Fun Random Pictures

I was going through a period of time where I couldn't get myself to sit and blog. Consequently I wasn't able to post a lot of pictures that show the funny things my kids have been doing. There are LOTS of pictures that I would love to put on here but I whittled them down to these few. This first one is of Eli's first day of Pre-School. He was really sad for the first few months of school when I would leave but now I can just drop him off and he is as happy as can be. He has made lots of friends and has one friend who likes to write him letters. The other day the letter had hearts on it. Then the next day her Mom came up to me and said she wanted to meet Eli because her daughter kept telling her that Eli is her, "BOYFRIEND." I about fell over when she told me that. Do 5 year olds know what that word means? Luckily when I asked Eli who Gwen was he said that she was just his friend. Thank goodness! I guess I understand though because who could resist this kid! (:

This picture of Mckenna is classic Mckenna! She loves spaghetti and it shows. I took this picture as fast as I could so that she wouldn't touch anything with those hands!

The kids wanted to watch a movie, so I set up the little DVD player for them in the front room. We took the couch cushion off the couch and they snuggled in together to watch Planet 51. Well after about 30 minutes I came in and found not only the kids watching a movie but also Eli's little cars and planes were watching too.

I got this idea from Gina Goodrich when she did it for her girls. They looked like they were having so much fun that we had to try it. The kids and I covered the table with blankets and then I put more blankets and pillows inside. Eli grabbed cars and Mckenna got lots of books and they played and played. The kids loved it! So much so that we have done it several more times since.

This last picture is my favorite. Since the kids are both big now this picture is the last one I took of them in the bath together. Keith and I were in the other room and all we could hear were the kids squeals of laughter. So I grabbed the camera and this is what we saw.

I love that my kids like to play and have fun together. I hope they can stay that way forever!

Lots of Christmas Pictures!

Here are the pictures of all our Christmas fun this year. I know I'm behind and that Christmas is over but I'm a firm believer that it is always better late then never.

Here is our Christmas tree and Eli showing us his lights teeth. We decided to make this our new family tradition that when we decorate the tree we just have finger food for dinner. The kids loved it and here is Mckenna showing you what she is eating.
The finger food! It was so nice because the kids loved it and it was easy to make!
Decorating the tree is so much fun. This year our tree was so tall that we had to get more lights and I didn't have enough ornament to cover the back. (I can tell you that now since Christmas is over and the tree is gone.)
Our family picture.

The kids were the best at being my little helpers in the kitchen. We like to make goodies for friends and here are some that we made and ate.

At Eli's Pre-school they had a day with Santa. It was great because Mckenna got to go too and sit with Santa. I didn't get to go since I had just had surgery the day before. It worked out good though because Keith was there and had a lot of fun with the kids.

On Christmas Eve we went sledding. I took video of the fun since I couldn't sled but no pictures, except these ones. We brought hot chocolate and here are the kids having some in the car. (They could be an advertisement.)

Here are the cookies for Santa. I was out helping a friend so Keith and the kids went to work on making cookies. I got home just in time to help frost and sprinkle the ones the kids wanted to leave out on the Santa plate.

Christmas morning was really funny because Keith and I were so excited to see the kids reactions that we got up kind of early thinking they would be up early too. We were wrong! We sat and talked and played a card game and then Allen and Cindy showed up followed by Judy and Bob. The kids were still asleep! So Keith and I went in and told them that Santa had come and they jumped out of bed. Here they are opening the presents in their stockings.

Mckenna got a scooter from Grandpa Allen and Grandma Cindy that she rides it all over the house.

Here is Eli's new race track from Santa.

This baby cradle is beautifully hand painted by Judy. She also sewed the blanket and bedding. As soon as Mckenna saw it she ran in a got her baby and put her right to bed.

Then she also got baby clothes that Judy sewed and baby diapers from Allen. I have to stock up on wipes just so Mckenna can change her babies diaper and that happens almost every time she puts a new outfit on her.

Here is Eli in his winter hat from his friend Savana and his cool shirt from Jaime. He had to put them both on right after he opened them.

Last but not least the pillow pets from Grandma and Grandpa Metcalfe. The kids have been asking for these since the first time they saw them on TV.

Mckenna trying out her new pillow pet.

The kids got Keith a new puzzle and it took him only a few days to finish it but here is the finished product.

Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful gifts, cards and goodies we got. It was a great Christmas thanks to all of you!

