Stress Fracture

So this happened...

I've been training for a marathon for what seems like 2 years now.  Since races have been cancelled so much lately (covid) I've basically just continued training until I found one that is actually going to be officially run.  I'm signed up for Utah Valley on June 5th.  Turns out my body said no to that request.  I found out today that I have a stress fracture on the inside of my left shin.  It's been hurting for the past few months and REALLY hurting for about 3 weeks now.  Especially when I put in a lot of miles or play basketball for a long time.  Anyway I finally got it checked and sure enough...Doc says no running for 6 weeks while it heals and that I have to wear this silly boot.  I think those are real tears in my eyes as I am realizing that I'm not going to be running the marathon I've trained for forever!

 

Bike Ride

These cute kids headed up to the hills today on their bikes and enjoyed the gorgeous morning on the trail!

 

Desh's year end program

Desh had his year end preschool program today.  Miss Melanie does such a great job with her preschool and teaches these kids so many fun and amazing things.  I love the program with all the songs they've learned throughout the year and seeing how much they've grown.  It is the end of an era for us and Kinder Cottage.  5 of the 6 kids have been with her for preschool and I just have so much love for this woman and her kindness to all our kids.  Desh has loved being in her class and we will certainly miss her.  Kindergarten here we come!

 

Desh's Birthday!

Desh turned 5 today and I can't even believe it!  He asked for a monster truck cake and when I reminded him that we did that cake last year, he insisted this year will be different because he wants a white on this time.  So a white monster cake was on the menu for the party tonight!  We had german pancakes on the "You are Special" plate for breakfast and a family party with cake and ice cream tonight.  We couldn't get enough celebrating for this 5 year old caboose of ours!

5 year old stats from Dr. Erikson:

Height: 3'11" - 98%

Weight: 49 lbs 3 oz - 90%

My favorite things about 5 year old Desh:

1) Desh is my baby boy and though he's not a baby anymore, he is my buddy during the day.  The other kids are off to school and we get to hang out together.  He tags along for grocery shopping, basketball days, doctor appointments or whatever it is that's going on during they day.  He is my right hand guy and sometimes I don't know what I'd do without him right by my side!

2) Desh has a "cheery disposition" like I've never seen in anyone else!  He is happy, joyful, excited and all the things that come with being cheery.  He's the first to complement anyone on something he likes about them.  He gets excited about anything that sounds fun or out of the ordinary.  He loves to play and laugh and have fun.  All things that make you just want to be around him because he's so happy!

3) Desh is the youngest of 4 brothers and he just wants to be like them.  Anything the other boys are doing, he is game to try and do as well.  He doesn't get nervous or scared about trying new things.  He just wants to be a part of the group.  I love this adventurous side of him!

Happy Birthday Big D!

 

Turning 40

I tried to turn 40 quietly and without any fanfare.  I thought it was going well until Josh and my kids got involved.  Josh quietly started to spread the work.  My best girl friends took me on a birthday trip to Las Vegas (and we had THE BEST time!).  Then, because of timing and other conflicts, our annual Amazing Race was scheduled on the night of my birthday (no problem).  If only Shelley wouldn't have made me a HUGE banner that said Happy 40th Birthday, I don't think anyone would have known.  Turns out everyone knew and it ended up being a big party (ok fine I'll be 40).  But best of all, my cute Rease made me a 40th birthday cake all on her own.  She's so thoughtful and wonderful.  Turns out I couldn't turn 40 quietly.  So now I just embrace it.  I love these wonderful people who made my birthday and LOUD success.  

 

Amazing Race 2021

Our favorite neighborhood activity of the year is here!  We love putting the Amazing Race on for our friends and neighbors and we had a record crowd this year!  10 teams and all so much fun.  Love all these people in our life!

 

Year end band concert

Rease had her final concert of the year tonight.  She has loved both her band classes and especially has loved jazz band which is a class she goes to early every morning.  They have worked hard but also have had a lot of fun together as a group!  She is playing the french horn in symphonic band and started playing the trumpet in jazz band this year.  She is pretty amazing to pick up on a new instrument like she has.  I know she's looking forward to marching band season where she plays even another instrument - the mellophone.  What a girl she is!

