Friday, April 25, 2014

Jackson's First Easter

At 2 weeks old, Jackson attended his first Easter worship service! He was so handsome and adorable in his little suit!


Eggs

After attending worship at DaySpring with our families (my parents, Jake & Krystal, Kyle, Marie & Jackson) we went to my parent's house for lunch.  Then, the kids got to dye eggs and have an egg hunt! It was a beautiful day to be outside and we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon.











Resurrection Day

~ Resurrection Day ~
As our children get older they understand the importance of Easter better than the year before.  We spent the week coming up to Easter talking to them about the meaning of Jesus' death on the cross and his rising from the dead.  It's so great to hear them ask questions about it and show their love for Christ!
A few photos on Easter morning before church :)


 The girls with their new stuffed Easter bunnies.  I love my sweet girlies!

 Well, she's MOSTLY sweet :)

 And, I love my handsome men too!



Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Race To Robie Creek 2014

Race to Robie Creek, April 19th.
After months of training, mom and I completed Robie this last weekend!  It is known as the toughest race in the Northwest and they weren't kidding.  The course begins at the foothills in Boise and immediately begins climbing up.  In 8.5 miles you go from a 2-10% incline climb to the summit.  Then, 4.5 miles straight down into the town of Idaho City.  90% of the run is on dirt road and in the mountains.  This is a very popular race as registration sells out in just minutes!
For me it wasn't my best race.  The weekend before the event I became sick with a bad sore throat and cold.  I ended up for to the urgent care on Wed for antibiotics for a sinus infection.  By race day I was feeling better but, had spent the whole week miserable and dealing with sinus pain.  Thankfully, it was a lighter run week but, I even struggled with that.  So, I just wasn't my best by the time Sat arrived.  I ran ok but had to blow my nose SO many times! haha  Also, the antibiotics were wreaking havoc on my stomach and I dealt with a side ache for most of it. All in all, I was happy with how it went. I struggled in miles 6-7 and walked a little.  Amazingly, I ran the last of the section to the very top with no problems.  And, during the mileage down many of the runners were dealing with bad calf pain.  I felt no pain at all and kept a steady pace. 
The weather was very warm (80's) for an afternoon race!  Many runners suffered from heat exhaustion and were either falling or, being taken out by the medics.  By the way, Idaho City meds and Ada County Paramedics did such an amazing job at taking care of so many people!  I've never seen EMS so busy during a race as this one.  
Perhaps the best part was not only conquering this challenging course but, also the people and new friends mom and I met along the way.  In honor of the Boston Marathon, we were asked to say "thankyou" to at least 5 volunteers, help/encourage a fellow runner out that was in need and simply not be afraid to say HI to your fellow runner.  By doing this we had a fun, strong run!  I witnessed and helped a man who had fallen on the downhill. And, witnessed a man who was rounding the corner towards the finish line... fell and badly hurt his ankle.  He got up and began limping towards the finish.. his ankle turned in and badly broken.  The crowd cheered him on as a female volunteer assisted him.  It was very touching and inspiring.
I'm proud of my mom who finished strong!  We didn't run together but, it's always great to be with her at the start and finish :)
Afterwards we hung out on the grassy hour for about an hour... resting in the shade, eating and rehydrating.  Everyone felt so hot and weak.  Perhaps the worse part was waiting in line to catch the bus back to Boise.  We waited in line, in the sun, for an hour to catch a bus that took us to one drop off station. Then, waiting again for that 2nd bus to take us to our vehicle.  By the time I got home it was after 6pm.  I'm not sure I'd ever run this one again just because it was such a big ordeal to get out there and back... causing me to lose time with the family.  I was able to attend Katie's soccer early that morning but missed the others.  Although, I did notice that some of the runners ran the course back to the finish (and to their vehicles) so maybe I'll be like them next year.. skip the bus system and just make it back to my car faster by running! haha


 Amazing view at the summit!
My two aunts, Carol and Debbie, came to cheer us on at the start!
Official race time: Lisa 2:39:41  Susan 3:09:39

Monday, April 21, 2014

New Camper!

Casey and I had been debating for quite a while about getting a new camper for our growing family.  We liked the last one but, it was much older and there just wasn't enough room to sleep everyone.  A few things, like the toilet and fridge, were also having problems.  Casey found this one in a used car lot.  It was owned by an older couple that took really good care of it. It was the floor plan we liked and everything like the AC, heater, plumbing, fridge etc. worked.  Casey was able to get the salesman down to a price we could afford so we got it!  We're super excited about our new home away from home and are looking forward to many family camping trips in the future!

Backyard Improvements

Now that spring is here and the weather is so much nicer (most days) we've been busy working in the yard... cleaning, raking and mowing etc.  Casey is planning on building us a new little shed in the backyard so put all of our garden/yard tools and the lawn mower.  He's also been busy doing things like putting up lattice under our deck and planting a new bush I fell in love with while at the store one day :)  


 It's beginning to look nicer!  My roses are also here... we'll be getting bark pretty soon.
 Blossoming trees!  This one is the plum tree...
 Our two cherry trees.  This year we're going to actually take care of them (spray and netting etc) so we can enjoy its yummy cherries!
Casey recently put up a new basketball hoop in the front driveway so Katie could "shoot some hoops". It's been fun having it and she's getting pretty good!

Brotherly Love

They're either each others best friend or, each others worst enemy.  Amazing how they can go between the two in just a matter of seconds!



Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Jackson Harmen Smith

Jackson Harmen Smith made his entrance into the world in the early hours of Saturday, April 5th!  We are SO happy he's here and have a nephew to love on!  He had to spend a couple of days in the NICU due to a possible infection but, he's doing great and went home yesterday.  Jackson weighed in at a whopping 9lbs 10oz at birth!  We're excited for Kyle & Marie and the arrival of their precious baby boy!

 Katie Rose was excited she finally got to meet and hold Jackson today...



Zoo Boise

It's spring time at Zoo Boise!  Last Friday afternoon the kids and I met Casey and Marie at the zoo.. our first time there for 2014!  Once again, it's great to have a membership so we can go whenever we want and not have to stay a really long time.  The weather was actually pretty nice... even though we're all in coats.  It was about 50/50 chilly and warm.. depending on where the sun was.  Marie was 41.5 weeks pregnant so, really, we went in hopes of walking the baby out! AND, it worked because she went into labor that late afternoon!


 It's always nice to have Casey go along with us to places like this... usually he's working and doesn't always get to go.


Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Fun with Cousins!

We all had a great time having my cousin Rebekah and her girls here from Arizona!  All the cousins played well together and had a blast.  Everyone was completely exhausted when the weekend was over!  On Friday we took the kids to a new candy shop in downtown Nampa, Candy World.  It was like an old fashioned candy store, which, they totally loved! 
 My mom had bought Rebekah and I tickets to take the girls and Tys to our local NNU theater, where we watched the play, Anne of Green Gables.  They LOVED it!  The actors and actresses did a great job and were funny.

 While in downtown Nampa we stopped by the old Train Depot Museum.  It was pretty cool and I never even knew it was there!  There were lots of history and the architecture/wood was amazing.
 The girlies!
 Saturday night we hosted a big family dinner at our house so everyone could come see Rebekah and the girls.  We enjoyed a  yummy dinner of lasagna, salad, bread and Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake. I did the lasagna and dessert and, it was great that everyone helped bring the rest.  It was a fun evening!

 Kristiana, Katie, Aria, Amelia and Wyatt = COUSINS!!
Casey, Uncle Richard, Uncle Joe and my dad.  Sadly, I didn't get a very good photo of the ladies and rest of the guys...