Fun story about Olivia. . .

Our ward Primary program is coming up and we are practicing a lot of great songs.  One song the kids are working on is "Called to Serve."  Olivia was singing this song to herself on Sunday and was singing the chorus like this. . . ."Awkward, ever Awkward. . "--instead of "Onward, ever onward. . ."  Ryan and I just looked at each other and laughed like crazy.  We even tried to correct her but she refused to sing it differently!  We love Olivia!

A day at the CIRCUS!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Martin took Dru and Olivia to the Circus Saturday afternoon.  The girls of course woke up early with great anticipation for the big day.  After 4 hours of fun we found them with fun hats, cotton candy and chocolate covered marshmallows.  They had a blast!  Thank you G-ma and G-pa Martin!!!

I guess Olivia went to town on the popcorn.  I am not surprised!

Grandma and girls

Grandpa and girls

{Picture Day}

Dru did take off her coat for the pictures and I should have taken it off for this one.  She wore a darling dress with a ruffle bib front.  I trained her on how to fix her hair right before they take the picture.  She came home and said a lady tried to touch her hair and Dru told her. . . "Oh, that's ok, my mom told me how to do it."  I guess we'll see in a couple of weeks what it looks like.  

A close up

An afternoon play date with their dolls.  Dru and Liv LOVE to play with their dolls and talk on their play cell phones, go to the play park.  They will both make great moms one day!

Top of Utah Marathon!

I ran the Logan TOU marathon on September 20th.  I ran with 3 women in my neighborhood. {Desiree Roberts, Leslie Peterson and Lisa Adams}  We trained for 6 long months.  I am glad it is over, but would do it again.  At mile 19 my knees gave out on me so I had to walk a lot of the last bit.  I ran in the last mile and the last 30 yards with Ry and Dru.  It was a great moment.  2 of my friends finished in great time.  My other friend Lisa would not leave my side.  I told her to run a head, but she said that she we were going to finish together.  I even used her as a crutch part of the way.  She is a dear friend.  

It is a little blurry, but this is the finish line.  

Ry, Dru, me and Lisa

You can actually see the finish line in this picture.  

This is a picture at mile 14.  This is the first time we saw family.  It was SOOO great to see and hear everyone.

This picture is HIDEOUS of me but it shows how excited I was to see Ryan.  Don't ask me what the guy next to me is doing running in jeans?

Staying hydrated and staying by Ryan after the race.

Showing our "Running Chicks" shirts.  They were so fun to wear because we got so many comments.  Thanks Leslie!

Some of our new friends. . . the meds on bikes.

My family!!!  They were such a support.  I could not have done it without Ryan.  The training was time consuming.  Ryan never complained, but rather was always very encouraging.  Running this marathon was ALL I could think and talk about.  Ryan was a good listener!

Our family with Taunya (ry's mom) and my parents.  It was a long day and they were there every step of the way.  Thank you!

Running with Dru.  She was so excited to be there.  I bet she will be my little running partner in a few years.

Running with Dru at another point in the race.  Ryan cheering me on.  They really kept me going.  {Look at the guy bandaged behind me.  He fell at mile ONE and I think got stepped on a few times.  He caught up to me and then passed me.  He is a serious runner.}  I hope to never be that serious!!!!

Ryan running with me for a bit.  If it weren't for that darn asthma, he would probably run the whole thing with me!

A cute shot of Dru on the sidelines!

My dear friend Leslie giving high fives to the fan club.  She is an amazing ultra runner. 

 

A beautiful 2 dozen arrangement of roses from Rayne.  A note attached saying. . . 

Congratulations on your "first" marathon.  

A darling boquet of my favorite flowers from Taunya.

A fun sign made by my mom and put up by her and my dad late Thusday night wishing me good luck.  It was fun to walk out and see it.  Livy thought it was her birthday.

Part of our loud and faithful cheering squad.

Meg, Jake, and my family

Adding Paul, my mom, and Haley

Olivia's first day of preschool!

Olivia started preschool today at Brighton High school at the Bengal Paw Preschool.

She woke up early and then went back to bed because we were not up yet.  I went in at 7:35 and she leaped out of bed and ran to her clothes we had set out the night before.  She couldn't wait and was upset that Dru went to school first and then had to wait a whole hour until her school started.

Dru was excited for Olivia.  They hugged and giggled all morning long.

Liv said, "Mom, I will tilt my head for you in this one."

This is the corner where we meet Dru's friends.  It is a sad farewell for Liv.

Ryan and the girls

I walk with the girls in running clothes or pjs everyday.  I am sure the morning commuters are quite amused.

Here are Olivia's cute friends who are in our preschool carpool. 

Pheobe, Jared and Kamryn.

School Days

I am trying really hard not to take pictures of the girls everyday they go to school, but I just can't help it.  They are so excited and look pretty darn cute.  Dru loves getting her picture taken as you can see below.

Olivia, on the other hand is different.  She is in the mood or she is definitely not!  Below is an example of NOT!  She may look like she is smiling happily, but rather she is angry at me and is flinging her arms about in disgust.

The crying begins so I put down the camera.

Once we walk Dru to the corner to meet her friends, Olivia is happy once again.  She is NOW in the mood and will pose beautifully for a picture!

the good, the bad & the Ugly

Our poor garden has taken a beating this Summer with the crazy Utah weather and a lack of TLC.  Ryan's peppers have actually done well.  He eats them with breakfast, lunch and dinner.  In the middle is our first and only tomato.   The end is a bizarre deformed pepper.  Even Ryan won't touch that one!

PEEK- A- BOO

They don't come any better than Rylie!  She is growing so fast I am trying not to blink.  Her latest has been playing peek-a-boo.  She doesn't quite get her hands over her eyes, but she gets the main idea.  She is also starting to show signs of walking.  She can stand all by herself for several seconds.  Rylie has been a fun and easy baby.  We all love to love her!!!

PEEK

A

BOO!

Her famous head tilt!

Her even MORE famous. . .fingers in mouth!

Crazy Card Club 

I get together with great ladies from around the valley to exchange homemade cards.  We have a theme and bring 12 of the same, exchange and come home with 12 different cards.  I was the host this month.  I cleaned my home and paid a woman in my ward to make a yummy dessert.  This is where the story gets good!  The day of this party, my secret baker brought this cake over.  My girls were drooling over this dessert.  She set in on my counter with my girls not missing a move.  I walked this dear woman to my door and chatted with her for about 38 seconds.  When I came back upstairs. . . Dru and Olivia had eaten a big hole in the side of the cake. AHHHHH!!!!  Let's just say, words were said and tears flowed!  

BEFORE!

AFTER!

This picture does not do it justice.

To make things even a little more exciting, Dru accidently dropped a HUGE chocolate shake in the middle of the family room floor a couple hours before people were to arrive.  I scrubbed and scrubbed.  It looks pretty good compared to what it used to look like!

With 30 minutes left to go. . .I just laughed and told them to pose for a picture to remember the night.  I love my girls!  

Here is Rylie trying to get in on the action.