Blake's Jog-a-Thon 2010

Blake's school had their annual Jog-a-thon the 1st week in October.
He said he was going to do better than last year & make it to 20 laps.
Well...let's just say he's an over achiever when he really wants to be.
He ran 35 laps!!!
He did so great & I'm glad I was able to be there :)
I wish they had a track program for kids in elementary school. I think it would be really good for him.
Grandpa Chuck was able to come too & I was able to see my friend Debie & her husband Mike.
It was a fun morning!!

Sonny's trip to the Firestation

Sonny's 1st field trip was in September & it was to a local Firestation!!!! Unfortunately I was not able to take him because I was working.
What??!! I was working....more on that later.
Luckily Grammy Sisa was available so she got to take him & take pictures too.
She said he was really good & had a really fun time.
I'm so glad she was able to take him. It's fun looking at the pictures & checking out his reactions.
There's a picture of him holding the firehose & it reminds me of when Blake went to the Firestation on a field trip & how I had to coax him up to hold the firehose. Two totally different kids!! After this trip to the Firestation Sonny said he wanted to be a Fireman when he grew up & I thought it would be fun for him to be one for Halloween. No such luck...he was adamant that he would be a Fireman when he grew up....NOT for Halloween. Crazy kid!!



Update....so I started working part time back in early September. I'm working at Macy's & I love it!! I was hired to help with Trim-a-Home (Christmas) & wherever else I was needed. I cannot say enough good things about Macy's. I swear it just totally fell into my lap (wink wink....I know Heavenly Father answers prayers) & I LOVE it!! Did I say that already??!! It's been great & totally fits into my schedule...I can work while the kids are in school & then get off in time to be a mom!! It's great!!

Discovery Park

My "Bonus Mom" Dawn works for JetBlue & one of the other airlines was having a BBQ at Discovery Park & invited JetBlue employees & their families to come along as well. I've never been to Discovery Park so I thought it would be fun to go. Plus there were going to be Bounce Houses, games & food. Bonus!! Me & the boys met up with my sisters Alicia & Amelia & our Parents & had a nice afternoon together at the park

(even though it was seriously HOT!!)

The boys had fun in the bounce houses you see in the background & here is Blake waiting for his turn athe the ring toss where you win suckers.

And here he is trying to win.

Here's Naunie with my Sonny & my nephew Mason waiting to win their suckers.

Blake played this spinning game for a long time & won a bunch of stuff. 

I would love to make one of these & have it for Birthday parties & other stuff.

Sonny & Mason.

Look!!!  We got our suckers!!!

Naunie & Mason.

He is such a "Kuty" pie!!!

Mmmmm...nothin makes a little boy happier than a sucker!!

We had a nice time & I thought the park was nice. 

Lots of places to have a picnic & to just run around.  I didn't see any playgrounds so if you ever go make sure you bring stuff to do...games or your bikes & make sure you have money for parking.

 (this was also the same day that my mom was released from the hospital after slipping & falling in a store she was shopping at.  she had a concussion so I picked her up & took her home because she was not allowed to drive.  I also helped her out by checking in on her over the next few days & picking up some groceries for her.  it's been about a month & she is recovering but she still gets a little woozy sometimes.  my poor mom.)

Happy Birthday Libby

Happy 5th Birthday Libby!!! 

Libby's Birthday was back in September & she  decided that she wanted to celebrate at one of  her favorite parks!!  It really is a cool park!!
 It was a great day for an outside party & she got lots of fun "girl" stuff.
Here's a fun picture of the new 5 year old that I took.
Doesn't she look oh so dramatic?!

The party was lots of fun with a pinata, cotton candy, cupcakes & a fun playground to play on.
Check out the pictures of Blake on the spiderweb.
(click on collage to see larger)

For Libby's Birthday present I decided to make her this cute little tote bag & fill it up with markers & pads of paper.  I found the instructions here on this cute blog called Cluck Cluck Sew & her instructions were easy for me to follow & execute.  Go check it out if you want a simple little tote bag.

