July 3rd

My family decided to have a BBQ the eve before the fourth because we didn't know how much we would all see eachother the following day. It worked out wonderfully because the weather was overcast which made it bearable to be outside. I made my double flag cake this year, but I experimented a bit which resulted in an upside down flag inside (which really doesn't matter once you take out individual pieces).

I took a pic of the inside showing the second flag.

The kids had a fun time splashing outside in the water. We tried to get Zoey in on multiple occassions, but it never worked.

Pictures of the family

I thought this picture was so precious. Gage kept trying to help the guys with the motorhome. He even brought his own screwdriver.

Okay, so I have to say that I never like to draw attention to my feet, let alone take a picture of them and then post it. However, I wanted there to be evidence that I was trying to get in the patriotic spirit this year, and of course, what better place to display one's patriotic pride. Well, I suppose wearing a flag shirt would've sufficed, too (I did that the following day).

American Fork 1/2 Marathon

Okay, before I even start I realize how funny I look in this picture. It isn't flattering at all, but I was literally racing across to the finish line. This was my first race in my quest for a 1:37 time. Why a 1:37? I am hoping to get guaranteed entry into the 2012 NY Marathon with a qualifying half time. The NY Marathon has guaranteed entry spots, charity spots, and the rest of the spots are lottery spots. I have about an 11% chance of getting in through the lottery so I am hoping to earn my entry. The American Fork Half Marathon was my first attempt at obtaining this new PR. My fastest time to this point has been a 1:38 plus the seconds (which I can't remember right now). The race started up the AF canyon and I guess it's the first race that has been permitted down the canyon before. Also, all the proceeds of the race went towards the fight against cancer...you may notice the small pink ribbon I have on my shirt. It started at 6am, but we had to be there earlier so we could take the bus up the canyon. There was lots of music, water, and some stories of inspiration shared by microphone. As soon as the race started it was all downhill from there (well, for the first 7 miles). I ended up running with the 1:35 pacer for quite awhile and then broke ahead for most of the second half of the race. However, there were some hills and my stamina was starting to run thin. The pacer passed my during my last couple of miles, but as I approached the finish I saw 1:36:54. I knew I couldn't make it in six seconds, but I figured that since it was chip timed that I still had a chance (I didn't cross the start mat when the time officially started). I pushed with everything I had, that's what the picture is showing. When I saw my finishing time, I knew something was up. It said that I came in at 1:37:10, but I thought that it should be a little less because of when I officially crossed the start mat. I figured that I still ended up with a new PR if nothing else, but still, 10 seconds shy of my goal was a bit deflating. Well, I found out the next day that there was something wrong with the time. Apparently the start mat wasn't activated when the gun went off. It didn't start working till 40 seconds into the race. I crossed it within the first 40 seconds, but there is a chance that it was 10 seconds or more after the gun went off. If that was the case, then I really did meet my goal. However, I will never know for sure, so I will have to stick with my gun time and hope to come through on a different race. I guess it will just keep me motivated to push harder.

Various Summer Fun!

Just thought I'd post some pictures from the last part of June. Hayden and I have been keeping busy, which is good for both of us. I haven't taken pics of everything, but here's at least a sampling. Above is a picture at the Living Planet Aquarium. On this visit we had a chance to witness the feedings of the mudskippers (land fish) and the archer fish. The archer fish were fun to watch because they shoot water at their food so it falls down to them. We were both pretty entertained.

One day we went to Gardner Village with my mom. Here they are making funny faces. We brought some bread so Hayden could feed the ducks, too.

So Hayden had this craving for a drumstick, so I finally took him KFC so he could devour one. My little crazy carnivore!

We have weekly playdates with my friend, Jenny, and her kids so I finally captured a couple of pics in their backyard.

Hayden and Graci enjoying the inflatable slide and pool

I am babysitting my nephew, Gage, a few times during the week while my sis is going to school. One morning we went on a walk to this physics discovery park in Pleasant Grove. It was about a two-mile walk (Gage was in a stroller), but the kids definitely enjoyed themselves. I had to take advantage of the one moment they sat still long enough for me to snap a pic.

