The Biggest Challenge Ever (or at least for me)

About 6 months ago I made the decision that I was going to do the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. The fact that I had to raise $1,800 really stressed me out - it's hard asking for money even when it is a good cause. I started training for the walk - my and Monique would walk 3 miles every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 4am. As crazy as it sounds - at 4am it was actually fun. We had some adventures, like the time Monique swore the milk man was stalking us and made us run and dive behind a truck. On the weekends we would do our longer walks - each weekend adding more miles. Pretty quick the fundraising was done - amazing how many people have been touched by Breast Cancer! I am so thankful to everyone who donated!!

The weekend of the walk came. Monique and I went up to Keystone the night before to make sure we were prepared. Loaded up on carbs and watched a cheesy movie.

The morning of the walk we were up super early and probably the 1st walkers to arrive. Our 1st day was 25.3 miles - we started off strong. At mile 13 we passed the altitude check and ate our lunch. Still felt Strong and the views were amazing!

We were walking from Keystone to Frisco and going halfway thru the canyon in the middle. Up the canyon was rough - it was all up hill and the heat of the day really started to set in. Once we made it up top, it felt like a big accomplishment - and seeing the sign for 20 miles felt huge!! With the extra boost we kept going strong. With 4 miles to go the hurt set in - and it was the hardest 4 miles I had walked up to that point.

Once we made it to the camp I trudged to find our tent and they set the tent up while we took showers - and for showers that were in the back of a tractor trailer - they were the best showers ever!! We ate pasta for dinner, went to the massage tent and then tried to lay down. The whole thought of getting the full experience by staying in a tent next to all the other walkers - BIG mistake! There were lots of people who didn't do the full 26 miles and only did 13 so they had lots of energy. Needless to say, I did not sleep at all...lesson learned.

6am and it was time to roll up the sleeping bad and take down the tent (yes we had to take down our own wet tents while we are sore and grumpy - bitter - YES!!). Had a semi-warm breakfast, trip to the medic tent to have all the blisters popped and off we go for the last 13 miles!!

We were walking from Frisco to Breckenridge - again it was super pretty! 2 miles into it I ran into my cousin's Brittany and Holden - such a great site to see them on the corner. So off we go, blisters building and getting worse and hips are killing! At mile 6 we are by the highway and all along we have had so many people cheering us one - but I see a wonderful site - my Tahoe going down the highway honking - it was my FAMILY!! I see them turn off a little down the road and immediately start crying. I have never been so happy to see them. There they were cheering me on - Larry with Hailey on his shoulders and Ashley by his side. I stopped long enough to give lots of hugs and kisses and hear them cheer me on. I had to finish this.

At mile 8 we stopped to have blisters worked on and Monique couldn't go on. We hugged and cried and I knew I had to stay strong. I did not train the whole time to not finish - my body was hurting like I had never felt but I had to finish just to have my girls see me cross the finish line. Mile 9 I was joined by two of the youth walkers - when I wanted to break down I stayed strong and just talked. At mile 10 they had to stop and it was me, my thoughts, and the pain - and a text from Larry cheering me on. Mile 11 I ran into my friend Melissa and we walked the last 2 miles together. Coming into town and actually seeing that finish line was amazing. There were so many people there that I didn't know where to look - but then I heard my name and there they were standing right at the finish line. Ashley came out and she walked across the finish line with me - it was something I will always remember. Larry was so proud of me, Monique was there with Tom, and Hailey was asleep. It was perfect!!

Knowing that I can push myself that hard thru that much pain has been amazing. I am so happy I did this!! I am proud of myself and can now say that I have done a marathon and a half all in one weekend....

*so the next day I couldn't remember anyone and Larry rushed me to the Dr.. Had minor heat stroke - nothing a couple bags of iv fluid couldn't solve!

Why is it so hard to Leave???

