Tal's Triathlon

Tal competed in the Jordanelle Triathlon in the Olympic distance on August 21, 2010. He did great, only he was wishing he'd signed up for the sprint while on the last leg, the run. It was a HOT day and he did not have time to train much for the run.

Kelsey LOVED the bus ride from the parking lot to the finish line

We got to cheer him on about 30 minutes before he finished, he says he was dying but he looked great!

We got some good people-watching in while we waited

There he is, coming down the home stretch

He picked up Kelsey and carried her through the finish. It was a definite crowd-pleaser and little girl pleaser. She was so happy, even if she didn't fully understand what was going on. I'm surprised he could carry her after all that!

Here's the guy I thought was Tally - TWICE - when he passed by us. I had thought Tal was wearing red shorts with a black top but figured I was mistaken because of course I know what my husband looks like - HA! He doesn't look like Tal in the face but similar body type...Tal was pretty proud that I thought that was him, that guy is ripped!

Tal with his buddy Dan, who also competed. 

The whole crew - we're so proud of you!

Kelsey got some of daddy's treat at dinner - Loco Lizard, mom's favorite!

Though the triathlon days are over for awhile with Tal in school AND working, it was fun while it lasted. Any girls up for triathlon training with me? I'm toying with the idea for next year.

Walking in on the Kids at Play

Here are some moments - good and bad - of when I've walked in on the kids with the camera. 

Kelsey was using Aiden as her baby doll, put him in the stroller and even buckled him. I'm just glad she didn't try to take him for a walk down the street (gate was closed, no worries).

Reading quietly together! I love it! What a dream this was to happen upon.

Funny, but not to daddy...

They emptied his drink refrigerator into their toy bin. They thought it was hilarious.

Tally found them first and his first reaction was, "Jess, come look at this, you may want your camera."

Aiden was the only one who listened and tried to put them back.

This is a constant battle right now until the harness comes. We didn't need a harness for Kelsey.

Technically I was helping brush their teeth and didn't walk in on them.

This is how they brush their teeth every night, sitting on the counter. 

I get to brush them first and then they get a turn.

Literally walked in on this one. My heart melted.

This is what you'd see if you walked into a photo shoot of me with Aiden.

And here's from the most recent one...

I don't love any of them enough to hang on his wall and that's my goal right now...wall - worthy photos.

What if I give you my sultry look?

Mom, what's going on here?

Love his face, not the composition

Little feet!

Mom, leave me alone!

On another note, we have SQUIRRELS in our front and back yards that keep us entertained almost all day long. While we have breakfast, we watch the squirrels. When we go out for a walk or to do yard work, we get visits from the squirrels. When we clean up all the walnuts they drop, they TRY to drop them on our heads. Seriously.

It's so fun to watch them chase each other, fight, yell at us (one got really close to Kelsey while they were "yelling" back and forth at each other. Tal and I watched, wondering what we would do if the squirrel attacked her). 

Speaking of outdoors... a note TO MY KIDS

Aiden, you LOVE to be outdoors and will often BOLT for the middle of the street, laughing as mommy runs to catch-up with you. Right after breakfast, you go to the back door, begging to go out. Now you'll even go get your shoes or whine until I get them for you and put them on. We have a million "Box Elder" bugs and you are constantly chasing them trying to catch them. Kelsey then comes along and just splats them with one stomp.

Kelsey, you are always picking the flowers and unripe tomatoes despite our constant warnings.

You both love helping me in the yard as I weed, clean out the rock bed (a 20 min. task that took over an hour with my little elves).

KELSEY has been talking up a storm and can carry on a pretty good conversation. People tell us she speaks really well for an almost 3-year-old. She's pretty bossy, definitely and OLDEST. 

I LOVE when I walk into her room and she's doing THIS:

What a sweet angel! She hates taking naps and prolongs/fights bedtime and her little body needs more rest than it is getting. We are trying to improve the routine. It's time to crack down now that Summer is over. 

California for the 4th

While Tally was gone for 3 weeks on business, I went to California for 2 of them to spend time with my family. The kids and I drove with my Aunt Shari (in Tiffany's car). I wasn't sure how it would be, driving over 8 hours with SIX kids but it was a breeze. Aiden had a few outbursts, Kelsey did NOT want to go pee when we woke her up at one of the stops, but other than that, it was good. Shari and I had some good talks...and ate WAY too much junk. Is that a LANG trait? For the record, she did WAY better than me - I need some of that willpower.

On the morning of July 5th, we went to the 4th of July breakfast held by the ward I grew up in and my grandparents' ward. It was so fun to have SO many family members there and to see old friends.