Outside of the bag.

Inside of the bag. 

I had fun making this bag & yes I whipped it up the day before the Birthday party.  I am such a procrastinator!!  I decided that I should make some for "Trick or Treating".

Couldn't leave out some fun pics of my boys!!!
Picasa is a great way to "spice" up my pics that don't always turn out so great.
I love it because it makes me enjoy the pictures that much more :)

Aren't they cuties!!

A Temple Sealing

Back on September 11, 2010 I had the opportunity to attend the Temple Sealing for my cousin Jason & his wife Melissa. It was wonderful & I was so glad I got to be there. I'm so happy for the wonderful life choices that Jason & Melissa made to get to be a family through all Eternity. They also had their son Jason 2 sealed to them that same day. I'm so grateful for Temple sealings & that the Lord has provided a way for us to be together not just though this earthly life but through all Eternity. 

It was just a great day...inside & out :)

(Here's a couple of "fun shots" of some family members that were there)

Aunt Carol & my cousin Jessica

Dawn, Grandma, Aunt Denise & Aunt Jen

CONGRATULATIONS JASON & MELISSA!!!!

Sonny's 1st day of Preschool!!

Well....Sonny started preschool after the Labor Day Holiday. He was a little back & forth the first morning but I got him there.
I took a few pictures just to make sure the day was documented. He is a little stinker when it comes to pictures so let's just say they are always candid. I can't believe that both of my boys go to school now. It's so exciting!! No!! I did not cry because my baby started school. If anything I get this great big feeling of happiness & joy at the thought that my baby is learning new things everyday. It makes my heart swell. And no...it's not because the kids are gone...although it is a nice little break. And honestly I think it's a little silly when I do see people crying when they send their kids off to school. But that's ok...they can cry.
I was a little worried that we wouldn't get the big #2 part of potty training in time but I am happy to report that he got it down...& just in the nick of time.
Here's to you my little preschooler!!

Rivercats Game

Back in August we had the opportunity to go to a Rivercats game for free. Friends from our previous ward called us & invited us to go along with them because somebody had a whole lot of free tickets. We only had to pay for parking & whatever else we wanted to buy.  I also found out that it was a special family night & hotdogs & icecream were only $1.00.  So, we decided to go.   It was exciting to be there to watch the game & fun to have some friends to talk to. I also saw some other friends over in the lawn area that I haven't seen in a while too. Some of my friends like to joke that I always see somebody I know no matter where I go. It's funny...it actually happens a lot. It even happens at places like Disneyland. Crazy!!
Anyway we stayed for as long as the kids could handle it. Sometimes it's really hard for them to understand that we are not buying anything extra & it sends them in to fits...I know that some of you can relate. Anyway...it was fun while it lasted & I'm glad we got to go.

Ice Cream

One night Brad thought it would be fun to stop & get the boys some ice cream.
The boys were so excited but we did have them eat outside so they wouldn't make a mess
in Brad's car.
Sonny got cotton candy & Blake got pistachio.

Nice night for some ice cream.

Blake's 1st Day of 2nd Grade!!

Blake went back to school at the end of August & is officially a 2nd grader!!
I cannot believe how fast time is flying by.
We set off with Sonny in the stroller & Blake riding his bike he got for Christmas.
I'm so glad he finally learned how to maneuver this giant bike.



Here's Blake walking his bike up to the bike rack.

Here's Blake with friends Lindsay & Zachary from his class last year.
Blake & Zachary are on the same soccer team too.

