We did it!!

Getting ready for the triathlon to start

View of Lake Arrowhead

Starting the bike
Matt at the finish line

Last year Matt and a bunch of guys from our ward did the Lake Arrowhead triathlon. After watching them I really wanted to do it but I thought I would never be able to do it. I am not a swimmer...I don't think I had swam since middle school....I am not a biker...again last time I did a lot of biking was middle school with the banana seat...and I really don't enjoy running, it feels like a chore for me. So I am sure you are wondering like I was...why in the world would I want to do a triathlon when I don't really do any of the three events. Well I guess I just wanted a challenge. Anyways so the beginning of this year I thought I am going to do this. So I started training with a few friends. I started swimming and now I actually enjoy it...I can't say that about running yet. And I bought a used road bike and would ride along PCH which has been an awesome way to get a little alone time out of the house. I was still a little nervous for the race since I had been training at sea level on totally flat ground and swimming in a pool and the course is extremely hilly and the swimming is in a lake....but I did it. I am so glad I did it and it was actually really fun. The best part is I didn't finish last and I beat the time I thought it would take me to do it. Matt did it and was a total rock star. Any ways it was fun to do together and hopefully we can do it next year too.

4th of July

We had a really fun 4th this year. My sister Kathy was still staying with us after our cruise along with her daughter Burgundi. In the morning me and Kathy got up and ran the HB 5k then we went home got ready and headed down to the parade (I hear the HB parade is the biggest this side of the Mississippi). Jake loved it and he definitely has his beauty queen wave down. After the parade we went swimming in a friends pool then that night we had a BBQ at another friends. After the BBQ we all headed down to the beach to watch the fireworks. As you can tell from the pictures below Caden really liked the fireworks but Jake didn't. Jake just sat between Matt's legs and covered his eyes....he did start to warm up at the end and started peeking through his fingers.

Parents 50th Anniversary

This year is my parents 50th wedding anniversary so to celebrate the whole family went on a cruise. We had such a fun time. It was a little crazy getting everyones schedule to match up but all 6 kids and there families were able to go. We spent most of our time relaxing on the boat, but had a few fun days in Mexico. The highlights of the trip was our nightly fancy dinner (I think we all love the chocolate melting cake), my brother-in-law Cameron getting 3rd place in the hairy chest contest, half my family getting hypnotized, and my parents participating in the newlywed game (a little too much info shared). I am so happy we were able to do this with everyone...I think it is something we will always cherish and remember. Here are a few pictures of the trip I need to get some more from my sister.

Me with my parents

Ashley (niece), me, and Susie (sister)

My sister Kathy and me

Dad and my brother Eric
Marylynn (sister-in-law), Lindsey(niece) & Randy (brother)

Little Boys

I could definitely tell I was a mom of little boys today because I played with worms. I was out watering the yard and several worms started to come out. I called Jake over because I thought he would like to check them out. He was so intrigued by them and I told him to pick them up...because I didn't want to . He kept getting close but wouldn't touch them so finally I just had to pick up the thing and put it in his hand. After that he loved it and wouldn't put it down....he actually kind of pinched it in half. Oh well Jake might occasionally squeal like a girl, but he plays like a boy.

Summer has Begun

Well summer has officially begun here in HB. We got a bike trailer (I was so excited I got it on craigslist for $20) for the kids to enjoy the summer months. We took it out last night for a little ride down to the beach. It was so much fun. Jake loved it and would wave and say "Hi" or "Yo" to everyone we passed. The only problem was once we got to the beach he wanted to get out and play in the water.

Caden (8 mon) & Jacob (2 yr)
The next reason I know summer has begun because we went to Disneyland for the last time before the blackout days started....thank heavens. It was actually horrible. It was so stinking hot and crowed. I can't imagine spending full price for a ticket to wait in the heat for hours to ride a ride. We wanted to go to see some Toy Story characters since a new Toy Story ride had opened. Buzz is Jake's favorite and could and sometimes does watch the movie everyday. We didn't end up seeing Buzz but we did by him a little figure that he absolutely loved. Our only saving grace was the water park at Bug's life. We let Jake get soaked there for about an hour and went home. You got a love season passes so you can got to Disneyland for 2 hrs and still feel like it wasn't a waste
Jake waiting in line to ride the cars

Driving momma crazy...

Gardening

This year Matt and I decided to plant a garden. We tried last year but it didn't end up working that well and we ended up picking it all out and throwing it away. Anyways we thought we would give it one more try. This year we decided to go really small. One tomato plant and one squash, and so far success. We have tons of tomato's but they haven't turned red yet. We also have tons of squash. I started to think Matt and I would get sick of squash..so I ended up making a bunch of baby food out of it. I am really proud of myself because I am not that domestic.

Our Dad is Rad

As Caden's shirt says my boys think their dad is rad (sorry his shirt is totally filthy..I took this picture at the end of the day and Caden has learned how to army crawl. I keep saying I need to attach a swifter to his onesie so he can help me keep the floors clean). Matt is honestly such an amazing dad. He is so good to his boys and they just adore him...especially Jake. Jake can't wait until he gets home from work so he can play with him. Matt is definetlyJake's hero..even though jake does call him mommy..along with every other adult figure he knows. Here are a few pictures of Matt playing with his boys.

Jake in his kilt for Fathers Day...he kept closing his eyes when he would say "CHEESE"




Happy Fathers Day to Grandpa Redd

Mom and Dad in Yosemite

Happy Fathers Day to my sweet Dad who is turing 80 this year. What an amazing Dad...and you have to love the picture with him in his hot pink hair. That was at the National Finals Rodeo last year during the support Breast Cancer night. What a trooper. Love you.