Run for the Hills

Okay, so I know that I haven't posted about my 25K trail race last weekend.  I am still getting over the trauma of it.  No, just kidding. I am actually flat on my back from surgery.  Nothing major, just a hernia fix that I have been putting off for about 9 1/2 years.  Anyway, I am still recuperating and  bit sore still.  I thought this might be the perfect time to write a short post about the race.  Since I am still laying on the couch and all.  Laying on the couch for long periods of time is not something in which I am accustomed.  Scott is doing my job really well. Too good, if you ask me :)  He has mastered meals, piano lessons, doctor's visits, field trips and school pick-ups. 

So, back to the race.  It took place at Cheyenne Mountain State Park.  This state park has recently opened and is awesome for hiking, running, camping and just exploring.  We hiked down there last summer and I remembered the trails being really wide and easy to navigate. Well, my memory was better than I thought (which hardly ever happens). Most of the trails were in good shape.  Some of them were pretty rocky but as long as I am careful, rocky trails can be fun and navigating between rocks can keep your mind busy.  The trails were also really twisty and winding, another good distraction.  The first half of the race was fun and went by fast.  The aid stations were stellar and I found myself checking out the buffet which included Pb&J's, jelly beans, M n' M's, coke, sprite, water, Gatorade, pretzels, and on and on.... By mile 7 I was tired but still felt pretty good.  I saw Scott and the kids and that perks me up every time!  Back out on the trail, it seemed like we were doing a ton of climbing without the down to go along with it.  Up and up we went. So, I could continue to write the word up a few more times but I don't want to bore you, completely.  Up pretty much summed up (he he) the rest of the course.  There was a slight down to the finish but needless to say, the second half kicked my butt.  I finished in 3:15 and was very happy with that time.  It seems that according to multiply GPS watches, the course was actually closer to 16.7 miles (not 15.5).  That makes sense when I look at my time and usual pace.   
Don't laugh too hard at my picture.  I had a mouth full of jelly beans.  A mouthful of jelly beans makes it really hard to smile. 

So I won't be running for a couple weeks or doing much of anything for that matter.  I think I could get used to this couch potato thing. 
Have a nice Saturday.  I will be here, right here, if you need me.....Jennifer

Brightly Colored Eggs

Saturday night we colored Easter eggs.

Good times.

Together.

Easter Day!

The Colorado Wescotts are having a great Easter Sunday!  I wish you all a blessed day and week!
Love, Jennifer

Pioneer Day~We Made It!

Sam has been working on a huge project for school.  He was assigned a local pioneer from the 1800's and had to present on that pioneer. Not only did he have to present but he had to really get into character.  He researched and created a story board of his pioneer. He also had to give a speech about his pioneer.  We spent a lot of time preparing for presentations.  Yesterday was Pioneer Day at school. They gave speeches and presentations in the morning and had fun activities in the afternoon ending with singing and square-dancing.  Even I got to square-dance.  I know you are jealous.
Sam's assigned pioneer was Major Henry McAllister.  McAllister was a very influential man in Colorado Springs. It was really fun learning about him.

Phew!  These student projects really feel like parent projects!

Enjoy the Easter weekend!

G'Day Mate!

For the last month, Paige's kindergarten class has been studying a few different countries.  This week is Australia.  When Paige's teacher sent out the email looking for a parent to make and bring in food from each country, I scrolled down to the last week possible and signed up for that date.  April 21st. A month ago, it seemed easy.  Bring in Australian food. Granted I have never been to Australia and I have no idea what Australians eat.  Soooo, this past weekend I did what every good mom does and I Googled it.  I found a very yummy recipe that included sponge cake, chocolate and coconut.  That seems universal to me.  I'm just sayin'.  Anyway, Paige and I got out the aprons this afternoon and made some very deliciously Australian Lamingtons.  Here is the play by play. 
Excuse the quality of my pics.  For some reason, unknown the me, some of my pictures are fuzzy and not as crisp when I send them over to blogger. 

To go along with our yummy Lamingtons we are also making Vegemite and banana sandwiches. 

Yum, yum good.  

Happy Wednesday to you all!

Jennifer



Taking in the Warmth

Today we are having a gorgeous Colorado day.  It is a bit breezy but with warm temps and a blue sky.  We are lovin' it!  We managed to get out for a short hike this afternoon and a bit of playtime in the backyard.  Here are some cute pics from our fun weekend.  Last night we introduced Scott's parents to Just Dance 2.  Good times!
Jennifer

Just a moment

Thoughts

Just wanted to stop by and say Hey.