And here's Blake right outside of his classroom before he went in to start his official day of 2nd grade.
There was a crazy change going into the 3rd week of school.
Blake came home & said....bad news mom. (don't you just love that).
Then he proceeded to tell me that he was changing classes. I didn't quite understand until I read the note that was sent home to all parents in 1st, 2nd & 3rd grades. Come to find out the school had to make 2 combo classes. One 1/2 combo & one 2/3 combo. Blake is now in the 1/2 combo class with a few of the same kids from last year's class. At 1st I was uneasy about it & then after I spoke with several of my friends who are & have been teachers I have come to the conclusion that it's going to be just fine. Blake is a good student & has shown that he can handle doing work on his own while his teacher is instructing the 1st graders. He did have to change teachers though...which can be tough on kids at first but he's doing great. All I can ask for is that I know if he's struggling & where I need to help him but he's doing great....if I do say so myself. He enjoys math the most & writing. Hopefully he will one day be like me & gain a true love of words & how to use them & spell them correctly. Gosh how I hate it when people spell words wrong!!!! Ugh!!!
There you have it....Blake the 2nd grader!!!

A Soccer Banner

Have you ever been volunteered for something? 

 Something that you've secretly wanted to do but never volunteered yourself for? 

 Well....it just so happens that this happened to me!! 

At one of Blake's soccer practices we were discussing how much it would be for the team banner.  Well....considering how much we've already paid for soccer I didn't want to have to shell out another $10 for a vinyl banner.  We thought it would be nice to have a "homemade" banner & that it would be cheaper.  So...my friend Bonnie looked at me & said, can you do that?  I sheepishly shrugged my shoulders & said SURE!!!  I thought, no biggie...I can do this...PLUS...I've always wanted to make a team banner.  I know...sometimes I'm a little crazy!!  When I got home I started searching the internet for "felt banners" & "how to make a felt banner".  There were only a few tutorials & plenty of sites to buy your banner from.  I got what I needed...like how big it should be & how to do the corners.  I got together with my friend Jaime & we came up with the design.  (she's totally awesome...had I known how talented she was in the graphic design area I would've made her work harder at Girls Camp last year!!  hahaha...)  We went over to Grandomother's one day so she could help me with my measurements so that I wouldn't make a crooked banner.  She then offered some great advice!!  She mentioned that we should use heat n' bond for the writing to put on the banner.  Now I've never used this & I've seen it mentioned on plenty of blogs so I didn't think to use it.  Can I just say that this stuff is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!!!!! 
So...after I got the hang of the heat n'bond I was able to do most of it on my own & Jaime cut out the soccer ball for me.  Let's just say that it took me about 3 days total & cost about $30!!  Way, way, way cheaper than a vinyl banner & I wouldn't mind doing it again now that I've learned a few tricks!!
Here are a few pictures of the process.  Sometimes I forget to take pics throughout the whole thing.

Here's one of the stencils for the kids names.

Here's some of the names on the Heat n'bond stuff.

Here's a few "finished" names. 

I alternated between black & dark purple for the league colors.

Here is the most awesome scorpion & the soccer ball. 

Should I mention that after I had everything in place I looked at it from a height & the

freaking scorpion was off centered??!!  And that I pulled the whole scorpion up...very...very...carefully

& moved it & the hot glued it down??!!

Oh...guess I just did...you can't even tell that I did that because I am awesome!!

Here's a shot with the kids at opening day.

And here's the final product.  I am very proud.

I need to take a different picture so you can see the colors better.

I did have to make one more change...we have a different assistant coach but the name was super easy to change.  You'll see that in pictures later in the season.

If anyone wants a true step by step from me let me know.  It's easier than you think!!

GO SCORPIONS!!!

A Hot day in August!!

I'd have to say that this has been an extremely mild summer for my area. We usually have triple digits regularly & it feels like you just might melt...but we haven't even hit a "heat wave" this summer. That means we have not had 3 days in a row of 100 degrees & above. Kinda crazy if you ask me...but also nice. I am the type of person that does not like to be cold so I don't mind hot summers as long as there is a way for me to cool off for a few minutes. Well there was what seemed to me a "HOT" day back in August. It wasn't all that hot but for some reason I thought I was going to die!! Well I texted my friend Hollie & ever so politely invited myself & the boys over to go swimming. She was happy to accomodate. We went over & got in the pool....BRRRRRR...it was so COLD!! The sun hadn't warmed the water up yet but it sure was refreshing....just what I needed. The boys had fun. Sonny loved going down the slide over & over even though his teeth were chattering uncontrollably. Blake was having fun practicing his swimming skills...he is doing great!! Anyway we didn't stay in too long cuz it was just too cold for me...I know...didn't I say I was super hot?!! We got out & just hung out & visited for a while...just what I needed...*sigh* I don't think I ever really warmed up after my refreshing dip in the pool. Here's some fun pics I took of my silly boys!!

