RiverRun 2012

Carson and I have become race buddies. This is our special thing we do together. I'm so incredibly proud of my little guy. I love that he loves to run. I love that he still thinks it's cool to run with me even more. My other three kids also enjoy running in short(er) races. There's a part of them that loves to run, too.

Our pre-race photo. Waiting at the start line.  Carson's a little nervous.

So many runners!
The RiverRun was June 03. We ran the two mile race together. No training required for my 6 and a half year old. We were both very excited for the race. We always have so much fun running together. Last year was the first two mile run we did together. Our time was 22 minutes and 22 seconds. I thought this was awesome for a five and a half year old kid. It was Carson's first ever two mile.

This year my little stinker ran the two mile race in 17 minutes and 50 seconds. He places 429 out of more than 2100 runners. He had the second best time of all the six year old kids. And to think I thought we were running slow. At this rate I don't think I'm going to be able to keep up with him next year. In all honesty this makes my heart swell. Not only that my six and a half year old ran so well, but he asks me to run it with him. He wants to run and has fun doing it. (Of course the free large sports drink and donuts he gets for finishing the race are great incentives.) I don't have to push Carson to run. He asks me when the next race is.
  
After our two mile race our biggest fans got the opportunity to run the Tot Trot. This is a short little run for the little kids (ages 2-7). The kids are divided up in age groups for the "race." This year the race was run on a bridge and the finish line was the same finish line used in all the other races in the day. This was pretty cool for the little kids.

I'm proud to report that all my kids did great in their races. Stella loves to brag that she didn't get last (like last year.) The three boys did extremely well, too. The kids ran so fast that I think I saw smoke trailing behind them. At least that's what I tell them. They were fast like Superman, Flash and Wonder Woman.

Post-races picture: Isaac (4), Owen (6 1/2), Carson (6 1/2), Mom and Stella (4)

Endings

The school year is over. It flew by. It's so amazing to reflect back on how far all the kids have come over the last year.
The end of the school year brought a field trip and field day for Carson and Owen.
Feeding the lemurs on Lemur Island at Tanganyika Wildlife Park (field trip).


Giraffe "kissing" Carson.

"Cookie" the newest honey badger. Honey badger don't care.
First day of school and last day of school






Catching the bus on the last day of school

  
Apollo Field Day on the last day of school.

Carson, Noah and Owen race.


Water balloon toss.



Ending the school year with a friendly game of tug-of-war. Kindergarden defeated the first graders.



Thank you for a wonderful school year Mrs. Gift!


The preschool class ended their school year by having a fun day of activities and a "picnic" with parents.

Isaac with his buddies Cooper and Tyler.




Stella and her bestie from school, Emalee.


  
First and last days of school.
Thanks for a great school year Mrs. Baird and Mrs. Funk!

Celebrating the end of the year at Orange Leaf.

Happy 40th!

My dear parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on April 08. I cannot believe they are old enough to have been married for 40 years. I guess that's what happens when you get married REALLY young.

My parents thought the perfect way to celebrate their milestone was to take us all on a trip to Jamaica. When I say all, I mean all six of us in my family, my brother and his family, my sister and her family and my mom's sister. The two babies did not make the trip. (I think this was a good decision for all.)

We started our vacation by waking up at 3 something in the morning. The kids were up at 4:15am. This was our first international flight with the kids. Our first true family vacation. It was the first time the kids have been on a big jet. They did beautifully!

This is also the first time the kids have seen a real beach and the ocean. Up to this point the kids all thought the little bit of sand they play in at the lake in Nebraska was what all beaches looked like. They were pretty sure a lake and ocean were the same thing, too. They had no idea how huge the ocean was.


Hello Jamaica!






Isaac couldn't get enough ice cream!


Setting up camp. The best pool for the little kids to play in.



Poolside naps.



Tired kids!



My early riser. The first day in Jamaica Owen woke at 4:45 am. Rather than laying in bed (there was no way he was going back to sleep) we headed to the beach. It was awesome! It was so much fun exploring and hanging out with O!


The other three kids joined us at 6 am. So much for sleeping in.

One of Owen's finds on the beach.


On this particular morning the three boys got up early to walk the beach with mom.  Stella and Daddy stayed in bed.


Cousin Jake made friends with just about everybody at the resort.  This person is not part of our family.


They would only let little Carson do the dart tournament if he gave the worker a kiss. He did it. He doesn't even give his mom kisses.



Ike's "Filley Flop." He rocked it!


Mimi and Papa got lots of quality time with the grand kids! Non-stop play!
















Margaritaville!



  





Grandkids (minus two sweet baby girls back in Nebraska.)



Thank you Mom and Dad for a spectacular vacation! Happy Anniversary.