Joey's Tri Weekend

Our 2/3 Iron-Man

Last year, Joey did his first half Iron Man at an event called the RedMan in Oklahoma City.  He was made aware while there that doing a full distance Aqua Bike is also an option at this event.  Baring a hatred for running as he does Joey knew that he had to sieze this oh so rare opportunity and sign himself up.  So here we are, late September one year later for another Tri weekend in Oklahoma City for Joey to do his Full-IronMan-minus-the-run Triathlon.  That's a 2.4 mile swim and a 112 mile bike.  Pretty impressive if you ask me!

The kids and I dropped him off at the start around 6:30 am and then headed back to the hotel for some more Z's.  We got back in time to catch him coming out of the water (above) and then we headed back to the hotel for yet another nap and then to do some shopping (TARGET!!).  

Here they are waiting for Daddy to finish up his bike.

Tiger Jump Castle to entertain all the athlete's children...cool!

and done...6 hours later.  

According to him he felt pretty miserable at the end but we couldn't tell it.  I think he was definitely glad to have it over with since it seemed to cause a lot of stress for him these last few weeks.  But we were all so proud.

The next day we headed over to the Oklahoma City Memorial and Museum which was a beautiful and touching experience.  This museum is so well done.  If you ever have the chance to see it, please do.  What a tragic tragic event.

The glass chairs, memorializing all who were killed.  168 people, 19 of them children.

They had a kids area there were children are encouraged to write messages in sidewalk chalk.  I love Isaacs!!  So cute;)  If you can't tell, thats a heart with the state of Oklahoma inside and the heart is broken. 

This is Georgie's version of a tiger.  

This was her drawing that she did before she got wind of Isaacs less abstract pictures.  I wish I knew some handwriting analyst that could tell me something about the adult that she'll become by analyzing these bazaar nonsensical drawings that she does ALL the time.  I've never seen a kid draw like this.  Let's just hope its doesn't reveal her to be a mass murderer or something...but that's off topic.  Sorry.

I love this picture of him...shows off his great trademark smile;)

And this is Isaacs second drawing, also very sweet.  It's a hand and each of the fingers "represent something", he told me.

Be Nice

Follow Your Heart

Be Helpful

Care

and lastly,

Have Love

And that about sums up Isaacs heart! 

 Love that boy!

On the outside of the memorial was this chain link fence where people can hang momentos.  There were some tragic things hanging up there.  I was particularly touched by a series of poems that a father wrote to his 24 year old daughter who had died in the bombing.  Her picture was there in the middle of a Christmas wreath.  That had me in tears.  

Anyway, Congrats lover (Joey)!  Thanks for giving cause for a great weekend in "the City"!

xoxo

Spring Break 2011

Spring Break 2011

With a title like that you think I'd break into pictures of babes in bikinis;)  

But no, we're fully covered here...all the way down to our fingertips!  

These two kiddos were amazing skiers!  As the Mom, can I say that?  Seriously, so impressed.  Georgie picked it right up, this being her first time on the mountain.  The Edgie Wedgie became her best friend (she swears she's not taking it off until she's the same age as mommy...after all, it did get her down a blue:}!!) and Isaac QUICKLY got right back to where he left off 1 1/2 years ago.  He was the first one to ask in the morning, "Mom, MOm, when are we going skiing?"  Now these are the kinds of questions we like to hear!!

We drove up through Moab this year and hiked delicate arch which, by the way was an AWESOME idea.  I felt several pangs of regret as we drove through Moab that in all my years at BYU, this was my first visit!  3 miles round trip to the arch was about the limit of our 6 and 4 year old!  But Joey effectively explained the importance of this arch and they both feel pretty cool about having been there. 

No, you can't have her...sorry.

Our first day on the mountain we brought Juliet, hoping to ski with her in a backpack.  After a few "you're totally irresponsible parents hell bent on killing your baby" looks and a few Canyons workers telling us that we weren't allowed to do that, Joey and I took turns hanging out with her in the lodge.  For the next 3 days one of us stayed at home with this sweet baby.  And I'm not complaining about that!!  Sitting in bed reading books for as long as my little heart desires was no problem for me;)

Ski Bunnies!