We are enjoying a visit from Scott's parents. They are so good to make the trek west from Michigan a couple times a year and it is always awesome to see them!  The kids cannot get in enough games, cards, stories,etc.  They are soaking up the grandparent time, for sure.

We are all prepped again for a semi-busy weekend full of fun. 

I am spending part of my weekend at a missions meeting for my upcoming trip to Costa Rica.  I (and my team from church) am going for week at the end of May.  There is a lot to be done between now and the end of May and most of the time it feels like a race.  If I make it to the finish and haven't dropped too many balls along the way, I call it a success!  Anyway, a mission trip has been heavy on my heart for quite some time and I don't believe that it was a coincidence that this trip came along when it did.  I wish that Scott could go with me but the timing was not as perfect for him. 

Sam has a huge pioneer project due this week so we will be dedicating some quality time to finishing that up. 

Scott, his parents and the kids are heading out in the morning for a soccer game and then to the movies.  Good times all around!

We are trying to decide what the rest of the weekend has in store for us but we know it will be fun no matter what the activity. 

I hope you all have a great weekend.  We are loving the bit of rain we have gotten this week and are hoping for some more next week.  It is really dry and fires have begun to pop up around town and the state.  A couple weeks ago there was a small grass fire a mile down the road.  Just a bit too close for comfort!

Enjoy Spring!  It is wonderful to be able to open up windows and let the warm breeze in! 
Jennifer

Piano Recital

On Sunday afternoon, Alice had her first piano recital. She started taking piano in January and just started learning music on the staff.  I am not sure who was more nervous, Alice or me?!?!?!  She wasn't sure she wanted to go through with it but in good tough love parenting fashion I continued to reminder her that she would indeed play and feel good about it.  There were a few tears on the drive to the recital but we held strong that she was just nervous and would be great!  And she was great! Here is the video.  I took a few pictures but the lighting in the auditorium didn't get along with my camera so my shots are pretty bad. 
This video is of Alice practicing with her piano teacher before the recital started.  The one of her playing alone won't load.  I think that it is too big for blogger. 

Piano recitals are really scary and I understand because I have been in a few million of them myself.  Great job Alice!  We are so proud of you.

Jennifer

I am serious this time....

I mean it.  I know that I have said it before.  There truly are not enough hours in the day for all the things these crazy kids are involved in.  Seriously.  I mean it this time.
Our weekend included a school carnival, a couple long runs, a museum tour, multiple trips to Walgreen's, two birthday parties, the post office, church and a piano recital. Let's just say, my head is still spinning and probably won't stop for quite some time.
Anyway, in all the mayhem of yesterday, Paige had a soccer game. Of course, she is the cutest little player.  Enjoy the pics.

Alice had her piano recital today and we took some photos so I will (hopefully) post those tomorrow.
Have a nice weekend.
Jennifer

Spring Skiing

This weekend we headed up into the mountains for some time away and some skiing.  A couple months ago, I bought a Groupon for 2 nights at the Monarch Mountain Lodge.  We had a free weekend and took the opportunity to get in one last ski day.  Our friends, The Youngs, and a couple other families also spent the weekend at Monarch.  We headed up Friday night and then skied all day Saturday.  Today we headed down into Salida, ate breakfast, hiked around a bit and then met our friends for lunch before heading for home.  It was a very relaxing weekend.  The kids had fun being with friends, watching movies, swimming, skiing and just hanging out.  The weather on Saturday was beautiful with temps in the 50's and 60's.  We were all way too warm in our ski gear.  The kids thought it was hilarious when we saw guys skiing without shirts and girls in bikini tops.  It was tempting to strip down to near nothing but I spared everyone and kept on my fleece :)  Today the weather was cooler and a bit rainy.  We even hit some snow on the drive home.  Good thing because we really need all the moisture we can get!  It has been an extremely dry winter here in Colorado.  Soooo, here are the pics from the weekend. Another fun and exhausting ski day under our belts.

Paige and I taking a picture break at the top of the lift.

Alice and Brendan at the end of the ski day.

Another shot of Paigie. I skied most of the day with Paige and Scott skied with Sam, Alice and Ellie. I had the camera most of the time, thus the lack of Sam/Alice/Scott pics.

Lunch break on the back of the truck.

 Scott and the kids on our drive/hike up Spiral Drive in Salida.

We were hustling to get to the car before this storm came upon us.

I hope you all had an awesome weekend!

Jennifer

Look out for a guest post from Sam. 

He really wants to tell you all about his snowboarding experience from last weekend.