Merry Christmas

Well... We had every intention this holiday season to enjoy MANY holiday happenings around the Northwest.  We were hoping to make it to Zoo Lights, the Fire Station in Gig Harbor (to see Santa) with the Swishers, visit Santa at Cabelas, etc.  

AND instead...

We have been plagued by nasty colds and the stomach flu.  We have been housebound for over a week and it has been a LONG, LONG week at that.  We are just hoping at this point that we make a recovery by Christmas! 

I am hoping that I have lots of fun pics to post after Christmas!!!

Wishing you the best this Christmas!!!  

Love- the Marcus 4

pumpkin patch

We headed to our favorite pumpkin patch last weekend.  Here are some pictures of our adventure together!

Sandpoint trip

We got to go to Sandpoint, ID to see all of my family a few weeks ago.  We spent 6 days with my extended family (my mom's side) AND got the chance to spend 4 of those days with Jon and Christi.  We rented a house right on the lake- that was gorgeous and only a few blocks from Starbucks!  We had a great time together- talking, eating, laughing, hiking, and like only the Lyons' family can do, more eating! :)
Here are some pics of our time together!

We went on a gorgeous hike in Montana

Hudson and Uncle J looking over the cliff

The whole Lyons/Marcus fam

My bro and sis-in-law

Me and 2 of my faves at the falls

LOVING the outdoors

The 3 girls on the swinging bridge!

YES!!!  We even got my mom out there!!!

                                                

We really were high above the river and it did swing!

This is the beach in front of our house

wagon rides...

We have loved going for rides in our new wagon- in the 60 degree fall evenings!

Conner is now 1...

My sweet baby boy turned one last week.  I cannot believe how fast this last year went.  He has been the absolute joy of my day- everyday.  He has been the sweetest, happiest, cuddliest, most lovable, did I say happy little man ever.  I have felt blessed everyday to be his mom.  His smile makes my heart melt and his excitement about everything in life makes me smile.  I pray that this little pumpkin stays happy forever- always smiling, always excited about the simple things in life.

Hudson's first day of preschool

So we were a little shocked the first day of preschool.  Not because of the typical emotions that most parents have as they send their little one off to school for the first time (those came a little later)- but because our little man acted so grown up!!!  He told us in the car on the way to school, "I am not going to be shy anymore.  I am going to say 'hi' to everyone."  I kinda chuckled to myself and said, "that's great buddy."  Little did I know, that we would walk up to the school and our little stud would run up to every single kid (in both classes) and say, "Hi, my name is Hudson- what is your name?"  After each kid would tell him his name- he would scream back at us, "Mom- this is Addie..."  We were shocked.  Our little man - the socialite.  Devin and I (and the 20 other parents standing there) were laughing hysterically.

Secondly, I was shocked as our busy, busy (did I say busy?!) Hudson sat still- yes STILL (with his hands in his lap!) listening to the teacher during circle time/story time AND he actually did the motions to the songs!  Now- if you know Hudson, you will know why I am shocked!!!  He is a good boy- but very strong-willed, to put it mildly.  All those years teaching Kindergarten, parents would tell me during conferences that their child was a complete different child at school then at home.  Yup- totally get that now.  We are so proud of our little man.  We are hoping that this will be a great year for him!  He is off to a great start!

hunting is over

The conclusion to the hunting season (for me)...  

I spent the first few days at home- my mom came over every night after work to help me get the boys to bed-which is the biggest blessing ever! 

 Devin came home for the weekend, without a deer- so naturally we went to NW Trek to get a close up view of what he was looking for out in the woods!  We saw some amazing animals and I have to say, our boys love the outdoors and animals as much as we do!  It is SO much fun to get outdoors and enjoy some quality time together!

The second week, Devin took off for Elk hunting with his dad and Bob and I packed up the kids and took them to Spokane to spend the week with my mother-in-law, sis-in-law, and my favorite niece.  We had a great time together.

Here are a couple pics of that week and 1/2...

Mom- reading and snuggling before bedtime.

Me and Con-man enjoying the tram.

Dev came home for the weekend and we went to NW Trek

 

I got to spend a whole week with my sweet niece- she is the CUTEST little girl....ever.

Auntie Kari reading the "Moose" book.

Conner and Layla checking each other out.

These two made each other laugh a lot...they will definitely be besties

hunting season

I CANNOT believe that hunting season is here....ALREADY!   Devin is off being "All that is man,"  I am home being, "All that is MOM."
We have been busy during our days playing, shopping, cuddling, coloring, painting, reading books, and my attempt at wrestling and playing "horsey" which is normally Devin's job.  Today it is finally sunny, so we will be taking advantage of some bike riding and the park.  My mom has been coming over for dinner and has been helping me with the evening routine of baths, books, and bedtime.  Which I am so thankful for- this is the time when I am usually about to pull my hair out when I am on my own!!!
3 days done this week- Devin will be home tonight and then takes off for another week on Monday with his dad and bro-in-law.  Hoping to stay healthy- as I normally have a track record of getting very sick during hunting season (which I blame on working with Kinders and the start of school) Luckily, Devin is bow hunting this year, which is an earlier season than rifle- hoping this works to my advantage!
Someday (I keep telling myself), I will get a week and a half vacation to myself too.  While Devin takes our boys into the woods to fulfill their manhood- I will spend it shopping and reading and pampering myself-  I think that will only be fair!   Well here's to dreaming...
Until then here we are-

cousins

cousins = besties

fun week

We have had a fun week trying to enjoy our last little bit of summer with visits to the parks, splash park, walking, and LOTS of bike rides...

enjoying the sunshine on lots of walks

lots of bike riding

the splash park

Lake Stevens Iron Man 70.3

I am married to an Iron Man!  I keep telling every person I run into and talk to...they must think I am a little crazy!  BUT this is a BIG deal...they must see that right?!!

Pre-race smile...just a little nervous!

We spent the weekend up at Lake Stevens- so that Devin could complete his first 1/2 Iron Man.  It consisted of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run.  He finished in 5 hours 51 minutes- under his goal time of 6 hours.  He ROCKED!  This was only his 4th triathlon- the longest by far!  What an incredible accomplishment.  I am SO SO SO SO SO proud of him.

Getting ready for the BIG swim

Pre-race hug time from one of his biggest fans

Devin's parents came over to help support him and help me watch the boys so that I could get some pics of his amazing journey.

Dev's group walking out to the swim start

The swim start- hard to believe that there were about 200 in this group!

It was hard to get good pics of Dev- because of how the race was set up

Just finished the swim- transition to the bike

Getting ready to take off on the bike

Taking off on the 56 mile bike ride

Coming in from the bike ride

1/2 Marathon

Just crossed the finish line!

What a race...what a stud!

Just cooled off

Happy Support Crew!

His BIGGEST fan!

I have to add a few more pics too...

Team Marcus!  Next time I am making shirts

Marcus Juniors- the next generation of tri-geeks

"papa- you're my best friend"  -hudson

SO happy that daddy is done- AND he gets to wear the medal!

And that's the end...

I cannot put into words how proud I am of my hubby.  He accomplished a goal that 10 months ago he set.  He said, "I am going to teach myself how to swim and do a 1/2 Iron Man in under 6 hours."  What a job well done.  AMAZING!!!  I hope that you can see through these pictures his journey.  Truly a remarkable journey, accomplishment, and man.