 |
 |
| This digital invite generated with Smilebox |
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Nathan the 6th grade chess champion
Today at 11:30a Nathan was crowned the 6th grade class chess champion of Madison Middle School. We are so proud of him and he is so excited. This morning he was very excited and a little nervous but I put some "liquid luck" in his cocoa and he was off never looking back. Dad was there to cheer him on to victory and according to dad and Nate he won pretty handily. We celebrated tonight with a black and white dinner, chicken fetticine alfredo with olives, salad with raisins and almonds, white cheese french bread and milk in black cups. Dinner was served on black plates and a white table cloth . We went to BRC's a favorite ice cream restaurant for desert.
We hail the king of chess, Nathan Whitesides!!!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Zeitgeist Half Marathon 2010
Crossing the finish line
Nate and Me after the race
Mike ran a 1:29-Amazing!! It was fun to train and do an event together.
The crew: Grandpa Mc Nett, Robin, Mike, Me, Meredith, and Grady. This race didn't provide medals so I took care of the medals and of course they had pink ribbons:)
This past weekend Mike and I accomplished the Zeitgeist half marathon (13.1) in Boise Idaho. The race consisted of three major uphill climbs and some steep hill descents for the first 10miles. The last three miles consisted of some down hill or flat areas but also some crazy little steep climbs. The race directors must have been trying to make this race pretty challenging . I had a friend tell me that once you have completed Zeitgeist you are considered a "Zeitgeister" a term of great respect.Mike and I finished the race strong and feeling really good. Mikes time was 1:29 and my time was 2 hrs and 19min. Mike did amazing and place 19th overall. I feel really good about my race and my time. My goal time was between 2:15 and 2:30. I was really excited that it was closer to 2:15 with all the hills we did. Because this race was really considered a "a come back" race for me there were a few emotional moments for me on the course as I contemplated the last two years of my health and recovery. I wore my Livestrong shorts and running shirt with my "cancer sucks" pink socks. When I crossed the line I started to cry and the people around didn't know if I was going to pass out or if I was OK. I went through the "shut" and saws the kids run towards me the first thought I had was this is why I did what I did, then Mike met me at the end and gave me a big hug we were both in tears and I said " I did it" he said you kicked that cancer's but. We just savored the moment as our/personal victory. It was really great to cross the finish line feeling so good. Dad, Robin, Meredith and Grady ran with us. It was so great to have them all there and share in the fun day. Robin, dad, and Melinda were so great to come all that way and give up time and work days off to race a race that they weren't quite ready, for but did it with me as a support- I appreciate and love them so much! I love that we have gotten to know Meredith and Grady more the past couple of years. They are really great people and I feel very lucky to have them as family. Meredith was sick and Grady just ran his first half the weekend before.
We stayed at a hotel in Boise and played with Grandma and Grandpa and Robin for the weekend. The kids absolutely love playing with Grandma and Grandpa and crazy Aunt Robin. We swam and swam and swam. The first night we checked out the course and then went for Pizza of course. Saturday was race day, after the race we went for Grandpa and Robin's traditional ice cream and soda run at Iceberg a family favorite ice cream place ( I think I like that tradition! ). Then off to after race fiesta dinner with Meredith, Grady and Family at On the Border. Thanks to Alise we got to go have birthday cake at Grandma and Grandpa Sager's house. We really enjoyed our visit and laughed and shared fun memories. Sunday was said our goodbyes and made plans for next time hoping that the future plans would make the pain of saying goodbye a little less. After everyone left we took off for a little bit of shopping (We need some coats and fast!!) and then we went to our family favorite PF Changs for lunch and bought cheesecake from cheesecake factory for on the way home.
All in all we had a great weekend and made some great memories which is what life is all about:)
Nate and Me after the race
Mike ran a 1:29-Amazing!! It was fun to train and do an event together.
