Another Reese funny

I went to work on Friday and took Pete's car because it was time to trade it in for a new company car. Reese was with me as we drove the new car home and she was very excited to get home and show it to Pete. They decided to take it for a spin and when they came back home Reese excitedly said to me "Dad's car can go A LOT faster than you were driving it!"

shots and shiny money

Reese had to get her 4 year old shots Monday. 5 of them! I don't know what it is about immunizations but they give me so much anxiety. I really hate taking the kids to get them. I guess it is the thought of someone hurting my kids or something. I actually teared up this time because she had to lay there while they poked her 5 times. She had Pete with her so that made it much better.

When I was little, anytime I had to get a shot my mom would take me to a store and let me buy something, so I told Reese that is what we would do. She decided she would like to find a new backpack for her mother's day out school that starts next week. When it was time to go she grabbed the purse where she keeps her money. I asked why she was bringing her money and explained that I would buy her a backpack and that she could keep her money. She pulled out the dollar bills and said "I want to spend these because they are really old and dirty, but I want to keep my shiny money."

Later we were playing and she decided she wanted to paint outside. We were still in our shopping clothes so I suggested that we go in and change first. She said "ok mom, you go put on some play clothes. I don't want them to be wedding clothes or school clothes or even church clothes, only play clothes." I thought the wedding clothes statement was pretty funny.

I am so so glad I have her home with me for one more year. It is funny how emotional I am about it; I am not an emotional person. I just remember when Soren started kindergarten and she was gone all day everyday and I am not ready for that this time.

Fourth Grade!

Back to school. Blah. I did not let Soren know how sad I was that today is the first day of school. I love having her at home with Reese and I. Anyway, it is the way life goes. So here is my sweet girl on her first day of 4th grade.

Last year I posted all of the other first day of school pictures here http://sorenandreese.blogspot.com/2007/08/3rd-grade.html

Soren is NOT a shopper. She hates it, actually. So I did not make her go school clothes shopping yet since it is still hot and she can wear her summer clothes, but we did have to buy shoes. She is officially wearing the same size as me now. Crazy. That must be why she is such a good swimmer; built-in flippers.

Soren is also starting school with poison ivy. She is completely covered. She drove Grandma's golf cart down into a ditch and got into the stuff while they were towing it out. Her body reacted exactly like Pete's does; it FREAKED OUT. She got a shot on Thursday and has been on oral steroids but new patches were still showing up over the weekend. The rash, on top of her normal cuts, scrapes and bruises, makes her look like she was attacked by some crazed animal. What can ya do.

DeGray Lake Triathlon Festival Day 2

Nana's First Sprint Tri!

Nana had an AWESOME race today! This was a very difficult course for a first full sprint. It was a 500 yd swim, 14.6 mile bike, 5k run. Her total time was 1:55. We were waiting for her to finish her run thinking she would be another 10 minutes when she came sprinting down the hill!Pops snapped a picture and then sprinted down the hill to catch her coming across the finish line. Very exciting! I am so proud of her. She has worked so hard and I love that she had such a great race. To top it off, she got 3rd place in her age group so she got a medal! Yea Nana! Congratulations on a great race.

DeGray Lake Triathlon Festival Day One

Today Pete and I completed the Iron Mountain Half-Tri at DeGray Lake in Arkansas. This is the half that started it all last year (for me, anyway). Last year I did this race and it really got me hooked on the sport of long distance triathlons. This year was even better! Last year the weather was sunny and 100+ degrees. This year was overcast and 80 degrees. Nice. Pete and I both improved our times from last year and received awards! I was second in my age group and Pete was 3rd in his. So fun. It was an all new course, bike and run, due to construction and it was by far the most difficult race I have done so far. Solid hills for 5 hours. But we still had fun. Triathletes are the most friendly group of people I have ever been around and that makes this sport so much fun.

