friday we had the spray in insulation guys come, Dave's dad come, and I took the girls to Lagoon. It rained and froze us to death- but we had a fun time! Kira loved having Aspyn there. We alway go on all the adult ride- because we are all tall enough- so having Aspyn there, I let them spend most of thier time at the kiddie land. They loved it. I came home with 30 minutes to spare for a girls night/ baby shower at my house. It was a small affair- but we had a great time. I sure love spinach artichoke dip. mmmmmm. During the party- Dave and his dad built us our 5th bedroom! Wooooo!
Saturday was my amazing husband's birthday. I just adore him. I slowly cleaned the house from the night before, bought him the only present I could afford- (A birthday candy bar!) and got ready for his Dinner Party. It too was a blast! We had ribs- with my first ever Dry rub, Dutch oven taters and vegis, homemade mac -n- cheese, and yummy lemon cake. Thanks to Teresa and Michelle for help with the food and Heidi with the paper goods! It was so much fun but ya know- Oh- and Jack put on his PJs I had to take a picture. There were my very fave of Kira's. I LOVED them on her. Nice to see them again! I am pooped and plan on a nice long nap after church today. I want to lay down and read all afternoon. Maybe that will work out!

Lots -o- stuff

I am doing this post TOTALLY different than I usually do. I usually type up what I want to day, and then add the pictures that had fit my thoughts. But today, I am adding my pictures, and then writing about them. Who knows? It may it up better- or just much much worse. who cares!

Things have been crazy- with the end of school, Dave being laid off, the usual mayhem of being parents of teenagers, and family stuff every where we look. We have just been hanging in there- and now it seems as though summer is here to stay- maybe our days will start a bit later- but they will be as busy as ever.

We decided to buy season passes for the family to Lagoon- since the kids just want to do something fun during the summer- and since all the kids are so big- we figured it would be fun. Some of Nicole's friends also bought season tickets- and this way we can keep our eyes on the shenanigans of the teens! We went for 3 hours on Memorial Day. It was a great time, and I only thought to take pictures when every one was on the bumper cars. Nicole JordanDave and Kira

This Thursday they held an eight grade graduation. (Ok- its totally ridiculous- because what did they really do? Go to school? But that is neither here nor there. I will go to the High school graduation and feel a bit of pride- even have a dinner for people who come- but I will be over the moon at a college graduation. THEN we will have something to talk about!) Jordan, Nicole , and Isaiah

Jordan, Riley, Brylie, Nicole, and Isaiah

My gorgeous 14 year old Nicole and her FAVE- Mr. Bey (she helped his pick out a bathing suit when she ran into him at Wal-mart. She thought that was the funniest thing ever!) Mr.Bey stopped during his "commencement" speech to tell "Nicole Swaner to pay attention!" Yah- A proud moment for Dave and I. Nicole and Jordan Bird Nicole and Broc- Brylie's younger brother Me and my (moronic!) family Brylie, Jordan, Kelsey, and Nicole Brylie, Micah, and Nicole

The kids had a great time, and there was a small reception after. The music was inappropriately loud- but hey, not my problem! The kids had a great time and more than anything- they were glad to be out of school away from all the drama they have had at school oh1 and the wasted week they had...I sure hope that next year we do not waste all that time.

Kira on the other hand- had a field day on Thursday. They had Roman Olympics to round out their until on Ancient Rome. The 3rd graders looked forward to it- and she was so excited. Yet my baby came home like this: Yes- She and a girl were in a 3 legged race. When Kira fell- her team mate kept running- trying to win- as Kira screamed on the ground being dragged along. Shocking huh?! More later.