The crew: Grandpa Mc Nett, Robin, Mike, Me, Meredith, and Grady. This race didn't provide medals so I took care of the medals and of course they had pink ribbons:)
This past weekend Mike and I accomplished the Zeitgeist half marathon (13.1) in Boise Idaho. The race consisted of three major uphill climbs and some steep hill descents for the first 10miles. The last three miles consisted of some down hill or flat areas but also some crazy little steep climbs. The race directors must have been trying to make this race pretty challenging . I had a friend tell me that once you have completed Zeitgeist you are considered a "Zeitgeister" a term of great respect.Mike and I finished the race strong and feeling really good. Mikes time was 1:29 and my time was 2 hrs and 19min. Mike did amazing and place 19th overall. I feel really good about my race and my time. My goal time was between 2:15 and 2:30. I was really excited that it was closer to 2:15 with all the hills we did. Because this race was really considered a "a come back" race for me there were a few emotional moments for me on the course as I contemplated the last two years of my health and recovery. I wore my Livestrong shorts and running shirt with my "cancer sucks" pink socks. When I crossed the line I started to cry and the people around didn't know if I was going to pass out or if I was OK. I went through the "shut" and saws the kids run towards me the first thought I had was this is why I did what I did, then Mike met me at the end and gave me a big hug we were both in tears and I said " I did it" he said you kicked that cancer's but. We just savored the moment as our/personal victory. It was really great to cross the finish line feeling so good. Dad, Robin, Meredith and Grady ran with us. It was so great to have them all there and share in the fun day. Robin, dad, and Melinda were so great to come all that way and give up time and work days off to race a race that they weren't quite ready, for but did it with me as a support- I appreciate and love them so much! I love that we have gotten to know Meredith and Grady more the past couple of years. They are really great people and I feel very lucky to have them as family. Meredith was sick and Grady just ran his first half the weekend before.
We stayed at a hotel in Boise and played with Grandma and Grandpa and Robin for the weekend. The kids absolutely love playing with Grandma and Grandpa and crazy Aunt Robin. We swam and swam and swam. The first night we checked out the course and then went for Pizza of course. Saturday was race day, after the race we went for Grandpa and Robin's traditional ice cream and soda run at Iceberg a family favorite ice cream place ( I think I like that tradition! ). Then off to after race fiesta dinner with Meredith, Grady and Family at On the Border. Thanks to Alise we got to go have birthday cake at Grandma and Grandpa Sager's house. We really enjoyed our visit and laughed and shared fun memories. Sunday was said our goodbyes and made plans for next time hoping that the future plans would make the pain of saying goodbye a little less. After everyone left we took off for a little bit of shopping (We need some coats and fast!!) and then we went to our family favorite PF Changs for lunch and bought cheesecake from cheesecake factory for on the way home.
All in all we had a great weekend and made some great memories which is what life is all about:)
October 2010
October 2010 was filled with lots of celebrations.
We celebrated three big birthdays: Emily turned 3 on the 3rd, her lucky birthday, and we went to our favorite ice cream shop-Sundeas in Idaho Falls.
It was like Christmas morning, the girls were so excited for Emily to open her presents.
Daddy got Emily a pretty princess dress.
The kids on Emily's birthday morning. (I think it is funny that almost all of the kids in this picture have on race shirts:) )
Emily wanted cupcakes for her birthday and she even helped decorate them.
A few days later was Britt's Bday. Brittany turned the big '8' and celebrated with a pajama birthday party. Her friends were so cute and all had a great time making their cake and playing games, especially the pillow fight at the end. Britt will be baptized on December 4th, she is very excited.
Girls just wanna have fun! Emma, Allie, Livia, Eliza, Lilly, Brittany, Cami, and Savannah
The best pillow fight ever!! We also played musical pillowcase (like musical chairs, and painted fingernails)
Brittany got a pinata for her birthday and she named it "Penny". It seemed funny to me that she named her and planned on waking her head off:)
The sleepover cake consisted of decorated Twinkies with vanilla wafers and marshmallows for pillows. The girls had a lot of fun decorating their little cakes.
Last but not least for sure!!
Mike turned 39, he's not very excited for the big '4-0'. I was able to surprise him with some wireless headphones that he loves, and I have to say are pretty cool. We had ribs for dinner and had the scouts over for cupcakes.
Swimming, swimming swimming. Nathan and Kayla participated in a swim meet in Idaho falls called the spook splash. They did great with times better than last year and a few DQ's but nothing that can't be fixed for next time. They have really come a long ways in their strokes it is fun to see their increased confidence and skills progressing. Nathan race the breaststroke and was thinking that he was going to be blown away by the rest of the kids in the heat since he was racing against some of the older, faster kids, but to his surprise he actually did really well and didn't let the kids get to far away from him. He went after it and did amazing, we were all so proud of him. Kayla swam her strokes and actually blew the whole crowed away with her butterfly stroke in the IM, she didn't know she could do that!! Britt is hoping to race in December in Pocatello.
