Training -- Rocky's Got Nothin' On These Guys!

Move over Rocky -- Chris and the boys are in training for the big race at the end of August, and it is going to be good!

Wave a 5k race in front of an old-time cross country runner, and the reaction is pretty predictable.... Pretty much like waving a bone (or perhaps better stated, a big, red, juicy, 16 oz. steak) in front of a dog. :) Chris entered to run a 5K being held at the end of August as soon as Jen (Chris's sister) mentioned it to him. As Chris was signing up, he saw that there are races for children of various age groups as well - and like father-like son, the boys were ecstatic! So now the boys are entered in a 0.2 mile race (about one lap). Me, Ethan, and the girls have volunteered to be the designated water suppliers, and will be happily cheering them along as they go.

In the evenings, as a family, we all head down to the track at a local Jr. High in our neighborhood, and the boys are set free while the girls play, and Chris and I get our work outs as well -- how convenient! The boys usually end up running about the equivalent of a mile by the time we are ready to go, and most of that is pretty much non-stop. Then it is back up to the house, and let me tell you -- it is LIGHTS OUT for bed time because the kids are all exhausted. Ahhhhh, sweet bliss, we should have started this a long time ago! Stay tuned, there will be footage of the race on the big day! GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE HORTON BOYS!

Watch Out Phelps!

That is right - the boys completed their first session of swimming lessons! The boys absolutely loved it! We gave them the choice between swimming lessons or baseball for a summer activity, and though the choice was a tough one, they finally settled on swimming lessons.
So in the pictures, the boys were practicing their kicking along the side of the pool. Most of their lessons were focused on teaching them how to hold their breath under water, jumping in from the side, touching the bottom of the pool, and kicking and paddling using floating devises. The boys were continually disappointed at the end of each lesson when they realized that they could still not swim laps like the BIG kids. Though I would remind them every day that they have to learn and practice to get to that point - I knew they were in seventh heaven when, on the last day of lessons, they were finally introduced to the back-float and doggy-paddling. They still can't do that on their own, but they pretty much think they rock, and are sure they are ready to dominate in the olympics. I think for now, we will start with conquering the kiddy pool. :)

Okay, so now let's swing it back over to the girls... After a long day of swimming lessons - okay, so they were only 30 min. long, but for the girls who had to wait for them to be over - it might as well have been all day. Anyway, we were back in the locker room getting the boys showered and dressed, when it occured to me that I hadn't seen the girls for a couple minutes. I left the boys to finish up in the shower, and went to check on the girls. As I rounded the corner into the main dressing area, I found the girls. Yep there they were, standing in front of a full-lenght mirror doing their thing, pretending to do their hair.

Mom - Dad -- you would have been proud! :) I began to chuckle as my mind simultaneoulsy played flashbacks (yes mom and dad, I had the same thought) as well as pictured future teenage years - My heavens, these girls are only 2 and 3! I guess they are getting an early start... :)

Fun - Pioneer Style!

So one thing the Pocatello Stakes all do a great job of is the Pioneer Day Celebration they all put on at the fair grounds. We go every year, and always totally enjoy ourselves. This year, the kids all got to ride in a wagon pulled by mules. The kids were loving it when the mules sped up to a slow trot, and were suddenly startled when they heard the very loud, very strange sound that the mules make - it is an odd cross between a donkey's brey, and a horse's winnie (spelling on those words is seriously quesionable, but you get the idea... )
Then, it was off to the stables, where the older four children waited with great anticipation for a turn to ride a horse. While they were waiting for the horse ride, they got to pet a miniature horse - super cute, and it kept the kids entertained for several minutes - THANK YOU MINNIE HORSE!!!! After eagerly waiting for about half an hour - their two minutes of glory finally arrived! They all rode the horses down to the end of the stable and then back again. The wait was a large price to pay, but, as with any ride at an amusement park, they felt like it was absultely worth it! And dear Addie Grace was so funny -She took on the role of a rodeo queen, waving to everyone waiting in line as the horse slowly made it's trek down and back.
Next, we headed over for some free hot dogs for the kids served by the missionaries. Some of the missionaries were dressed in "P-Day" attire, and the boys were a little confused by that - they had never seen a missionary without a tie. :) There was a lot to do, and fun things to see. We all had a lot of fun!

This One Is For You Beef-Yo! (AKA Stephen)

So, while looking for the good ole' Neil Diamond America song, I found this. Go to the play list on the left of the screen, and click on the America Spoof - I think it is about 4 or 5 songs down. I got a kick out of it, and I know you Simpers will also, but really, this one is for you Beef, since you seem to think that in your previouse life you were a Mexican. :) Kidding Steve! Enjoy!

Fun On The 4th!

Ahhh, yes. The 4th of July! What a fun day! Totally a great excuse for fun BBQs and late nights. Let me explain the music in the background - it is absolutely for the Simper Fam (Love yall!). So totally not the 4th of July until we hear the classic Neil. So much to Chris' dismay (I am sensing that he is not such a big Diamond fan) this song will set the rockin' mood for awhile.
So while we were totally jealouse of those of you who spent the weekend in Vegas (Mom, Dad, Miriam, and Clay) - We had a ton of fun hangin' with the Horton family. The kids are always game when they hear Grandma and Grandpa of any variety will be there, and the addition of Great Grandma and Grandpa Horton from Arizona here for the weekend gave the kids a double shot, which they were very excited about. The kids loved the parade, Ryan informed us that his favorite part was the candy - of course :). We had a fun afternoon at Jen and Jesse's house, where we all enjoyed the "Pre-show" of fireworks. Most of the kids were absolutely mesmorized by the sparklers, but Addie took one look at Ellie's new tricycle, (Jen and Jesse's little girl) and it was love at first sight. Addie Grace claimed it as her own for the rest of the night - Thanks Ellie! For the big firework show, we went up to the fair grounds - where we had front row, chest pounding, ear drum shattering, AWESOME seats! Where - of course - the show started with the good ole' sounds of Neil Diamond. Definately not the 4th until that song is played. :) Suprisingly, the kids loved it, and the noise didn't bother any of them. - Then again, they don't seem to answer anymore when we call their names .... :) A ton of fun.

Ouch, Sweet Little Addie Grace!

Oh, check out our sweet little Addie Grace! Our baby has a bit of a shiner. So here is the low-down. Chris and I were standing outside, talking to our neighbor, when Addie decided to join us. Addison had successfully made it down all of the stairs in front of our house, except the last one. All of a sudden Chris and I hear a pretty good "Thud" coming from Addie's direction. As we quickly assessed the situation, we found that as she was stepping down off the last step, the poor girl suddenly lost her balance, and did a direct nose dive, smashing her face right onto the concrete side walk below. Oh, Boy - The neighborhood was soon made aware of the events taking place in front of the Horton house - Addison made it all very loud and clear. Except, I am not sure what hurt her worse - the seriouse road-rash she now proudly wore on her sweet face, or the fact that I was the one who scooped her up and took her into the house to get cleaned up as Addison cried for her Daddy the whole time. Yep, definately a Daddy's Girl. Once Chris showed up, she was miraculously better!