Memorial Day Weekend

We went up to Enumclaw for the weekend. It was awesome! I love it up there. The air is cleaner, the trees are greener, and the mountain is so majestic...it always refreshes me and brings me an unique energy being there.

Saturday morning my Dad read to the kids before we left to go hiking.

We drove up to the Greenwater Lakes Trail head to go hiking. It was about 4.5 miles round trip.

Grandma and Asher all stoked to get on the trail

This is how Asher started out...but I wanted to try out my new baby backpack so I didn't let Sean carry him very long.

Asher loved the hike! The entire time he was smiling, except when he fell asleep. He seriously loved it!

Our little family

This was the first weekend that the trail was open. It was snowy, and muddy, and they didn't have time to clear the trail yet. This is one of the two places that I had to get in push up position to continue on. Good thing I've been workin out!

The Greenwater Lakes trail is a 10 miles trail that has several lakes on it. We just hiked 2.25 mile to the first lake. But look how green it is! It was so pretty.

This is a tree that had fallen across the end of the bridge. On the other side of this tree is a drop off into the river, so you had to be really careful where you stepped.

Every time my brothers hike to this lake they make boats out of bark and leaves. This time since there was snow they were able to use that to keep the branches up instead of using their pocket knives to cut holes. They're so creative, every year they come up with different ideas for a boat. It's awesome. This is my brother Keith (on the right) and his friend Andrew.

Eating lunch

Brayden hiked almost the entire way in. He got carried through the massive snow patches and over the fallen trees, but he walked every chance he could. On the way back, he fell asleep while riding on my mom's shoulders. Then she carried him back in her arms, and she still beat everyone else back! My mom can out hike all of us, including her teenage sons, and she just turned 50! She's so rad :)

This picture is out of order, but oh well. This guy walked out onto a long log into the lake then dove in. Remember...this is glacier water. And it was probably 55 degrees outside. Insane!

Saturday after the hike we had rotisserie chicken that my dad made (delicious!) then we made 2 rhubarb crisps with fresh rhubarb. They were both gone within a half hour. Sean and I picked and my mom and I cut about 30 cups of rhubarb that we froze and brought home. I LOVE rhubarb!! Someday I'll have room to plant some of my own.

On Monday, we went to Lake Tapps. It was beautiful! My dad works for Puget Sound Energy and they have their own park at Lake Tapps. We were the only group for awhile in the park so it was not crowded at all!

A sportin B's hat (thanks Blaisdells!)

Yup! That's my twin! He's amazing on that thing.

Those that know me well know that I am terrified of water. I LOVE being on the boat, I'll even go tubing...but water in my face? Makes me panic. I can swim in a lake if I have a kick board or something to hang on to but I'm a horrible swimmer and even being in the middle of a deep pool without anything to hang on to makes me panic. It absolutely terrifies me. So, even though my family goes wakeboarding/water skiing all the time, I have never attempted wake boarding. (I did attempt water skiing once and it wasn't pretty.) However, as I've said before, "this is my year." I'm taking control of my life and I'm doing what I want to do. (Hence the running and working out, etc.) So, I did it. I attempted wake boarding. The water was FREEZING and I swear I saw a dolphin in the water but considering it's an inland lake, it must have just been a gigantic fish. So I was a little timid. However, I (almost) DID IT!! I Should have put that on my 101 in 1001 since it's something that I've always wanted to do but oh well. I was on the boat while Kyle was boarding and I realized that he never once got water splashed in his face. So, I had a surge of bravery and jumped in the -20 degree water (Dad said it was 65 but I think he was just saying that to encourage me to jump in. ;) ) Kyle coached me and my first time I almost got up! The board was on the water but I didn't stand up so I fell, but that gave me some courage. I attempted it 7 more times, without success. BUT that part doesn't matter. I actually attempted it! And there most definitely will be a next time.

(that's me too!)

This one is for you, Shannon

Up at Greenwater Lakes Trailhead

Brayden's Party

Thursday was Brayden's Birthday. That night we had a party with friends and family. We didn't plan much, just cake and ice cream...but it was awesome! Close to 30 people came, and I think everyone had a blast. The weather was perfect! We hung out on the deck, and played on the trampoline, zipline, swings, and in the yard. I made 2 cakes and both of them were gone by the end of the night. I was so glad! Thank you so much everyone for coming!

Our "new" Car

I've had several people tell me that I never mentioned what car we were driving, so it seemed that we didn't have a car at all. Well, back in March, we purchased a 2004 Saturn LS with our tax return. By downgrading to a smaller, not-as-nice car, we are saving a lot of money each month. Since it isn't getting financed, we don't have to pay "full coverage" insurance, and then also not having the monthly car payment has really helped us out a lot. We have had to adjust to it...it definitely isn't the Malibu, but it is a decent car and it's in great condition. We really are so blessed that we were able to find such a great car for the price we got it for.

B's 2 Year Stats

Brayden had his 2 year check up appointment on Friday before we left for Washington for the weekend (a post to follow). Here are his stats:

Weight: 25 pounds 12 ounces (19th percentile)
Height: 34 1/2 inches (53rd percentile)
Head Circumference: 49 cm (59th percentile)

He is growing up so fast. I know I always say that but it's so true. His vocabulary is expanding by several words a day, and he is constantly learning new things. I love watching his eyes because you can just see them learning new things. He is so sweet to Asher and gives him countless kisses and hugs daily. They are such good friends already! I love it.

Happy Birthday Brayden!

Brayden--

Happy Birthday Son! I cannot believe that it has already been 2 years since we welcomed you into our family. You are full of energy and personality! There is nothing quite as awesome as hearing you laugh your little laugh. You are so quick to smile at things that make you happy and you adore your brother and your father (and even occasionally your mother). We are so glad that you are in our family, and can't wait to see what this next year will bring.

Happy Birthday Brayden!
We love you!

Love, Mom and Dad

New Shoes

As I mentioned in a previous post, my right foot has been going numb when I run more than 2.5 miles. On Saturday, Sean and I took the kids to Portland Running Company. They watch you run and tell you which shoes are best for how you run. It just so happened that the shoes that I *was* running in were "the worst possible pair for the way I run." I start on my outer heel and roll across my big toe, meaning I need a lot of support across my arch. So...Sean and I talked about it, and decided that instead of paying for a doctors visit and possibly ruining my knees and joints, it was worth forking over the money for a new pair. The Helvetia 10k is in 3 1/2 weeks and I need time to break them in before that!

I have a really busy day today (so I'm blogging?) and knew that I wouldn't be able to get out unless I went out first thing. I woke up at 6:30 and went and did 5 miles. My right foot went numb again (at 2.5 miles, but I finished anyway!) and then my left foot started going numb too. This time it was different though. I think this time it really is just the fit versus the wrong shoe. It felt like my toes were getting squished then they went tingly so I probably just need a wider shoe. Does anyone know if it's just because they aren't broken in? Or should I take them back and get a different pair? (I have really wide feet!)

Anyway, this morning was only my second time ever doing more than 4.5 miles so I was pretty pumped! My average mile was 10:23 so I'm definitely picking up the pace! It used to be 12 minutes when I first started out...crazy! It's amazing to think how far I've come in the 5 months since I started running. Even just 6 months ago you never could have convinced me that I was going to run a 10k. It still just boggles my mind! I love how supportive Sean is of me. He never complains about watching the kids while I get out and do my runs or work outs, and he always encourages me to get out the door when I'm dragging. This definitely wouldn't be happening if it weren't for him, so thanks Babe!