Let's Catch Up!

We've been so busy with baseball, tball, trying to sell our house, and work- We've had zero down time. It's been pretty nuts around here, but such is life!

Both kids are just killing it in tball. I'm very proud. Callie is really enjoying the game and listens so well. She's a natural. Parker loves playing catcher and hitting of course! He does not enjoy hitting off the tee and can't wait to move up to coach pitch.




Cory and I have also decided to open our own screenprinting company, . Cory does most of the work right now, but I'm learning. Actually, we are all learning!



We've gone to a WSU game to cheer on Uncle Trek (and of course, Jason Monda!) Parker won "Fan of the Game" because he was cheering so loud. It was pretty cool to see him on the jumbotron!



I'm still trying to squeeze in workouts when possible, but I must say it's been very difficult. I'm running only 1-2 times per week, but I'm trying to be more active with gardening and yard work. Eating right has been hard too. We are running around town so much and getting home so late after games and practices, it's just been easier to hit a drive through. Bad habit, I know! Tball is nearing the end, so I think I will be able to get back on track!

Flag Football Fun with 4-5 Year Olds!

Our little man started flag football. Somehow he talked the other kids into naming themselves "The Blue Raiders". I think I love him more now.

Callie loves cheering Parker on. OR sitting on Caw's lap looking like a rockstar.

Our first game got cancelled last week due to the poor air quality in our area. We are surrounded by an inferno here. I think Satan loves Washington state and is deciding to make this place his hellish new home. I guess the plus side is that it's still 80 degrees and it's almost October! Yay! See, I'm a glass half full kinda girl. So if you want to come watch the blue raiders bring a lawn chair, water, and your inhaler and/or oxygen mask. I'd recommend both.

Cross Training: Biking

Last night I had my first "real" bike ride for exercise. I rode with my sister and 2 friends from work. It was a 10.8 mile ride along the river. It look us about an hour and 15 minutes, but we took lots of breaks and even sat on a bench for awhile to rest our behinds.

I really don't have a fancy bike. I think it was the blue light special at WalMart.It does the job though so I don't mind. My sister and I bought the same helmet without knowing and noticed we have the same bike, just different colors. Weird, huh?! We must be on the same wavelength or something. I actually found biking to be much easier than running. My butt is the only thing that is super sore today. It hurts to sit down! I think I'll get used to it though (along with some padded shorts!) and will try to incorporate more biking into my exercise routine.

ALL DONE!

Back in the Saddle

I hate running. Okay, that's what I kept telling myself. Truth is, after March For Babies, I was ready to hang up my running shoes and plop down on the couch. So that's what I did. 5 pounds gained and sanity lost, I realize I need to get moving again. That's the catch 22 for me. Do I enjoy the act of running? HECK NO! What I do enjoy is the solitude while running. I enjoy the brainless time I get from running. I love that I just did something that is VERY hard for me and kicked it's butt. I love that I'm alone for 30 minutes or whatever with no one needing me. No one asking me for this or that. No dishes that need washed or laundry that needs folded. I can just listen to my dorky music and not think about anything. I guess I didn't realize how much I need exercise until I stopped. And about had a mental breakdown. So my sweetheart of a husband decided he would commit to running a half marathon with me this fall. Garsh I love this man. It is going to be SUPER hard for both of us. So Day 1, I met up with some of the "Hot Mama's Group" that I love so much and ran 2 miles in 25 minutes with my sis. Isn't she cute?! I know I've got a long summer ahead of me of running, sweating, and chafing. But I also know I have got awesome family and friends to push me. What's that they say about "The longest journey...."? Well, maybe it won't be that long. Maybe just 13.1 miles.

Freeze Your Thorns Off Virtual 5k

Thanks so much to The Boring Runner for hosting the 2nd Annual Freeze Your Thorns Off Virtual 5k!!!

If you haven't read Adam's blog yet, go check it out. He is hysterical and always makes me laugh. He posts awesome stuff like this:

See?

Okay, back to the 5K....I incorporated my 3.12 miles into my longer run day of 3.6 miles in which I did a 6:1 run/walk ratio. I headed down to the good old Columbia River trail to get moving. It was 41 degrees, overcast, but pretty much a nice day around here for January. There is still some snow on the ground that I tried melting with my mind. I think it's working.

As you might or might not know, I've been doing all my running on the dreadmill this winter. Running outside today SUCKED! There were muscles in my legs that haven't been worked since October people! Needless to say, about a mile and a half in, my groin (ew) muscles starting majorly cramping up. Ouchie, my groinies!!

About a quarter mile later, I missed what I think was a major skunk fight because there was some total stinkage on the trail. BAD stinkage. Like I was plugging my nose and running. Then, to top it off I had to run over a bed of hot goose poop to make it back. Lovely. I think the wildlife plotted against me today.

So, my 5K time was 37:10...probably the worst 5K I've ever done. Oh well, it was fun and I totally froze my thorns off!! My overall 3.6 mile run was 41 minutes. Only had a cell phone, so here is my blurry post-run pic.

That's right. Waving off the stinky fumes and holding my groiny. The pose of a champion!!

October Fun Times

I'm not even going to bother with an October Review because as far as exercising, blogging, or reading...well, I've been useless. We had 2 birthdays, a huge vacation, Cory and my anniversary, sicky kids, and oh wait- let's top it all off with Halloween! It was actually a fun month but just so busy my brain is still spinning. It's no wonder I ended up sick too. I think all of us just need to s...l...o...w...d...o...w...n... and what's that thing again? Oh yeah. Relax.

