It's Maddie's Birthday!

She is eleven years old now- I can't believe it. She is a sweetie (most of the time) and we really love her. She had a great year this last year participating in Musical Express. She loves to sing, dance, play with friends, and ride THE MOTOR SCOOTER. We're not having a friend party this year, but we are going to Tepanyaki for dinner tonight. She is so funny- we got a "Birthday Girl" pin a few years ago that she's kept. She wore it to school today and then came home and told me that everyone at school told her happy birthday. :) I thought, What did you think they would say?

My cute kids

Check out this picture of the kids- they are adorable. School is going well so far. Eric's favorite classes are computer graphics, honors history, and weightlifting. Maddie likes 6th grade- all of her buddies are in her class. Kelson has discovered the classics and is reading them all (he's in King Arthur right now). And Lara's enjoying 1st grade and Mrs. Karren's "fly jar". She is extremely dramatic (as most of you know) and every day is like a soap opera. Troy is teaching all the sections of history this year so you know he's a happy guy. I think he's a little disappointed that he didn't get to wear a PE whistle, though. I'm still adjusting to a quiet house. :)

Top Tens

We're headed back to school in a few days so I was thinking last night about what I'd remember most from our summer. Here are my top ten lists for my family members, at least the ones I currently live with. :)

Troy-

1. Our DC trip, but especially Gettysburg, the Lincoln Memorial, riding the Metro, and Potbellys Sandwiches.
2. Early morning walks to get in shape for our trip.
3. Sniffing the tobacco at Jamestown Settlement.
4. Reading the Great Brain book series with Kelson.
5. Teaching Maddie to mow the lawn.
6. Helping clean at the home of our friend who passed away, even though you were the only guy there.
7. Monk DVDs.
8. Participating with me in the library's summer reading program- hey, you get a free book at the end!
9. Camping up American Fork Canyon.
10. Being (mostly) patient with the kids while I was at work and being the best husband ever. I love you!

Eric-

1. "Name something else that's orange." "Um, I don't know. Cheez-Its?"
2. Walking through the National Zoo in Washington DC and having a girl run past us and yell "Hi Eric!" Even on the other side of the country it didn't take long for the women to learn your name.
3. Swimming with the little kids in the hotel pool so Dad and I could have a break from them.
4. Finding a sleeping bat in a cannon at Manassas.
5. Video commentary of the DC trip.
6. Working at the Snowie and for Uncle Jon and Aunt Tiffy.
7. Walks with Tanner to McDonald's and Arctic Circle.
8. Scout Camp, Youth Conference, and CrueFest.
9. "Are you going all French on me?"
10. Being patient, loving, and setting a good example for all your siblings. You're a great kid and I love you a lot.

Maddie-

1. Mowing the lawn (and starting the lawn mower) all by yourself for most of the summer.
2. Saving up for THE MOTOR SCOOTER.
3. Getting hooked on "Monk" and watching seasons 1 through 5 several times.
4. Miley Cyrus. Need I say more?
5. Camping in American Fork Canyon and hearing you say, "This is a lot more fun than I thought it would be."
6. Playing with Sarah, Annecy, and Shianne.
7. Memorizing several of the Articles of Faith and working on your Faith in God projects.
8. Going off first the low dive and then bravely trying the high dive (and loving it.)
9. Trying out all the "big rides" with Eric at Six Flags in Baltimore and loving them.
10. Just generally being a fun and happy girl- I'm so glad you're my daughter and I love you.


Kelson-

1. Collecting pins on the DC trip, then having to take them off of your hat to get through security at Dulles on the way home.
2. Picking the National Zoo as the place to visit on your birthday.
3. Trying (and liking) calamari at dinner on your birthday.
4. Monopoly, RISK, and Pirates' Cove.
5. Reading the Great Brain books with Dad.
6. How It's Made
7. The club at the big tree with Nate, Bryce, Kyle, and other assorted boys.
8. Watching Maddie go off both diving boards and deciding you needed to do it, too.
9. Multiplying fractions in your head- "A triple quarter-pounder at Wendy's is 3/4 of a pound of meat, Mom."
10. Always entertaing me with the things that come out of your mouth and being a sweet boy. I love you, buddy.