Here are our results:

Peter Underwood M 38:54 swim time, 2:07 transition 1, 2:50:40 bike time, 19.7 mph bike average, 1:10 transition 2, 1:31:58 run time, 7:05 run pace, 5:04:47 total race time

Sara Underwood F 37:48 swim time, 3:29 transition 1, 3:00:39 bike time, 18.6 mph bike average, 3:00 transition 2, 1:51:17 run time, 8:34 run pace, 5:36:10 total race time

Stay tuned tomorrow for day 2 of the festival. Nana is racing!

And now, lots of great pictures. Thanks Pops!!

that's me looking like a dork in my goggles

I love these kind of pictures

sea of swimmers

Guess what....I beat Pete out of the water by 1 minute!!!! Sweet!

smiling, as usual
focus focus focus

I was smiling because I had no idea what was coming up on this run!


you can tell by the look on my face that this was my 2nd loop of the run and I knew exactly what was ahead of me

Pete's finish! 23rd overall, 3rd in age group, 10th fastest run overall


Sara's finish. 8th overall woman, 2nd in age group

finisher's medals

Awards medals!

HUGE surprise

Last week Ironman announced that it was adding a new race. In COZUMEL! When I saw that I wanted it more than anything, but we are already committed to a trip to Cabo with all of our neighbors just 4 months before the race and financially it would not make sense to do both.

Pete knew how bad I wanted to go. Only 1500 athletes will be accepted for this first race. How cool to be a part of that. So he signed me up as a surprise. I cannot believe it. November 2009 Cozumel here I come!

Changes

I love to get my hair cut. I have a standing appointment every 4 weeks and I never miss it. I always ask the girls if they want to come and get a hair cut, too, and always a loud "NO!". For some reason today they both said yes and they both wanted a lot more than a trim...

I think it is adorable!

Extended Cousin Time

Today ended cousin camp (see www.theparkersblog.blogspot.com for pics and details). But it was not the end to their time together. I brought Kara's kids home with me for a little more play time. They are such great kids. Having a blast. Completely filthy. You should have seen my mom's house. Yikes. We tried to give her some money to hire someone to come clean but she refused. It took 3 hours just to pick up all of the stuff that was out and that uncovered the real mess. I just took the kids and ran :) Thanks Pops and Nana once again for braving 6 kids for 3 days. Don't know how ya do it.

Lucky 13

Today I am proud to say is my 13th wedding anniversary! Yea Us! I think that is pretty amazing; I had no idea I was old enough to be married so long. I would not change a thing and would not want to have missed a day over these last 13 years. I know many of you think that you have the greatest husband, and he may be pretty good, but I have to say that mine wins, hands down. How lucky am I to be married to Pete. He loves me unconditionally and shows me that everyday. I am blessed beyond measure.

Last year I took the time to tell our story ( http://sorenandreese.blogspot.com/2007/08/12-years.html )

This year has added 12 more months of priceless memories together. We are really loving the fact that we share a hobby in triathlons; that is a relatively new thing for us. In fact, until 2 years ago we did not share a hobby. I could not ask for a happier life and I hope that for many years to come I will be able to write those same words.

Grandma's House and THEN Cousin Camp!!

The girls are getting really spoiled. They have been at Grandma Charlottes house since Wednesday. Knowing how much Soren loves to drive, Grandma bought a golf cart just for them to play on. Between that and the chickens (she also bought 50 chicks) the girls spent most of their time outside, ignoring the fact that it was 102 everyday. When they came in they busied themselves sewing, doing crafts and cooking tasty treats. Grandma also took the girls shopping for school supplies and back to school clothes. Whew. When we were leaving the driveway this morning Reese wanted to know exactly when we would be back.

From there we went to Pops and Nana's house for Cousin Camp 2008. I do not know what they have planned for this year, but I am sure it will be great. The kids have so much fun together that it really doesn't matter what you plan.

So Pete and I have a couple of days together. Nice. We have such an awesome family. I hope you guys realize how much we appreciate all you do for our girls. They love you all so very much. Have fun!