More Catching Up

Spring Break 2011. The kids were so happy to get a break from school. Although the weather did not cooperate and we even had snow! We spent most of our Spring Break inside.
Making messes.

And memories.

We spent one day at the Creation Museum. The kids (and me)

absolutely loved it!

No, Caleb is not standing on his tiptoes. That's how tall he is!

We saw Noah's Ark

and dinosaurs

and even a Zonkey!

Have I mentioned how much I love Craig and his List? The kids have been saving their Christmas $ for a trampoline. The week of their Spring Break I found this one on craigslist. They have barely left it alone to eat and sleep. The first morning the girls were out there jumping before breakfast and you can see the frost on it! brrrr!

So much fun!

Um...yeah, that's me. I like it too :)

Last week Caleb turned 11.
Here he's blowing out his candles on the cake Grammy made him.

And opening his gifts from Grandpa & Grandma.

He is quiet but not shy. He is like a walking encyclopedia with random facts about other countries, history, or animals. He loves Bible stories.

He loves to hunt, loves to snowboard, and loves his friends. He is loyal and honest and friendly. He is laid back and easy-going. He eats more than our whole family combined!

He usually does not like to be the center of attention. He loves math. And of course he loves video games. I am so thankful that God blessed us with Caleb, and for the priveledge to be his Mom!

Catching Up

So Blogger has not been loading my pictures correctly for years. months. weeks. So now I'm blogging the hard way. (not using Picasa) Now where were we? Back up a few weeks.
Columbus. Hugs. Girlfriends. FirstWatch. Catching Up. Graeters. Shopping. Italian Food. Shopping. Need I say more?

I've decided Idaho is just way to far away.

As soon as it starts warming up outside, we like to take walks down to the water tower at the end of our street. Ella was taking forEVER to get ready. So Isaac and I started without her.

I said, "C'mon, Ella, this is not a fashion show" as I was walking out the door.

Then she shows up. Headband? check. Purse? check. Stuffed Animal? check. Sunglasses? check.
I was just having fun playing with my camera

After a few lots of pictures Isaac was done. NO MORE pictures, Mommy!

Then Ella flashes me her million-dollar smile and says, "See Mom, it is a fashion show!"

She has been wanting to make these fruity pebble marshmallow treats, so we finally did. She thought they were amazing.

My kids LOVE "helping" in the kitchen.

And I love every

minute I get to spend with them!

Aruna 5K

I will be running the Aruna 5k on April 16th. I have wanted to run a 5k ever since hearing my friend Stephanie talk about it.

Stephanie has been running since she was born ran several 5k's and really inspired me to try it. It has been a goal in the back of my head for a while. Early this year Corrie told me about the Aruna 5k and really motivated me to put my goal into action.

Corrie and I started training together once a week. Since then, Carl decided to run the Aruna 5k and we have been running together several times a week. The race is actually the weekend of our 15th wedding anniversary.

Carl is a great coach and has really encouraged my to stick with it and really motivated me to get out of my comfort zone and RUN. The Aruna 5k race is a run for freedom.

We are raising money for young girls from India who are victims of human trafficking. To sponsor me in my first 5k, just click the picture below. You can donate ANY amount and I would be so thankful!

Anatomy of a Lamp

I found this lamp at Crate and Barrel a few months ago and LOVED it! But, $79 ? Um...no thanks.

Then I found this vase at HomeGoods.

$12.99

A $4 lamp from GoodWill

Disected the lamp

And put it back together

Added a $12.99 lampshade from HomeGoods

And it works!

And I love it!