Golf Ninja

New vacation, new game

Saranac Lake, NY

"Preston Files, You Are an Ironman"

Maik Twelsiek

This dude just won the Lake Placid Ironman. Meanwhile all my brother
has left is an entire marathon.

Lake Placid Ironman Swimming

Swim on the right side of the yellow markers all the way down and swim
on the right side of the orange markers all the way back. That's 1.2
miles. And then do it again.

Candy Crisis

How can they take something so good and make it so bad?

10. The Three Amigos

9. Raiders of the Lost Ark

8. Return of the Jedi

An Extra-Sweet Treat

Today was one of those days when the kids & I really needed to get out of the house! I decided that we all needed a little 'lift' & so took them for ice cream. We drove to Marble Slab, got everyone unloaded,

The unloading process:
Step 1: Get out of car, walk to the back of the truck,
Step 2: Open hatch, get stroller, set it up
Step 3: Open back left door, get Jane, put in stroller
Step 4: Walk around to back right door, open, unbuckle Larson & Secily

We walked into the store, waited in line for about 5 minutes, then went to place our order when the guy behind the counter says - "our machines are down, so we are only taking cash". Hmmmm. I check my wallet. I have exactly one dollar. Darn. So, out we go, to begin the process of loading into the car.

The loading process:
Step 1: Open the back right door, Larson & Secily climb in to start buckling
Step 2: Walk around, open drivers door, start car to get AC running
Step 3: Open back left door, snap Jane in, shut door
Step 4: Walk to back - open hatch, put in stroller, close hatch.
Step 5: Get in back right door, finishing buckling in Larson & Secily, shut door.
Step 6: Back to drivers side, get in, shut door...ready to go!

I had made it to Step 5 in the process (almost there!), when Secily tells me "Mommy, I have to go potty"
"Secily - are you sure you have to go? Can you wait?"
"I really have to go."
Sigh.

Begin the unload process....again....

Walk back into the store...again....

Use the restroom. (uneventful - thank goodness!)

Back to the car to begin the loading process....again....

I made it to Step 1 when a lady comes out from Marble Slab, she was worried about me & the kids not being able to get ice cream. I told her that we were going to load up and go somewhere else. She said, "no, no, you come inside and I will get your ice cream for you."

What?

"No..." I say."
"I insist." she tells me handing me a $20

HOW SWEET OF HER!!!!!

So, thanks to a sweet family at Marble Slab, we enjoyed our ice cream!

She inspired me to look for ways to go out of my way to be kind to others. It had an impact on Larson as well, because tonight as we were praying for our dinner (after the ice cream cones!) he thanked God for the people who shared with us, and got us our ice cream.

Turns out that we got a more of a 'lift' today than I had planned.

7. Rad

Swimming, swimming, in the swimming pool....

Did anyone else sing that song in elementary school? No? Just me? Okay.....

Well, we have been doing exactly that for the past week - swimming! My parents new house has a pool and I don't know about them, but WE are LOVING it! :)

I am happy to report that Secily is no longer doing this, but is cheerfully kicking her way across the pool.

Larson's doing great - he's been working on his cannonball.

Even Jane put on her suit (thanks cousin Amy!) and got in for awhile!

We are loving these summer days!

Cousin's Crusade

Gotta love the suburban - 5 car seats with room to spare!

6. Top Gun

5. Swiss Family Robinson

4. Condorman

3. Spaceballs

2. The Karate Kid

Top Ten Movies From My Childhood

In no particular order.

1. UHF

Land of the Living Skies

Muddogs Video

Super Fly

Dear Wunderbar,

I love you.

SWA Dallas Maintenance Hanger

Scuppers the Sailor Dog

Dentist

Going to the kid dentist in Frisco is pretty rough. You have to lay
down and watch your favorite cartoon on a flat screen mounted to the
ceiling with a set of headphones. Then while you wait for the dentist
you're stuck playing wii tennis. Kind of like a pioneer cattle drive
only different.

Run Preston, Run!

Have I mentioned that I married into a great, great family? They really are so much fun. There are a lot of them...and I like them all!! :)
Currently, my brother-in-law Preston is training for the Ironman USA which he will run (swim & bike in) at the end of this month. I can't even imagine. The cool part is that not only is he doing this amazing race, he is raising money for my other brother-in-law Alan, who is doing mission work in Africa. Check it out!

Zen Budda Sleeping Position

She's Three!!

Our Fourth of July was spent celebrating Secily! The day was Cinderella themed (of course, since she "really likes Cinderella best"....)

We had a little family party -


Way to cut the cake Uncle Jeff!


What's a third birthday without a little tea party with Grandma!? Complete with the new adorable tea table - thanks Grandma & Grandpa!

And, of course...games.

Now - when you were a child, did you ever think to yourself "it would be SO FUN to play in______!" fill in the blank with whatever you thought may be wild & crazy & fun - like a bathtub full of spaghetti, or a pool of pudding, or, maybe, just maybe............a room full of shredded paper??? This would have been your lucky day!

You see, Secily doesn't have just any Dad....she has Ryan. And, Ryan will commit to something that he thinks will be fun for the kids - even if it is the most. random. thing. ever. So, after about 4 years of saving shredded paper, we were able to play the long awaited, and highly anticipated game: "Find the Princess in the Paper".

Of course, the kids LOVED it.
(we wound up having to find stuffed animals in the paper, because the princesses were too small and hard to find!)

Thankfully Secily's grand parents are good sports too!

Happy Birthday Secily! We love you so much - your strong will, your sense of humor, your sweet smile, your opinions on fashion (already!). You are such a joy to us.

We love you to pieces!

Rin Tin Tin

Breathmint

Trains

My Newest Nephew!

My sweet nephew was born earlier this week. Samuel Lars Larson was born on July 30 at 7:07 a.m. He is a precious little boy with SO much hair! He looks just like his big sister Lucy. We have been loving, loving on him! Please continue to pray for sweet Samuel, for his heart, for Bryan & Eraina, and for the doctors who are caring for him.
Eraina is posting pics, & info on her blog if you want to check that out!

Swimming Lessons 2

Swimming Lessons Part 1