Family videos

Fun videos for the family far away! Gideon is riding his two wheeler like crazy now, Scott likes to cheer me on to the bitter end, Gideon is amazed by the city in the distance, Hawaii skills and slip and slide fun in the back yard. We love you!!

Escape Artist

This little guy is giving me a serious run for my money...several times a day! He loves to be outside. He loves the neighbor boy, or rather the neighbor boy's pantry. He regularly walks in his back door and helps himself to a snack. He likes to create big puddles and run down the street gutter with a good stream of water (twice now with the neighbor's hose).

One of his favorite tricks is to go see Grandma and Papa Stevens. They live down the street and through the path. He can get to their home lickety split on his two choices of bicycles. He is the apple of his Grandma's eye and she cannot resist giving him popsicles and fruit snacks every time he shows up.

He usually escapes wearing pj's often before the summer rooster is ready to crow, in a swimsuit or my personal favorite nothing but his birthday suit (because he dropped his clothing somewhere along the way).

My mothering skills are again under fire and open to the scrutiny of all, a painful reminder of the days of "Eliza-izms". Gideon wears me out daily with his antics: Graham Cracker train tracks, 10 popsicles a day, 10 wardrobe changes, the hose running at all hours, becoming a "liability" to the car wash attendant, spreading flower petals across the house, flooding the bathroom after seeing if he could fit a whole roll of tissue paper down the toilet, excursions on his bike to all parts of the neighborhood, coloring walls and the fact that summer to him means there is no longer a use for indoor bathrooms when he can find a neighbors lawn, bush or street corner. That was this week anyway.

I still marvel at my naive perspective back when I thought I had it all together with my first four, text book children. I wondered what was wrong with mothers that were worn out and frazzled with their unruly toddlers.

Yummy, humble pie is mighty tasty!

He still captures my heart and brings a smile to my face. He snuggles every morning, won't let me shower alone (he sits on the shower floor with a variety of toys and makes up stories to tell me), gives non-stop unsuspecting kisses, delights in the small things and is full of the spirit of life.

The other day we went to the library to check out books and a movie (we got rid of TV for the summer). On the way home Gideon was so excited that he said this:

"I am going to go on a rocket ship and tell Jesus Christ I got this book about choo choo land. Mom your the best".

Yeah he is still pretty cute!!!

Cub Day Camp June 2011

Issac hit the bulls eye on the target and made 3 touchdowns in flag football...he was feeling pretty cool!

Eagle Performing Arts Center Spring Performance 2011

Eliza is in Ballet 2 and participated in her first spring recital. She is a cute little dancer. Grandma Stevens came and spent the day with us.

There was an afternoon and evening performance forty five minutes from home so we opted to stick around in Nampa.

Scott treated everyone to a yummy dinner at one of his top pick restaurants for entertaining clients. The girls had their first real "fine dining" experience.

Danielle is in Ballet 5 and has really started to develop a talent and grace in the dance arts. She is very technically sound and has a strong body.

I loved the classical music pieces and watching all the different levels of dance all the way up to the amazing Ensemble Group. I am glad the girls are learning grace and poise while listening to really beautiful music...the perfect combination.

Pinewood Derby

Pinewood Derby May 2011

Papa Stevens helped create a car with Isaac this year. They made a grey Shark Racer!

All the cars were really creative.

We organized a cotton candy machine which was a hit with all the kids. James and Hailey helped keep the candy coming for all the kids.

We ate movie popcorn, hot dogs and fresh fruit.

The kids had arm wrestling for an activity.

Travis Perry brought his hillbilly, bucktooth visitor again for a special appearance.

Isaac came away with a trophy...great job Papa and Isaac.

Thomas even brought a car for the extra rounds.

Everyone left with prizes and had a fun time.

Hiking together

We have decided to take advantage of the vast outdoor opportunities here in the Treasure Valley. I have been researching new hiking trails so that we can take advantage of time together as a family.

We took a drive out towards Lucky Peak and started up a groomed trail. Gideon fell asleep along the way so I was really glad we brought the pack for the first little while.

The weather was perfect! Wild flower were growing all along the hillsides because of the wet spring we have had.

We went four miles round trip and Thomas was the first to the top.

It didn't take long before Gideon wanted to walk, but he insisted on no shoes.

We even took Koda with us! He loved being outdoors as much as all the kids. I think we will explore a new trail each week.

Running and Racing

See Jane Run 5K

Danielle ran her first 5K this Saturday with Aspen, McCall, Tess, Savannah, McKenna and Kimberly Chatlin. We got a call at 10:30 at night inviting Danielle to take Hailey Chatlin's spot as she was at a BYU camp.

Danielle was a great sport, running most of the way. She said she and Aspen walked a few steps but raced into the finish in 33 minutes. Way to go sissy!!! (Can you believe I have a cute daughter to share my clothing with.)

I have been plagued with an overuse injury for a year and a half now (ironic considering I don't run very much, one or two days a week). I have seen a doctor, tried two physical therapists, ran barefoot for a summer and rolled and stretched like crazy. I finally had a running evaluation done at BSU. I was taught how to adjust my gait for better bio mechanics, had some arch supports put in my shoes and voila running without pain.

Scott encouraged me to join the women in our area for the half marathon. I was nervous because my longest run in a month and a half was six really slow miles and because I didn't know if I would end up with a flare up and walking half the race. Amazingly enough I had a fun day with friends, my legs felt great, I started to feel like my old self and even surprised my cautiously optimistic husband with a 1 hour 50minute finish.

I had quite the cheering section including 7 kids, the dog, a hubby meeting me at the last mile, an exuberant mother, several friends and hubbies. A person would have thought something amazing was taking place.

Kim Cowley, Becca Longson and I

Two weeks ago I joined the "Spoke Sisters" for the craziest endeavor yet. I didn't quite know what I had gotten myself into when I accepted an invitation back in January to participate in the Lyle Pearson 200.

We rode from downtown Boise to Idaho City to Lowman to Stanley with a finish in Sun Valley. We climbed 15,000 feet over 187 miles.

We were among elite cyclists all competing for a cash purse. As an amateur girls team we were hoping for a finish before they took down the finish line (Our team consisted of Kim Cowley-amazing seasoned athlete, Michelle Holt-previous riding partner to Kristen Armstrong, Becca Longson 4.5 tennis champion and BYU soccer front runner)! I rode a total of 70 miles, 14 up to Mores Creek Summit, 21 uphill with Kim, the worst was 26 miles in 20-25 mph head winds to Smiley Creek and Galena base. The last miles of the day were my vain attempt to do an optional 4th leg into the finish line. I couldn't maintain the 28-30 mph pace our team was keeping as they drafted with some men. Only riding four times on my road bike this year was not proper preparation. I rode my heart out and surpassed my personal expectation but the experience ranked up there with the best of child birth. We came in 73rd out of 75 teams, thought I'd include that detail for giggles!

Great Potato Half Marathon

I am not a racing junkie, but this all started a couple months ago when I ran a half marathon with my sister Gina. She is so diligent with her training and dedicated to her goals. I was fortunate to be able to go on a few training runs with her (Grandma Stevens did a great job with the kids). We maintained Gina's goal pace and she had a terrific race.

My favorite part was the very end when Gina was completely physically and emotionally spent and I told her to get going and chase down the skirt in front of her. We could see another pink skirt in the distance and Gina gave everything she had to speed up and pass the girl at the very end. Wahoo Gina!!! I think these younger sisters are hooked. Oh wait, so are my older sisters...adrenaline junkies!