 

Birthday Trip

Shelley, Melissa and I (Steph couldn't make it) came across some super cheap plane tickets to Las Vegas not too long ago and decided on a whim to take a trip for the weekend!  It was so last minute and none of us really had plans on what we were going to do, but knew we wanted to get out of town for a few days.  It turned out to be pretty close to my birthday, so Shelley and Melissa took over plans for the trip and turned it into a 40th birthday weekend.  I must say, they did a great job with their planning.  It was a blast!  We had the best time and it was just what we all needed - some friend/girl time.  We did all the fun things: ate at yummy restaurants, watched the fountains at the Bellagio, walked through the gardens, sat by the pool, drank pina coladas and just enjoyed having nothing else to do.  By far my favorite thing we did was a spa/yoga day by the lake.  We had a private yoga class on the deck looking out over the lake and then had head and neck massages in the warm sunshine outside.  I know I fell asleep on and off at least 3 or 4 times, it was so relaxing.  It could not have been a better way to spend my birthday!  These ladies are the best and are such an important part of my life.  I don't know what I would do without them to lean on, talk to, figure things out with and just be there when one of us needs something.  We have grown to love each other like sisters and we laughed and joked and ate and worked out and slept and did all the good things.  It was the perfect weekend!  

Thanks for an amazing birthday trip!  Love you ladies to death!

 

Liev's county report

Liev has been studying and learning all about Box Elder county so that he could write a report and present it to his class.  He really did a great job on this project!

 

Mother's Day

My favorite thing on Mother's Day is the homemade cards and letters from my kids.  They are all so sweet and thoughtful and I got lots of coupons for foot rubs and head massages that I will be cashing in very soon.  I love being a mom to each of these kids that I'm lucky enough to have. 

 

New home owners!

Well, its official.  After a busy week of weddings, young women's events and getting back in time for Mother's Day, a whirlwind trip to Puerto Rico made us new homeowners of an amazing fixer upper in the jungle of Rio Grande!  It has been a crazy couple of months getting this all going, back and forth with realtors and lawyers over the rights and deed of the land, finding the right balance between a home we could live in but still work on, and lots of worry and wonder and prayer, we finally pulled the trigger and bought some plane tickets that would get us there in time to sign papers and then get back home after just 24 hours of being on the island.  It. Was. Nuts.  But oh we couldn't be more excited about this adventure and the project we get to be involved in with our kids!  We just feel like we were led here and we're going to take the road as far as it will take us!

 

Keen's school project

Keen has been learning all about the USA and the symbols of our country and what they stand for.  He made so many cute art projects in his American Symbols book.

 

Gracie and Connor's wedding

Our cute niece Gracie got married today!  We loved being there at the temple and spending the day with family.  It was so beautiful outside and literally the perfect day to get married.  The temple grounds were gorgeous!  The reception was fun with lots of good food and time to mingle with friends and family.  And...Liev caught the bouquet!  He was sooo excited although I didn't know boys were allowed to even be in the running for that?  Anyway, he was adorable and put the bouquet in a jar when we got home and took it to his school teacher the next day.  Such a cute gentleman!

Congrats Connor and Gracie! Love you both.

 

Tilly

Our kids are just in love with this little ragamuffin.  We thought they might like her a little bit, but the amount of love directed at her every day is just incredible.  I guess we can keep her...

 

Baby Perri

Our darling Baby Perri has made it home from the hospital after 4 long months!

Andy and Kristi's miracle baby has exceeded all expectations and is doing so well after being born at just 25 weeks and 1 lb. 6 oz.  She has grown and developed and just done amazing and was finally able to come home.  We got to visit this little angel and loved snuggling up with her.  She is a miracle baby and we love her so much!

 

1/2 Marathon

Rease and Rhen have been working hard the past 3-4 months training for a 1/2 marathon. They decided they wanted to do it and they have not looked back!  Training has been hard and time consuming but they have figured out how to fit it into their schedules and are ready!  Race day finally arrived and they were both nervous/excited as they boarded the bus early this morning.  We couldn't wait to see them at the finish line!