Lara-

1. Squirrels on the DC trip. They were definitely the highlight for you.
2. Collecting dolls on the DC trip.
3. Sunburned shoulders and cheeks, the stinky metallic smell of a little kid who's been out in the sun all day, and the blackened soles of your bare feet.
4. Playing big sister with Isaac and Sarah.
5. The witness tree at Burnside's Bridge at Antietam.
6. Being a flower girl in Krissy's wedding.
7. Going on the upside down ride over and over and over with Kelson at Six Flags.
8. Snuggling and reading Curious George to Dad and I.
9. Learning that being a friend means apologizing sometimes and working hard to include others.
10. Growing up so much over the summer- I can't believe you are ready for 1st grade. I love you lots!

Me-

1. A sister's wedding and a friend's passing.
2. Learning that I actually enjoy running.
3. Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch, which pretty much negates the effects of the running.
4. Our trip, especially seeing the temple from the freeway, getting lost in Maryland, holding hands with my husband while walking A LOT, and feeling a renewed sense of hope and love for our country.
5. Working for a company I love, with people I like, in a profession that's challenging and exciting.
6. Mineral makeup? Not for me.
7. Swimming with my kids in DC and at the Lehi pool.
8. Fruit smoothies-the best breakfast ever.
9. Finding things I never noticed before in the book of Alma. There's some good stuff in there.
10. Being more grateful for the blessings in my life, especially the Gospel and my family. That's what it's all about.

Lara is a Star!

We went to take pictures with my family on Sunday night which, needless to say, was an experience. While we were there, the lady who was taking the pictures (who is my sister's sister-in-law) mentioned that she had put some pictures of Lara on her website. She asked if that was ok. Ok? Definitely! Here's the link: http://www.alanalangephotography.com Lara's pictures are in the "children" section- she's such a cutie pants.

A Genius With A Dimple

This morning while we were getting ready for church, I told Kelson that he was cute. He looked at me in disgust and said, "Mom, I am not cute. I am a genius." I replied that that was fine but I still love his dimple. He sighed deeply and in apparent resignation. "Fine, then. I'm a genius with a dimple."

Some random thoughts

Thanks for your suggestions regarding running. I've been jogging a little more each day this week and then walking when I need to. I have discovered that I definitely like running downhill better than uphill! I also like how my muscles feel a little sore during the day- it's weird but it makes me feel alive.

I just read a fantastic book called "Whatever You Do, Don't Run". It's by a guy named Peter Allison who spent most of the last twelve years as a safari guide in Botswana. It's always been a dream of mine to go to Africa- now I am going to start saving my pennies because I'm so excited. Troy agreed to come with me, but he's not nearly as enthusiastic as I am. I know he wants to see the animals, but camping and unfamiliar foods are not his thing.

We took the kids camping overnight earlier this week and it turns out that they love it! Maddie was hesitant before we left, but all night she kept remarking about how much more fun camping was than she thought it'd be. We just went up American Fork Canyon- away from civilization but not too far away from civilization. We also saw "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D"- of the three movies we've seen lately (including Wall-E and the Dark Knight) it was by far my favorite.

Oh, and guess what? The Office, Season 4 is out on DVD September 2! This is my favorite TV show, maybe of all time. Troy got me the first 3 seasons for Christmas and we've watched them so much we have most of the dialogue memorized.

One final random thing- I'm posting a picture of my penpal Tim and his new wife. They live in Australia and Tim and I have been penpals since I was in 8th grade (closing in on twenty years). They got married in April and he sent me a photo so here you go:

I'd love to hear your suggestions

OK, I have been inspired by the blogs of several friends who have either recently started running or picked it up again. I've never been a runner, but so many people like that I decided to give it a shot. I found a training schedule (The Couch-to-5K Running Plan) which looks pretty good. I'm not actually starting from the couch- Troy and I have been walking about 30 minutes every morning this summer. But I'm still way in the beginner stages.
The plan suggests that for the first week I should do three workouts. Each workout starts with a 5 minute brisk walk to warm up. Then I alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Sounds pretty good, but I really have no idea. What do all you experienced runners think? I'm anxious to get started Monday so let me know right away! :)