Halloween was fun it lasted for a couple of days as we went to a school Halloween party and church party in the same night and then went trick-or-treating the next night on Saturday. We had a great time on Friday night, Brittany was Aubrey Hepburn, Nathan was a Ninja, Cami was a princess, and Emily was a ballerina. On Saturday that all changed as Mike came down with a pre-bronchial infection and Emily had a double ear infection. Mom took care of the sick kids while Kayla and Neighbors took the kids around trick or treating. I think the kids had fun and came home with too much candy:)
We celebrated three big birthdays: Emily turned 3 on the 3rd, her lucky birthday, and we went to our favorite ice cream shop-Sundeas in Idaho Falls.
It was like Christmas morning, the girls were so excited for Emily to open her presents.
Daddy got Emily a pretty princess dress.
The kids on Emily's birthday morning. (I think it is funny that almost all of the kids in this picture have on race shirts:) )
Emily wanted cupcakes for her birthday and she even helped decorate them.
A few days later was Britt's Bday. Brittany turned the big '8' and celebrated with a pajama birthday party. Her friends were so cute and all had a great time making their cake and playing games, especially the pillow fight at the end. Britt will be baptized on December 4th, she is very excited.
Girls just wanna have fun! Emma, Allie, Livia, Eliza, Lilly, Brittany, Cami, and Savannah
The best pillow fight ever!! We also played musical pillowcase (like musical chairs, and painted fingernails)
Brittany got a pinata for her birthday and she named it "Penny". It seemed funny to me that she named her and planned on waking her head off:)
The sleepover cake consisted of decorated Twinkies with vanilla wafers and marshmallows for pillows. The girls had a lot of fun decorating their little cakes.
Last but not least for sure!!
Mike turned 39, he's not very excited for the big '4-0'. I was able to surprise him with some wireless headphones that he loves, and I have to say are pretty cool. We had ribs for dinner and had the scouts over for cupcakes.
Swimming, swimming swimming. Nathan and Kayla participated in a swim meet in Idaho falls called the spook splash. They did great with times better than last year and a few DQ's but nothing that can't be fixed for next time. They have really come a long ways in their strokes it is fun to see their increased confidence and skills progressing. Nathan race the breaststroke and was thinking that he was going to be blown away by the rest of the kids in the heat since he was racing against some of the older, faster kids, but to his surprise he actually did really well and didn't let the kids get to far away from him. He went after it and did amazing, we were all so proud of him. Kayla swam her strokes and actually blew the whole crowed away with her butterfly stroke in the IM, she didn't know she could do that!! Britt is hoping to race in December in Pocatello.
Halloween was fun it lasted for a couple of days as we went to a school Halloween party and church party in the same night and then went trick-or-treating the next night on Saturday. We had a great time on Friday night, Brittany was Aubrey Hepburn, Nathan was a Ninja, Cami was a princess, and Emily was a ballerina. On Saturday that all changed as Mike came down with a pre-bronchial infection and Emily had a double ear infection. Mom took care of the sick kids while Kayla and Neighbors took the kids around trick or treating. I think the kids had fun and came home with too much candy:)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Nate and Football
Nathan gave football a try this year, and we were so proud of him for trying something new and it wasn't easy either!! Nathan was pretty taken back on the first tackling practice but stuck with it. He really learned a lot and made some fun friends. It was really cute to watch him at the games get into the excitement of the game.
His team lost one game during regular season and then they lost their first game in single elimination to last years champions. The game was great, the boys fought so hard and played such an amazing game. Nathan didn't get to play at all but was so fun to watch and hear his commentary from the sidelines. The weather was absolutely foul. It was rainy and windy and very cold. I couldn't even imagine playing in that weather it was horrible enough just sitting in it. We had to call the game at one point for lightening and then resumed a few minutes later.
Here are some fun pictures from the season:
His team lost one game during regular season and then they lost their first game in single elimination to last years champions. The game was great, the boys fought so hard and played such an amazing game. Nathan didn't get to play at all but was so fun to watch and hear his commentary from the sidelines. The weather was absolutely foul. It was rainy and windy and very cold. I couldn't even imagine playing in that weather it was horrible enough just sitting in it. We had to call the game at one point for lightening and then resumed a few minutes later.
Here are some fun pictures from the season:
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Seattle
Mike and I were able to attend the wedding of Brad and Jen Mc Nett (that is right, you read that right). We have a new sister-in-law, Jen Slawson Mc Nett. She is absolutely amazing, and will be a great addition to the family. I love how she loves everybody for who they are and just is so accepting and caring. We first met her at Laura's wedding and instantly fell in love with her, I don't know who wouldn't. In fact, we told Brad that if something happens we are keeping her in family pictures and taking him out-lol!!
