Happy 4th of July and other stuff!

Happy 4th of July! We went to Real Salt Lake's game and had so much fun. Noah did pretty well and even watched some of it, but mostly had fun taking pics of the people around us with my camera. Our budding photographer! We did fireworks with friends on both the 4th and the 24th. I must say this year, I was really sick of them and grateful when August came around so fireworks would stop. It felt like they were constant all month. But we had fun nonetheless.

Noah steals everyone's Razor scooters where ever we go. He also decided he wanted to buy his own with his own money from his piggy bank. It was very cute taking him to the store where he picked it out, carried it to the register and handed his money to the cashier. He LOVES it and is very daring with no fear of falling. He does well and we have even ventured out to the skate park in which my heart nearly imploaded as he dropped down off the walls and hung with the big boys riding around the jumps and bumps. He is growing up so fast my heart-strings are pulled in different directions. He's not my baby anymore, but my sassy 3 1/2 year old who will still cuddle and give me kisses and still melts my heart everyday.

My studdly man competed in his first Olympic distance triathlon in Burley, Idaho. The Spudman (or Studman as I like to call it)! I couldn't have been prouder! He did really well and finished strong! The pic above is him sprinting to the finish line! He met his goal and felt good about his performance. He enjoyed the race and is excited to get signed up for another one. Way to go babe! We are so proud of you!

The bike portion (26 miles) is the second event, my pics are out of order.

His wave entered the Snake River at 7:10 for his mile swim.

And completed his race with a 6 mile run.

Catching up from May!

I participated in my first sprint distance triathlon. The Woman of Steel was held in American Fork in May. I trained hard, but not hard enough-lol! It was very rewarding to train and compete and feel like I did the best I could. The jury is still out on weather I will do another one, but it was a good learning experience and really fun (once it was over)! It was really hard and I am so grateful to have had 3 friends who were also competing so we could push each other in each event.

Andrea, Jamie, me and Shannan

Just after we crossed the finish line.

This is Jamie. I wish everyone could have a friend like her. She talked me into doing the tri with her and was there encouraging me every step of the way. Although i have only known her for just over a year, we have quickly become best friends and often it feels like we have known each other for many, many years. I'm so lucky to be able to call her my dear friend.

Sneaky, Sneaky!!

I am finally getting around to loading the pics from Easter off of my camera to the computer and lo and behold, what do I find....random, silly pics that I didn't take and have no idea who took them of my Sister, Michelle and my niece Taylor. I died laughing when I saw them and she's probably going to beat me for this post, but i'm way over-due in letting her know how much I care.

Michelle is so organized and on top of everything! She is intuitive and really tries putting others feelings first. She is an incredibly talented scrap-booker among everything else going on in her crazy, busy life as a devoted mom and wife, which I believe is her greatest and best role to date. The last few years we have become very close and her friendship means more to me than words can describe. Michelle is 10 years older than me (although she doesn't look it), but having that kind of age-difference, we were always in different stages of life as I was growing up stuck between two brothers. I just wanted my older sisters to be my friend, but really, who wants to hang with their kid sister and play barbies when they can hang with cute boys from high school? I'm so proud to say that over time as we have grown up my sisters have become my best friends and their experiences and advice only strengthen me as a person and a mother.

I love you to pieces Michelle. I look up to you and admire you in all aspects of life. Thanks for always having my back and lending your shoulder for me to cry on. I am so grateful for all that you do for me and especially for the special role you play in Noah's life. He loves you more than you know and considers your home his second home.

Love you Shel, don't be mad!

My little Man is 3!

It's been hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that 3 years ago Noah was a newborn. Everyday since has been a joy, not without it's trials, but truly a joy for me as I watch my little man grow and learn. I often find myself having to remind myself that he's only 3 and to chill out because he is so smart and bright and it's easy for me to think he is older. I'm so grateful for this little boy who I have the honor of calling my Son. He knows just how to push my buttons and just when to give me a big hug and tell me he loves me. I wouldn't change one thing about him. He continually keeps me on my toes and laughing. I look forward to the years to come and can't wait to see what he will do with his life and the adventures he will lead.

April 9, 2008 3:28 am

Having his favorite breakfast: waffles and milk.

Noah loves to bowl and wanted to go for his special day! He beat me the second game...yes, i'm a terrible bowler!

We had 14 of his little friends over for a fun play date party combo. It was a lot of fun. He is very social and loves having friends come to play.

Happy birthday Little Man. I love you so much. Thanks for being such a good boy. We are truly blessed to have you in our family.

I'm baaaack!!!

Wow, where have the last few months gone? We have been staying busy doing who-know-what really...if Spring would ever really come to stay I think we would be a lot happier. It's been a tough Winter at our house and i'm not the most creative person so coming up with things for Noah to do has been rough! Here's a quick recap of the highlights from the last few months!

This kid just wants to be able to ride his bike so he makes do even when there is snow.

We went to the cabin for Clair's 33 birthday in February. As usual, it was a lot of fun and beautiful. It had been so cold the main drain had frozen. It was a HUGE wake-up call for me realizing how much I take the drainage systems for granted. I would not have made a good Pioneer that's for sure! But it was still great to be away from the world together up at the one place we all truly can't get enough of.

Happy Birthday Clair! We love you so much!

My Dad and I ran in the South Jordan Valentine's Day 5K. It was his first 5K ever! He has been training with his good friend Craig for a long time and he did great! I was so proud of him. He took second in his age group.

We have been spending a lot of time at the Living Planet Aquarium. I wish someone would have told me how cool and cheap this place was a few years ago, but nonetheless, every week we go and Noah never gets tired of the animals...especially the Sting Rays. I highly suggest buying a membership if you don't already have one!

Big News!!

I have felt little desire to blog lately, but felt this tid-bit of info was worthy of my blogging time! No, we aren't pregnant, but yes, Noah is finally potty-trained! Haleluja is all I have to say about that. My oh my, what a pain in the butt it has been. It really wasn't that bad, I just am not the type to stay at home for a week straight and then only venture out for an hour or so here or there. After reading my "Toilet Training in Less Than A Day", buying a Baby Alive so noah could teach it how to pee in the potty over a weekend, and feeling pretty confident I decided it was time and Noah was way excited when he woke-up one morning to see the "Potty Fairy" had left him a special treasure chest full of toys, treats and gum for successes on the potty! That began our journey. We have only had 2 accidents in 3 weeks, but he has also only had 3 poops in 3 weeks! So going number 2 is still a work in progress...way more info than i'm sure you wanted to know.

Anywhosie, i'm so proud of Noah and it's fun to see how excited and proud he is of himself when he goes in the big boy potty.

Look at that cute little butt in underware! Love it!

(Even "Baby Lacey" over on the stairs dressed in Noah's underware made her pic debut...she has since been put away in the basement with hopes to one day have a little girl play with her...someone who won't throw her down the stairs or dangle her by the feet over the banister).

The Beloved Treasure Chest

(yes, it's just a shoe box covered in paper...give a girl a break eh)!