A Real Date

Trent and I were able to go on a real date last night. Brooke was nice enough to offer her babysitting skills and she got off work early so we didn't have to do dinner for the kids. Usually when we get a night out we just go to dinner because I am on call, but last night we decided to step it up a bit. We picked up Trent's racing packet, hit up Training Table, and went and saw Harry Potter. I honestly can't remember the last time we did dinner AND a movie, so of course I had to document it.

It was a good time and a nice break from our kid life. Thanks Brooke!

Josh Days

We were able to have Josh over for a couple of days and my kids couldn't have been more excited.

The kids played the balancing game on the pool.
Followed by a quick splash.
We went to the Zoo and had a couple of runs on the train.


Played with dinosaurs.

Hugged a gorilla.

(No, Oakley was not extremely sweaty, she just got hosed by the giant elephant.

The boys rode the carousal together.

And Oakley found a cute ladybug to ride by herself.

We had some fun times and a late night, and the kids enjoyed themselves immensely. They can't wait until the next visit.

Deseret News

Like I said in the last post, we ran in the Deseret News Races bright and early Monday morning. I ran the 10K with Kim and her sister Wendy. It was a very fun course, mostly down hill. Seeing how it was all down hill I was able to beat my last PR by over 2 minutes. I crossed the finish line with a time of 47:02. Brooke chose to do the 5K with her friend Nicole. They even got medals. Not very fair for us 10K'ers.
We had a little photo shoot while waiting for Trent to come across the finish line. Kim and I laugh at the differences of our bodies. The middle picture cracks us up. You can't even see her number and you can almost see my head. And Brooke and I were turquoise twinners.
Trent came across the finish line in great spirits. He came in 5th with a time of 2:46:47. Lets just say it was a great racing weekend for Trent. He even made it in the Deseret News.
And as always, it is fun to "run" with Trent and even more fun to watch him cross the finish line.
"Oh, Big gulps huh? All right.............well, see ya later."

Our 24th

We had a fun and busy 24th. Here are the details.

We ate and played at the Bountiful Handcart Days Fair. I loved this growing up, so I try to do it every year with our kids. They love it too. Trent not so much.

Then we watched the Fireworks from our roof. After watching the fireworks you can't really complain about the $2 rides and such.

On Saturday, after The Miracle, we went swimming at Maga's pool. Always a good time. Pictures were stolen from Heidi.

Sunday we had my family over for a BBQ and small fireworks. Sorry no pics.

Monday morning we all rose early and ran a race. That is another post though.

Monday night we headed out to Jensen for another BIG firework show. There was quite a row of spectators.
And we all love to do the "Adult" sparklers.
And I had to post this pic. Teri is so excited and Andrea looks like she is bored stiff.

After the weekend, we went straight home and straight to bed. This morning came too fast. It may be a few days before we are back to normal. Actually, we are never back to normal. Trent and I are always exhausted.

Thanks to all for a great weekend.

A Pioneer Miracle

I am not talking about one of the miracles that happened with a real pioneer ancestor, I am talking about a miracle that happened on Saturday. You all know by now that Trent is a little obsessed with running. One of his favorite races is the St. George Marathon. And for those that don't know, it is a lottery race, meaning there are 10,000 entries and only 7,000 slots, so the participants are "pulled out of a hat." Trent was lucky enough to get in 3 years in a row, but on May 1st of this year or Dooms Day, he didn't get in. You would have thought a family member had passed with the depression that consumed Trent. He was so distraught he was actually considering "buying" in with a charity ticket, which you can purchase for a small amount of $1,000. Yes, I said that right, $1,000. I told Trent if he even got close to doing that I would be gone. Luckily, he loves me more than running and chose not to do it. However, he has been in a severe depression ever since.

Then he found out that the St. George Marathon gives slots to other races to help promote their race. He found a half marathon a couple weeks ago, but didn't get the slot. Then on Friday night he found another race in Provo that would give the slot to the best pioneer costume. He thought if he could find a handcart and push all our kids, while dressed in pioneer clothes he would for sure win. So, at 8:00 Friday night he went to work on constructing a handcart.

Using a few household items items in the proper proportion Cam and Trent built an amazing handcart.
Our ward had just gone on a Pioneer Trek, so I called a couple of the YW and got their bonnets and aprons for my girls. For Trent and the boys we found some clothes throughout the house and everything was set to go. So, bright and early (5:00 am) the next morning everyone headed out to the race.

It was so early they didn't eat before they left, so they ate on the side of the road after registering.

And here is my pioneer family. Isn't that awesome?

Jenny was the photographer and number 1 fan.

Brooke was my substitute. I couldn't go because I was on call for work.

The Hoard loaded up and waiting for the race. And you really have to know how desperate Trent was to win this costume contest. He NEVER runs in anything that isn't comfortable for running. I was actually shocked that he even considered it. But I guess if you are willing to spend $1,000, you would be willing to dress up for one race.

