GO, FIGHT, WIN!!!!

Maddy went to a Valley High School Cheerleading Clinic a couple weeks ago and then also got to cheer and do a dance at the Valley JV game at half-time last Friday night. She had a great time and loved having the Valley High School cheerleaders as the coaches!!

At the cheerleading clinic learning all the cheers:


All ready to go cheer at the game:


Maddy and her friend from school Hadley:


Maddy and her friend Reese getting ready to go out on the field:


Video of one of the dances they did at half-time. Maddy is in the 2nd row towards the right side:

The Marathon (2:10) ---

I ran the DSM half-marathon this past Sunday and thought I would post a couple of reflections from the day. First off, it was a totally different feel than running a 5K. The amount of people and the level of excitement was something I will never forget. I felt really good when the race started and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Around mile 7, I was starting to feel a little tired and I think my pace was probably too fast ---- Jeremy and the kids were waiting for me and cheering me on at this point, so that was great as I had some good encouragement to keep going!

I was still feeling good until right around mile 10 and then I started to have some major pain in my quads, although my breathing was pretty much fine, so I was irritated that my main problem was my legs. Cardio-wise, I felt good, so I wanted to move quicker, but my legs weren't allowing it. My goal was to run the whole thing so I kept on and watched several people step off to the side of the course, walking, sitting down, stretching, etc...and I knew I couldn't pay attention to that or I would be too tempted to start walking. As I got up to the last mile there were huge crowds of people lined up to cheer the runners on. What an awesome feeling and at this point there was no stopping as the race was coming to an end.

I will never forget that feeling of accomplishment as I ran the last 2 blocks to the finish line -- when I knew that I was finishing the race and my body made it through!! I guess the feeling is hard to even describe, but it was awesome!!! Of course, Jeremy was there with the kids when I was done and that made it so much better!!

The race has been on my mind all week (just ask Jeremy; I've been looking up stats, race times, other races, etc...:-)) and I can now see why so many people train for and run these challenging races --- the feelings of accomplishment and strength are amazing!! (Of course the next 2-3 days after of being sore and sick to my stomach will be hard to forget as well -- but, hey, no big feat comes w/out it's challenges, right???)

After the race:


My biggest fan:

Brushing, brushing and more brushing.....

Colby has been obsessed with brushing lately; brushing his teeth, brushing his hair, brushing Maddy's hair and anyone else's hair that will let him! It started out really cute (and helpful) as he would stay in the bathroom for long amounts of time brushing his teeth and I could get ready for the day, etc...w/out worrying about him getting into something.

Well, now, we are having some problems when it's time to go somewhere or really do anything that requires going downstairs and getting out of the bathroom! Colby will throw a complete tantrum if you try and pull him away from his teeth brushing!! You can just tell that he thinks he is such a big boy when he is in that bathroom brushing away and he is so proud of himself!! Jeremy even told our babysitter the other night to not allow Colby into the bathroom to brush his teeth or she would never be able to get him out of there! Ha! We'll see how long this phase lasts!

Day Off....

Today Maddy had a day off of school for a teacher in-service day. It was really nice having her home. We went to a music class at our church in the morning and then went over to Incredible Pizza for lunch and to play some games. Maddy must have been in need of a little catch-up sleep as she fell asleep on the couch this afternoon while Colby was taking his nap! It was a fun day and it makes me miss having Maddy around during the week when Colby and I are out and about. Great time had by all!!

No School Today!!! Yeah!!!


Maddy won these at Incredible Pizza:


Colby wearing the big glasses:


Time to catch up on some rest:

That's Not Fair!.......

....Or in Colby's words "ahhhh!! ahhhh!!! ahhhh!!!!!!!!"

Lately Colby has been wanting everything Maddy has. He followed her around the house crying yesterday as she was eating a popsicle (BTW - he has never even had a popsicle before, but was still mad she was eating something and he was not ;-)).

This morning when we were leaving to take Maddy to school, he insisted on bringing his backpack as well.

After I pack Maddy's lunch in the morning he has to make sure he gets to carry her lunch box around for a little while before she gets it.

It is kind of cute in some ways, but I see that I am now going to have to re-think how I do things around here a little bit. Not sure I was ready to deal with "fairness" issues yet, but here we go! A little scary in the fact that Colby is only 1 1/2 and already knows when he may be being 'deprived' of something!

Labor Day at the Zoo --

We went to the Des Moines Zoo over Labor Day weekend with Katie, Rob and RJ. It was a great time and the kids loved it! Somehow the zoo becomes so much more exciting when you have your cousin there with you ;-)


Maddy and RJ riding a camel:


Rob, Katie, Maddy and RJ feeding the fish:


Colby LOVED the goats...


...and the goats LOVED Colby (he wouldn't quit feeding them ;-))


Here, have some more....(I don't think Colby is afraid of ANYTHING -- Maddy was way more hesitant to feed animals at his age if she even did it at all!)


So Fun!!:


Maddy and me on the bridge in the rainforest area (I usually never walk across the bridge w/Maddy as I always have the stroller (she thought this was pretty cool) -- so many more options when Jeremy is with us! ;-))

Book Worm

Maddy has turned into quite the book worm lately -- We practiced on her reading all summer (she was really into it) and it has really been coming along great. It's almost like something clicked for her recently and she is reading like crazy. She has several easy reader books, but also has Colby's books to practice with. She has always loved books since the time she was little, so it's really neat to see how that is still the case!

The great news for me is that Colby really enjoys having books read to him so it has become a win/win situation for all of us!! Maddy has a willing listener at a moment's notice and Colby has a built-in book reader!