Highlight of the summer

Summer came and went so fast that I didn't get a chance to blog about the highlight of my summer. So better late then never. Last year Keith ran a 50k race in the Big Horn Mountains and once he was done I had the itch to do it with him next year. So we got a running schedule set up and off we set to get ready to run a 32 mile race. By the time it was race day I was more then ready to run. We had worked hard and I was just ready to get to it! So on Friday we took off for Sheridan to spend the night there and then head up to the mountain early on Saturday morning. What was great is my sister Heather, and my Mom and Dad came with us and stayed the night. The bad part was that we stayed in a hotel that was right next to the train tracks and not a one of us,except for Keith got any sleep. I think a train passed by every hour and would honk it's horn at least three times but it felt like ten. What was really wonderful was we had the kids come with us, and Heather was our little babysitter. The kids were in heaven because they got to sleep in her room and then spend the day with her. Also Mom and Dad drove Keith and I to the starting line and it was just so nice not to have to worry about any thing but our race. Even better I asked my Dad if he would take some pictures and he went above and beyond and took so many great pictures.

Here is the picture of us as we are checking in for our race. We were about the first ones up there but we had to wait for 3 other buses bringing all the racers. So we waited and waited and then found out that the last bus and taken a wrong turn and was late.
So here we are trying to stay warm and stretching. It was chilly that morning which was not so good for my Mom and Dad but for us it was good since we would be running all day.

Here we are getting in line to run. My Mom was standing by us and I asked her for a good luck hug and two people walked by and said, "We need one too." and so my Mom gave two strangers a hug. The look on her face was funny but she took it all in stride. Then as soon as the third bus showed up it was time to go. We were 20 minutes behind schedule and they didn't give us much time to think it was sing the anthem and then send us off on our way.

Here is the group that we ran with. Keith and I were at the very back of the line. What is funny is everyone starts out running and then they reach this hill about 20 yards away and they all stop to walk up it. Granted it is a steep hill but you would think they would just walk the whole way. As for me, I was so ready to run that I told Keith I wanted to run up it as much as I could and so we did but it didn't last long. Not only is it a steep hill but it is forever long.

Here we are walking with the rest of the crowd.

Once we got past the hill we ran and ran. I was having such a great time. The view was awesome and the people working the race were so nice. On the first leg of the race you make a loop back to were you started and so this picture is of us after our first 14 miles.

We ran through snow, mud and water. We also ran down hill a lot and because of that Keith in this picture is taping my blisters. For bonus you get to see my muddy legs. Nice sock line. (;

Then after we got something to eat, which I think I had pizza at this station, and also something to drink we were off again. Here we would make the last 18 miles and not see any family until the finish line. I wish I would have brought a camera to take pictures of how beautiful the scenery we ran through was. It was great.

The sad part was after about 10 miles later from this point Keith's knee started to hurt him. We had to walk which for scenic purposes was wonderful but you could tell he was not happy about not being able to run. What was hard for me was watching all the people we had passed, now pass us. My competitive side kicked in a little but was soon gone knowing how frustrated Keith was as well. At one of the stations an EMT sat Keith down and wrapped his knee and we were back in business. He was able finish the race running the whole time.

This was a great race. The only thing that was hard for me was the last 5 miles. We were out of the mountains and so it felt as though we should be done but we still had 50 minutes left to run. That was the worst and I also felt as though if I stopped running at any point I wouldn't be able to start again. So here we are at the finish line. Keith's family showed up to support us and as we were running into the park there was Allen running to catch up to us to take a picture. He and Cindy had just gotton there at the same time we were running in. Judy and Bob and Keith's Grandma and Grandpa Wharton were also there. It was so nice to see them and know they were there for us even if it was just to watch us run about 15 yards of our race.

All done! Once we stopped I was ready to just sit and never get up again. The blisters on my feet had to be taken care of because they were about the size of Texas and I just felt exhausted.

Keith's Grandpa Wharton was great to buy both of us a wonderful massage! It was a life saver after such a long run. Can you see my feet and the tape job the EMT did for me.

I can't put into words what it felt like to finish this race. It was so awesome to train and work so hard and then make it to the end in one piece. I was so happy to be able to run this race with Keith and I had such a great time. Thanks Keith for all the encouragement and for staying with me even up the steep hills. Thanks also to everyone that was there for us! It made a fun run even better with you there and the memory that much more enjoyable. If you want to know weather or not I'm ever going to run this race again I guess you will just have to see if I post about it next summer. ;)

Happy Halloween

Costumes- $12

Candy- $8

Hearing my kids say that this was the best day ever. - Priceless!

Eli as Buzz Lightyear and Mckenna as a dice.

To infinity and beyond.
She was so cute as a dice.

At the end of the church party they both got fake teeth. Here they are as my little vampires.
On Saturday we got the pumpkins out of the garden and here we are getting them ready to carve.

Mckenna didn't want to put her hands inside the pumpkins she just wanted to stir the seeds. Eli though, helped out with this one by scooping out some of the seeds.

Keith came home with some candles and quickly carved his pumpkin. Here he is lighting them up for the kids.

Here are our pumpkin creations!

Keith as the headless horseman.

We had such a great time together. I loved watching the kids and knowing they were having fun made it that much better.