Their First Tri

On Thursday the girls participated in their first triathalon! It was all put on by their teachers and some other sponsers to be this absolutly wonderful event! It was so amazing.
So, it included throwing water balloons at mom or dad...this was the "swimming" event. That was very fun of course, since it felt like it was 100 degrees out there. Then they jumped on their bikes and rode 1 lap all around the track...then they got off their bikes and ran or walked 1 lap around the track. Earlier in the day, they decorated their bikes with streamers and put their names on them. So, it was very festive looking and they just went all out. The bikes all looked so cute! They all got their own red T-shirts to wear that said "Our First Tri 2009"
My parents came to watch and cheer for Elizabeth and Sydney. Mark helped Sydney with her events and I helped Elizabeth. She was a little terror on her bike. She rode SO FAST! I couldn't believe it!
Then, when the kids were almost to the "finish line", everyone was there cheering them on...screaming their names and clapping and praising them. It was so awesome.
Sydney was probably the last to finish. It was so cute. When she was coming to the end and about to cross the finish line, all her preschool friends and the high school students were just screaming her name and saying "come on Sydney! good job, Sydney! you can do it!" Then they all ran up to her and ran the rest of the way with her! It was quite a moment. They love Sydney so much! As a mom, I felt very proud.
After the kids finished the triathalon, they got a medal, a hat, and a water bottle. There was bananas and watermelon for them to eat. So, I mean, the whole thing was just awesome! I was very impressed. They're going to do this every year now. Sydney is going to be a little pro by the time she hits Kindergarten!
Jacque, Cheryl and Jeri, We Love You!! This has been a wonderful year at BHS!

New Family

This is so cool! There's a new family living at my parent's house! A few months ago I noticed on their porch a nest on top of one of their light fixtures. At first I thought it was just one of those fake nests that you see at a craft store, but then I was like..."Why would someone put it up there?" We put a mirror up to it and saw some beautiful blue eggs. And everyday the male and female robins would constantly be there at or in the nest. The other day they hatched! Yesterday we went over to see the babies. It's so amazing to watch the mother bird flying back and forth and back and forth with worms to feed the babies. They are always sticking their little heads out of the nest with their mouths wide open. It's hilarious! There's 4 babies and the father bird is the lookout for any threats. He did not like it when we were walking around trying to get a picture. It's really been fun to watch this all happen...

Elizabeth Graduated Preschool!

Well, we were actually up in Idaho on Graduation Day, but here's her Trophy! Her name is engraved on it with the year. Elizabeth's last year of full time preschool!
I seriously cannt believe it. She has been going there since she was 6 weeks old. Her first day was January 12, 2004. My baby is growing up! *snif snif*
I just have to brag...Isn't this about the most gorgeous 5 year old?

More Idaho Pics

Of course we had to go to the Falls and visit the ducks! A trip to Idaho just isn't complete without.

The Girls

Ok, so while we were up in Idaho for Grandpa's funeral, we of course spent a lot of time with family. And Elizabeth and Sydney's FAVORITE member of our family is cousin Isabelle! So, we took lots of way fun pictures of her. I printed these all out and Elizabeth carries them with her wherever she goes. Her friends and teachers at school think Isabelle is so cute and some of her friends want pictures of their own. I'll have to print more I guess? She is addicting! We love her to pieces!

My Grandpa

I've been through probably the most difficult time in my life this past month.
I had to come to terms that one of my best friends was slowly drifting away and that I had to prepare myself to say goodbye. My grandpa passed away on Mother's Day. All of us in the family thought it was so perfect because of course he and Grandma were now going to be together again, but that it was Mother's Day and he would always give her pink roses on Mother's Day. So, we said that he needed to go and do that for her. Grandma needed Grandpa and he picked a good day to surprise her!
Now as much as that sounds like I'm ok with saying all that...I'm not. It's so painful for me to be talking about my grandpa being gone and being with my grandma again. The grieving process has been so strange and difficult for me. I've gone through so many emotions that I never knew I had in me.
He was just fine up until around Easter...then he just sort of started to get sick and the doctors didn't think he was going to get better.
I was able to say goodbye to him 3 times during all this. Twice on the phone, and when I first heard his voice on the phone after he had gotten so sick, it shocked me beyond belief, it didn't sound like him hardly anymore...yet his mind NEVER left. He was sharp as a tack right up til he took his last breath. He even joked with my dad on how the funeral would go. He planned it and told my dad and his brother how he wanted everything.
Mark, the girls and I went to visit him in the hospital as well. So, I was able to give him a big hug goodbye, too. There he was in his bed...not much of a hope of getting better...and he still was smiling that perfect, wonderful smile that he ALWAYS had on his face. When we left the hospital and were about to open the door to go out, the girls turned around and just said "BYE!" about a million times before we actually left the room. It was always the thing when we would take Grandpa home to his apartment. We would always say "BYE!" about 50 times before Grandpa could actually leave the car and walk up to his apartment door. Sydney was the loudest of all. She LOVED Grandpa so much! I'm so happy that Elizabeth and Sydney were able to form such a beautiful bond with him. Most kids don't get to experience their great-grandpa the way they have. They KNEW him so well and he KNEW them. They had the best relationship! I will be forever grateful and so happy that the girls have that.
Well, tears are in my eyes right now, so I better go ahead and end this.
Needless to say, the funeral was beautiful. Everything was so perfect! The weather was gorgeous and the day before it was dark and gloomy and so windy and rainy. Grandpa made the day so pretty and sunny and warm!
I loved my grandpa so much. Like my dad said at the funeral..."It would be literally impossible..." It would be literally IMPOSSIBLE for me to express how much love I have for him.