I would be lying if I said November/December were less crazy.. but then again..it wouldn't be us if we weren't going a million directions!!!  So November was a bit crazy.. we found this house in the summer.. and really fell in love with it.. we debated back and forth about move..not to move.. etc.. and then well.. we got an offer on our house.. so it was an answer to our prayers and the wheel started spinning on this! We close on Jan. 11th and couldn't be more thrilled with it, its about 3 miles away from our current home, but new schools for the kiddos.. Broderick and Reagan are staying till next fall, Addison is changing in January..she is my brave one!!  They get to keep all their same after school activities so its nice to stay close and yet.. we do have to move in January..I don't like to think about that!!  

After the houses got all situated .. it was Thanksgiving..a quick visit from Papa and Grandma a few days before Thanksgiving and then we enjoyed a turkey dinner at home just us.. lots of leftovers for the family because...it was time for a little trip..see I don't get away enough..ha ha..5 of my tri teammates that I have been (trying to) train with signed up for the Ironman Cozumel.. so being the supporter that I am..got the title of Iron Sherpa and got to support my dear friend Jennifer and cheer and support the team as they did the race..it was amazing..

Our view from our room..did I mention how much I love Mexico!!

Here are the girls at the end of the race..amazing inspiring women

Lots of time to relax, and try something new.. my pool demonstration scuba..Huge thanks to the Clay and friends for taking care of the kiddos while I indulged!

We took the kids to the Dallas Theater to see a Christmas Carol.. it was great and really jump started our holiday spirit!

Then we took the kids to Bethlehem, well actually Waxahachie, where they do a Bethlehem revisited.. we love to walk around..learn about Bethlehem 2000 years ago..we saw the wise men come in with camels.. Mary and Joseph on the donkey..it was a great night with our friends enjoying the true meaning of Christmas!!

My goofy kids!!

So that being said..we are loving this time of year.. our Christmas card will be a New Years we moved sort of a thing...Merry Christmas to all!!

Here's our Crazy October!!!

Wow.. October came and went.. what a busy month here!! I will admit..I was the one having the most fun!!! So we started October with General Conference weekend..what a great weekend to be home and listen to all the conference talks.. its nice to see the kids really getting into it and enjoying that time!!

Then it was my birthday.. look at this Awesome Cake Clay had made for me.. that's triathlon stuff.. swimming..biking helmet, my Fit2Train Jersey and running shoes..so creative..and no.. I'm not really 38.. I'm 28.. dang cake maker.. heehee....

Next up was my Women's Cycling Camp, now camp sounds like singing by a campfire and smores.. right.. wrong..we drove down to the Hill country of Texas..yes we intentionally sought out hills.. to ride for 3 days. The great thing was in the drought of Texas.. we got the first big storm of the summer.. so crazy crazy winds and rain..made for 3 interesting days. Thank goodness for a great support system in the Fit2Train team, here's a pic of us.. this was day 2 at about 50 miles.. with 15 more to go.. the only reason I look happy is cause I have these great gals with me.. pushing me along..they are all doing the Cozumel Iron man race in Nov.. and I have tagged along training/learning.. have the gals to thank for my 100 mile ride, and many many hundreds of miles put on my bike, running, and swimming.. my goal is a half iron man next year..thanks to these gals!!

Got back from camp and Grammy flew into town! Love Grammy for hanging with us.. got to see Broderick's orchestra concert..go Broderick and then Clay and I headed off to Miami for his conference.

I spent the days running around the city..really..I found a island across the bay from our hotel that had a mile loop around it.. became my morning routine..followed by laying at the pool.. and nights filled with dinner events/dinner cruise..not a bad way to spend the time!!!

Clay and I took a boat cruise to see all the celebs homes in Miami!!

I took Clay out on my running trail.. beautiful views of the ocean!! We are very grateful that Grammy could spend time with the kids and we could have this time just the two of us.. we love it!!

Yes..I got to go away to camp..then Clay and I went away.. so next up..the whole family gets to go.. Its no secret..we love Disney..especially their Not so Scary Halloween Party.. so our school district had a 4 day weekend off of school so we took full advantage of it.. flew in Friday morning..

