The farm, birthdays, camping, triathlon

I planted these red and yellow tulips for my wedding (my colors) and they still come back every year.

The twins always stand at the top of this hill in the lawn and look out at the animals.  Reagan wakes up every morning baaaing and pointing outside.  It is not just a baaa, but the sweetest little sound I've ever heard come from anyone or anything.  I think you have to hear it to appreciate it.  In contrast, Dreyton's sheep sound is a loud grunt. 

The Mother's Day pic.  My little critters are all at such fun ages right now that I keep trying to slow time down.

All of my kids have slept like this but Reagan wins for having the sharpest angle.

The anniversary shot.  11 years!  We were so wild and crazy we celebrated by putting the kids to bed and going to a late movie.  I proved my devotion to Carlos by agreeing to watch 'Thor' with him.  

Every morning before running, my Mom picks up a babe and the other cries until she gets them both.

Rivers and Madison were sheep for their school program.

Somebody found Tyler's old football gear stash.  Look out!

Four mornings in a row we woke up to twin lambs that were born during the night.  Now they're all bouncing around the lush fields.

We also had 3 baby calves born last month.  I love how Rivers and CD get so into it.

Ward campout!  We all had so much fun at the campout this year.  That is except for during the night when we wanted to sleep and the twins kept wandering around the tent crying because they didn't have their cribs.  And the torrential downpour that came through during the night and tested the waterproofness of our tent.  I thought Carlos was being a baby when he said he was all wet because everywhere else in the tent was totally dry.  I felt bad in the morning when I was putting sleeping bags away and saw that water had come in the zipper of the door and streamed down to Carlos because of his weight and his bag was soaked. 

Oh man, what a cute 4 year old!  We made a pirate ship this year.  This kid is so much fun to hang around with.  He always wants to help me do whatever I am doing and accompany me anywhere I am going and if someone tells him they love him, his reply is "I love my Mommy more". 

The girls in their matching dresses that Carlos picked up for them during his trip to China.

We couldn't do the Pole, Pedal, Paddle race this year because everyone coaches track and it was the same weekend as the High School State meet.  Anyway, when Tanner and Alissa visited over the Memorial Day weekend, we decided to do the Corvallis Heart of the Valley Triathlon instead.  It was fun because Tyler, Tanner, and I all started in the same lane one right after another.  Carlos and Alissa started together too before us in another lane, and Jason (the fast swimmer) started after us all. 

Running to my bike and no one is slapping my hand.

Carlos right after cruising to the finish line. 

They had a kids triathlon too and Rivers was so excited to show her skills. 

Here she is with her friend from the track club waiting to get instructions.  She and her friend are the ones actually smiling in the picture. 

Rivers kept trying to pass this boy but couldn't get around him:)

Running to her bike

She refuses to ride any bike but my old banana seat bike that Tanner refurbished. 

Taking off for the run.

With her friends and teammates after the race. 

We didn't even go to the awards ceremony because we didn't think we'd placed, but then someone heard our names being called.....Alissa third in age group, Tasha second in age group, and drumroll....Carlos third in the Clydesdale division (over 200 lbs.).  Woo hoo!  we brought home some hardware:)

We hung out in Tyler and Amber's lush yard after the race.

We had CD's birthday party at the house and I drew a big, elaborate maze on the driveway with chalk as one of the games and a storm came through and washed it away right before the party.  I was out re-drawing it when everyone arrived. 

Practicing his flying skills.

Having fun at the party!

During the last week of school the whole 3rd grade rode their bikes 10 miles roundtrip to Avery Park for lunch.  I was a chaperone over 5 bikers and it was the most fun I've ever had on a field trip.  Here are Rivers and Madison as we were leaving the park to bike back to the school. Again, she rode my old banana seat bike.  She said she wouldn't stop riding it until her knees hit the handlebars.  On the trip back she said "um Mom, my knees just hit the handlebars".  The next day they had a drawing at the school for walking/biking to school and the prize was a really nice mountain bike.  Guess who won the girls bike?  Yep, our problem with knees hitting the handlebars is solved! I couldn't believe it!!  That was the last day of school.  Summer time is here!!  Now if I can just get Rivers to stop reading Harry Potter.  She and her cousin are obsessed and 90% of what comes out of her mouth has something to do with Harry Potter.  She has read almost 2000 pages in about a month.  I've read 160pages in Shantaram during the same time.  The difference is I'm lucky if I get through 2 pages before I fall asleep and the book falls on my face.