College Basketball Experience

We took the kids to the CBE a few weeks ago. Gus brought his friend Cooper to New York City (what the boys called downtown KC), AKA the Power & Light District. Hilarious!

All Kinds of Silly

They graduated from swim lessons!

Breakfast date with mommy!

More gymnastics pictures.

Donuts with Dad tie that Gus made Josh. Pretty hilarious!

Snuggles, Swords & Certificates

Last week at the grocery store these two were so snugly. I looked down from digging out some coupons and they were locked in a hug.

So cute!

Hazel- I mean Jake- looking for the hidden treasure.

Walter wanted in on some of the action.

Pizza party in the basement. Daddy had to work late so we had fun without him.

Gus earned the Conklin Kid of Character last week. A few kids a month a chosen from every class. We were very proud of him. He is doing so well in school. Gus is amazing at math and is on the cusp of reading. In fact, he can read a little, but doesn't realize it. He is going beyond his 55 sight words and is now sounding out others. It is so exciting doing homework with him.

My Boys

Silly helium balloon hair.

Arrrr, Pirate Walter.

Can't leave Gus out! 

Brotherly love after The Lego Movie last weekend.

My Hazel

Before gymnastics a few weeks ago.

Warming up before practice.

Braids are her new addiction.

A selfie of my girlie and I. She took this one of us giggling.

Our best attempt at Eape, AKA "Tiger Girl" from The Croods.

Mani Pedi from mama.

Aren't those the cutest little toesies!!??

Thursday at gymnastics.

One Year A Runner

This is a picture from my first 5K race, the EF 5K/Ed Thomas 10K in Parkersburg, IA, back on May 25, 2013. I had registered for one in KC the month prior, but bad weather had deterred me from participating (a big regret because I think my backing out doomed me into having incredibly cold and wet weather for some of my future races last year! Kharma.) I ran this race with some good friends from high school, Brandi and Jen. It was a freezing cold, wet race, but a fun first-race experience for me. Nostalgic because two of my first friends in life were there to run with me.  My goal in this race was to finish without walking. Which I did!

Later in the summer on July 20, 2013 I raced a color run (Color Storm 5k)  back in KC with my good friend Amy. This was my first time trying to get a good time. Which I did. I didn't place but improved my time by over 4 minutes!

 In the fall, Gus had a color run, Walk Like a Panther, for a fundraiser at his elementary school. He and I ran in it, and the family was there to cheer us on! It was about a half mile, and we had so much fun. He has been really interested in running since, and a few months ago ran over a mile with me- no stopping! I am really proud of him. I told him we would try to find a race for him this coming or summer.

My most recent race was last November, so it is definitely time for another. Amy and I ran together again (well she is much faster than me, so not 'together' per say). This time we ran a half marathon called the Gobbler Grind, and oh boy was it. It was 14 degrees. It was miserable, but I did it. And I ran 9 minute miles, under 2 hours total, which for me, was impressive for a 13.2 miles race.  

Today is my one year anniversary of being a runner. To celebrate I registered for another half-marathon in April, the Garmin: In the Land of Oz, which has been ranked in the top 50 half-marathons in the U.S. 

They say for something become a life change you have to do it consistently for 6 months. I've doubled that, and hope I stick with it. I really like running (well on pavement and trails anyway- I despise the dreadmill).