Since we have Thanksgiving Point memberships, we go there every week. This week we finally saw one of the 3D dinosaur movies they have playing at the museum. Hayden actually wore the 3D glasses (amazing feat in our world). It was neat and educational...can you really beat that!?

Most recently, after our trip to the library and lunch date with Jenny and her kids, the weather appeared to be perfect for hiking. I quickly got us both ready and we headed over to the Bell Canyon trail. It is basically a vertical climb up the mountain (the easier part for both of us since my quads were still recovering from a race). We made it to this lake pictured by us (I am sure it has a name) and then the rain started. I thought it would just sprinkle, but it started coming down pretty good. We started our descent down the mountain, but when I heard the LOUD thunder, I tried to pick up the pace a bit (ya, easier said then done with a 5-year-old). Luckily we made it to the bottom safely. Oh, one of the favorite parts of the hike was watching the ducks and ducklings at the lake. They were trying to find shelter from the rain, and it was interesting to see how the mallards found a spot while the mama and her ducklings swam over to it. The mama duck was pretty protective because some of the smaller ducklings were getting pulled by the current. Nature is just always fascinating!

Swim Lessons

Hayden did a swim class that was about an hour long, four days a week, for two weeks. He improved a lot! He learned how to breathe underwater, kick and move his arms while swimming underwater, dive into the pool (with help), dive under the water to retrive a ring/stick, float on his back, and he was brave enough to go down the slide and jump off the diving board. It was great for me because my friend and her sister taught the class at her parents' house in Draper. There were two teachers for five kids...a pretty good ratio.

Tee Ball and Dinos

Hayden started a 6 week teeball program through Draper at the beginning of June. It is a Smart Start class meaning that the kids work on their skills and then there will be games the last two weeks. It is also a parent involved class which means I get to play and "help" Hayden as best I can. He has loved it so far, and loves that he gets to see Abbi and Ty each week. Above is Hayden practicing throwing the ball in the square target and below is a pic of him catching the ball as it comes back.

Hayden and Abbi were practicing their throwing skill here again. The kids had to aim for the target on the grass, and then I tried to throw the balls to both kids for them to catch.

Batting the ball of the tee. One of the weeks it was pretty hot and the kids were rewarded with being able to hit water balloons off the tees.

Group cheer at the end of practice...just before the treat!

Hayden at the dino museum. He was favoring Triceratops that day.

Zoorassic Park

One of the first things we did during our "Summer Break" was go to the zoo with the Boer Family. They had fun dinosaurs displayed throughout the grounds. Some of the dinos moved, made noise, or even spit water.

Posing in front of the spitting dinosaur (Hayden, Saskia, and Johan).

There were some wooden horses near the elephants, so Hayden and Saskia climbed on for a picure.

They certainly don't look scared despite the scary-looking dino behind them.

I guess this little digging area was added due to the construction going on at the zoo. Next year there should be a new exibit with polar bears, sea lions, otters, and penguins.

Hayden making conversation with a Scarlet Ibis.

Riding the train!

Hayden chose a poison dart frog to ride on the carousel.

Hayden's First Loose Tooth

Memorial Day weekend ended up being significant for Hayden because that's when his bottom middle tooth first became loose. He was playing in the bathtub, and suddenly I heard him start crying. He said that his tooth was hurting and starting to wiggle. I explained to him that this was an exciting moment and how big he's getting if he's starting to lose his teeth. Then I said that after bathtime I had a special book to give him that would help him feel better about his loose tooth.
Once Hayden's bath was over, we sat down and read, "The Night Before the Toothfairy." After the story, he was pretty excited about loosing his tooth and exchanging it for money from the toothfairy. Shortly afterwards, he admited that he was too afraid to tell me that he thought he "broke" his tooth in the bath. I guess he had a toy cannon in his mouth (I know, makes you wonder what kind of bath toys I let the kiddo have) and he kept pulling it out as fast as he could. Hayden probably helped loosed up the tooth more than it already was by doing this, but regardless of this incident, that tooth was going to come out eventually.
And it did! The following Sunday his tooth came out (however, I think Hayden might have been wiggling it right before). He was super excited to put it under his pillow in hope that the toothfairy would leave him some money. Now Hayden did have some pretty unreal expectations in regards to how much money the toothfairy would give him (sorry hun, but the toothfairy can't afford to leave you $50 or $100).
Luckily, the following morning Hayden was pretty happy with finding a dollar bill. Way to go on loosing your first tooth before kindergarten, Hayden!