They had a big crowd of kids ready to cheer them on as they came down the final stretch.  We saw Rhen first with her long legs and pink shirt.  She looked awesome and was in great spirits as she passed us and crossed the finish line.  

Not too much time later Rease came up the road and she has taken after her mom and cried the minute she saw and heard us cheering for her.  It brought tears to my eyes because I knew just how she was feeling and wanted to help her along the rest of the way.  She finished strong though and made it through to the finish line arch!  

I am sooo proud of these girls!  This is such a big accomplishment and proved to themselves that they could do something that is really really hard.  They are strong, beautiful girls and I look up to both of them in all they do! 

 

Brace Face

We've got a new brace face in the house!  This cute girl has been so excited to get these on and today has finally arrived! 

 

Hale Center Theater

We have LOVED having season tickets to Hale Center Theater this year.  And especially tonight as we got to see them perform Les Miserables!  It was absolutely incredible and one of my very favorites of all time!

 

Dr. Losee's retirement party

My dad has finally decided that it's time to retire!  I have had the privilege of working with him for the past 20 years as an assistant first and then one of his hygienists.  I admit I may be a little biased, but I just think he is THE BEST.  So kind and understanding to his employees, empathetic with his patients and has built an incredible practice treating people the way that they want to be treated.  He is an amazing dentist and we got to spend a whole evening celebrating him and his career.  We had a book made for the event and these are just a few of the cool pictures we found from him as a new doctor.  I'm so proud to be his employee and even more to be his daughter.

 

Costa Rica - Day 8

Today is our last full day here and we head home early tomorrow morning. We knew it and wanted to fit a few more things in before we left. The morning walk fit right into the schedule and so did some time by the pool before we checked out of our house. We had a small friend join us today - this iguana jumped from the tree right into the pool and swam around with josh for a while! It was so fun and crazy to watch. We also bird watched and saw a tucan in the tree right past our house and watched him come and go for a while. The howler monkeys were in the background though we never did see them. 

We said goodbye to this little piece of paradise and promised we would be back again!

We made a stop in Manuel Antonio about an hour north of us to get our covid tests done. We found a cool restaurant looking out over the ocean and had one last Costa Rican meal!

Then made our way down to a small beach in the area. It was such a cute little cove of a beach with small waves and lots of beauty around us. We spent the last of our time hanging out in the salt water and taking in the warmth and the sun. We could not get enough of the weather and don’t want it to end. 

But we are missing our boys and know that all good things must come to an end. This trip has been THE BEST time with our girls and we have loved having them to ourselves for a few precious days. They are funny and crazy and full of jokes and we made it through the week with lots of inside jokes.  Some of our favorites...

Fath

Moth

Baby bitey bugs

The bulls of ramen (remember our mascot)

wYd

Manuel chorizo

Tickus Gaylen 

The feather braid

Consult the book! (I had a book of Costa Rica that we turned to many times for help on what to do and where to eat. The girls thought I was a crazy book lady whenever I referred to it)

Hungry Hippo swimsuit

And many more...

I can’t believe how lucky we are to have had this time with Rease and Rhen. It is a time to be remembered and never forgotten!

Costa Rica - Day 7

Our first day on the coast dawned bright and warm and we couldn’t wait to get out in the gorgeous sunshine! Josh and I got up early and headed out for a walk and to explore the neighborhood. I say neighborhood but actually we are staying up on a hill on a gravel road and not many houses around us. But the scenery is absolutely incredible and the trees and flowers are in full bloom. We made it about a mile and came to a lookout that shows the coast and the ocean below. This is one of my favorite times of all - to walk and talk with josh and take in all that’s around us. It’s seems like we solve all the problems of the world as we walk :) Love this man by my side!

