Swimming pool

Jaden has quite the imagination these days and loves to pretend he is swimming using a blanket or basket as the pool.  This morning when I went in to get him up this is what I found:

He explained to me that he was in the swimming pool reading a school book.  

With his black bear

Caleb had to join in on the fun too

Oh to have the imagination of a 3 year old again.

13.1 miles and 27th birthday

To celebrate our 27th birthday Ashley and I agreed to run in the Inaugural Corvallis Half Marathon; Jacob and Paul had the privilege of running it with us as well.  I think Caleb might have been about 1 month old when we heard about the run so I figured it would also give me motivation to start running again and get back into shape.

Approximately 1,600 people participated in the run (a sellout) and it received great reviews from all who participated.  The weather was decent, meaning it did not rain but was a bit cold.  Jacob and I finished in roughly 2 hours 9 minutes averaging a 10 minute mile pace.  We did run the entire time which was my ultimate goal for the race.  Ashley and Paul finished about 8 minutes ahead of us; maybe my goal for next year will be to keep pace with them.

Jacob and I near the finish - Reeser Stadium

Talking to our "fans" through the fence

Finishers!!!

Jacob and I at mile 8

Jacob and I finishing

After the run we gathered at Ashley and Paul's house for dinner and cake.  Unfortunately I was not feeling well (I think running 13.1 miles and nursing may not have set well with my system) so could not enjoy much of the food but it was great to gather with my family.  And by Monday I was feeling great so enjoyed the rest of my birthday cake then.

Also on Monday the boys brought me breakfast in bed so I could enjoy my birthday gift :)

the Price is Right

It is Tuesday and I am watching The Price is Right, don't judge me we all have our weaknesses.  On Tuesday morning Jaden is at school from 9a-11:30a and Caleb is usually napping during much of that time.  I take the quiet time to clean the kitchen, watch The Price is Right from 10a-11a, and blog, which explains why I did not blog last week as it was Spring break and Jaden was not at school.  I think Jacob is amused listening to me talk to the contestants as if they can hear me, funny times.

Caleb is now sitting up on his own!  Caleb and Jaden are very excited about this new ability as it makes playing together 100% more fun.  As long as Jaden is around to entertain Caleb he is content for HOURS.

Last week I began to give Caleb his bath before Jaden was ready to help.  Well once Jaden had finished his dinner and came to "assist" Caleb got the biggest grin on his face, I think he mostly likes to kick his feet in order to splash Jaden but they really do have fun together.

Last Friday we took a trip to Newport.  Here Jaden is taking a break from touching the water creatures at the Hatfield Marine Science Center.

It was a bit windy but really when is it not windy at the Oregon coast, at least it was not raining.

Jacob says I never blog about him so look for a blog all about him soon.  Here we are, like my zit, yeah it was real nice and red.  We are coming to the end of our training for the Corvallis Half Marathon, the run is April 10th.  Ashley and Paul had planned to run the race as well but Ashley has developed a knee injury so we will see if she can participate or not.

An update on the Price is Right; 1 of the contestants in the final showcase thing was only $26 off so she won both showcases, AMAZING.

Faith, Hope, Love

For a LONG time I have been looking/wanting a piece of art work for above our fireplace that incorporated these 3 lovely words: faith, hope, and love.  I could never quite find what I was looking for, mostly the pieces I found were on the small side for our vaulted fireplace wall.  Now I have never been much of an artist so it never occurred to me that I could create what I was looking for.  That is until this Fall sometime when I came up with a simple design in my head.  

First I purchased 3 blank canvases and painted them red:

Then began the design work with a gold color:

I found a font I liked on the computer and created stencils:

Final product (hung by Crystal and flowers from Mike and Lyndzie):

Now to paint the white walls and do something about the not so attractive fireplace doors.

Jaden accompanied me to the craft store and when I told him that mom was going to do a craft project he stated "mom do craft project hand print."  Not quite buddy, he was remembering his craft project for the grandparents at Christmas which included his hand print.

While You Were Out

Remember that show?  It was on TLC; they would send a person away for a couple of days and redecorate a room for them all without that individual knowing.  Well Jacob and family conducted their own version for me!!  I planned the trip to Seattle in November and Jacob decided to use that time to redo our master bedroom.  I have forever wanted a bedroom set but it seemed we could never quite afford the furniture.  Jacob schemed to invite family and friends to give money for our birthday gifts to go towards some new bedroom furniture and a decorating overhaul.  Then right after I left on Friday the fun began:

Before:

 Dad worked for a couple of weeks on sanding and painting a new dresser for me and then on the weekend of the re-do sanded and painted 2 night stands

 Jeff installed 4 can lights to replace the ugly track lighting we lived with for 3 years

 Garrett painting

 Remmy helping to put the bed together

 Happy the cable works

 Adding a little color to our roman shades

 Sweet Caleb; he was well taken care of 

 Crystal designed the room and helped to keep everyone on track with a check list

Ashley assembling the new lamps

After: 

The white dresser Jacob bought and then my dad and Paul painted (Ashley and Paul housed the dresser so I would not see it) and art work from Mike and Lyndzie

 New bed frame, duvet, lamps, and re-painted night stands from above picture

I feel so blessed to have such a loving family that would dedicate their entire weekend (plus) to this project.  I love you all and am forever grateful.

Here is my reaction:

Weekend away

For President's day weekend my dear friends and I took a trip up to Seattle.  Chrissy and Kevin recently purchased a house and had plenty of room for us all to come up and stay for a couple of nights.  

On Saturday we took a ferry to Bainbridge Island; not a cloud was in sight giving us incredible views of the surrounding mountains

And the city

The clear skies did mean it was incredibly windy and cold!!!

I do not know what I am doing in this picture but you get an idea of how windy it was; Melanie and I could barely stand still

Great group shot

Chrissy, Jenna, me, and Melanie

We walked around downtown Bainbridge looking at all the little shops and enjoying the cuisine at a local coffee shop

We ate very well all weekend thanks to Chrissy and Kevin's gourmet cooking skills.  Friday night it was homemade sushi, yummy!!!

We also enjoyed time talking, watched the Eclipse movie, talking, and more talking. 

I took this trip solo and kept thinking the whole time "Jaden sure would have enjoyed this boat ride, I should buy something for Caleb and Jaden, I hope Caleb is letting Jacob sleep."  Such is the life of a parent.  But it was good to have my first nights of full sleep in 6 plus months.

AND I came home to a room makeover which I will post about soon....

6 months

Happy 6 month birthday Caleb

At 6 months Caleb is:

eating bananas

not eating during the night but still waking up multiple times

enjoying his feet

rolls from his stomach to back; very close to rolling from his back to stomach

naps 2 times a day

goes to bed around 7p and not up in the morning tell 7a or 8a

ticklish on his stomach, underarms, and neck

and sweet as can be