So I have a business trip to Dallas - flying and staying in a nice hotel for 3 nights - sounds great right? Then why do I freak out??
I love my girls and my husband - there is NO doubt about that!!
They took me to the airport but the tears started way earlier then that! I couldn't help it. Then the horrible moment of me saying goodbye at security and the big question "Why do you have to go Mommy?" UGH - knife thru the heart. I am sure I looked like a crazy person going thru security tears streaming as my little family is trying to wave as much as they possibly can.
My cup runith over!!
So here I sit in my nice hotel room - room service ordered - tv on a movie I would like to watch and I would give anything to be sitting in the booth at Wendy's with my loud crazy family!!

Officially a Diaper Free House!!

It has finally happened!! After 4 1/2 years we are officially free of diapers in our house!!!

Yahoo!! We are doing the happy dance!!

After months, and months, and months of talking to Hailey about using the potty - I just couldn't take it anymore! She clearly was able to tell when she had to go so I just decided 2 weekends ago that it was going to happen. I gave her lots of warning that the next day she could not have a diaper. It took some time and a little bit of tears - but she has done GREAT!!

There has only been 1 accident and in her defense she was busy playing outside for the 1st time since a very long winter. I am so very proud of her!!

I do have to admit she was tiny before - but now without that extra padding - she is super petite!

Way to go Hailey Mae!!!

Life Change

So I have never done a new years resolution where I really wanted to do something. And I didn't start this year. I did make a commitment that will change my life. After some talks and getting some friends to join with me - I have decided to do the Avon 2 Day Breast Cancer walk. It is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done physically. The walk is from Keystone, CO to Breckenridge, CO. 1st day is 26.9 miles and the second day is 13.1 miles.
There is no way I can just show up in June and do this - so there will be lots of training. I start a 20 week training schedule Feb. 1st. I am excited and scared - but mostly ready! My weight always goes up and down but more then anything I just want to be fit. I know this is going to push me - and I am doing it with friends so there is no backing out.
To push me even more - I am organizing the Biggest Loser contest at work! It also starts Feb. 1st - talk about pressure. Again this is something I am not doing alone so that will push me even more.
Here is to a more healthy and fun year to come!!

Stock Show

We got ticket for the Rodeo this year - usually we just go to the stock show and look around. Ashley really had a great time. Hailey just wanted to get up and walk around -but she did a great job for a long time.

Hailey loved the animals - wasn't afraid to go right up to them.

Ashley watching the Rodeo - she could be a real cowgirl!

What a day - too tuckered out to even look at the camera!

Dance Show

Ashley switched to a new dance school several months ago - and she LOVES it! I am so happy we switched. I have to remember to trust my gut and know that not every one should be working with kids. Nothing bad happened at the old school but the difference is night and day. Her new school is so encouraging and just full of so much energy! They did a Christmas show - nothing too fancy and kind of a "test" run for the kids. That is the best part - it was more for the kids!

Ashley did great - she was a little upset when she walked onto the stage. As soon as the music started, she went right into it and yes as her mom I can say - she did better then all the other kids. She was really excited about it too!

Christmas 2009

It really seemed like the holidays just jumped out of no where this year - and I never understood why people used to say that. It's right there on the calender like every other day.......

I just felt behind this year - nothing a week off of work couldn't help though!! So I took some time off - had a great time with the girls and the house was as festive as could be.

Our Christmas was Great!! The girls actually slept in a bit - well Hailey did. She didn't get the whole "there are presents downstairs" thing. Ashley was really into this year! She got it all - she told Santa what she wanted, she knew he was watching, she set out his cookies and milk - and off to bed to wait!! The good thing is, she was not disappointed - shew!

Trying not to make friends with our dinner - but they did travel so very far...

Ashley is pretty happy with finally opening her presents!

Hailey is trying out the Extreme Bike

She liked her new jacket!

Aren't we getting crafty!!

