Alyson's longest run to date

I forgot to post that Alyson ran her longest run to date. On Saturday she and I went for a seven and a half mile run to Pheasant Branch Conservancy and then back home. We didn't set any records for our pace, but we had lots of fun. I can't wait to get a chance to have another long run with her again. Hopefully this hot and humid weather will pass soon so we can get that chance.

Our track star

Alyson had her last day of Middleton City track today. The coaches put together a track meet for the kids. Alyson chose to participate in the mile, the half mile, the relay, and the long jump. She did very well taking second place in the mile and half mile, each time behind a boy. And a very close 2nd place in the relay. Next is the Waunefest 5K in 2 1/2 weeks. Go girl!

Cutting teeth

Joel began cutting his first tooth about a week ago. Now he has another one coming through next to the first. Our happy little guy is a little more fussy than usual. Night times have been especially difficult for Joel. Here is a picture of him laying in his daddy's arms. Kris is a pro at putting Joel to sleep.

Our magic garden

It seems that our yard is always in bloom. A couple of weeks after we moved to our new home, plants began to sprout out of the ground everwhete. First came the daffodils. Then peonies a bloomed few weeks later. They were beautiful shades of pinks and reds. And then a type of flower we have never seen before grew and grew and grew. A lot of them ended up being a taller than Kourtney and some taller than Alyson. The flowers have big round ball looking flowers that turn into the most colorful dandy lion-looking seeds when they go to seed. You can see a picture of Keegan standing in front of a lilly still yet to bloom. Then we had beautiful lilies sprouting out of the ground too. It was during one of these weeks that a man walking past our home approached Kris while we were outside. He told Kris that he called our house the Magic Garden because he never knew what kind of flowers would be sprouting up next. To be completely honest, we never know what we are going to get either! The previous homeowner planted bulbs all over the place. He even told us so but couldn't remember what kinds he had planted. We are very grateful for the beauty he left us. Here are a few pictures of my favorite lilies and dafffodils. Hope you enjoy.

You know you're getting old when...

Alyson and Kourtney played their first round of golf all by themselves today. As I watched them tee off on the first hole, I thought about just how quickly time flies.

It feels just like yesterday that they were babies like Joel. Now they're 8 and 10 years old and so independent. I drove away and saw them walking down the second fairway. About an hour and a half later, Kris picked them up. They have had several firsts this week. On wednesday I dropped them off at the community pool. They swam for 2 hours and then walked home.

Before I know it Alyson will be old enough to babysit and put her motherly skills to use. Kourtney will soon follow. Wow! It sure makes me feel old and proud at the same time!

Joel's first steps

Joel has been on the verge of walking for almost a month now. He's taken a step every now and then especially when we're in the pool, but I honestly think we can say Joel has taken his first steps for sure. It happened while we were eating dinner with some friends tonight. He walked from one couch to another to get to his daddy. Maybe his baby walker has really come in handy, or maybe it's just his desire to keep up with his siblings that is driving Joel to walk at nine and a half months. Whatever the reason, we are excited!

This is a picture of Joel zooming his walker around just before bed. What a happy guy!

Our 1st July 4th and Madison Wisconsin

Our family had a very fun and eventful July 4th. We spent the morning at Lakeview Park for a ward celebration. We ate breakfast and watched the kids play in the park and on the splash pad.

Then we went home, had a little nap while the kids watched a movie, and got ready for a fishing trip to Columbus, Wisconsin. Columbus is about a 45 minute drive from Middleton. What took us to Columbus, Wisconsin you may ask? Fishing and fireworks.

The river we fished on was very beautiful. We had fun casting out our lines but unfortunately we only caught one fish. Our luck fishing in Wisconsin has been pretty poor thus far. But we enjoyed the scenery and family time all the same.

Following our fishing trip we drove back to Columbus and ordered pizza. Then we found a place in the Fireman's Park to watch the fireworks. Joel and I played on the blankets while Kris took Alyson, Kourtney, Ellary, and Keegan to a carnival in the park.

At dusk we watched the fireworks. Joel was intrigued at first and also afraid at times when the fireworks went boom. Keegan was excited to watch the fireworks. Ellary laughed and pointed out all of her favorite fireworks. She said she likes carnival rides but that fireworks are better. Funny kid! It made me think back to when we watched fireworks last. When I got thinking about it, it was 4 years ago in Grand Junction, Colorado with all of our family including Nana, Papa, Oma, Aunt Uta, Uncle Jim and my sister Renee and her family. Ellary was only a little over a year and Keegan hadn't been born yet. So as we sat in Fireman's Park it was as if 3 of the 7 people in our family were watching the fireworks for the first time.

Following the fireworks, we drove 45 minutes back home. All of the kids stayed awake except for Joel. What a great day and a fun way to celebrate the birth of our nation!