 Stayed at Kadani Village..with a view of the Savannah..see the giraffe on the right side of the photo..amazing wildlife out there all day and night.. loved loved it!

 Off to play at the Magic Kingdom!!

 Our family..having so much fun..its really that magical!

 Papa joined us for the weekend.. we had a lot of fun hanging with Papa.. and Reagan loved being tall enough for all the rides...she is officially a roller coaster junkie!!

 Another attempt at a family photo..see Papas shadow..that's funny..its his fault the picture is out of focus too!! :)

 Reagan spent time at the BibbityBobbityBoutique.. picked out the Ariel costume..got all princessed up!! She was in heaven!

 So here's my family ..Red Riding Hood, Ariel, Luigi, and Jack Skellington.. ready to trick or treat and rides!!!

 Last stop.. Epcot..finishing up the day and enjoying a Magical weekend at Disneyworld!! Whew.. needless to say its been great to be home. What a fabulous Oct.. filled with lots of travel, but most of all.. lots and lots of fun!!!

Viva La Mexico!!

So yes.. Clay felt bad for me having to sit and do nothing over spring break and told me he wanted to take me back to enjoy all the things I didn't get to do!! So my mom flew in and played with the kiddos and we headed down to Cancun for a spring break redo!! This is a Mayan ruins tour that we got to do..we wanted to do it with the kids..but it involved swimming in a cave and biking/hiking around the ruins..not something I could do with  my broken foot.. so Clay and I tried out ..to see if its something we will take the kids on next time!

Here is the tallest Mayan temple in Coba..its is currently the only one you can climb too.. all ten bazillion steps to the top!!

You get a breath taking view of the Yucatan Penninsula..a very high, but beautiful view!!

The second half of our tour was a Cenote tour..there are no bodies of water on the penninsula..instead underwater rivers..that form stalagtites and stalagmites..and beautiful underwater caverns.. we went in and with our heads above water.. floated around the beautiful caves..tights squeezes a few times.. and a little mind blowing, but an amazing view!

Here we are in the main cavern.. so incredible!

We enjoyed all that Club med has to offer.. swimming, tennis, running, massages, pool time..I even braved the trapeze!!

It was a lot higher and harder than it looked!!

Clay spent a fair amount of time on the wake board.. another reason we love it there!!

Yup that's me ..taking on crazy winds and wind surfing.. the views are amazing out there!!!

We snorkeled, we read, slept in and had a great time!! Thanks to Grandma for having fun with the kids!!

So we took another trip to Rough Creek Lodge..right before school started.. our farewell to summer .. and it involved the usual..

Zip line for everyone..

Hay rides

rifle shooting.. go Addison

Broderick with the big gun..

Even Reagan got in on the fun.. got a few bulls eyes too!!

Proud of our Targets!!!

So the summer has ended..and school time has officially began!!  An exciting new year for our house!!

Wasn't allowed to follow the older two around taking photos!! Broderick has started high school , a freshman..wow.. and with that..early morning seminary..the fun never ends around here!!  Addison has moved to middle school and was nervous but very excited for the lockers, teachers..etc..she was so ready!! Reagan has moved on to the big first grade.. she is loving it and got the teacher she wanted.. so its been a great week so far..but its only been a week!

Found this cool action shot from the Cooper tri.. I liked it cause I look so serious..most of the time I am goofing around to the camera!!

So I gave the triathlon thing another try..ha ha..get it.. anyway.. this one was a a bit longer, my goal time was under 1:30.. I was told however that my goal was 1:20..good thing I did it in 1:18:03!! Clay was there ..bright and early..to catch a few pics of the event..I think this one says it all..why can't I just look normal..that wouldn't be fun!!!

So the picture above is from end..the running part but ..we did the swim first..pool swim..not a cute look..

That's me in the white cap..everyone lined up waiting for their turn..

on to transition...I need to get faster here.. I loose a bit of time..I live and learn I guess!!

So all in all is was a really great race...I was crazy nervous again, but at least knew what to expect..the bike ride had way to many u turns, but I did what I could..I ran well..felt good and have room to improve!! Great race Cooper Triathlon ..Done! Now on to another one?!

Happy 4th of July!!

