Nile's Indian Project

Nile with his project

Nile's Indian Reed House

So Nile had to build an indian dwelling over labor day weekend. He picked the reed house to build. Scott and Nile worked on it most of the weekend. He ended up getting a 100% on his project. He had to write a report to go with it. He even carved out the canoe with his pocket knife.

Clips from Nile's First Football Game 2010

Back to School

Nile the first day of school

B his first day of Pre-K

Claire's First Day of School

School has started! It feels great to get back to a somewhat normal routine. Nile started 5th grade and is trying to decide what instrument to play this year. Claire has started 2nd grade. Brent is in pre-K this year. This will be my only year having all the kids in the same school. Brent's pre-K is at the elementary school with Nile and Claire. Yes, it did the rain the first day of school but we walked anyways.

Hilton Head 2010

Claire shooting water at a pirate

A pirate

Brent, Nile, and Claire in front of the Black Dagger ship

One of the alligators that we saw

Claire, Scott, and Brent pointing at an alligator

The alligator nest

Scott and Claire biking

Claire on the beach

Nile, Claire, and Brent hanging around

The family at the beach

Nile at the beach

A windy day on top of the lighthouse

The boys building a tower on Claire

B on the beach

The kids with a turtle they found on the bike path

We went on our family vacation to Hilton Head again this year. We had a great time. We saw lots of alligators and even an alligator nest in the nature area. We also saw lots of sand dollars and starfish at the beach. The kids had a great time riding bikes all over the place. One day we even rode 10 miles to the South Beach. We enjoyed some crab legs and hush puppies at the Crazy Crab. This year we tried out the Pirate Adventure Cruise. They took the kids on a treasure hunt and had a box of treasure the kids could grab their gold coins from at the end.

My Birthday Weekend and Hospital Hill Run

Me, My mom, dad, Nile, Claire, and Brent

Post Race Becca, Me, Dad, and Jen

Nile, B, and My mom waiting at finish line

Nile picking strawberries

Me, my dad, Brent, and Nile with our signs

Pre-Race Dad, me, Becca, and Jen

On my birthday, I decided to run the Hospital Hill Half Marathon, which is the fourth hilliest half marathons in the country. My dad came in town and ran it with me. I should say he started with me and then took off. He did awesome!! I didn't realize that it was the first race that he had ever run. The heat really effected me. My friends Becca and Jen stayed with me the whole time and even sang happy birthday every time we hit a mile marker. It was a fun run. Next year, I hope to be a little faster. It was fun having my parents come in town for the weekend.

Our garden is doing awesome this year. I have picked bowls and bowls of strawberries. I have made 8 containers of homemade strawberry jam, and frozen some whole berries. I also took the kids to a big strawberry patch to pick some berries one day.

Mother's Day Weekend

B and Drew boxing

Claire and Sophia

Jason, Brianna, Grandma, Kevin, and Chris

Mom and Dad

Sophia, Claire, Brent, Nile, and Drew

Nile, Brent, and Drew

Sophia, Claire, and Lily

For mother's day we went to St. Louis so we could talk to my brother Jonathan who is serving a mission in Brazil. On Saturday, Scott took Nile and Brent up to his parent's house to help his dad and brothers build a fence for his mom. They worked hard and saw a mouse and a snake while they were building the fence. Claire and I went shopping with nana and Claire had a playdate with her friend Lily. On Sunday morning, I started out mother's day with a 10 mile run with my dad and sister. My dad is going to run the hospital hill half marathon in a few weeks with me. Then I made homemade waffles for the family. We ate a great bbq dinner while we talked to Jonathan. We were able to stay an extra day in St. Louis because Scott had some work to do so my sister and I took the kids to a bounce house. They love it!

Half Marathons

Back in March I ran the Rock the Parkway Half Marathon in K.C. There was crazy weather that day. It rained the whole time and even hailed on me. The kids were freezing waiting for me to finish. They didn't come until the end. I ran that race in 2hours 35 minutes and then I ran the Olathe Half Marathon two weeks later and improved my time to 2hours and 30 minutes. I am training now to run the Hospital Hill Half Marathon in June and my dad has decided that he will run with me.