HaYdEn'S CiRcUs DaYs!

The last day of preschool is like going to the circus! The kids get all dressed up in their circus attire, play games, and have circus themed snacks. This year they even had a magician come to their school to perform some fun tricks, too. The above pic is when some of the kids are just arriving at school. It was a little challenging coming up with a costume for Hayden this year. He didn't want to be a clown or elephant (he's done that already) so we finally decided on dog trainer. When we went to the circus there were dogs performing and doing neat tricks so this idea worked...besides, Hayden is crazy about dogs. My mom had a plain plastic hat that she let Hayden decorate with dog stickers. I had a red shirt, stamps, and paint so I stamped "Dog Trainer" on his shirt. Bob had a whistle that looked just like the kind for dogs, and Hayden already had his dog on a leash so it was a cheap/creative costume.

Here are the kids having their circus animal cookies outside.

Inside, the kids took turns practicing their circus acts for eachother. I didn't get a picture of all the other stuff since I wasn't able to be there for it.

Group hug with the teachers!

I have to add, that the room looks a little bare since the teachers had to move the furniture onto the other side. Also, that evening Hayden broke his first board at Kim's Academy. I went to watch some of my PE students graduate from the Verbal Judo program that we had at the school. A few of the instructors from Kim's came and taught my Wednesday classes verbal judo for a month and then hosted this fun graduation at their academy. I feel like such a terrible mom since I forgot my camera. Just know that Hayden was successful in his first board-breaking attempt!

Run, Run, Run

Hayden and I just can't seem to get enough running in. This past Thursday was our school's annual "Jogapalooza." It is our big fundraising event and I believe we raised over $35,000 this year. Since I am the PE teacher, I was lucky enough (and I'm being serious about the lucky part) to run with all the grades each time they came out. I had Hayden join me in the last group of the day, and he did a great job running with all the kids. Of course, the pic above shows us running with other teachers, but I promise that we had tons of kids, too. I am not quite sure how many miles I ended up running that day, but it was a lot.

I guess the little bit of sun we had at the moment was just too much for Hayden's eyes.

Chillin' with a powerade after the run.

Saturday, May 21 was the Ogden Marathon. This was definitely not one of my better races. I started to get a cold a couple of days before so I was downing theraflu and other meds the day before and the morning of. I think the combination of being sick, lack of food, and medication is what made me feel worse. My stomach felt awful during the race and I just kept racing to the next port-a-potty conviced that I was going to puke or something.

After the race is a much better memory. Here I am with my friend Michelle soaking up some sun and trying to relax and recover a bit.

Kyle came up too and I really appreciated having the extra support. Unfortunately, we drove separately so I did have to drive back home. I swear that my right foot went numb at some point during the drive. I think my shoelaces were too tight and my foot just got tired of pushing the gas pedal.

Hayden Graduates from Preschool

So after three years of preschool, Hayden is ready to move on into kindergarten (just don't tell him that because he gets a little panicky). Last Wednesday night he had his Spring Program and Graduation. The program was dino themed, so the above pic is Hayden-Rex with his T-Rex hat on.

Getting his diploma from his teachers

What a cutie!!!

Posing with Miss Jennifer and Miss Makenzie

Hayden with Grandpa Barnes. Unfortunately, my mom was really sick and couldn't make it. Luckily, Bob recorded the program so she could watch it at home. Kyle also came with us and we went to Frogurt afterwards to celebrate.