4th of July weekend.. we had a stay cation.. and I am glad we did.. We started the weekend rocky by taking Addison in on Thursday to find out her cough..that wasn't getting better was pneumonia..that sucks..so we had to do breathing treatments every 4 hours around the clock..hello..newborn..but really it was for 2 days ..I am not complaining..she was put under strict orders to rest..no pool..no play..just rest..so it was a good thing we didn't have plans to go anywhere for the weekend!! I joined a tri team.. fit2train..and well they train..and I got to go biking on Sat and Monday with the team.. 58 miles on Sat..and 55 on Monday..sound like fun right..right..anyway..We did get a suite at the baseball stadium and invited a few friends to enjoy a night of baseball and fireworks. Addison was cleared for that!!!

Leaving in our patriotic gear..

The boys in the heat..enjoying the game!!

Hey..some girls too!!

What a great way to celebrate the 4th of July!! Hope you had a great one too!!

Happy Happy Birthday Broderick!!

14 years ago our lives changed. We went from the two of us to a family of 3. We were so excited to welcome the birth of our little baby boy..Broderick! We fell in love with his name before I even knew I was having a boy..we didn't even consider girl names!! He came right on time..not early..not late..which is about right!! Its hard to believe its been 14 years!! He has been such a wonderful addition to the family..paving the parenting way for his sisters, setting a good example, always looking out for his sisters, and a lot of fun to be around!! He has had a really great year.. making Eagle Scout in Dec..and getting ready to start high school in the fall..ah...!!!

He has a wonderful sense of adventure, and isn't afraid to try new things!! He continues to play rugby, as well as the Bass, loves to make and edit videos and trys to go Flo Riding (indoor surfing) as often as we will take him!! Happy Birthday B man! We love you!

A little bit of this and that!

I think I have gotten out of order..so here's a few pics..from various events!! We took the kids to RCL.. yes again.. we love it there..our friends joined us and we had a great time hanging and playing. I brought the camera but didn't take any pics..fortunately Clay took it when he took the kids horse back riding.. everything else I took on my phone!! Woops!

The big kids enjoying the horses!!

Addison and Broderick...is it me are they looking so grown up?

OK ..next event.. Mavs vs Heat.. we went to a pre game mixer.. and look who I found.. sat down and chatted with them.. Broderick got me this green Mavs shirt for Mothers day.. had to wear it... at least until the game.. it was a Blue out.. all fans wore blue..George Lopez asked where my blue shirt was..so I had to change!!!

OK.. here we are at the game.. in Blue.. ready to cheer on our NBA Champions!!

Back to the previous post.. here is the race.. my first Triathlon..I am the one with the black goggles on look forward.. undoubtedly gauging how far the first buoy is.. :) It was a great first race.. my goal was to do it in 1:15 - 1:30 I would be happy.. did it in 1:08 so I was pretty pleased!

Coming off the bike..perhaps if I stopped hootin at hollering at the family..I might of been a bit faster!! :)

Off the bike and onto the run..I won't lie this part sucked.. your legs feel like bricks..you feel super slow! I have a gps watch that keeps track of distance/pace/time/first born.. okay maybe not the child thing ..but seriously this watch does it all.. I started running and kept looking at the watch 11:20..11:50... thought it was my pace.. goal was 10:00 min/mile pace so I felt slow and the watch confirmed what I felt..  when I finished the first mile and my magical watch beeped it said..1 mile.. 9:20 ..wait ..what..I realized I was looking at miles..the bike ride was 11 miles..so that was keeping track of the total miles not the pace..and I was going faster than I tought. That was a nice surprise..it was just 2 miles.. so I kept going and finished faster than I was hoping!

So here is my awesome cheer crew..who had to get up at the crack of dawn to watch me..  but they were there every leg cheering me on..and it was great!!

Last but not least..my inspiration for this new found sport.. this girl rocks.. thats all I can say..her dedication to training and pushing her self is something that I hope will rub off on me.. even just a teeny tiny bit will go far. She has patiently taken me under her wing (either that or I just crawled under her wing and she can't shake me!) Thanks for getting me out of my comfort zone, answering my million questions, giving advice, and helping me along the way!!! She finished in 57 min..just to give you an idea of how speedy she is!