The Incredibles

We were apart of a youth weekend that was a superhero theme! We dressed up for the evening!

So much fun!

Summit to Summit

A few weekends ago, we as a family decided to help support a local Christian College called Summit Cristian College with a walk/run called Summit to Summit. It was about just over 7 miles from the "Summit" (the school) all the way to the top of the summit of Scottsbluff Monument. Rylan and I had talked about trading off running and walking with the kids, but in the end we decided that we would just walk it as a family. I am glad we walked together because there is no way I would have gone the whole way by myself, let alone with the kids.  Here are a few pictures we took during the day.

 I held onto the stroller on the way down (and this picture does this NO justice of how steep in places it was or narrow).  Alohi was such a trooper and walked up and down by herself.  We really needed her to walk because it was easier with the stroller.

 Rylan was a monster! Well not really a monster, but he pushed Po'o up along with whatever was packed into the sit and stand stroller all the way up! I did take a few switch backs, but I did nothing compared to what he did!!

When we got to the top, it was such a great feeling and accomplishment!! Also, the views were breath taking and we got to high five all the runners that went by (many people ran it... CRAZY people). The man that won the race was a teacher from the college and finished the race in under 48 min.  I believe he passed us before we even made it a quarter of the way (yes... I know that is really bad on our part, but hey we had the "semi" or what people called our stroller and kids going up that were set up at different spots to encourage us).

This is the view from the top... yes those are cars you see because you can drive up the bluff.  There was a shuttle being run at different points of the run for those walking that only wanted to do a section of the full 7 miles.  Of course, we did the whole thing!

See, I have proof!! Thanks to my run keeper for the letting me keep track of things. We did start this into our walk, but i think you get the idea of how good we did as a family.  I did get to run a little on the back end of the walk which felt really good.

When we finished our walk, there really weren't any people waiting for us at the end. However, we did feel accomplished and I do think that our children were the only ones that completed the whole thing. I doesn't matter that Po'o got pushed the whole way or that Alohi only walked part of it (which to me going up and down was the hardest parts), but I am super proud of the kids.  They were looking forward to the bounce houses, fire trucks, medical helicopters and hamburgers/hot dogs for lunch!

 This fire truck means a lot to me since, my dad worked for the airport fire department... their trucks aren't your normal red.  They are usually yellow or neon green because they carry water, they carry something else that fights whatever fuel they use in airplanes.  Don't ask me the details of all this chemical stuff... at least I know that they don't use water because it wouldn't help them fight an airplane crash/fire.

 Po'okela is into trucks, helicopters, trains and anything that is big and moves.  When the Regional West Medical Helicopter touched down, he was so excited... even more excited that climbing on the fire truck.  Alohi got to sit in the pilots seat and then we sat in the back. I hope and pray this will be the only need for us to ever get this close or be inside of one of these special helicopters. I am sure you are wondering where does the patient go... don't worry I was wondering the same thing.  Their feet are slid next to the pilot and their head goes right where Po'o's feet are.  They fit 3 guys and a patient in there.  CRAZY! Oh and you can buy insurance just in case you might need to ride in one of these (which during the week I would say I hear this helicopter (we live in between the airport and the hospital... remember people small town) 3-5 times a week.  The guy selling or suggesting I buy it said it would make a great birthday present for a family member (elderly or with possible heart conditions).  Oh the sale pitches they try to make.

After our helicopter visit and not buying medical helicopter insurance, kids went back to bouncing and we got lunch. I think that day I ate a hamburger, hotdog, some chips and drank a ton of water. I was famished after that walk.  We left shortly after because Alohi and I had a tea birthday party to get to and we all needed a nap/shower after our walk....

Little did we know that there was a prize for all registered walkers/runners.... Alohi got the grand prize.... A weed eater!!!! I got a call Monday letting me know Alohi had won and to stop by the school to get our prize.  Alohi now wants to help her dad with the lawn... however I am sure it weighs about 2 times she does.  Oh well... she won and that is all that matters!! Overall I think it was a fun family day!!

Out with the Old and In with the New

Last month I won a table at our MOPS Market fundraiser. I could sell crafty stuff or make it a garage sale. I am crafty, but no way near crafty enough to fill a table to make some money. So I had a garage sale table. I knew I had some things that I wanted to sell, but it was a matter of going through things to sell.  I had given away a bunch of stuff that I could have easily sold, but I know they blessed the people and that is what really matters.  So after about 3 nights and during a couple of days of nap time I was able to get a huge amount of stuff to sell.  Most of it was kid friendly since it was for MOPS.

 Above: The table along with some extra stuff that extended my space. 

Below: The things I brought home.

I think I did pretty good for a last minute garage sale table! Also, had a friend add some clothing things to sell and I think between the two of us we easily made $300+.

Now before the garage sale, I was on the look out for some outdoor toys for the kids. However, I wasn't sure how I was going to get this with our budget. But thanks for the garage sale I was able to but these wonderful new (to the kids, but used) outdoor toys for the summer!!

I think he's happy!!

Now this summer I can still get house work done, but let the kids play outside and burn some energy. Along with a water/sand table that they play with like crazy and I haven't added the sand part yet.  Of course we have trikes and bikes that we pull out too, but they are so happy with these toys! I am super happy that I can sit outside with them and read while they play!!

Bike Rides & Runs

Our wonderful Pepaw passed this bike trailer on to us, while I was preggo with Po'okela. Little did we know how much we would love it!! We do need to get puncture proof tires because of all the ways to get holes in tires here. Puncture vines is all I know, but it gets bad.  Along with the trailer, Rylan's tires need help. However, for now we will make due with what we have.

So far we have been out once. I ran while Rylan peddled the kids around.  It was a nice 2.5 mile route and had it not been for Alohi I don't think I would have been able to push pass a mile and half. We were going up a file and she sang some made up song about "going up the hill..." It was the best and made me smile and refocus.  I am looking forward to nicer weather so we can do this weekend!

I just love Po'okela's new cheesy face!

And we are off!!