Different Roads

Riley and I decided to get a divorce in 2013.  I moved to Idaho to be close to my mom in August of that year.  I took the kids with me and Riley stayed in Pennsylvania with Sandy and his business.  I have a new blog.  It is at accordingtobrook.blogspot.com.  Riley has his own blog, too and you can ask me for the address if you'd like.  I'm not sure if he'd like it given out at this time.

Thanks for reading.

Chick Fil A Race

 A couple in our ward put together a 5K and 1 Mile race for their granddaughter, who died of cancer a few years ago.

 It was such a fun race because half the ward signed up and it was like running with family.

 Adam and Amy ran the 1 mile and ran it faster than I ever could!  Even Riley couldn't catch up with Amy!  Adam came in 5th overall and Amy was the 1st girl in her age group!  Pretty good!

 Riley and I ran the 5K and my goal was to come in under 27 minutes.  I just squeaked in at 26:45.  Alright I guess.  Fun race though.

Easter 2013

 Adam and Riley had a campout Friday night, so Elli and Amy got to go shopping with me.  They each picked out an outfit within the budget and were so excited to wear them on Easter Sunday.  They sure aren't little girls anymore!  Gosh!  Oh, and Elli got glasses a few weeks ago.  She and Amy look very similar from a distance.

 Trying to get a picture of Adam is worse than pulling teeth!  He is so afraid of the camera.  So here is his blur.  You can kind of see his face, but he had already changed out of his church clothes.

Coloring Eggs

After church while the boys took naps, the girls colored eggs.  Amy and I were in a hurry at the store when we bought the dye and it turns out it was not the dip kind, but the dab and color kind.  It was different, but fun.

 Elli didn't mind getting messy.  She rubbed and swirled and mixed.  She tried about 7 different styles.  I think I like this one the best.

 She could have done more if I had boiled more eggs.  I need to keep her creating, she is pretty good!

 It was fun to sit and relax and take our minds off of work and school.  More art, more art!

Amy's Eggs

Amy did not want to look at any pictures for ideas.  

She knew what she wanted to do.  She colored 3 eggs and was done. 

 She worked fast and clean and even ate one that cracked.

 These are actually Elli's eggs, but I think they both had fun!

Nine Years Old?!

(Hailey, Kelsey, Belle, Ava, Indira

Megan, Alyssa, AMY, Elli, Darby)

 Amy turned NINE this February!  She got to invite nine friends and instead of me planning a party at the house, we decided to have it at the gym.  It was the easiest party ever!  

 The instructors took over and I just had to bring a cake and take pictures.  First they had a little circuit...

...all around the room doing something on each piece of equipment.

 

 Then, Amy could choose whatever she wanted to try and the teacher would help them do cool tricks and let them practice.

 Listening and playing with the parachute.  I think she had fun and I think she wants to take gymnastics again! 

Happy Birthday Amy!

Favorites

 Adam's favorite gifts were his origami book and paper, basketball, and the helicopter he bought with the money from grandparents and Elise.

 Elli chose her jewelry box, puppet, side bag, drawing stuff and money.

 She also got her ears pierced.  Ouch!  She only turned yellow for a few minutes afterwards but said it didn't hurt too bad.

Amy chose her sneakers and clothes, lots of drawing books, water bottle and money.  They are excited to buy some of their own things later, too.  All in all I think everyone was happy.  Phew.

2nd Annual Christmas Eve Hike

 I think this might be a tradition in the making!  This is the 2nd year we went on a hike at Bear Creek Mountain Resort right before Christmas and the 2nd year that the Lauberts joined us!  Sounds like we better do it every year!

 Here are the kids: Elli, Amy, Adam, Annika, Adriana, Ariel, and Alice.  Dallin is in the car.

 At the top, Sandy was showing everyone her tricks and looking for a treat from anyone with their hand out.   She was going back and forth doing all she could to get a treat.  She was getting confused. 

Riley finally gave her the reward.  We were not able to stop and play in the snow this time because the workers were out getting the lifts ready.  Time to head down and get back home though.  There were still presents to wrap and goodies to make.

Big Kids, Little Kids

 One of the stops along the trail is a big sink hole with a pool of water at the bottom.  The kids like to stop and look way down.  It's probably a 20 foot drop down to the water and a big rock thrown down makes a fun splash.

 Riley did this a few times.  Heave Ho!

 The parents were nervous, the kids were cold, and Riley was happy.  Thanks for another fun hike!

Gingerbread House 2012

I had an idea to make a big gingerbread house this year.  Adam would design it and I would bake it, then we would all put it together.  Well, Adam came up with a pretty big design.  He had a doubtful face as he explained it and I said, "Of course we can make it!"  So he cut out the main parts and I started making the dough.  I knew it would take a while and I was prepared for it, but it really did take a while.  Because the pieces were so big, I could only bake a one or two at a time.  Then I had to make more dough.  Then I had to find a base big enough.  

Needless to say, several weeks went by and FINALLY it is done!  It was fun and even after a few breaks and construction flaws (on my part) we are already thinking of the one we will build next year!  

 Here it is compared to a kit from Target.  

A little side detail.

 It turned out to be over 2 feet long!  

 I tried stained glass windows, ivy growing up the side, and some old cottage decor.  

 I told them they have to leave it alone until Christmas and then they can start eating away.

Vintage Christmas

 I decided this year to decorate with old things.  I found a lot at the antique stores that are close by.  I am lucky to have 3 that I can browse every so often.  The only things I am still searching for are old toy trucks so I can put little presents and books in their beds.  I love the light up Santa and can display all kinds of Christmas candy in my jar collection.

 These old ice skates were like $8.  I can keep them out all winter!

And one of my favorite things was making gingerbread boys and girls for my tree.  I have always wanted to have an ALL cookie tree.  Good thing we went with the 3 foot tree instead of the 10 foot tree.  And popcorn of course!  I want to try cranberries, but am afraid they will squirt me with red juice when I poke the needle through.  Much to my surprise, Riley called all my treasures "junk", but all this junk makes me so happy!  

Split Rock Resort

The Marine Ball was up in the Poconos this year and we all went this time.  We stayed overnight in at the Split Rock Resort, let the kids have pizza while our friends, the Lees', Riley, and I went to the ball.  The resort has an indoor pool with slides, a wave pool and a surf machine.  It was a fun weekend and we are glad the Lees' came with us!

Bill has a cool underwater camera and took some pictures of the kids for us.  My camera should not get wet.

 Adam said he didn't have any fun.  It was boring and he thought he should have been able to stay home.  I think he had a good time.

 Even though being cold and being wet are my two least favorite things, I had a good time on the slides.  It made me feel like a kid at Heise again.  I was begging the kids to go with me just one more time.

Last Marine Ball??

Here we are at the ball, ready for dinner and ready for dancing!

 This is before the ball in the hotel, making sure the kids had dinner and phone numbers and rules understood.

 Another shot from the ball.  Out of order, oops!