Oops!

So this morning, while Scott and my dad worked on more of the retaining wall, and I was out shopping, the boys were playing in the dirt and riding bikes and having just a great time! Until my dad went back to the garage and discovered what my boys had been up to for the last 10 minutes or so when no one was watching. They found an entire bag full of about 20 little squeeze bottles of food coloring from all of my mom's teaching supply stuff that was in the garage and decided to make sidewalk art out of it. It does not come out! My dad even used his pressure-washer on the sidewalk, and nothing! Finally they got some heavy-duty garage floor cleaner at Costco and it has started to get up some of the color.

My boys really were having a great time, but once they found out that they were in trouble, they were so sad and sorry for what they had done. Oh yeah, it was all over them too (hands, face, etc.). Boys will be boys!

A runner?

I have never run before in my existence until last January when I joined the Pingel family's quest to race in the Freedom Run 5k. I was the girl in P.E. who walked the entire mile time test with her friends and gabbed the whole time taking about 16-17 minutes to walk a mile. I think I walk/ran it once in about 12 1/2 minutes because my P.E. teacher threatened to fail me on the mile if I didn't at least try. One time I can even remember training at my dance coach's house because I had missed a practice, and she took us on a run to get warmed up before we started, and I puked afterwards because it was more than I could handle. I couldn't stand running! It was way more effort than I ever wanted to give, and it felt like exercise, unlike dancing or playing basketball.

But now, after 3 kids, being in horrible shape, and probably 20 pounds heavier than I was in high school, I have taken up running...and I actually enjoy it! I am never super excited about starting a run, but the finish always makes me feel so accomplished and ready to take on the next challenge. I have now run in two 5k races, keeping a steady albeit slow pace, and was able to run the whole thing without stopping to walk. I am now looking forward to the next goal in mind: running a 10k by next summer. It will still take quite the effort since I am huffing and puffing to the finish line in the 5k, but if I actually train, I think I might be able to do it!

p.s. Scott has taken up running too, but it takes way less effort on his part, and I think he finished the 5k as I started on my 3rd mile. He's awesome! Its always nice to have the same interest and goals as your spouse...it makes goals so much easier to accomplish when you are both pushing each other to see it through.

A Certified Fish

Easton has completed his 2 weeks of swim lessons and he did great! Who knew that in only 10 days he would learn so much! He mastered quite a few swim skills, including:
The Front Float

The Back Float

and the Jelly Fish Float


And at the end they had started to learn how to do the front and back crawl, but I think he'll have to save the rest of those for next summer in Level 3. I am so proud of him, and he has come such a long way, especially since last summer he was terrified of the water and wouldn't leave the steps of the pool. Way to go Easton!! p.s. Easton can seriously hold his breath under water for a whole minute, its freakin' awesome!

The beginning of the end!

Ahhhhh! A mother's worst nightmare (after her first-born of course). Max is trying to roll from back to front. I was hoping that he would love me more than his brothers did and just stay still until he was at least 18. Next thing you know, he'll be sitting, then crawling, walking, and then running!! He is growing too much and too fast! Stop Max, please stop!

Scott's new jobs!

No, he isn't getting paid for them, but we are recieving free rent at my parents house. The list is long and plentiful and will last him until we leave (whenever that may be). My parents just moved into a newly built home and there is still a lot of work to be done, and most of it in the backyard. The list includes:
Cleaning out the garage of unpacked and still packed items.

Building a retaining wall for the sloped side of the backyard.

Installing a new fence, and staining it once its done.



And items still not even begun include installing an underground sprinkler system, laying grass seed, building a shed, and any other projects my mom and dad can think of. Scott is busy and loving it. It beats sitting on a couch and watching Sports Center all day!

What you've missed...

We've finished our western tour of the U.S. and have finally landed in Kennewick at my parents new home. Its got plenty of room for us and plenty of projects to keep us busy. We even were able to have an entire family mini-reunion last weekend when both of my sisters and thier gang were up here too. Even our ward is on the ball and had our records the very next week along with home and visiting teaching assignments. We've gotten settled and are still helping my parents get settled. (Its amazing how much stuff 2 people can have). Easton has started swim lessons and loves it. After the show he put on in Vegas in his Uncle Justin's pool, I knew he was totally ready. The boys have enjoyed the continued nice weather here and we even got up to 107 the weekend that we moved here. It was too hot! But we love the weather, re-getting used to the wind, but its manageable. Easton and Luke are also getting used to sharing a bed, and we've found them in some interesting positions each night, but it seems to be working so far. Luke is loving all of Grandma's toys, and Max is enjoying new things to look at and giving us all a show with his smiles, babbling, and giggling. Glad to be somewhere for longer that just a few days!

Big baby Max

Max is 4 months old! I can't post pictures yet because the Internet isn't hooked up yet. I'm posting from my mom's iPhone. Anyway, he is now 25 inches long (50%) and 15 lb. 13 oz. (75%). He is happy and healthy! He has only giggled a handful of times, but I just figure he is the strong silent type like his daddy. All is well back in the good old tri-cities and I hope to post lots of pics soon.