It's been way too long........

I know, I know.......... it has been way too long since I have posted anything to our blog and I am way overdue. We have been up to so much and have taken lots of pictures, and yet I can't quit remember all the things we have done. Fall has been busy with First Grade, pumpkin patches, Halloween, parties, visits from family and friends, and remembering to take off our pajamas before we put our clothes on for school instead of wearing both all day and neither our mom or dad discovering such a thing until it is bed time and then thinking to ourselves, well at least I already have my pajamas on so I guess I am already ready for bed............hmmmmmm! Well, needless to say we have been up to a lot of everything and a whole lot of nothing that has kept us busy. I will be posting soon, but in the meantime you will have to enjoy these cute pics of Monkey and his obsession (and we all know he does not get this from me, wink) with Ben & Jerry's! So yummy. See you soon in posts to come. ~ Linz

Oh, and for those of you wondering........NO........I did not let him eat the whole thing! 6 bites!

Go A's

Liam had a great season this summer on his baseball team. The A’s. In fact, they got presented a huge trophy at their tournament for having the best record in the league. They were so surprised and happy! The trophy was bigger than most of the players. Liam was lucky to be on a great team with a great group coaches and kids. All the coaches were so encouraging and really helped Liam develop his skills. Even though he isn’t the best baseball player, he sure has improved and it shows. This year, well for the most part, he wasn’t the kid picking the grass and throwing his glove up in the air while the ball zoomed by his head. The most important thing though, is that he really seemed to enjoy himself and really wanted to practice and participate. I was so proud of him for that. The kids on his team loved to cheer each other on, and that was really nice to see too. His team’s fate ended with their first tournament game, but it didn’t matter…they had a great season. It’s kind of funny because the team they played was a tryout team. The coaches looked like drill sergeants and the players all stood at attention. Then there were our guys, a bunch of goofs giggling, messing around, loud and crazy, but we got out there and for the first two innings it looked like we were going to beat them. They were so shocked beyond belief and that was pretty amusing to me and the other parents, considering our team is not a tryout team, nor do they resemble any type of military kids what so ever!!! I sort of felt bad for the other team. Their coaches were yelling at them and really getting on them for allowing a team like ours to be beating them. It was nice to see our kids having fun and enjoying themselves, and even though they didn’t win, it didn’t define them or discourage them! Well…..baseball was fun, so we will see what is next! Go A’s!!!

Our guys! A few players were missing this day! Goofy! See what I'm talking about!

At the pizza party!

Monkey getting his individual trophy!

Broadway Bridge Run

Broadway Bridge Run - Sunday April 18th, 2010 This is my second year participating in the Broadway Bridge Run that benefits the Special Olympics. This year I was brave and decided to go ahead and try the 10k, 6.2miles. I can't even believe that I signed up for this last year and did a 5k and then this year a 10k. I never imagined I would be running anything. I have been on an amazing journey this last year with my weight loss goals (50lbs & counting), but have realized that my journey has become much more than a journey to lose weight, it has become a life change of fitness and health. That is why this simple little run that may seem so insignificant to others, is so BIG to me. I am doing something I never thought possible.......and have met the most amazing people along the way that motivate and support me. I am proud to call myself a runner. It feels good. I just keep my running shoes on to see what's up next in my 5k - 10k journey.

Official Results:

Time: 51:05.1

2nd in my age group 30-34, 41st overall out of 207.

Not too shabby!

Here is the starting line where all the walkers and runners took off. Aaron & Noah. Cute. Aaron finds great events and allows us (Credit Union employees) to participate in these amazing events.

Jenafer and Heather. Good job ladies. Smirk. I almost see some leg muscles! I'm liking that. I can thank my amazing and motivating trainer, Jonathon, for that! Check out his amazing studio if you ever want to try a class: http://www.studiofitkc.com/

James.......rocking the 10k! Did I mention he is the one to thank for pushing me to do the 10k. Thanks a lot James. Ok...really, I do mean that.

Paula and Erika making their way to the finish line.

Holly. Another brave soul to do the 10k. She did a great job.

Glad to be done.

Good looking group. We can smile now, it's over.

Little Liam said he is going to run with me next year. Can't wait. He is amazing and a huge inspiration to me. So proud of him and I know he is so proud of me. He met me at the finish line.

Me and little Liam after the race.

Excellent way to end the day......with a Monkey hug!

The Tent

It's a tent! I have to give my wonderful hubby some props on this one. Little Monkey had been begging for weeks to make a tent in the living room. A tent out of all the blankets we could possibly find that weren't already on beds.....and here's the best part.....he wanted to sleep in it that night. Luckily, my wonderful hubby was up for the challenge of sleeping in the homemade tent contraption type thing. Good luck boys. Have at it. Have fun. I'll be sleeping in my bed.....but thinking about you two. Oh........and what a mess! So cute, so sweet, my boys. My poor hubby had a stiff neck and back the whole next day. What a good sport and something little Monkey will remember forever.

Car Wash

Shower for the day???? That's Monkey's idea of a shower! He had fun helping wash the car and Jazz & Jarjar's kennels. Good little helper. He always has his shirt off when it's nice out. In fact, I'm pretty sure he would be naked if law didn't prohibit it! Boys...........that's what I keep telling myself. I'm pretty sure he is either a Star Wars guy, Batman, or Ironman! You never can tell who Monkey might be.......or not be....... Love how he stops to pose when I say picture time! I have him trained well. I just can't resist that smile! Including the missing teeth.

My Boys

They don't get any cuter than this!!!

The Rainbow Cake

I tried it....yes I did....the famous MckMama Rainbow Cake. It was challenging, tiring, and so worth it. Yes this post is way way way over due. Did I mention it is way over due. My little Monkey turned 6 January 12th and I made this cake for his birthday. He loved it! I loved it! And it will be another 6 years before I do it again. Can you see how long it took me just to post about it. That is how exhausted I was. Did I mentioned that I'm not a baker.

Lots of food coloring. Did I mention that I usually avoid any red dies what so ever for Monkey. It's true....red die = hyper!

Monkey looks like a big kid. Not a little munchkin anymore, a BIG KID!

Cutting the cake! And yes....liam is not wearing pants!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY MONKEY!

iPad giveaway and the Kenya Child Survival Program

MckMama, is at it again.....please visit www.mycharmingkids.net, or even easier click on the title of this post to get to her blog to find out how you can help children in Kenya with the Child Survival Program....and by doing so....be entered in a drawing to win an iPad!!! I did. You can make a difference too. I hope you will, or at least check our her blog to get inspired. Thanks Friends. Linz

Family