We spent the rest of the morning by the pool and taking in the sunshine. We have a great yard at our house and it’s easy to just get caught up taking it easy and enjoying the quiet. We left about lunchtime and packed up for the beach. In our way down the hill and out to the coast we stopped at a yummy restaurant called Citrus that had such a fun French feel to it and the most delicious food!

We got to Playa Ventanas which is only about 10 minutes from our house and we were in love with our surroundings! The beach was uncrowded, full of palm trees and the water was low enough to walk out far into the ocean without getting swept off your feet. We promptly strung up our hammocks and settled in for a day at the beach! The girls boogie boarded, we read, found shells, body surfed and even swam in the rain when the clouds rolled in late afternoon. If I were to say when I’ve had the perfect day at the beach, I’d have to say this was it. Reading and relaxing and enjoying the water was the name of the game and we stayed for hours! 

After we packed up and it was really starting to rain, we headed north to Dominical about 10 minutes away and watched the sun set. The clouds made for a cool looking sky and it was a fun end to our day! Love this coast of Costa Rica that we finally made it to!

Costa Rica - Day 6

Today we left beautiful Monteverde. But we made one last stop before we left town...extremo zipline park. It was one of the things that Rhen really wanted to do on this trip and we heard the best ones in the country are in Monteverde. On the drive up to the park we made one little detour to snap a quick picture of the Brahma cows that are all over this part of the country and ones that we have lovingly begun to call the “bowls of ramen”. We couldn’t leave without a picture of our mascots of the trip :)

The zip line tour turned out to be AMAZING! We all loved it! Rhen and Rease were a tiny bit nervous not quite knowing what to expect, but the lines started out small and they got the hang of it quickly. We saw some gorgeous views from way up there, got to ride tandem a couple of times and soared like Superman on our last run of the morning. We could hear the howler monkeys in the trees around us and kept trying to actually see them but never did. 

The tour ended with an “optional” Tarzan Swing for anyone that wanted to try it. We of course did and waited in the line watching the others go before us. As it got closer to our turn, we realized that we might actually be nervous about this 300 foot drop that we were about to take. It looked SO HIGH from up there on that platform! Rease bravely said that she would go first and stepped up to the plate like a champ! They got her all hooked up and it was only a few seconds that she hung there before they let go and off she went! She was so cute and screamed in terror at first then quickly turned to a scream of accomplishment as she swung from that huge rope! Josh, Rhen and I followed and had similar reactions but mostly relief that we’d done it and survived! So proud of these girls and their adventurous side that takes them and gets them through all sorts of things. 

Costa Rica - Day 5

Today was one of my favorite days so far...

We are staying in the coolest A-frame cabin in the woods of Monteverde and josh and I got up early this morning and went for a walk around the property. We ended up on a hike that ended up at a gorgeous lookout. We are staying in some of the most beautiful country I’ve ever seen! 

We headed to the Monteverde Cloud Forest right after breakfast before it got too hot and before the afternoon rain could start up. One of the things we’ve wanted to do most on this trip is see some of the plants and animals/birds that are native to Costa Rica. We took a private tour through the cloud forest and our guide Ronald did just that for us! He was the best! He showed us so many things that we would have NEVER seen on our own. He carried a long range scope with him and found birds and creatures and let us see them up close through the scope. I have no idea how he spotted everything so far away but he was amazing. We saw a sloth, a tarantula, a small Tucan and one of the most rare birds in Costa Rica called the Resplendant Quetzal. It was absolutely incredible! We also got to see a land crab and howler and spider monkeys. In just over two hours we saw more creatures than we would have ever imagined and it was so cool. 

The weather was perfect as we walked through the forest and we didn’t get rained on at all the whole day. It was such a fun day exploring and finding things that we will probably never seen again in our life. Thanks to Ronald for being such a great guide!

We ended the day wandering around Monteverde and looking through all the shops. It’s such a quaint little town in the mountains and lived up to the “cloud forest” name. The fog rolled in this evening and it was fun walking around town with a thick fog around everything. We ate a fun restaurant on top of a hill called Tramonti and looked out over the valley as a thunder storm came through. It was the coolest! 

Love these cuties were with on this fun adventurous trip of ours!