First off, I already mentioned Cory's birthday in a previous post, but it was pretty low key. He turned 29. Yay for being in your 20's!

For our 5th wedding anniversary we didn't do much. We actually have been together for 11 years now..can you freaking believe that?! I was 17 when we got together. IN-SA-HANE! We got New York Richie's, which is Cory's favorite, and Corona's, which is also Cory's favorite, and an ice cream cake, which is also Cory's favorite. We pigged out, sat around our fireplace, and watched movies.

Of course, Disneyland was amazing. See my previous post.

Right when we got back it was time for my favorite son's 4th birthday. We were all totally pooped from vacation, so we kept it very very small with just a few family members coming over for cake and presents. Parker had preschool that morning, and when he got home, magically the birthday fairy came and decorated the house in a "Go Diego Go" theme. He got lots of cool presents. Cory and I got him that new Hot Wheels track thingy that sticks to the wall. He also got a RC Helicopter, a scooter, clothes, a glow in the dark art board, a giant bowling set, games, and a Thomas follow the light. I think I might be forgetting some items there. A lot of stuff for just a few family members, huh? Our family is so generous. We are very blessed.

Being sung Happy Birthday at Red Robin

The kids started YMCA basketball that weekend. Most of the kids on the team are family friends, so it's great getting together for basically a big basketball playdate! Callie couldn't make it because she was fighting a fever. She wanted her Daddy to stay home with her, so he did and I took Parker. It was so cute to watch all the kids. Uncle Jason and Auntie Corrin are coaching and they did a great job. Go Red Team!

Next up, was Halloween! Parker missed the school field trip to the pumpkin patch since we were in Disneyland, so my mom, sister and I headed over one day after class.

The kids decided to paint their pumpkins this year instead of carving them.

Can you tell who painted which pumpkin?



Parker had a Harvest Party at school where the kids could dress up, play games, and win candy. It was a really cool event. I was able to take my lunch break from work during the party so I could go. Parker's cousin, Avah who's older, goes to the same school-but different classes, got to play games together. Callie was feeling better, so she got came and it was triple fun! Parker's trick or treating costume was a ghost, but the teacher requested no scary costumes. I didn't want to take the chance of scaring anyone, so Parker decided to be "Super Parker". He got a customed made Parker Cape for his birthday, so it was perfect. Callie was Cinderella. Avah was a butterfly.

Callie, Parker, and Avah

Super Parker!



They had different games like a cake walk (except the winner got a regular sized candy bar), fishing, bowling, ring toss, frog walk (they had to balance a rubber frog on a fly swatter and walk around), basketball, croquet, and face painting. At the face painting table Callie didn't want anything. Parker asked for "a circle". We decided a spider might be better.

We left with lots of candy and tired kids. Callie had been fighting off a fever for the past couple days, so she was extra tired.

My sick Callie


After getting off work, I met Cory at my parents for a quick bite of pizza and left to head over to Cory's parents house. Parker was crabby and Callie was still tired. Parker refused to get his face painted and Callie didn't want her hair or makeup done. Cory dressed up as a hunter man. It scared the heck outta me!! I was very creative and stayed in my scrubs. I went as a nurse. Good one, huh? By time we got to Cory's parents, the kids were shot. Next stop was Grama Lucy's house for a visit and more candy. Callie fell asleep in the car on the way over. We had plans to head back out to Parker's preschool for "Trick My Trunk" where people decorate their car in a theme and do a trunk or treat type event. On the way over, Parker fell asleep too. We ended up just calling it a night, and headed home.

The next day we figured out why the kids were so crabby and tired. They were both sick. Parker ended up going on antibiotics with a sinus infection, cojunctivitis, inflammed throat and ears. Poor guys was just miserable. And you know what they say about misery...within 12 hours, I was down with the high fever, bodyaches, sore throat, cough. Callie's been hanging tough and just has a stuffy nose and her fever had broke a night or 2 before Halloween. Cory's sick now too with same symptoms I had. Ugh. Parker starts his second round of antibiotics AGAIN tomorrow because his sinus symptoms are still lingering. He has his 4 year old check up coming and I think we might need an ENT visit. Anyways, not the way I wanted to start off November, but it is what it is. I wish the kids could have got to go trick or treating but luckily they got lots of candy and fun stuff from Grandparents. They didn't even realize they didn't go. And can I gripe for 1 second. Why the heck do we have Halloween during the weekdays? Can we just switch it to the last Saturday of October for stinkers sakes?!

So in a nutshell, that was my October. I'm ready for a more relaxed November!!

Football Camp 2011

Fantasy football 2026 I will be drafting this guy.

Parker Stemp!!!

Okay maybe not. But Saturday was Parker's football debut and he did great! There is a 2 day flag football camp through the YMCA and Parker, his cousin Brady, and buddy Parker (yes, we have 2 Parkers in the bunch) rocked it!

They focused on running and catching flags, throwing, hiking, and running with the football this week. Next week will be more skills practice and a little game. So cute. 3 and 4 year olds playing football? I am there.

Parker did awesome. He listened so well and I was so impressed. Preschool has made such a difference with him following directions and paying attention. Football wise, he did good too. He said hiking and running were his favorite parts.

Later that evening, we headed over to the grid kids field where Uncle Chase and Uncle Chuck are coaches. I thought Parker would love to see older kids (7-8 yr olds) play football. Turns out, he was just interested in playing with his sister and cousin Avah. Oh well. It was cool to see Chase coach and those little guys are so cute in all their gear. That's him in the white/grew sweatshirt. Go Coach!

For now, an hour every Saturday is plenty of football for my little guy.