More of St. George

On our trip to St. George last weekend, we really had a fun time with the kiddos! We played in the pool (mostly Derek & Hailey did), and we went on some hikes with the Fosters. We got to hang out with our friends, Tearsa & Jose while we were down there.

Here's me & the kids on one of our hikes. -- and, Can I just say that I LOVE the weather in St. George? It's so divine!

Amber & I & Jenna in tote (we are totally matching which is funny because it wasn't even planned) :)
Double Trouble

Derek & Hailey taking pictures underneath the blankets, instead of going to bed.

Hailey wearing my bra - LOL!

SPLITS!

@ Tearsa & Jose's they have a huge sand area, Jenna was in HEAVEN! She played so happily in it, making a mess everywhere! (Doesn't she look like a total rag-a-muffin??!)

Me & Tearsa!

Derek preferred the "hot pool" to the regular pool at our hotel. :) Hailey tried everything to bribe him to get into the big pool to play games with her. He would get out for a minute, but always went back.

Hailey & Jenna... Jenna didn't like the water -- it was too chilly for her.

SG Tri 2010

This past weekend we loaded up the fam, and headed south to St. George for our very first Sprint Triathlon. The weather was absolutely HEAVENLY!! Here's the recap:

Me, outside of the car, getting ready to walk up our gear.

Dave, toting his stuff up to the main area.

Dave & I met up with Amber & Dave to head over to get everything set up. There is quite the art to getting everything set up properly so you can have speedy transitions. Here I am at my little spot (I snagged a great spot on the end of a row).

Amber & I pre-race, feeling the nerves & debating on how many immodiums to take before the race started (laugh if you like, but it's a NECESSITY!) :D

This is one of my favorite pictures... while I was watching Amber's group get ready for the water, there was this old guy in front of me, in his wetsuit with his crack all puckered & hangin out. Crude, I know, but I couldn't resist snapping the shot, so I could bring it home and share it with all of you on my blog - LOL!

Dave - just after crossing the finish line!! I was so proud of him!

Look - they gave us medals & everything, it's official, we really DID IT!! It felt like such an accomplishment. There is such a satisfaction that comes from putting in a lot of time, effort & training to prepare, and be able to meet a goal.

I'm anxious to do another tri in the near future... I've got my sights set on a few. It was fun to do with people I know -- thanks everybody for making it a fun race!!! :)

Would you like a side of sandwich with your mayo??

When Derek got home from school today, he asked if he could make his own sandwich. I'm always happy to let him make his own food, so I let him.

I got busy making Jenna something to eat, and looked over to behold this...

I'm pretty sure he was double-dipping too.... Now my mayonaise is questionnable... ugh!

What is the deal with kids eating random condiments and such? Derek LOVES mayo. Hailey used to try and sneak finger-fulls of butter or margerine. Thank goodness I have things in my cupboards/kitchen pretty locked down, or there's no telling what Jenna would go after.

Please tell me it is not just my kids that do this.

Am I the only parent of condiment-eating children?

Happenings & Happiness

Last night Hailey participated in the Hope of America performance down at the Marriott Center in Provo. Her 5th grade -- along with 5th graders from multiple other schools, put on a great showcase! They had very cool musical numbers, and hand movements that really looked AWESOME!! It was hard to believe they only had one day as a dress rehearsal to put it all together with all the kids.

Hailey is in the center section, top red row :) Can you see her? LOL!

I really enjoyed their performance, I love programs that help me reflect on what a GREAT NATION we live in. I am so THANKFUL that despite my agreements/disagreements about our current government, that I am part of a country where I enjoy (and often take for granted) so many freedoms!!

Now -- onto part II. When you were growing up, did your mom or someone in your family make something that was particularly yummy, and that you still have fondness towards as an adult?

WELL -- my mom is/was a master muffin maker. She always was making DELICIOUS muffins. One of my favorites that is SO simple, and so good (especially with some yummy homemade strawberry jam), are the Brown Sugar Muffins.

Here's the recipe, so you can enjoy them too...
1 c. Brown Sugar
1/2 c. margerine (I use the spread kind)
--cream together--
Add in 1 beaten egg
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
--Dissolve 1 tsp baking soda into 1 T of water --
--Mix all in--
Bake 375 for 15 minutes (press center of muffin to make sure they're done)
makes 24 muffins

....More little hands up to no good

So just a few hours ago I got done posting about Derek & his mess making. Well -- Jenna has put his laundry piles to shame.

These are two separate incidences. Jenna has discovered the plethora of gadgets and gizmos that exist in Hailey's room. SO - If Hailey happens to leave her door open, Jenna wrecks havoc on her room.

This is from 2 days ago -- Jenna found Hailey's mascara, untwisted the cap (yes, her motor skills are very developed), and put it all over her MOUTH, (it was even in her teeth!!) and then lifted her shirt up, and put it all over her tummy. NAUGHTY JENNA!

WELL - This evening, I was down at the gym, and then waiting for Hailey's gymnastics to get out, and I get a call from Dave. He tells me that when I get home, Jenna has something she needs to tell me. Well, apparently, she sneaked into Hailey's room again while she was playing upstairs, and found a permanent marker.

This is the result (it extends about 4 feet across our wall in the hallway)

After seeing the damage, all I could think was -- DANGIT, WHY DID I EVER THINK IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO INTRODUCE JENNA TO COLORING! She loves it, but apparently hasn't made the connection that the WALL is NOT HER canvas!

....dang little hands...

:)

Ode to Melanie's Post

Look at that sweet face, and those precious little hands. Well, if you have a child, or know a child -- then you know the DAMAGE that these sweet little hands can do.

My friend Melanie posted about the CONSTANT disaster that exists in our houses because of our little people. Well, Derek is an expert mess maker, and I thought I would share just a taste of the mess that this little one makes.

Here is the entrance to his room -- good thing he is such a good jumper, because you have to jump OVER the big pile of clothes just to get in!

The bed, never made, usually scattered with toys and clothes on top.

And the other view. ALL but maybe 2 of the clothing items on this floor are CLEAN! ARGH!!

But, don't you just love your little mess makers? Dang good thing they can be so tender & sweet, otherwise, it would be tempting to trade them in for a cleaner model :)