What to do on a weekend that is going to be kind of yucky and kids that are ready to climb the walls?? I know - let's do something messy!! So we decided to make pine cone bird feeders!! It was great fun - although the actual "making" only lasted about 45 min..

We went up to the mountains to get the good pine cones - ok really just an excuse to take a little drive!

The girls wandering around in the woods - it was so wonderful with just a dusting of snow.....

Ashley was very serious about making hers - and she did a wonderful job!

Hailey did a great job until she figured out she could eat the peanut butter...

Pumpkin Festival

This past weekend we decided to go to the pumpkin festival! It was an amazing day - 84 degrees!! (and of course 4 days later I am typing this while it is snowing out!)

The girls dressed up in costumes (from years past) - Ashley was Dorthy and Hailey was a Bee. They had carnival rides, tractor rides, a mini corn maze and lots of pumpkins!

On our 1st ride - Daddy had to go...

And I think he had more fun then the girls!

Their 1st ride all by themselves! They were acting cool - no big deal.

You can just see Hailey's huge smile - she loved it!

Tractor ride....

Remeber the movie "Children of the Corn" - just kidding - but that's what I thought of!

Chipped tooth

We had our 1st chipped tooth in our house (not counting Larry a week before our wedding!)

Ashley and Hailey were chasing each other and sure enough it ended in a crash! But this crash was into the widow sill and a whole lot of tears. Sure enough - Hailey chipped her front tooth! The good thing is that it wasn't big and didn't do much damage. She has a sharp edge but it doesn't hurt. So we will have a post next week about our trip to the dentist!

Race For The Cure - 2009

My Aunt Shari had a great idea for us to do the Race for the Cure in Colorado Springs this year - and I am so glad she did!! It was great fun!

Shari, Brittany, and Baby Peyton all came down to the house the night before. We had a big dinner and they stayed the night. Ashley and I got up with them super early to head out. It was a pretty foggy day which worked out really good for us. The race was at Garden of the Gods which is so amazing anyway - but when you are there for a good cause it really is more amazing!

Ashley was such a trooper - it was early for her but she did great. I pushed her in the stroller and she sat back and enjoyed the ride!

Brittany was fun - she is a good morning person!

Can't wait to do this again next year!

Ashley's 1st Field Trip

Ashley had a field trip with her preschool class - to the Zoo!! It was great fun - Larry took the day off too so the whole family was able to go. I love going to the zoo. It was a perfect day for the weather and Ashley hung out with a buddy from school the whole time - too cute!

This is Hailey trying to smile right before the ride started - then she wanted off!

Big Blue!!

I would like to introduce to you the newest member of our family:

Can I say I LOVE MY TAHOE!!!!

Officially a Toddler!

It is official!!

We switched Hailey from a crib into her Toddler Bed - so of course her age has nothing to do with it - it's all about the bed!

*She has also figured out that she can climb into our bed for the night.....

1st Camping Trip

For the past 4 years Larry has been wanting to go camping and I always have some great excuse - "the kids are too small" "what about middle of the night bottles" "pretending I didn't hear him". Finally our friends Mike and Melissa said let's go! They have 2 little girls as well so I finally decided to suck it up and make it happen.

The girls had so much fun playing together! We had a nice spot with a little stream so of course there was a lot of dirt to be had! The best part of course was the smores - and oh yes they loved the smores!

It was really pretty..

Hailey REALLY enjoyed the smores!

*Catching Up*

I have been a terrible blogger this summer/fall - so I am now officially re-committing myself to become a better blogger!! Obviously I have a lot to catch up on so the next couple posts are me pretending I was on time with what was going on with the kids!

Ashley's 1st day of Preschool

Ashley was such a pro at this preschool stuff this year! She was very excited to start going again. We took Hailey with us this year for Ashley 1st day - she was very sad when we left. This is Ashley's last year of preschool!

Getting ready to go to "Meet your Teacher" day (even though she already knew her teacher)

Leaving the house

So cute!

Saying goodbye!