Cousins

Mark, Anna, and Morgan recently moved to Salt Lake City, so they were able to drive down to see us this weekend! We have had a great time and wonderful weather so far!

Nora loves to fly on Momma's feet!

We went to a local pumpkin patch yesterday to check out the rides and animals. Nora liked this pretty little pony, just her size!
Nora and Morgan watched the goats.
Nora then spotted the bounce house across the way and made a beeline for it.

All three kiddos bounced for a while.

Daddy and Dane on the pirate ship ride.

Dane on the big slide.

Riding with Morgan.

Nora picked out some gourds.

"...and I'll have that one, too."Walking to the park this morning.

Nora loves the slides.

Little monkey.

Playing some baseball.

Football, too.
Anna and Nora.
Nora loves her Teddy!
Tired out from playing so hard!

Viva Bike Vegas

We've had an eventful weekend so far! Last night, we headed downtown for a Pasta Party to kick off today's Viva Bike Vegas ride. Mike had to work, since the After-School All-Stars were one of the benefitting charities from the ride, so we met him there. My big helper, Dane, loves to push his little sister in the stroller.

Downtown, enjoying pasta and carb-loading for the upcoming ride! Dane was enthralled by all the lights above.

Kiddos on the move!

This morning, we left the house bright and early. Mike had to help set up for all the activities, and the ride started at 6:30 am. Of course, it's not a Vegas event without Elvis! The MC in the background just happens to be my Wednesday morning spin class instructor- what a coincidence. He was a bit bummed to be working instead of riding, as was Mikey!

Gearing up.

Waiting with the pack for the start of the race. It was just getting light as we left.

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful ride. My first 100- kilometer ride (62 miles) in about 3 hours and 55 minutes, including a 15-minute aid stop and frequent stop lights over the last 12 miles. It included a few big climbs, but I was really helped out by a group of bigger guys that let me draft off them for the last 15 miles. Here's a look at the elevation chart. That climb from mile 30 to 37 was quite a challenge!

Frank (one of the students in the All-Stars programs), myself and Mike after the ride.

Mike shot this video of the start of the ride. Lots of riders, and he even missed the first minute or so. Check out the tandem bikes!

They sure are fun!

Cute kiddos in the morning before heading out the door.

Check out the morning hairdo!
Playing out in the sandbox.

Reading bedtime stories together.

Dane loves to smell the stinkbug in this book. If you have never seen any of Matthew Van Fleet's books before, I suggest you search them out. They have been a favorite with both of our kids.

Just playing around the house and being silly.

I need to get a video of Nora running soon. I can't believe how fast she has gotten- just trying to keep up with big brother, I suppose.

Feeling like fall

It's so nice to sit here with windows open now that the weather has cooled off this past week. The weather change has also brought some strong winds recently which make me a bit nervous for my upcoming 62-mile bike ride next Saturday. Give me all the hills in the world, but when it comes to riding in the wind, I despise it!

Fall also brings pomegranate season- what could be better? Our neighbor's grandparents sent a big bagful of extras from their tree. This is only about a quarter of what we received.

Nora still loves the playhouse!

"Train" rides from brother!

Nora a bit more bundled up one morning. She loves the kitty that Uncle Benny brought when he visited this summer!

Dane brought his trains back out this weekend. We also have gotten out the little jack-0-lanterns, and he loves to carry them around the house.

Sister loves them too!

The pumpkin got set aside for a little while to read some stories.

Happy 2nd birthday to Camden today! We all enjoyed his birthday bash yesterday with an inflatable bounce house that thoroughly wore out the kiddos! I fogot my camera, but I'm sure Shepherd News will have photos before too long!

Just as memorable, fewer tears,

Some of you may remember our camping disaster just over a year ago. We finally worked up our courage to give the Lake Mead camping another try, and we're so glad we did. We got a little earlier start out to the lake this year and put our boat in. While we waited for our friends, Mike and the kiddos took a little swim. Dane has become such a little fish, completely unafraid of the lake. He just paddles away in his life jacket. Nora enjoyed standing in the tube and watching the boys. We are so glad that Dane has outgrown his horrible fear of boating and the lake. In fact, he was so excited to go on Friday that he had told his entire preschool class.

Little captains.
Hanging out in the boat.
Bryan, Anna, Bre, and Willie all arrived, so we headed across the lake to find our camping spot for the night. Nora almost fell alseep in Daddy's arms.

Dane enjoyed the ride with Momma.

Sunset on the lake.

This praying mantis was quite friendly and intrigued by the lantern.

Sadly, it turns out she was suicidal. Shortly after this photo, she jumped into our campfire.

As the sun set, Dane started getting a bit tearful and asking to go home. We were hoping that we would not begin a repeat performance of last year. However, after getting a tummy full of yummy camp food, and airing up the mattress for the tent, he settled in very well.

Both kiddos had a great time on the air mattress before bedtime.

I don't think any of us slept extremely well, but we made it through the night. For a few hours, we had all four of us on our full air matress, which was not so conducive to sleeping! It wasn't too awful to lie awake and look at the millions of beautiful stars in the clear sky. Before long, it was morning.

Trying to wake up over his morning chocolate milk.

Sunrise over the water.

We all climbed into Bryan and Anna's boat for some incredible wakeboarding. I forgot our camera back in our tent, so I stole some of Bre's pictures. There was no wind and no other boat traffic, so the water was incredible. We spent about 4 hours on the boat, and the kids were so good!

Dane loved to sit on the back of the boat and watch the boarders.

Nora just took it all in, too.

So much fun!

After a while, sleep overtook both kiddos.

Dane curled up all cozy.

Mike's mad boarding skills!