Susan B. Anthony 5k & 120 miles Update

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but I've been following the Couch 2  5k program to help me be able to jog a whole 5k without stopping to walk. I listen to a podcast & he tells me when to jog & when to walk & it has been a great way for me to train.  This has been one of my goals for a little while & when I stumbled onto this program last year after my 1/2 marathon I thought it was awesome. The only bad thing is that I never really followed through to the end of the whole 9 week program. I would start & stop & start & stop again. Well....I'm happy to report that I finally got to week 9, which is jogging for 30 minutes straight with no walking intervals!!!! I was so excited to be going on to week 9 that I sat down at the computer to find out when there would be another 5k so I could go out & claim VICTORY for myself. It just so happened that the day I was to do week 9 was the same day as the Susan B. Anthony 5k & they lowered the price to only $15 so I was really excited!!! All I had to do was find a babysitter. It just so happened that my mom called & wanted to come hang out & see the boys & I asked her if she'd like to watch the boys while I did my 5k. She said yes!!!
Hurray!!! So Saturday morning my mom came over & off we went to the 5k. I particularly like this 5k because it's all girls & it's not quite as crowded as a lot of other races & they have lots of really cool drinks & snacks!!!

Here's Blake all bright eyed & bushy tailed.

Here's a pre-race shot.

And here's the after shot

(yes...that's a GoGirl...love those...nothin like my caffeine rush after a jog )

I did it!!!  I did it!!!  I really really did it!!!
I am happy to report that I jogged the whole 5k or 3.1 miles with no walking & I didn't feel like I was going to die when I finished....that's a huge thing for me.
My official chip time was 42 minutes & 14 seconds....
which is a little more than what I was hoping for but
Who Cares!!!!
I accomplished one of my fitness goals & that is the most important part.
My next goal is to get in under 40 minutes & then I'll set another goal. 
This was also the week that I hit 120miles for my summer challenge of 120 miles in 3 months!!
Yay Shannon!!! 
The challenge isn't over until 8/31/10 so I continue to report my miles & I am up to 146 miles right now.  I think I'll be able to get to 150 no problem.  I honestly have not budged past losing 5 lbs & it continues to fluctuate up & down which is frustrating but I am sooo happy that I can say that I can jog for 42 minutes without walking.  It's amazing to me.  I'm actually going to restart the Couch 2 5k with my friend Hollie & that should be fun.  I'm also starting a new Winter Challenge starting on September 1st & going through December 31st.  It's called Cat's 500 Fitness Challenge.  If any of you are interested in keeping healthy this winter click on the link above & join in the challenge.  You still have a few more days to join.  It should be fun...& maybe just maybe I'll lose a few pounds too.

If you are interested in the Couch 2 5k program go look it up.  There are a few different podcasts out there but my favorite is Robert Ullrey's...it's electronica, house, dance music...which I LOVE & it made my runs so much better than me putting my own playlist together. 
Go check it out...you'll be glad you did.

Stillwater Cove & The Firepit

One of the beaches near the house is Stillwater Cove.
Here are some fun beach pictures of the boys & Grandad.

(click on any collage to see larger)

Here's Grandad teaching Blake & Sonny the fine art of roasting hot dogs & marshmallows

over an open fire.
(isn't that cool how I put the firepit as the background....ohh I'm having so much fun learning!!)
I'm so glad the boys got to go & have fun at the "Coast House"!!