Visiting the Farm

1st summer trip to Missouri. 

I have to say that the boys did incredible on the drive to Missouri- probably their best trip yet.

There was a lot of reading, coloring, and playing with tiny trucks throughout the day.

The games you play when trying to stay awake and focused for 11 hours.  

(Trying to sit in lotus for 5 full minutes)

Once we got to California, we had a mini family reunion.  Stephenie invited our cousins over to the house and Kyle made the drive in from Columbia.  

Over the past few years there has been a kid explosion.  

That night there were 6 kids under the age of 5 running around Steve & Dawn's backyard. 

brand-new tire sandbox

The next morning we drove up to the farm to show all of the boys (Kaden, Owen and Brayden) the new (week old) twin calves.  

twins!

Kaden taking a turn

dad with his future help

(Great) Grandpa Cook still driving to the farm every day at 91.

running up the road and getting to ride on the flatbed with Stephenie

checking out dad's new farm ground

One of Kaden's highlights of going to the farm was getting to ride in the back of the pickup truck.  

Can't believe how old he is looking lately!

Mother's Day & Hope and Healing 13.1

Several months ago Laura (Abby) and I made a plan for several races in a row in order to keep us running through the cold winter months.  There aren't many 1/2 marathons around Amarillo, but we did the Hope and Healing 1/2 Marathon last year and since we had such a good experience, we decided to go it again.  After all, it's a local race for a great cause. 

Ben was able to bring the boys to cheer for Laura and I at mile 7.5.  

And as pathetic as this may sound, I ate an almond butter sandwich at mile 10 

(only the best made by Ms. Laci Scott (seriously, she makes her own almond butter at home) 

After all, it's hard work running with a tiny baby inside you!  :)

Kristin, Laura, and Abby together again.

Found my yoga-buddy, Jackie, at the finish line. 

Laura & her son, Ridge

Abby stretching

mommy & the boys

Eating quiche-- since it was Mother's Day, Shanny & I got to pick what to eat.

(and calling it "breakfast pie" in order to get Ben on board)

Trip to the Dentist

If Kaden was a little nervous about his first trip to the dentist, he sure didn't let it show once we got to the office.  

He has a full set if 20 teeth and the hygienist said that he is doing a fine job of brushing. Hallelujah – because I have to admit I was a little nervous for this visit. (If a 4-year-old has plaque on his teeth, you know the mommy is to blame.)

Clean bill of dental health!

Go Kaden!

Glove balloons from Dr. King

Yard Sale Time!

With the success of last year's yard sale, we decided to do it again and add more people.  

I think we had at least 8 people contributing to the alley-way madness on Stone Drive.

Before: yard sale pic.

What could make a yard sale even better? 

A free babysitter!

Sarah's son, Micah, didn't have school on Friday so he was able to help watch (or totally watch) the kids while we were on the other side of the brown door.

Micah helping the kids make their own lunch: lil' pigs in a blanket.

Meanwhile... Outside...

view into the alley

Showing an elderly man the meaning of a Sit-n-Spin...

And the party/yard sale continued into the evening with Laci giving us a little tutorial on how to make a killer lemon merengue pie for Ben's birthday.

And it was a fabulous treat the following day! 

Showcasing some of the treasures to be found on the clothing table.

Thank you, Abby!

and everyone having a go with the wig, including Schatzi.  

Day 2 was Schatzi's big day.  She finally got used to the mass chaos and was able to enjoy herself- tons of pets and even took a nap in the garage among the shoppers.  

Although we sold a TON of stuff, we got lazy and didn't want to deal with the leftovers 

(not to mention the dinner reservation for Ben's birthday dinner).

we unanimously decided to close the garage and reopen for sale #2 in two weeks. 

Start gathering your stuff... 

Yoga Core Challenge 2014

In order to encourage more (yoga) participation via social media, Tammy and I did Kino McGregor's April Core Challenge,

 posting our own pictures as we attempted each "move of the day".  

We encouraged others to post their pictures each day as well, and had some prac ting yoga at home each night (success!) 

Here are my personal favorites and achievements this month. 

Bakasana or Crane Pose

Asvakrasana or 8-Angle Pose

Tittibhasana or Firefly Pose

Bakasana or Crow Pose 

(Bakasana translates to either crow or crane with the difference being a bend in the elbows for crow.)

...as you can see, I'm a fan of the arm balances. 

3-legged dog

Sirsasana or supported headstand... with the pike being the challenge for the core.

Gharba Pindasana and Kukkutasana... and the press up.

with Kaden as my awesome cameraman. 

Ardha Vrksasana or 1/2 Handstand

Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Inverted Tree) or Handstand