Mommy's 10k

This past weekend was Mommy's turn to race.  We went to Minneapolis on Friday and spent the night up there then got up early in the morning to go to the race.  It was pouring rain, but warmish.  It slowed down to a light sprinkle/mist during the race.  Mom did great and enjoyed every minute.  She was surprised at how good she felt the whole time.  It was a beautiful race course along the Mississippi river.  She crossed the river twice and enjoyed looking a the beautiful mansions that lined the race course.  The kids and Dave got a little cold waiting in the rain.  Mom crossed the finish line just as the 3rd place half marathon finisher came across.  He stole a little of her thunder, but it was okay in the end because she beat her best time by one minute.  She was very happy!!

 Before the race.

 Watching for Mommy at the start.

 Minnehaha Falls at the park where the race started.

 After the race. (Mommy got some nice new shoes as a present from Daddy for her race.)

Ready to go home!!!!!!

Easter.

We have had a wonderful Easter weekend.  We went yesterday to an easter egg hunt at our friends the Barlow's house.  We have gone most years we have lived here and the kids love it.  One year we even went with 12 inches of snow.  This year the weather was wonderful.  The kids loved running around and finding lots of eggs.  (And, yes Lily is wearing a Nascar hat.  We couldn't talk her out of it.)

Sunday after Church we had our own hunt in the backyard.  The weather was gorgeous. Each of the kids got a little toy with their name on it and lots of candy. 

I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I feel like on Easter we truly should celebrate the wonderful gift Jesus gave of his live, atonement, death, and resurrection.  After a long Minnesota winter it always seems like a miracle to me when my plants come back to life.  I am sure it is just a small taste of what it will be like when we are with all of our loved ones again whole and resurrected.  What a wonderful and miraculous gift. It makes me want to start new again and try to be better.

I hope each of you had a wonderful Easter!

Alex's Kindergarten Tour

Alex got a private kindergarten tour with the Principal of Jefferson Elementary yesterday.  He has been excited to go to school and we enjoyed seeing all of the classrooms.  He really wanted to see the gym. I am not sure why, maybe because Sarah has talked about it. 

He toured the gym, kindergarten classrooms, met the teachers and kids, toured the rest of the school, and even got to stop in Sarah's classroom and say "hi".  She came and gave him a big hug.  It was very sweet.  We also got to check out the computer lab, library, and smart boards. Alex thought they were really cool.

When we were walking back to the office with the principle,
Alex said "but I can't read yet" and the principle said "that is why you are coming to school!".  It was pretty funny.  After the tour I took him to get an M&M shake.  He was a happy kid.

 Rubbing Jefferson's nose for good luck.

Sarah turns 10!

Sarah turned 10 this week!

We were worried that her birthday would be spoiled when we woke up to snow.  This is the first time it has snowed on her birthday.  She also had to take MCA tests on her birthday, but I took cupcakes to her class and I think that made it a little easier.  :)

When she got home from school we had a little family party and opened presents. She got a cute new outfit and the latest book by Brandon Mull from Oma and Grandpa Bill.  (Thanks!!)   She also got her own Yoga mat, clothes, more books, a dominoes game, and a Carnivorous Plant (she was really excited about that). 

 It is hard to believe that she is already 10 years old.  She is such a great kid.  We really love her a lot.

Silly Kids

Alex and Sarah made this little bed for Lily today.  She was pretty excited to test it out.  Alex and Sarah thought it was very funny.  I thought it was cute.  Enjoy.

Whew! What a week.

We had a fun and busy week.  We have been having beautiful weather all week and today, just when we think it can't get any better, it was 77!  Love it.  Here are some pictures from our week.  We love you all and hope you are enjoying SPRING as much as we are.

Sarah and Dave both ran races on Saturday.  Sarah ran a 2 miler and Dave ran a 20k (12 Miler).

 

 Alex Lily and I played on the playground and watched both of the races.

 Dave getting ready for his race.

 Dave on his run.

 Sarah getting ready to start her race.  She placed 3rd in her age group.

 Sarah coming back to the finish line.

 Whew!  Sarah right after her race.

 Dave sprinting to the finish.  Dave placed 10th overall with a time of 1:18!!  

 Saturday afternoon we fired up our new grill and cooked our first Paella of the Season. 

It was delicious. We had a wonderful week and enjoyed finally being able to enjoy being outside without freezing. 

Spring Break Part 2: Lacrosse Children's Museum

On Thursday we drove to the Lacrosse Children's Museum with our friends the Hanson's.  We all piled in the same car and enjoyed being together.  It might have been a little more pleasant if Lily would have not unbuckled her seat belt every 20 minutes.  But we dealt with it and kept on going.

Girls in the front row.

Boys on the back row. 

The kids LOVED the Museum.  They weren't too busy and so we just let the kids play for several hours.  Then we went to lunch at a fun old fashioned Hamburger Drive up place.  The girls brought our lunch out on rollerskates.  After lunch our car wouldn't start ...dead battery.  A nice man came to our rescue and jumped it for us.  Our prayers were answered and we drove home.

We had a very fun time and are grateful our friends the Hanson's came with us!!