Triathalon - Take 1

Some of you know about the Triathlon I am doing in August with Eliza (the week of her wedding!), Laurel, Alli & Marge.  Well, since I have never done a triathlon before, I figured I should get some experience.  So, Ashley & I entered the Family Tri this past weekend.  It was a grueling 50 yd swim, 2 mile bike and 1/2 mile run.  I think they should have more triathlons this length.  Anyway, we had a blast and Ashley did great.  It was an un-timed event - whoever created such a thing must have been a slow runner.  I'm sure we won.  Here we are before the swim:

T1: (this is official)

Taking off on the bike:

Abby waiting for the bike to be over:

Charlie waiting for the bike to be over:

Off for the run!

Abby waiting for the run to be over and now wanting to be a part of the action instead of on the sidelines:

Success!

Needless to say, next year I anticipate Ashley & Abby to be doing this.  And one of them will probably beat me.  :)

More activites of summer

Here are a few random things we've done to enjoy summertime.

Ashley went to a cake decorating party.  Here is her result complete with fondant and all the bells and whistles. 

She did not care for the taste of the fondant. I had never tried it before so I asked for a taste.  She mentioned that it tasted like black licorice, so from the moment I tried it, I could link those 2 flavors together, and now I love the taste of fondant.  It may taste nothing like black licorice, but in my mind it's the same.  :)

We went to the Chirldren's museum where they have a place to do your own face painting.  This is a hit with the kids.  Ashley doesn't "like the feel of the paint" on her face (she is Andy's kid), but Abby makes up for both of them.

Ashley practicing her art:

It actually started out as a flower, then Abby added her own artistic touch. (and "scawey" face)

We went to a pool party at a family's house that I did a class at this year.  They had lots of entertainment for the kids, including this llama which Ashley got to feed.  Now she wants one.  :)

And the newest addition to our home.  This came just in time for the nice weather. 

I think the kids have been in it every day.  Two out of the 3 kids like it. 

4th of July

We had amazing weather for the 4th of July!  The girls walked in the neighborhood parade for the first time.  Charlie watched with Andy and some neighbors and friends from our house.  He didn't miss out on the excitement though.  Here he is with his face painted:

The kids and me before the parade.  Abby dressed up like Buzz Lightyear (somehow that's patriotic) and Ashley sported her red, white and blue and threw out candy.  The parade was a mile route which was just about perfect.

This is also from the beginning of the parade.  There was a guy serenading people with his accordion and he seemed to be especially close to us a lot of the time.  He came up to Abby at one point and started playing this song from Toy Story.  She did not recognize the song and was seriously rethinking her decision to be in the parade at this point.  This may be a "you had to be there" video, but I'll post it anyway.

The Goldmans with their John Deere tractor and Eli with his award winning bike.

A view of the parade.  I think Ashley did more holding onto her candy than throwing it.  She came home with a lot!

After the parade and an afternoon with friends, we napped and stored up more energy for the evening.  We did some fireworks from our house, but mainly enjoyed the ones our neighbors were setting off while we roasted marshmallows. 

Charlie's first sparkler:

Ashley not a fan of the sparkler:

2 peas in a pod:

Abby seems to be absent from these pictures.  I think she was off setting fires somewhere.  :)

Summer is here!

At the time, we thought summer was here to stay, but now, over a month later, I can see that it was only teasing us.  We had 2 warm days in June after school was out, then 60's and rainy for many days to come.  I am pleased to say that summer is back now though!  Here is how our summer got started:

Thinking it was summer:

Ashley makes lunch most days we don't eat at the park.  This day she was serving sliced cherries, watermelon, yogurt, tater tots & green beans.  Hope you came hungry!

Slightly annoyed Charlie was eating faster than she could serve.

Ashley really missed the uniform routine.  She loved waking up and having an excuse to put on the same outfit as the day before, I mean, new clothes of course, just looked the same.  Or something.  :)  She rallied Abby and Charlie to hop on her bandwagon, and here they are all dressed alike for our outing.  I'm banking on what comment I'll get for this one.

It's so nice having them home.  We are taking full advantage of any summer weather we get and having Daddy at home!  :)

Last day of school!

No, we are not on a weird schedule here, I am just VERY behind in updating this blog.  The girls both had great ends to their school year.  Abby first since hers ended earlier.

First of all, first day to last day comparisons.  First day of 4's preschool.  Who could forget these pictures:

And then on her last day.

How did she get so big? (I will refrain from putting a frowny face here)  She had a performance on her last day which was great.  They recited their Bible verses from A-Z which was amazing to hear.  Here she is with her teacher, Mrs. Goudy, who we all LOVED.

And a few of her friends from her class:

She learned so much this year.  So are so thankful for her time at Prince of Peace.

Ashley had to go a couple of weeks longer to school which Abby loved to point out every morning.  Here is a look at her years worth of growing.

First day:

And last day (a no uniform day):

They had a really fun Field Day on their last day.  The weather was great and it went off very smoothly for the first one ever.  Abby even got to participate in some games.

And then clan packing up to go home for the summer!  I think that was the remnants of a giraffe on Abby's face.

Ashley's program was a few days before school got out.  They did a great job and had a lot of fun with it.

A great school year!  Looking forward to a fun summer! (which is now half-way over)