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.

Bath time at the Marcus' house

guitar time for daddy

Listening to daddy

A little splash time

Daddy finishing up

All bathed up

Our little hippo

Another successful bath time at the Marcus' house!

10 months

Look, I can stand by myself!

One of our favorite faces he makes!

I cannot believe it has already been 10 months since my little sweet Conner Joseph made his quick and easy entrance into this world and has everyday since- abundantly blessed our lives.
When I found out that I was pregnant with Conner (and that he was a boy!)  I prayed that God would give me a sweet baby, one who would love to snuggle and want to be held.  One who would be smiley/happy and go with the flow.  One who would become a best friend to his older brother and eventually when he grows up, his daddy too.  One who loved life and succeeded in whatever he did.  But most importantly- one that had a sweet spirit, who loved God and served Him wholeheartedly, showing all of the fruits daily.

love his baby blues

One of the purist joys in my life is this little sweetie.  God has overwhelmingly answered every single one of my many requests in this little tiny package.   Conner is the happiest baby on the planet.  He loves everything and everybody.  He adores his brother.  He loves watching Devin and Hudson wrestle and loves to get on the floor and play with his daddy.  There has not been a day yet that this little one hasn't wanted to snuggle.  He loves life- it is evident by the pure joy that he finds in every single thing!
I cannot believe that he is almost a year!  I am trying to make a point and enjoy every moment of this year with him.  I know how fast it goes.
I love you my sweet little boy!

LOVES BATH TIME....

Time flies

I officially enrolled Hudson in a preschool this morning.  I know!!! GASP....and breathe-  I kept telling myself this over and over.  I cannot believe that Hudson is ready for preschool.  WHAT?!  Where did the time go?!
I am really excited for him!  It is a little preschool at a Baptist church down the road from us.  They have a max of 14 kids in the class and 2 teachers.  So for 3 days a week- 2 hours a time, my (not so little anymore) Hudson will experience school for his first year!  I now see after teaching Kindergarten for 7 years- the parents who did preschool with their kiddos didn't have a hard time with the start of Kindergarten, but those who didn't have ANY preschool freaked out.  I get it now.  I will be the parent who will be okay with Kindergarten, because I am having the freak out moment now!  2 years from now- it will be routine...kind-of!
I will post lots of pictures of our little preschooler this year!  For now- we will enjoy our summer.
Love that boy...

Enjoying our summertime!