Just the 3 of us...

kissing...

on the mouth....eeewww

ANd don't think we didn't get on the mouth ones from this sweet face;)


Joey built the kids the most awesome snow cave/tunnel/house.  He dug and dug and dug until his arm was screaming at him.  And the kids played and played every night until dark even after long days on the slopes.

The Entrance

The back side/Georgie's house

The Tunnel



Inside the big cave part/Isaacs house;)





The best thing about my parents cabin is it's location.  There are no homes on any side of it and it's nestled down in a ravine that is totally shaded by tall pine trees.  When you're there you feel completely alone.  You can hike and sled right from our back yard.  This sledding hill is the same one that we use every year with the kids.

  It's just steep enough and long enough to thrill a 6 and 4 year old.  And not bad for this 30 year old either.  











Cary, Kregg, their kiddos, Bob, Laurie and Jenny all came up for a visit on Sunday night.  The kids hiked up the steep hill behind the house for hours, some of them without snow pants OR gloves even....not a single complaint.  That's when you KNOW they are having fun.  Here's a shot of Isaac and Kaymie:





Hannah, the lone ranger:



It's always a treat when you get to see a moose.  We see one pretty much every visit, winter or summer.  But this time the moose walked right onto the front porch.  He came to munch on the tree you see to his right.  The kids and I watched him for 3 or 4 minutes and I hurriedly snapped a picture. 



On the Friday before we left we took the day off of skiing and went to the children's museum in Salt Lake.  

The kids loved the helicopter on the roof the very most.  They played on it for nearly 45 minutes.



Joey and Jenny....I like this picture of them!

I dream of this place when my life gets hectic.  It IS peace to me.  I thank God for the day my parents decided to make it ours!  Thanks Mom and Dad!

xoxo

Ash

p.s.  I didn't cook a dang thing while I was there and It. Was. Glorious!!

Juliets Blessing

Juliet's Baby Blessing

The day was sweet.  The weekend perfect.  

On Sunday afternoon we blessed Juliet at my parents home in Houston.  She woke up from an after church nap to a house full of friends and family that love her.  I spent some time alone with my sweet little girl, dressing her in a gown that I had worn for my own baby blessing.  The gown was worn by my Mother, her siblings, my siblings and all of my cousins on my Moms side.  Isaac and Georgie were blessed in it and I believe that Liam, Arie and Ryder were as well.  The bonnet was my Fathers.  I felt connected with all the Mothers that had done this before me...dressed their children in this gown (and bonnet) for a beautiful occasion.  I felt connected with a moment that seemed fleeting but also with history that was with us.  I felt my Gran, my Mother, my Aunt, my Grandmother, my cousins and my children.  We shared a special moment with all of them...Juliet and I.  

My most precious possessions 

A special moment with Papa.

The Men in my circle;)

Q:  Who drives 3 1/2 hours with 6 children during a residency program for a 24 hour stay to see friends?

A:  Special People.  People that you love.  People that you love.  The Bahrs

We soooo enjoyed having them there and appreciated so much their sacrifice in coming to meet Juliet.

Silly Faces

The Boys

My Babes

The kids sang "I Am A Child Of God" before Jet's blessing, then "I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me" after the blessing.  They set the beautiful mood.

Gaga and Papa kisses.

Dad with "The Nina's" (We're missing Jill)

Gaga with Juliets special cupcakes.  They were delicious!!  

Complete with pink J's on top of them!!

Arie back from Guam.  

I'm dying to get these two together again!!

After a tearful goodbye to The Bahrs and the Monsons the kids carved a pumpkin with Papa and Gaga...a smiley one.  Isn't that fitting!

I love people!!  Especially my people!  Thanks so much for being there friends.  It meant a lot to us!

xoxo