A New Do

Oh that Autumn!!! She is such a diva, and loves nothing more than getting glamed and having her picture taken. As for me, I tend to get an idea in my head and need it done that moment. I had made an appointment for her with my favorite hairstylist, Alisha, but I couldn't wait one more moment. So, out came the shears and I just whacked off her scraggily locks for her first big-girl bob. She just kept posing, so I kept on taking pictures. Here she is, quite grown up no?

"Whoa--What a Swim"---Scuttle

Some of my favorite quotes are from Disney movies. And this one from "The Little Mermaid" sums up that past few weeks.

Lots of good stuff going on....just lots of stuff! I'm ready for a vacation from summer vacation. Basketball/ football camps galore, summer singers, play dates, and training (or at least trying to fit training in) making the swim team DVD and adjusting to a new calling at church have been keeping me hopping. But things are winding down and I'm feeling a moment to relax and breathe, is just around the corner. :)

During all of this, I was able to stop and enjoy 7 of my favorite people in the world. THE MAXFIELDS!!!!





Why does it feel like most of our great friends are scattered around the country!!! Can I just make a neighborhood and bring everyone together!!!

We also were able to go camping at Red Feather Lake






Then FINALLY, the sprint triathlon was upon me. Now let me explain something. When you sign up for a sporting event in Colorado, there are going to be "hills", but this went beyond. Since this was my first attempt, I didn't know any better, but I was relieved at the end, when my much more experienced friends were also shocked at this course.

The swim felt great ! It was a bit hard because it was a pool swim and I had to do a lot of passing, but it felt good to race my favorite sport again! I was tempted to ask if I could swim further and take out one of the hills for the bike, but I chickened out and reluctantly left the pool to face my fears!!!



Next, the bike. This is what I was dreading the most!!! I just learned to ride a road bike a few months ago and my body is still in the process of discovering many new muscles to pump through the Rockies. We were in Mount Vernon, so hills were expected, but they managed to find a bike and running course that were uphill both ways. Totally defying Newtons discoveries of gravity..... you know the one about things going up and coming down. We just went up and up and up!!!!


The run felt more like a hike, leaving me somewhere between tears and laughter as I turned each corner to see yet another climb. But, I finished and I felt pretty good! I figure it's good to do the hardest one first, now any others I do will seem so much nicer!!!

My favorite part was that my cute family met me at each step of the course. Seeing my mom, husband, and bed-head kiddos at the top of Look Out Mountain gave me a much needed boost! I feel such a relief and I'm ready to go back to some yoga and pilates classes rather than just endless training, but this new way of exercising has really caught on for me.

***any tips for getting permanent marker off your body????

The Fourth

Hiking the Flatirons of Chautaqua Park in Boulder



The annual gathering of Jason's extended family. I love this tradition. This year we upped the anti, when Aunt Tanya brought some serious fireworks. Those of us with some sense were a bit nervous. (Notice Jason's lack of nervousness) It was a blast and so good to catch up with cousins.






I feel so blessed to live here and to live by family. We don't see each other often enough, but we just pick up where we left off and feels so comfortable.

My First Garden!

I know, I know.....I'm way late in starting this part of life, but I am finally trying it. To be honest, I thought it would be way too complicated and that I would loose interest half way through, but it turns out this gardening thing works!!!! My expectations were very low! Jason built me one raise garden and we went about hoping for ANYTHING. But things are growing and it is hard to describe my sense of fulfillment!




It is a small thing, that I don't think will save us tons of money in groceries, but it was always about the principle if the thing. I wanted to know if I could actually grow something and consume it. If all continues well, I will be having a fresh salad from the back yard soon!!!

His first Century

Today was the Healing Wheels Charity Bike. 105 miles, 11,000 vertical feet, 8 hours, 7 bottles of gatorade, 6 goos, 3 bananas, a few pb and j's and over 9,000 calories burned. Jason is a numbers guys even when torturing himself through the Rockies. We rushed from the swim meet so we could catch him in action and we made it just in time for his last big climb.




Jason just takes on difficult things with little fear or trepidation. He sets a goal and very methodically goes about accomplishing it. I was so impressed watching him pump up that steep grade after so many hours. I was terrified to watch him fly down the other side, seeing my speedometer at 50mph trying to keep up. Fearless, sometimes to the point of insanity, but always keeping me pushing myself to a more adventurous life! Though I worry, I know that this part of his personality is what attracted me to him in the first place. Congrats honey!

Camping and Lilacs

We are in full swing with summer. Jason's schedule is booked with youth activities, so he is always looking for an opportunity to go camping. Grandma and Grandpa said he could borrow the trailer.....the one form 1952 or so. I just had to laugh looking at this things parked outside our house. We even received a warning from the home owners association telling us that it was violation and that we need to work to keep our neighborhood looking nice. ( I thought this was hilarious, Jro was a bit miffed and sent a semi-rude email back) Unseemly or not, it kept them warm and dry for spring camping.




Autumn felt a bit left out, but I just wasn't ready to deal with a newly potty-trained 2 year old in a camper. And besides, I think dad's need some solo time.....right.


In other news, the lilacs are bursting and making me so happy. I take a big breathe as I pass on my jogs. I love this planet. I love that Heavenly Father made Lilacs for me to enjoy! I love summer break and I love a night home with just my two year old. I love Autumn's belly and her love of dresses, necklaces and shades.

It was indeed time for a change of pace. A time to slow down and enjoy these kids while they still want nothing more than time with us.

My sign of Summer

For me, I feel like summer has officially begun, when my life becomes caps, goggles and coolers. Bike rides to practice, wet friends come over after practice and sunrise swims. Today was the first meet and I must say...... I love it all!!!!