Memorial Weekend

Memorial weekend was great! I love three day weekends, and am so excited that we only have one week left of school, yay!

I started the weekend nice and early, leaving the house at 4:30 am on saturday to make it to a triathalon I did with some friends from the ward. Yes, I did a triathalon.

What? You had no idea?

Oh, that may be because I kinda slacked on training for it, and also signed up last minute.

Yeah, not training for a triathalon isn't always the best idea.

I don't have any pictures of me competing, so I've found a few pictures online that can give you an idea of what it may have been like to be there.

The swim was first, and was my favorite part of the whole thing. It was in the pool, and it got a little congested, but it wasn't too bad, I had to throw in this picture of Halli, kinda what I felt like during the swim...not half bad!

From there, it was onto the bike ride. I always thought you could fake the bike ride. So I didn't train on the bike very well...and I don't have a road bike. It can be a little humiliating watching hordes of people passing you.

I was dead wrong about the bike. It's actually the most important event. It's where you make or lose all your time. I've learned better for next time, trust me.

I kinda felt like this kid during the bike. Like I wasn't moving, and a little bummed that I just kinda stunk at it.

The last event was the run, 3 miles. I can do three miles. Just not really well after a 15 mile bike. But I didn't do too bad, and I didn't walk. I just felt a little like the lady below. Although I hope I'm still running when I'm her age.

I did get under my goal time though. (okay, so it wasn't real ambitious, but I did it!).

All in all, it was fun, a great experience, and it's made me really want to do another just to prove to myself that I can do way better. My pride may have been slightly hurt, but I still felt mega girl power after completing it, even if it was a little sad.

Our next fun event for the weekend was swimming at the grandparents house. Yes, we do it alot, thank goodness for great in-laws with a big pool, right? Warning, lots of photos ahead, but I had to get some of everyone in the pool having fun. It's kinda crazy to get together with all the cousins and see just how many kids can get in that pool at the same time.

Lexie just loves the bubbles, and the water makes her eyes SO blue, love it!

Peyton playing with dad, no one can bring out a smile like he can.

one of the few photos of Halli above water, I swear that girl can stay in the pool all day.

Kylie and Savannah playing with their dad.

Jess and Olivia, she was a total dare-devil jumping in the pool.

Olivia and Rachel playing in the waterfall.

Grandpa just lounging in the pool

Katelyn and Jeff. She was loving playing with him in the pool

Rachel looking cute, I just liked this photo.

and one last one showing off my baby. She's just getting too big, way too fast.

We all had a great weekend, Halli did awesome at her swim meet too, I missed it this week, but she was 4 seconds faster in the the 25 free, and her relay team won! She impresses me so much with how talented she is. Gotta love a fun-filled, action-packed three day weekend with the family. There ain't nothin better!

I was featured!

I've officially had my first blog feature, woo hoo!
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I was looking for fun ideas for a birthday party for Lexie and found this really cute website, Creative parties and showers. They have the best ideas for real parties, and great pictures too! I am a visual person so I love to see the ideas implimented. While there I submitted the fun sports themed baby shower we did last month, and today, it was featured! Go check it out and see some of the other awesome parties they have there.

First Swim Meet

Kevin and I had debated for awhile about putting Halli into anything competitive, but finally decided that Swim Team would be fun and beneficial. Not to mention, this girl is a total fish.

So we've been having practices every day for the past three weeks.

That can be a little tiring.

Especially cause it's right at dinner time. But, she absolutely loves it.

She wasn't real sure what to think of her first meet. They let all the kids get in and do a warm up early that morning, and she was kinda disappointed that she had to get out. After that, she spent the majority of her time asking to go to grandma's house to go swimming.

But, I am glad to say, that after doing her one event she loved it and want's to keep going to all the meets! Glad it was worth it for her, and she's learning a bunch and doing really well, so, I suppose it was worth it for me too.

looking like the real deal in her swim gear.

Right after her warm-up, and ready to go.

This was Peyton's face the majority of the time. She did NOT want to be there, and was hot and tired. Good thing we love her, and think that face is cute!

Halli waiting on deck for her turn to race.

Getting some pointers from dad.

The signature "halli" move. Her eyes are ALWAYS indented with the oval of her googles. I really don't know why she doesn't loosen them up, believe me, we've tried.

on the block and ready to go! Doesn't she look like a tough competitor?

In the start position. See how she's checking everyone else out to make sure she's got it right? I love this funny kid.

There goes everyone! Except Halli, who seems to be making sure it's the right time to jump in.

Not quite the last one out, but close! Not to worry, she still finished 2nd!

Look at that form! Now we just need to teach her how to breath, cause she stops and doggy paddles when she needs to take a breath.

Our little athlete. She was very proud of herself, as she should be.

After spending all morning in the hot sun, as soon as Halli finished, we took off. We headed over to grandma Williams house to hop in the pool, and it felt GREAT!

Peyton and her Grandpa, she loves him!

daddy's girl. She adores him and I love it!

Look at my tough guy, isn't he just Handsome! I love that he's trying not to smile here.:)

Halli and dad goofing off.

I have way too many pictures of her swimming around, but thought this one was kinda cute.

We had a great day enjoying the water and cheering on our little girl in her first (of many, I'm sure) athletic competitions. It was so fun to watch her do her best and try her hardest to achieve something. She is amazing. She has that competitive bone in her, and comes by it naturally, so it'll be fun to watch her grow and succeed at many things. Love you Halli, and Congrats, you did AWESOME!

When did this happen?

This morning the girls woke up at 6am. I was not happy. Luckily, they didn't wake me up, I could just hear them. So, I feel back asleep and got up at 6:45 to start getting them ready for the day. I came out, to see Halli in the kitchen, making herself a sandwich for her lunch. She was also dressed (in clothes far too warm for this time of year), and she had a bow in her uncombed hair. I walked past her to go upstairs and get Lexie, and ran into Peyton who was playing, and was also dressed in clothes far too warm for this weather,with a bow in her hair. I guess Halli had helped get her ready for the day.

After changing their clothes and fixing their hair, I told them to come downstairs to eat breakfast, only to hear that they already had. Halli had poured them both cereal, with the milk, and gotten them drinks.

I did not know she would want to be so self sufficient so soon. It's nice that I know she can take care of herself, but it's so weird to think that I have a child old enough to be getting her own meals ready. She is one amazing little, or I suppose now it's big, girl.