Spring Training in Scottsdale

One of the main things that Ben wanted to do in Scottsdale for spring break (besides golf) was to attend a pre-season baseball game.  He loves the movie, Moneyball, so we went to an Oakland A's game with the boys.

Kaden with his borrowed hat from Doug.

mommy-boys selfie in the SUN

just so pretty!

Not the greatest seats, but great for us.  

We sat along the 1st base line.  Since the teams didn't have a bullpen, the pitcher-catcher warmed up right  in front of us.

mommy & Owee

Owen checking it all out.

Art Classes

I have been teaching yoga classes at "Burn Studio" for almost 6 months(!) now, but recently I enrolled Kaden in a pre-school art class with Auburn.  

I didn't really know what to expect, but know how much Kaden loves his "projects".  When given the choice, he prefers to be inside drawing and can spend hours coloring & creating at the bar in the kitchen; I thought Auburn's art class would be right up his alley. 

The first time I dropped him off for the 1.5 hour class, the kids used glitter to decorate a tiny pumpkin and boasted on how "awesome" class was.  I figured he'd probably never use glitter in our house and it was money well spent. 

Kaden & Auburn... learning about colors and textures.

 Christmas

Christmas trees on canvas

 photo courtesy of Auburn...

Two weeks ago, they painted hearts for Valentine's Day.  

When I asked him about his heart, he told me that they used "warm colors" and it was "actually an abstract heart." 

When Ben picked up Kaden this past Monday, Kaden walked in the door with his mustache, told me that they talked about (Salvador) Dali & "surrealism" as he showed me his "melted clock".  

Hey... he is really learning!

Owen's Barber Shop Haircut

As much as we enjoy Owen's hair, it got a little out of control.  

Kaaren, who usually cuts it, even admitted that she wasn't sure what to do with it and that I might just take him to the barber shop. 

So we went to the Wolflin Barber Shop, where daddy usually gets his hair trimmed. 

Doing fairly well with a sucker in his mouth. 

Not too shabby!

Valentine's Party

I love this: Kaden working hard on signing his name to every Valentine while Owen kept busy putting stickers on a paper.

On our trip to Target, Kaden picked out "Monster's University" Valentines, complete with character tattoos.  

The chocolate cookies that we made for Kaden's party. 

Party time!

Owen crashing Kaden's party and enjoying some cupCAKE!

Kaden with his valentine art project. V

From not being able to hold a pencil correctly in September to this... I cannot express how grateful I am for Ms. Gloria this year.  She is amazing!

Mommy's helper

Kaden has turned into my little helper around the house.  

We have created a job chart and he is doing things around the house to earn a trip to the movies, a new puzzle, etc.  Kind of like allowance, and kind of just earning his keep around here.  Lord knows there's enough to do with 2 little boys running around every day.

Kaden posing for a picture

Fun With Daddy

This is what happens when it's too cold outside and everyone gets a bit stir-crazy.  

"Daddy, THROW ME on the bed!!" is what I heard one evening as I was getting home from class.

Schatzi completely unphased. 

Hard to see, but Kaden is wearing a Superman cape.

Grandpa's Visit

Dad doesn't seem to have a lot going on at the farm in January and February so he drove in for the week to visit us and the boys.

Sharing a bowl of (pistachio-almond) Blue Bell ice cream.  A tradition that has continued with every one of dad's visits to Amarillo.  

The Discovery Center just happened to change their exhibit so we checked it out one afternoon. 

It was perfect for Kaden & Owen as one area was ALL Legos.  From 6-foot tall structures made out of tiny pieces to giant foam Legos designed for babies & toddlers.  

There was another area called "Under Construction" which was all about wearing a hard-hat and building. 

Owen saying, "Cheese!!" when I took his picture atop the Lego bench. 

Mr. Owen kept sneak out of the Lego area to peek at the snake in the lobby.  

The building continued throughout our living room with one of Kaden's Christmas presents. 

Grandpa teaching Kaden a thing or two about "balance".

grandpa & Kaden's design

I think dad was content building on his own and just used Kaden as an excuse to play.  

Afternoon at John Stiff park, about a 1/2 mile from our house.

Phoenix Rock 'n Roll Marathon

In June, at least six months in advance, it sounded easy just to tack on another marathon since we "would be trained."  As it turned out, after the Dallas fiasco, going to Phoenix for a 26.2 run was a fabulous idea. 

No wind.  No snow. 

Instead, we had to prepare for the opposite end of the weather spectrum: 
sunglasses, sunscreen, shorts and tank tops… in January.

Mary snapping a few photos as we were getting ready...

Slamming down a bit of coffee & a few final bites before leaving #20. 

Doug chauffeured us to the start line in downtown Phoenix.  

Posing by the Porta potties; should've planned for a better background. ;)

Lining up in our corrals for the marathon. 

I wasn't sure how I would feel about having two completely different courses – the half marathon runners and the marathoners never saw each other during this race, except for maybe at the end. 

Mary & Doug did such a wonderful job of taking care of the boys all morning/day while we ran. Has the course when wound it's way to downtown Scottsdale (mile 17), Mary, Doug, and the boys were waiting on a street corner to cheer us on. It was such a great feeling to see them! 

Kaden looked excited as Abby & I approached, while Owen looked somewhat confused and then upset (started to cry) as we ran by.

We gladly took a 30-second break to make him feel better...

Grateful for these photos that were taken along the course.

nearing the finish, near Tempe, Arizona

Abby and I finished together with Laura a couple of minutes ahead. 

I know I say this every time, but it's just such a euphoric feeling to be DONE!

(and remind me to never wear these shorts in public again)

Laying down with my legs up in the air seem to be the best form of relief. 

Luckily the boys were passed out on Mary's bed as she came to pick us up at the end.

We. Did. It! 

Soon as we crossed that finish line and I stumbled towards the water/ wet towels/ food, I swore to everyone that I would never do a marathon again.  It felt as though knives were stabbing my hamstrings & calves...  Went so far as to say that Laura should slap me across the face if I begin to romanticize that far suggest we train for one again. To make sure, I got on the phone with Ben and told him the same thing…

 Fast forward about 24 hours and the car ride home with the 5 of us...

"Maybe next year..." somehow came out of my mouth with nods in agreement. 

We'll see...