family 5K

Today has been a great day! We woke up early, they didn't like that part, to run a 5K. It was a 50 minute drive to Keller Farms in Oswego. Last night Bailee decided we needed matching shirts. She found these at Walmart for $5. Perfect!

Here's the start of the race. I quickly took a selfie with our crew.

Our chip times were:

Alison: 29:50.4, 5th of 296 40-49 yr old women
Bailee:  37:14.7, 11th of 430 20-29 yr old women
Mason:  41:26.5, 10th of 40 10-19 yr old men
Carson:  44:28.3, 14th of 40 10-19 yr old men

There were 1885 participants. Brian decided last minute to walk the 5K so he didn't have a chip to time him.

Our selfie after the race! Then someone offered to take our picture. I loved running with them! Even though we didn't really run together I enjoyed being together for this race. I loved running through the corn fields too!

The boys loved climbing on these...forts afterwards.

Mason could have stayed with this horse all day.

We then spent time in the corn maze. They had three different mazes/maps. Mason was great at navigating.

The sun was too bright at times. The corn fields seem endless.

When we arrived home we did chores. Brian washed his truck. Man he has a nice truck! Bailee went to work and Mason went to a Stake Youth Fireside. We played a few hands of hand and foot and enjoyed tacos on the deck for dinner. Such a beautiful day!

McKinzie sent this picture to me yesterday. They had found a notebook in their desk at home and Adam quickly claimed it. I love what he wrote on the cover, Warning do not scribble scrabble in this book. He's such a smartie!! We sure miss them all!

I then snagged this picture off Facebook today. Here's Miranda, Cassidy, Karlee and Sydney. All former St. Charles Ward girls. I'm sure they'll have a blast tonight at BYU's first home football game of the season. I love them all and miss Karlee the most!

our birthday boy

Happy, happy birthday CJ!! Last night he said to me he has never wished a weekend to go fast as he had this one. He was so excited for his 11th birthday. 

Everything about the day was great! From Bailee making chocolate chip pancakes for him (She made them for the boys while I was in Utah with Karlee. They loved them.) to having lunch with Bailee at school! I was working the lunch room while Bailee sat and had lunch with him. (Again, all the kids were surprised at how much Bailee looks like me. It was funny.)

I was able to get this cake made and decorated before he got home from school. Three layers of chocolaty goodness!

We had his birthday dinner at Chili's, a family favorite. I had back to school night at his school before we were able to have presents and cake. 

Brian gave him clues for a little scavenger  hunt for his presents. He loved it! He now has a cool chest like Harry!

All of his presents were related to Harry. They were perfect!

After he blew out his candles one was left. Bailee said he had one girlfriend. He said, "One is all I need!"

11 things about CJ:

• his all time favorite is fluff, it's in his pocket every day 

• he loves learning 

• he's kind and respectful to everyone 

• he loves Harry Potter almost as much as fluff

• being an actor is his dream

• enjoys writing stories 

• he's an awesome uncle

• he still loves to dress up to watch his movies 

• he devours books 

• his room is very organized

• another favorite is jazz hands 

Im so glad you're a part of our family. You bring so much joy to us. I love you CJ!! Happy birthday!!

11 year old camp out

Friday and Saturday was our annual Stake camp out. CJ was so excited! 

He did a great job putting the tent up. 

It was fun being there with him. 

Brian came after work. He wore his tan shirt and he blends in with the scouts. Do you see him?

Saturday night was beautiful. No rain! Our dinners turned out well. President Boswell and Bro. Weisler spoke after dinner. Then we had smores and glow sticks. 

The boys did a great job cooking breakfast. All of them were eager to help. 

It rained most of the morning though. For our workshops we did axe and knife safety, first aid, 

and knot tying. 

We had 16 boys in attendance. I think all that had RSVP'd. 

The last thing they worked on was fire building. We have some awesome men in out Stake. They were great teaching and helping these young boys. 

Homecoming

Friday was Mason's first Homecoming parade experience. I ended up not making it to the parade in time to watch but I caught Mason having fun with friends. That was much better to watch.

We caught up with each other and enjoyed spending a little time together. Just the two of us. He's thinking about joining the Tech Crew at school. Then possibly the badminton team in the spring. I hope he does both.

Fall is coming and I'm enjoying the look of leaves on the grass. The cooler weather is kinda nice too.

A new toy!!!

Brian has been so very patient waiting for a new truck. He had his last Ford almost 7 years! That is extremely long for him. He earned a nice bonus this year so we paid off the balance on the Yukon, we had 11 months left, and put $5000 down on this truck. 

EVERYONE is pleased with his choice! He wanted to play a little so he pulled the trailer out back so he could park his truck. Monday he plans on pulling it back around to put it in the garage. ;)

Looking good driving across the yard!

18th birthday!!! Wahoo!!!

I still can't believe that Karlee is 18! She's about 20 hours away and it's her birthday. Not cool. We opened presents the Saturday before she left. Not as exciting but that's what we did. I had flowers and balloons delivered to her today while she was working.

When she saw the flowers arriving she was afraid it was from a boy that is actively pursuing her. She was relieved it was from her crazy mother.

Miranda has been the most amazing friend! She arrived at Karlee's dorm with pancakes and told Karlee to get back in bed so she could have breakfast in bed. She's the best! Miranda also has many activities planned for her over the next couple of days.

OK, this is what my kids look forward to on their birthday.

18 things about Karlee:

• she is a true friend
• she can role her eyes like no other
• she is a certified lifeguard in three organizations
• she is awesome with kids
• she looks just as cute in a formal dress as she does in t-shirt and jeans (her sisters hate her for that)
• she struggles with personal space (Mostly with her mom. She stands so close to me!)
• when she was 3 she would talk to me by talking into my mouth. Like that is where I could hear.
• When she started talking she spoke in complete sentences and she hasn't stopped. ;)
• she wants to be a nurse when she grows up and a mom 
• she's the best sweeper and mopper
• her tan kinda looks fake (sorry karlee)
• she has mad skills when it comes to hair
• she's super creative when she decorates cupcakes
• she nibbles her popcorn 
• she has a beautiful smile
• when we are shopping for fun we have a blast
• she talks through movies
• she's an awesome sister

I love you Karlee!! I hope you've had a wonderful birthday! I miss you!!!