And the race begins! I think Brooke was pretty excited.

I think Trent was too.

And Jenny.
And here they are approaching the finish line. Even with pushing 5 kids in a "handcart" while wearing pioneer clothes, Trent finished the 5K in 22:45. Seriously, he came in 22nd. He is a pioneer animal.

And Brooke got a personal record and came in with a time of 34 minutes.

Afterwards they held a kids race. Aiden was so excited to participate.

And like father, like son, he was a racing animal and came in 1st.

He won a pair of Skullcandy headphones. He has been listening to Ipods ever since. Actually, sometimes he wears them even if there is nothing attached to the end.

The other kids got their faces painted.

And on the way home everyone crashed.

And if you are wondering what the miracle is, well, Trent won the costume contest and has gotten himself into the St. George Marathon. The fog has been lifted and the sun is shining here at The Hoard.

And a big shout out to Jenny and Brooke who rose early and helped Trent fulfill his dream. I, on the other hand, was able to go back to sleep after they left. I was able to sleep in until 9:00. I don't even remember the last time I was able to sleep till 9. I guess there were 2 miracles on Saturday the 23rd of July.

Time Out

I am not talking about the kids this time. I needed time out of the house. So, my fellow book clubbers and I went out to the fabulous Training Table (which was a first for Tracy, can you believe that?), saw Jane Eyre at the Dollar Movies, and finished it off with some of the most delicious pink lemonade sorbet from TCBY.

Me, Meg, Tracy, Heather, Kristen, Kim.

And look at those HUGE salads. 3 people could probably share 1 salad. And you can't see the unhealthy food Kim and I devoured.

Thanks for the night ladies. I needed something to get me out of my funk.

I Love Them...I Love Them Not

Trent and I have wondered what has happened to our kids. They have always been hard and a lot to handle, but the past few weeks it has been multiplied by 10. And yesterday may have been one of the worst days thus far.

Aiden and Oakley decided to pick a daisy. They both had 1 when I caught them. I told them that we do not ever pick flowers and to not pick anymore. 20 minutes later I found this on our back patio:

After they were in time out for an insane amount of time Aiden decided to get one of Oliver's pee filled diapers and smack it on the door a few times....and of course it exploded:
Along with the above there were the normal fights, teasing, messes, and such. And to end the night perfectly Morgan decided she couldn't control her bowels and pooped in my shower.

So needless to say we have spent a lot of time in time out lately:

The rules of time out are the kids cannot speak or make any noise at all and they cannot move. Morgan was the best and didn't move or speak for 10 minutes in the above pic.

But then this morning Aiden redeemed himself and helped Oakley with her reading and writing.

It really was cute and times like this make the hard times barable.

And I really do love my kids ALL the time, but sometimes they drive me insane.

Long Day

Yesterday was a long day. I left my house for work at 7:30 and didn't get home until 9 that night. And since work cut my work out short in the early hours of the morning I ran with Kim when I got home.

It was a good run.

Topped off with a handful (or 2 or 3) of peanut M&M's.

Knotty

Oakley absolutely hates having her hair done. So, for the majority of the Summer she has walked around with bed head, looking like a little lost orphan. Because of this (and just cause we like them) Trent, Kim, and I have been trying to get Oakley to get dread locks. We bribed her with lots of different things and finally Kim found the winning combinations and Oakley agreed.

Here is a step by step of Oakley and Kimmy's day of fun. (Does that remind anyone else of something from Friends?)

Once the date was set, Oakley was so excited. She had a countdown to D day. And on the day of, she kept asking and asking when Kim was getting home from work. She really couldn't wait.

The before pic. See what I mean about the scraggly, orphan look?

First up, putting the elastics in so the dreads would look "well" placed.

I really can't believe Oakley sat through the whole process.

Next came the ratting.

Lots and lots of ratting.

Then the rewards/bribes. Oakley wanted Texas Roadhouse so she could have all she should eat rolls and root beer.

Someone at the restaurant commented to Kim that she loved her and her daughter's hair. Kim just smiled and said thank you.

The next reward-ice cream.

Oakley was in Heaven with a large twist ice cream cone and the ability to eat it messily. Is messily a word? If not, it should be.

The last part of the reward was a sleepover with Kim. Just look at those 2 dread lovin' fools.

And Oakley even got time with the camera. She is such a photographer.

And finally, the dreads were done. They are a little crazy right now, but we all love them. The elastics will come out in the next day or two. And it has been so nice to just grab her dreads and put them in a pony tail. No combing, no fighting. Perfect

So, dready or not here she comes.

(And a big thanks to Kim who did all the work, took Oakley to get all her rewards, and even bought her a pack of cute headbands.)