Trout? No way!

Alec just returned from scout camp and claims he tried and liked trout. I still need to verify with someone that actually saw him eat it, because Steve and I just can't believe it.

Summer...thus far.

Annual 4th of July picture
Celebrating the 4th of July with neighbors at the annual block party

Swim meets with Alec

Helping at Swim meets

First sunburn of the summer...ouch Rachel!

Amy's swim lessons with Alex Harker

Rachel's annual trip to Boise to see Grandma and Grandpa Hibler

Thank you for Rachel!

I could make a list a mile long of the reasons I am thankful Rachel. Just some of the those reasons are:

She...
is thoughtful and considerate
is so helpful,
is the best home based babysitter ever
is perceptive and can tell when I or anyone else needs help
always does what I ask the first time I ask
never says, "But...." like her brother after I say something
and on and on and on.

But, today I most thankful for Rachel because she has...NO CAVITIES!!! This, even after not going to the dentist for a year and a half. As is often the case, Rachel got overlooked and didn't see the dentist since February of 2008. Oops! Between my recent teeth problems and Alec's constant problems and cavities...we seemed to have been going enough for 2 families. Sorry Rachel...and thanks for taking care of your teeth. Once again, you didn't let me down and you remain daddy's "golden child".

Who'd of thought?

I would have never thought that my kids would ever listen to Michael Jackson like I did, but they are. I admit it, I loved Michael Jackson and the whole Thriller album. Me and all my good friends made up dance moves to the whole Thriller song. Who didn't love Beat it, and Billy Jean, Man in the Mirror, P.Y.T., Black and White. I am sure there are plenty of people that didn't, but I did. Since his death my kids have taken a total interest in him. They learned about plastic surgery and why not to do it. I shared my stories of my 7th and 8th grade years of listening to Thriller. And because of youtube my kids love watching the videos over and over. Amy's favorite is Beat it. Rachel's is Thriller. Alec has many...Black and White, Man in the Mirror, and Will You Be There. I have to say...I am sad he is gone.

Alec's 13th Birthday!

Once again Alec celebrated a birthday at Boomers. For a kids that loves that place it's a wonder he only goes once a year. The kids played both 18th hole courses. They played some seriously, but mostly just a bunch of messing around. Bumper Boats to cool off. Alec got it the worse from both Devin and Taylor.

Taylor, Alec and Devin...soaked after the Bumper Boats.

Not sure what the game was called, but it was the bomb for the three boys. They release a ball from above the holes you see in the behind Alec. Depending on the hole the ball lands in you receive either 4 tickets up to the jack pot of 850 +. All the boys did really well. Alec actually go the Jack Pot. To him he won the lottery. It basically bought him a giant glitter bouncey ball and cotton candy.

After Boomers it was off to the all you can eat pizza buffet at Round Table. Steve, Rachel and Amy meet up with us there.

Home to play around, open presents, and eat cake. However, no one ever eat cake...too full from dinner.

Another master piece from Dad. It was a 3 layer, swirl cake. We actually ate it 2 days later.

Among other presents...Alec got a $50 bill from Grandma and Grandpa Hibler that almost gave him a heart attack.

Our present to him was a new golf bag and hand me down clubs that Steve re-gripped for him. He was ecstatic! His jr. set he out grew a few years ago...so he was really happy about this.

With the birthday presents from his friends they played Nerf guns for the evening. They ended with watching a "Forever Strong", sleeping on the tramp, and french toast for breakfast.

I have a teenager!

It's official...today at 3:07pm Alec turned 13 years old. Steve and I are still in shock...how did this happen so quickly? Our scrawny 6lb. 7oz, 21 inch baby boy has grown into a 120lb, 5'6", size 11 shoe teenager boy who loves to swim competitively, has a fast growing interest in golf, loves the computer, scouts, his ipod, his buddies, and of course girls. Although, it has not always been easy raising him...it has always been rewarding to be his mother. He was my first and for that he deserves a bit of a break. I didn't always know what I was doing and regret so much of what I have done or didn't do, but I have always loved him with all my heart. Happy 13th Birthday Alec

1/2 Marathon...Check!

I did it! I ran a 1/2 marathon! Which wasn't too surprising when it got down to race day. Once you have completed 10 miles in training, you know you can run 13.1. But, there were days of concern during my training I worried if I would be able to ran 13 miles. Luckily, the Saturday before my race, Emily and I ran 10 miles that felt great. It motivated me...it reassured me that I could do it. On May 30th 2009 I ran and finished the See Jane Run 1/2 marathon. I wanted and expected to finish in 2 hours and 30 minutes. I thought maybe I might finish a little better if I really experienced that "burst of energy" they say you can get towards the end of you race. Unfortunately, the head winds along the Bay hindered my endorphins...so my official time was 2:31:18. My first thoughts after crossing the finished line where...13 is much longer than 10, a full marathon is crazy, and I will definitely do it again.

This is me running in my last 30/40 yards.

My legs were so tired at this point...and even though I was never going to stop and walk, I was very ready to stop running.

The clock to the left was the race clock that started at the sound of the start gun. All runners had their individual time chip attached to their shoe. It tripped when we went through the start and finish line. After the official start I didn't cross the start line for almost a minute after the gun. That is why the clock says something different than my official time. Either way...I'm very pleased at my time.

Oh so happy I was done.

Emily was my partner in crime...and best training partner ever.

Look closely...it's only chocolate in the glasses.

My girls were there at the finish with Steve and Alec to congratulate and support me. Alec ran in the kids 1 mile race...his friend Taylor took 1st, Alec took 2nd, and his other friend Devin took 3rd. Both of their moms ran in the race too.