2 pics

This picture is for Grammy -- Evelyn before church today:

Noah & Evelyn went to a birthday party at ChuckECheese last weekend -- here was one of my favorite parts:Whack-A-Mole!! I was happy to see that they still had the game -- and even had a toddler version, too :)

Running & Soaking Up the Sun

We have been having beautiful weather here recently -- and we have all been LOVING it!! The kids enjoyed the zoo yesterday morning and playing at the park in the afternoon... I even picked the kids up from school on Friday in their stroller! It was fun -- I walked there with an empty stroller (and got a few strange looks from people wondering where my kids were) -- and the kids enjoyed a nice walk home in the sunshine :)

Here is Evelyn before church this morning -- she is funny -- she somehow knew today was Sunday so as soon as we got up she said "okay -- put my tights on -- it is time to go to church!!" She definitely knows the routine.

In running news... I'm doing it. The Mercer Island Half Marathon. Well, I still haven't decided whether I am going to do the 10K or the half marathon... but I am going to do something. The run benefits colon cancer prevention -- which is very near and dear to my heart.

I am finishing up Week 8 in the 12 week training program for the half. So far -- so good -- but I still have more mileage to build up. 2 things scare me though...

1. this is a hilly course. It will be scenic -- but tough. A friend told me to avoid the island races due to their elevation changes... I chose this race anyway, hopefully I won't regret it!
2. I have been having a little bit of tenderness in my right ankle... I took a few days off, hoping that will help :)

I keep thinking "if my dad can go through painful surgeries and chemo, I can surely do this!!"

Keeps Getting Better

Well... 2 days last week Evelyn didn't cry when Travis left her at school (I was out of town). This morning she cried -- but at the end of the day, her teacher said that she had a great day. I could tell when I got there that she had fun... she immediately started telling me about playing with Play-doh, learning about horses, painting a horse, etc. We are making progress :)

I LOVE all the new activities that the kids are being exposed to at their new school!! The arts & crafts are fantastic! Here is what Noah made us for Valentine's day:
All for now -- the kids passed along a bug that took hold in my throat -- so I am going to try to kill it with some Nyquil and a good night's rest!

This is how a heart breaks

Let's just say that it has been a stressful week. The kids started a new "school" on Monday, and it is proving to be a little challenging for Evelyn. I fully expected this to happen -- I thought Noah would be fine... and he is. We get to the childcare center, I ask him if he wants to go play... he happily yells "YEAH!!" and runs away to play with the toys.

Evelyn is a different story. Monday was actually the easiest of the days to drop her off... there were tears, but not a lot. Every day since has been a total struggle. She tells me first thing in the morning that she doesn't want to go to school. Once we are there she screams, tells me that she doesn't want me to leave, tells me that she wants to come with me, etc. It truly is heartbreaking. Not the best way to start my mornings. I am emotionally exhausted before 8AM!

The kids have always been in a "in-home daycare". I felt this was great when they were infants... smaller group of kids, more one-on-one attention, etc. However, I have felt for a while now that Evelyn needed a little bit more. The new school will have a lot more structure, craft time & outdoor play time every day, includes a pre-school, etc. Evelyn will eventually love it at her new school... I have no doubts about that. We just need to get through this transition phase.

On a happier note, Evelyn's hair is finally long enough for cute pigtails!!

Photo Tag: You're It!!

Liz "tagged" me -- and I am happy to play along :)

Here are the rules:

1. Open your first photo folder

2. Scroll down to the 10th picture in your folder (if you don't have 10 pictures, go to the next folder that does)

3. Post that photo and tell your story behind the photo

4. Tag 5 friends to do the sameThis photo was taken just a couple weeks ago. Noah was walking around modeling some of my dad's hats -- he took a liking to this camouflage one :) This picture is the perfect image to showcase one of Noah's cutest recent behaviors though.

Noah has always been a finger sucker -- index finger, not thumb -- and always the left hand (maybe he will be a lefty like him mom and Grammy?). He doesn't do it as much anymore though, he is way too active!! His favorite time to "have a quick one" (that is what his Nana calls it) is when he is getting tired or sleepy and needs a break. Just recently, he has added a little bit of "rubs" to his routine. He will suck his left index finger and cuddle up next to someone and rub them with his other hand. If nobody is around, a blanket will have to suffice. It is absolutely adorable!! I *love* to be the recipient of the rubs!!

Kara, AJ, Melissa T, Laura, & Brianne.... You're IT!!

a girl's best friend :)

I never got a wedding band when Travis and I were married... I didn't want one. I liked the way my ring looked without one, and I decided that I would prefer to get one as more of an "anniversary" gift -- after I had earned it!! :) I still *love* my wedding ring. I never see one like it!Well -- August was 5 years -- and we had been looking at wedding bands off and on throughout the year (we obviously put the wedding band search on hold while Travis was unemployed).

I originally thought I wanted a "tracer" band -- then I scratched that idea. I wanted the option to wear it on its own -- for certain activities/times I would be worried about damaging the engagement ring (I had future triathlons on the brain!!)

Final product:

**I am a VERY happy wife!!**

random pictures... random thoughts...

Random pics -- Noah Xmas morning (gotta love chubby boys in onesies!!) family photo xmas day before dinner:

kids seeing their new table for the first time:

Evelyn tonight after her bath -- she is modeling her new owl towel from her Grammy & Papa:

All for now... busy trying to get back into a normal routine again. Working on brainstorming and making some work & personal goals/aspirations/expectations for the year. Also looking into different ideas for a new fitness-type goal... maybe train for a 10k or half-marathon this spring/early summer?? I'll keep you posted on the fitness portion... :)