Then we went over to Grandma & Grandpa Lang's for a party. We also celebrated my Aunt Shari's birthday. 

Me and my Grandma - twinners

We did lots of other random things...like BEANSCENE. Here's Kelsey wearing Grampi's hat.

"I'm so glad when Grampi comes home... (or not, in Aiden's case)"

Julia came down for a few days and it was so fun to be together. 

Kelsey LOVED her guitar and danced as she sang and played. 

We went ROCK CLIMBING with Julia and two friends (Spencer & Nathan) in Malibu State Park. Imagine this: Julia and I taking turns pushing the Graco Duoglider stroller with one bum wheel (a front and back "strolling" stroller), two babies, lots of dirt, rocks, ravines, heat and hills...a 20 minute hike in took us an hour! At one point, I honestly thought of the pioneers and what they went through.

We finally made it and I got to go climb! It was fun, challenging (I'm not so good), and a nice change from the norm. Sadly, I did not make it to the top. I couldn't find another hold and my arms were shaking!

Here's Juju

Aiden sitting below us, eating dirt and trail mix

 

On the hike out we saw a few deer.
Some people coming the other way warned us of a rattlesnake on the path but we never saw it.
 

Back at home now, here's Grampi hanging out in the backyard with the babes.

My dad is giving Aiden some sound advice here, no doubt.

On July 10th, my birthday, my mom told me she had an activity that was bound to be the funnest part of my birthday. When I heard what it was, I said, "I hope not!" What was this event? A butterfly release ceremony that her hospice work was putting on. Really mom!? First we listened to depressing stories of how people had lived good lives and died and then we all got an envelope with a "frozen" butterfly in it. Don't worry, they thawed them out a bit before so they could fly. Here's Julia apologizing to the innocent little butterfly, reassuring it that it would soon be set free.

And the release...

Kelsey's flew right into my face and then semi-flew to a spot on the grass. That's how frozen it still was!

They were so pretty to see and Kelsey loved that it let her touch it.

We had to be careful not to step on them.

There was face painting accompanied by a long line. Luckily, there was also a spot open for a face-painter so my very artistic sister stepped in and gave her little niece a beautiful butterfly face. 

Isn't she amazing? She had the best butterfly face around. 

There was also free ice cream, always a hit. It was soon melted ALL over her. Yuck. 

Our good family friend of a million years, Brian Drewniak and his daughter Katie came and stayed with my parents the night before, since they were in town for a soccer game. Kelsey couldn't stop talking about them, they had so much fun together. 

However, Kelsey was NOT happy about the balloon. I think she was all funned out. 

After a fabulous butterfly release ceremony it was time for the REAL birthday fun to start. We headed up to Paradise Cove to have lunch on the beach.  Here are some pics from our drive.

Feet on the table?

Aiden was NOT okay with the feeling of sand on his feet.

A kind stranger handed us a towel, he was only slightly happier.

And then VERY distracted when he saw the seagulls.

A family pic, that was so fun I just couldn't keep my eyes open.
I wish Jenna was in this pic! We did get to see Jenna for a few days, I just love her.

That night, Julia stayed in town extra long to go to a birthday dinner with me and one of my closest friends from high school, Chelsea. We skipped out on Mexican in favor of Thai. Great choice. We ended up at a European chocolate/gelato store that Julia's friend Nicole works at.  They sang to me and brought me out some free chocolates. So sweet!

On Sunday, we celebrated mine and Aiden's birthdays. Kelsey blew out my candles for me. I hear that's good luck. It was fun celebrating my birthday with my parents, grandparents, and even cousins - just wish Tal could have been there too. 

One of the days, we went over to Amber & Ry's and played with James and Emily


On the 14th, we went to Leo Carillo Beach and had a blast. Please excuse my out of focus, black-dotted photos. My P&S is dying...I need a new one ASAP!

We forgot a sun hat for Aiden so we used this instead. That lasted for a half a second.

I love the beach...

Kelsey and I building a sand castle. She loved watching the sand crabs.

Kels with my mom...Kels was so happy there but not to take pictures. 

The last day we were there, we cleaned out the garage (yes, my choice of activity). See this post for the before and afters. Unfortunately, I found this spider/bug thing...I have NO idea WHAT it is, do you? It had a see-through body and gave me the heebejeebies.

After having been out in the garage for awhile, I came into the house to find Kelsey doing this:

I guess she'd found a box of packing popcorn and decided to help herself.

The kids LOVED being thrown in the air by Papa, though I think Aiden's delight is mixed with fear. 

We had such a great time and it makes me sad we wont be back until December...