Swim Team 2009

This year, again, we had 4 kids on swim team.  Brooke and Cade were excited about it. . .Kelsie and Dillon a little less excited.  But with Jeff serving as President of the Swim Team this year, we decided that whether or not to participate was not an option.  The kids have been great and have helped me out by riding their bikes over (except for Cade).  That has cut my trips over to the pool each morning from 4 down to 2.  I can do that.  They are doing a great job swimming.  Cade wants to swim every event possible--even the 100 meter freestyle.  WOW!  Kelsie has qualified for League and may qualify for State!  Way to go!

Kelsie after her race

I'm not too good at action shots!  Here is Cade from the back.

Kelsie doing her "League Qualifying" breast stroke

Dillon and Cade resting under the tent

A friend and Cade

Dillon preparing for heating

Brooke doing the 100 meter freestyle

Dillon's 10th Birthday Party

Dillon had a very fun birthday.  We took 3 of his friends to Pirate's Cove -- a local water park to celebrate.  We have a friend in our ward that maintains all the pools at Pirate's Cove and he was so entertained by Dillon's countdown to his birthday on Facebook that he called the manager at Pirate's Cove to arrange something special for us.  When we got to Pirate's Cove, the manager gave us free admission (for all 9 of us), a special drink mug filled with toys for Dillon, plus tatoos and eye patches for all the kids.  We had sooo much fun!  Dillon is lucky he has a summer birthday!

Kids Video

Kiddo Pictures

I took some fun pictures of the kids in conjunction with a DVD that Brooke was making for Jeff for father's day.  We had a lot of inside jokes that had to do with the crazy fun things that Jeff does. . .like MOIST, DO YOU WANT SOME OF THIS?  THE CLOCK STARTS NOW!, etc.  The kids had a lot of fun doing these photos.

Does anyone need support?

Happy Birthday, Jeff!

Jeff had several pre-celebrations.  We went to dinner at Sweet Tomatoes with the kids the Friday before his birthday.  Then we went out for Mexican food with some friends on Saturday night.  Sunday night we invited his parents over to have brownie sundaes.  Then on Monday, his actual birthday, he had breakfast in bed, Red Robin for lunch and then went with Dillon to Cub Scout Day Camp.  Dillon appreciated him spending his birthday at Day Camp.  When they got home that evening we finished off the celebrating with icecream at Cold Stone.  

Now we are all going on a diet. . .

Kammi Turns 19!

Happy Birthday, Kammi!  We had a family dinner with Matt and Debbie too, to celebrate.  Then the next day on her actual birthday, Debbie and I took Kammi to get a pedicure.  We had fun in the massage chairs, laughing and enjoying each other.  Then Matt, Jeff, Brooke, and Kelsie met us at the Cheesecake Factory for some yummy dinner and cheesecake.  It was lots of fun!

Make A Wish!

My First Triathlon!!

In December, my sister Kristin told me that she had signed up for a Triathlon and asked if I would want to do it.  I said, "Are you crazy?  I don't swim, or run, or ride my bike!"  Well, then the challenge was on because if Kristin is doing it, I COULD DO IT!!  I decided that "working out" at the gym just wasn't enough any more.  I'd been doing that for 9 years, and now it was time for me to stop taking the easy road and take on a challenge.  So I talked to my good friend, Stephanie, who had done 4 triathlons, marathons, 1/2 marathons, etc.  She told me over lunch that she'd do one with me and help me with the training.  Well, I told her I needed to get in the pool first to see if I could swim.  I hadn't swam a lap in at least 25 years.  I didn't want to drown.  Well, our first time swimming was challenging, but I could see that I could get there.  I also knew that I was in good enough shape to work my way to a 5K run and my spin classes would pull me through the bike part.  We signed up for a Triathlon in September.  Then at the beginning of May Stephanie told me about a "Tune Up" Tri in June that we should do since it had an indoor swim.  I knew it would help me prepare for my Tri in Sept so I signed up.  Then soon after, my niece Tiffany got excited about what I was doing and signed up herself and her husband (I'm not sure he was very thrilled).  So we all did it together and had a blast!  It is so crazy that something so physically challenging can actually be fun. . .well when it is over you look back and seem to think so!  

So here is a photo of me and my inspirational friend, Stephanie.

Here are the four of us after the race--Andrew, Tiffany, Me, Stephanie!

Andrew took this picture of me crossing the finish line!  YEA!

Trying to catch my breath after the race--whew!

Andrew and Tiffany in their race shirts after the race

Trip to Chicago

Jeff took me on a quick trip with him to Chicago.  He went for business, I went for R&R.  We had so much fun on the river boat tour.  Chicago has a river that goes through the middle of the city and it is lined with all the different amazing skyscrapers.  It really is one of the most beautiful cities I've been to.

We saw "Jersey Boys" and I was so impressed with the incredible vocals!  

Wow.  I'd see it again!!

I believe this was at Memorial Park.  There is this huge metallic bubble structure that we had fun taking pictures of with the fun reflections of ourselves and the city lights.

Another cool metal structure in the park

A view of the city from the river