Duluth part 3

The Amotts left Duluth early so Ande could get back for work. We stuck around and saw some of the sights down by the lift bridge. We ate lunch outside at Grandma's Saloon and Grill.

Look at our great view of the lift bridge!

Duluth part 2

After the guys rested up from their race we took off to see Gooseberry Falls in Two Harbors. The water felt great on our feet and the kids had a blast splashing around.

Duluth

This was the big race weekend for us and the Amott family. Ainsley, Kenzie and Lizzie ran the whipper snapper races for kids Friday afternoon. Then Ande and I ran the William A. Irvin 5K that evening. Bart and Rob ran the Garry Bjorklund 1/2 marathon Saturday morning. Everyone survived and did well.

Before the race.

Getting ready to run.

All winners!

Ande & I before our race.

Racing to the finish line.

The kids cheered us on.

Greeting the family after the race.

Ande has run alot of races. Since this was my first she wanted to run with me the whole way. (She's a great friend!) She encouraged and paced us the whole way. I ran the 3.2 miles in 33 minutes and 18 seconds. Ande got in 1 second before me. I was really proud of my time. I just wanted to do better than 40 minutes.

Here is Bart at about mile 13 on the 1/2 marathon. Somehow he had enough energy to wave hello to us cheering him on. He did a great job and we're all proud of him!!

I don't know if Rob wants me to post his picture or not but just to mention he ran his best time yet in the 1/2 marathon. Way to go Rob!

Ainsley's Talent Show

Ainsley perfomed in the school wide talent show today. She performed the song "Largo." I was so impressed with her poise and ability to do that in front of 600 students. She said she wasn't even nervous! Oh-and please excuse the little fight between Summer and Kenzie near the end of the video. No, I did not slap anyone I think someone started clapping too soon and it sounds like I'm abusing my children. I'm not I promise!

Spring Lake Park Reserve

There is not much better (to me anyway) than a Minnesota Summer. One thing I love to do in the Summer is go exploring. And there are hundreds of places to explore around here. Over the Memorial Day weekend we drove just about 15 minutes away to Spring Lake Park Reserve (just on the way to Hastings.) They have a lot of little hiking trails through the woods and along the bluffs of the Mississippi. We went for a little hike along Scharr's Bluff that had beautiful views of the river.

After following a dirt trail for a long time we came across this cool stone bridge.

Views from the bluffs.


After our hike we sat down and watched the sunset. It was beautiful!



Fun day!

NO MORE DIAPERS! EVER!!

We are done! Officially done with diapers! I always dreamed of this day. And I'm so happy it is finally here. Last week I ran out of diapers and just decided I was not going to buy anymore. Summer has been potty training all week and she has done really well. Of course, there have been accidents...there always are....but she has been accident free since Aisle D4 at Target yesterday. Luckly, our super hero Nursery Leader came to the rescue. Cher just happend to walk by that said Aisle D4 while the deed was in process. She ran (literally) and found me a nice red shirted Target employed who promptly walkie-talkied some back-up. And even told me I didn't have to wait around for it to be cleaned up.

Now I just need to teach her that you don't have to run to the potty every time you have a toot. However, I still gladly took her to the toilet 5 times today at church. 3 out of the 5 were legit.

My purse is happy, my pocketbook is happy and I am happy to be in this new phase of our lives! Diaper-free!

Birthday musings

Birthday's are interesting...as a kid they are the most exciting special day of the year. My kids start anticipating and getting excited about their next birthday almost a year in advance. Then as you age and get a bit older, birthdays become just another day. Today as I woke up (nursing my pinched nerve in my back) I realized I'm now at the point where birthdays are even a little bit depressing.

Ten years ago I remember turning age 25 and being depressed because I was just half a decade away to 30. Well, here I sit today at age 35. 40 is just an arms length reach away. How can that be? How did I get that old?

So much has happend in those 10 years. 10 years ago today I didn't have any children, lived in a small apartment and was working full time.

