Spartan Beast Run... Seca

 

Some people like to suffer.  I'm to old for that :)  But, Jesse on the other hand, once he turned 30, he has been ticking backwards... and is in the best shape of his post-water polo life.  So, to keep him motivated he has been signing up for these death-marches.  And some how he talked other people into doing it with him!  We went to Carmel for the weekend, I enjoyed a day of relaxing (at the Refuge)...with a slightly guilty mind... while they bussed over to Laguna Seca and suffered for 13 miles.  

 Before:

 'This is Sparta!"

 Getting dirty!

 Breann and Carly are just ripped. Period.

 Up obstacles...

 Jesse didn't like this part... fill a bucket with sand, hike it up a hill... carry a cement- filled bucket up a hill... too many hills!

 Now these are Jesse's kind of obstacle!

 This was no fun... Jesse couldn't even budge his large tire... Bre had the girl size (which is more then I would ever want to do)... Jesse would've gotten a hernia!

 Finish line... Jesse ran right behind Sergio (Bre's brother in law) while he got beat with a stick...

 Tired, but so proud!   Now they are getting ready for a Tough Mudder in November!

My sister-in-law posted a great blog about Jed, Riley and their best friends/cousins!  Check it out! Cousin Blog

Car Camping

 For father's day, I organized a camping trip for my dad, Jesse and Jed.  They had such a great time, left Saturday afternoon and came home Sunday afternoon.  They went fishing... played with dirt and even got their toes wet!  

Jed realed in a fish! (with help...)

 Monster truck fun

 Grace and Zach Smith went...

 Emry and Kris Cadieux went...

 Grandpa and Jed... enjoying the beautiful scenery.

 The kiddos

 Grandpa slept under the stars, Jed slept in the camper tent in a sleeping bag!  Jed loved the bag and thought it was soooo cool!

So Different...

 

I love my babies... They are so much fun.  I love how different they are.  Jed is this calculated, particular, careful, thorough, serious... everything has a process.  Riley, she is reckless, messy, smiley... she loves people.  I love their differences, they are so unique and specially... wonderfully made.  

Riley loves mud, she has always eaten anything in sight... dog food, dirt, grass, really everything goes into her mouth.  SOOO... the other day, I made a mud bath outside thinking the kids would love it... Notice in the pictures, no Jed to be found.  He watched Riley go to town and said, "mommy, she is making a mess, lets get a hose and wash her off..." He was very concerned.  Riley: IN HEAVEN!

A few days later, we had the beautiful summer thunder storm.  I tried to hurry Jed outside to feel the rain.  He ran the opposite direction to the garage, and on his own grabbed his boots... I got him his umbrella and only then would he go outside.  

 Riley, on the other hand, she wanted to feel that rain, she didn't care about getting wet or dirty... she loved it, looked up at the sky in wonderment.  

 Jed just looked at Riley... I wonder what he was thinking...

 He had to close the door to his house because it would get wet inside... 

 Stomp in a few puddles (just like our book "Rain" by Peter Spier)

Oh, how I love these two... They are so fun in such different ways.  It is neat to see how God makes us all so unique!

Riley's Birthday Party

 

We had a really fun celebration for Miss Riley Renee.  It was simple, burgers, pool and cake.  

The Birthday Girl:

 Jed handled his sister having all the attention really well!  He gave Riley a pink toy car and a toy phone for her birthday... stuff he was very comfortable "sharing" :-)

 Jed sat and used his diggers for most of the party with cousin Austin...

 Lauren made it up for the big day!  Her boyfriend DJ also came.  The kids LOVED seeing them!

 Christopher, Jadon and Aubrey... cousin LOVE!

 Lauren, who is in culinary school and took a baking decorating class, made Riley's cake... it was so special to have her share her skills!  We used a sponge cake and home made whipped cream, so it was less sugary... a must for a CAKE SMASH!!!

 Jed helped Riley blow out her candle.  Thanks big brother!

 Once Riley tasted the cake, she was all in... grabbing the cake and pulling it to herself.  She did not disappoint!

 Messy girl!

 Great Grandparents...

 Some simple decorations...

It was truly a fun day!  I can't believe my baby is already 1!