It was an adult only wedding, so Mike and I left a couple of days early to spend some time together before seeing the family for the big weekend. We treated this was a destination wedding (which means Jeni got to do some fun shopping) and we had a great time even the 12 hour dive was fun and driving into Seattle we saw Mount Rainier, sitting majestically over the city. It was so fun to be back on our old stomping grounds. We ate at the Seattle Pier on our first night and took a walk along the water front, very nice!! We walked around downtown Seattle and Pike Place Market. We took a amazing run along the Puget Sound. We met up with Robin, Julie, Laura and Joe on Friday eve for dinner and then met up with Brad, Jen and the rest of the family later on. We were so happy that Grandpa Waters came for the weekend. He is 87 now, and I know that this is really out of his comfort zone, but it meant alot to Brad and I am I grateful to him for making the trip. The story from Uncle Larry and Aunt Leslie is that he was the first one ready to go at 9a on Friday morning. He has always been there for us in our lives placing himself always behind us in importance. He is a great example of giving and caring. Brad and I had to make a pact that we wouldn't talk too much about Grandpa during the weekend, that we would both end of crying.
The wedding was simply elegant, I loved it. The winery was a beautiful back drop to a beautiful day. Brad and Jen were so happy and it was so great to see family and spend time making great memories.
The next day we got to to see and have breakfast at Robin's house, it was great!! My little sister owns her own house, I am so proud of you!! How fun!! We also got to see Grandma Kelly and Grandpa Kelly one more time on the way out.
The weekend was a great time and we are so glad that we got to go and thankful to our amazing babysitters, Rachel and Casey, wow they are truly amazing and will be amazing parents very soon:)
It was an adult only wedding, so Mike and I left a couple of days early to spend some time together before seeing the family for the big weekend. We treated this was a destination wedding (which means Jeni got to do some fun shopping) and we had a great time even the 12 hour dive was fun and driving into Seattle we saw Mount Rainier, sitting majestically over the city. It was so fun to be back on our old stomping grounds. We ate at the Seattle Pier on our first night and took a walk along the water front, very nice!! We walked around downtown Seattle and Pike Place Market. We took a amazing run along the Puget Sound. We met up with Robin, Julie, Laura and Joe on Friday eve for dinner and then met up with Brad, Jen and the rest of the family later on. We were so happy that Grandpa Waters came for the weekend. He is 87 now, and I know that this is really out of his comfort zone, but it meant alot to Brad and I am I grateful to him for making the trip. The story from Uncle Larry and Aunt Leslie is that he was the first one ready to go at 9a on Friday morning. He has always been there for us in our lives placing himself always behind us in importance. He is a great example of giving and caring. Brad and I had to make a pact that we wouldn't talk too much about Grandpa during the weekend, that we would both end of crying.
The wedding was simply elegant, I loved it. The winery was a beautiful back drop to a beautiful day. Brad and Jen were so happy and it was so great to see family and spend time making great memories.
The next day we got to to see and have breakfast at Robin's house, it was great!! My little sister owns her own house, I am so proud of you!! How fun!! We also got to see Grandma Kelly and Grandpa Kelly one more time on the way out.
The weekend was a great time and we are so glad that we got to go and thankful to our amazing babysitters, Rachel and Casey, wow they are truly amazing and will be amazing parents very soon:)
August 2010
After grandpa's funeral we decided we needed to do something fun, so we headed to the Ocean. We had a great time playing in the sand in CA, at the Santa Cruz beach and had fun just being together.
We came back and got ready for the RUSH triathlon. Mike, Kayla and Nathan all particpate this year and all did an amazing job!! Kayla placed third in her age group and Mike took first overall in the sprint division and even broke his record time from last year.
Mike and Nathan were able to go hiking with the MC Nett clan in Yellowstone. They had so much fun, Nathan felt so good about his accomplishment and had such a great time with dad and the other kids/uncles. The pictures were beautiful.
The start of 10th, 6th and 2nd grade. The kids started school, I can't believe that we have a high schooler!! The kids are getting so big!!
We came back and got ready for the RUSH triathlon. Mike, Kayla and Nathan all particpate this year and all did an amazing job!! Kayla placed third in her age group and Mike took first overall in the sprint division and even broke his record time from last year.
Mike and Nathan were able to go hiking with the MC Nett clan in Yellowstone. They had so much fun, Nathan felt so good about his accomplishment and had such a great time with dad and the other kids/uncles. The pictures were beautiful.
The start of 10th, 6th and 2nd grade. The kids started school, I can't believe that we have a high schooler!! The kids are getting so big!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