Just one year ago Bart threw me my first surprize party. It was at Bucca's with many of my great friends. Today I celebrated by getting Bucca's take-out and eating with my family. Any day is a good day when you get to eat Bucca's chicken saltimbocca. Mmmmmmm.

I have had some other very memorable birthdays. Like this one...

This was May 20, 1995. I turned 21 in the Namibian bush. That is a loaf of bread my BYU professor is handing to me with candles stuck in it. The constant wind out there blew out my candles before I could. In the box was some assorted candies and cookies that were very delicious.

I also remember turning 10 (I think) and we had a school field-trip/picnic to Como Park on my birthday. It was a really hot sunny day and I got a really bad sun burn. My dad has a picture of me from that day in his slide collection-so I can't scan it in, but I was sitting on our couch with my great-aunt and uncle, Pauline and Charles Harrington, and my face was bright, bright red. I remember that birthday very clearly. It was a fun birthday aside from the burn.

I could think of more but I'm sure my musings are not that interesting to that many people. They were just a few of my random thoughts I had throughout this day.

And THANKS to everyone at the park today for the song, and the cupcakes and THANKS to all that called or facebooked me birthday wishes today!

Backyard nuisance

Not when you eat through my brand new basement screen.

Painted!

Finally our house has been painted. I was getting tired of everyone thinking our house was blah color. You can't move in to Cobblestone and have a blah colored house. So here it is....

What do you think? We've had a lot of good feedback from the neighbors. We also just got our drive way today and we can't drive on it for a WEEK! Now we just need landscaping, grass, sprinkler system and patio then we are FINALLY DONE and we can enjoy it all!

Grandma & Grandpa Davis

Bart's parents came out to visit us last week. They came for Ainsley's baptism and had the honor of being our 1st house guests in our new house. Here are a few fun pictures from their visit.

At Underwater Adventure, underneath the Mall of America.

I love this picture because of the shark swimming overhead and everyone's reflections in the window.

After Underwater Adventure we ate at the Rainforest Cafe (also at The Mall---seriously what isn't there to do there?)

At our magnificent Minnehaha Falls. I know its no Niagara but considering it's just coming from a creek I'd say it's not all that bad!

We had a fun time with Dennis and Sue. We love you! Thanks for coming and come again soon!

More house pictures...this time with furniture!

Some of you have been asking to see house pictures now that we are in it. Well, I finally feel like I can show you a couple of the rooms. They are clean and mostly decorated although we still need to find something for over the fireplace.Front room/Living room

The Family room.

The girls' room.

Summer's corner of the room.

The girls' are doing great in their big room over the garage. Bedtime has been no problem, they don't want to be separated and sleep alone. I was really worried my plan of all 3 girls in the same room wasn't going to work but it is working! They love it and I love it!

Ainsley's Baptism Day

Saturday, May 2nd. Ainsley dressed in white.
The happy family.

I love this picture of Ainsley and Grandpa Peterson.

Grandma and Grandpa Davis came from Utah for this special day.

Bart performed the baptism.

Ainsley glowing afterward.

It was a perfect day!

Packing up

Do you see the stow-away?
Look closer....

I didn't even realize there was an empty box back there until I found Summer playing in it.

Our new HOME!

I'll post some pictures later but just to let everyone know (although most of you know anyway) that we are happily settled in to our new house. Now, that we have all our things in it, it definately feels like a home now instead of just a house.

Last Sunday as we were getting ready for church Kenzie said, "I feel like we are at our old house."

Me: "What do you mean by that?"

Kenz: "It just feels like home."

I love that.

And I'm so happy the kids have all adjusted so nicely to our new HOME!

Full of Memories

Here is a conversation Bart had with Kenzie the day we moved all our stuff out of the house.

Bart: The house is all empty now.

Kenz: But, it's full of memories and if you close your eyes you can see them all.

Pretty deep for a 6 year old.

Happy Birthday Ainsley!

Wow! Ainsley turned 8 years old on April 14th. I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast. We had cupcakes on her birthday then the next evening we went with 2 of her best friends to Red Robin. Here's Ainsley as a baby and then some pictures from her birthday celebrations.