Family Picture Time!

I get why the kids (Ryan included) complained and complained about getting family pictures on a Friday night, after we had spent the week and a half living in a construction zone and living in our basement and the day before I left for Portland. I can't say I was too excited myself and actually had picked up the phone to reschedule, but didn't. Getting into Jen takes an act of Congress, but now I see why she's so popular! Long story short, I'm glad that I bribed my beloveds and forced them all to smile recently...

Who IS this big, beautiful girl and WHERE is my baby?

Jen captured Aidan for sure.

Hands down, one of my favorites. Sorry I just can't commit to one!

Super Aidan! Please don't ask how much sugar was offered for this pose.

Because we always walk down beautiful paths, holding hands. Actually, we should start.

Love these little bugs!

Mommy and her #1 girl!

Mommy's best guys!! I love these two.

When the sun sets, the wild things come out...

Thank you Jen! 

Life Lessons Learned During the 26.2

I know, I am way behind in my blogging, BUT I have to post this one before my senile brain takes over and I completely forget all of these wonderful life lessons I learned during my recent marathon! This was such an amazing experience... My first marathon was to prove I could do one. My second was to prove I could do one after having children. This one by far was for the best reason... To support Ben Towne Foundation. I signed up for this race in January, yes a long time ago. It was when Aidan had his tonsils out and I was tired and feeling horrible for my little guy. It struck me howI was dealing with 1/1,000,000,000 of what a parent with cancer has on their plates. It also hit home that with only 3% of the national cancer budget going to fight pediatric cancer, someone has to DO something! It can't be the families battling or who have battled. It has to be US, as in you and me! Fast forward 10 months, there wasn't NEARLY as much training as should have occurred but overall, a SUCCESS! Almost $17,000 raised by Team Ben Towne Foundation and I at least didn't embarrass myself and kept my mileage within the 9 minute mile area... So onto the life lessons:

• If you are going to sign up for a crazy race or adventure, rope in Laura. She's always a great sport, loves to laugh and is just an all around fantastic friend.
• Hey laughing hyena, tone it down at dinner before the race. You're going to get yourself so amped up, you are only going to get 2 hours of sleep before 4 hours of running. And stop laughing so hard you have to run to the bathroom so you don't pee your pants. That's just embarrassing! Yes, reliving college stories with Liz is funny, but wait until the next night, ok?
• Hey chatty Cathy, stretch a little before 4 hours of running. There is a reason why all 13,000 runners were doing so when you were giggling with Laura and repeating over and over, "I can't believe we're doing this! Wahoo!" 
• When you think you are going to pass out from starvation at mile 13, hang on. Taylor Swift's "Ronan" just might come onto your iPod, you might just have your first downhill (phew) and a dad with his two kids just might be holding a sign that says, "Remember the REASON you are running this race." All is good again.
• Boo yeah, to Taylor Swift, awesome downhill and random man holding sign. Don't freak out with excitement over this inspiring moment and start sprinting. You are at MILE 13, ONLY halfway... 
• FYI, you were running this race with 13,000, almost 7,000 were also doing the marathon. So at mile 16 if you accidentally break into air guitar because "Welcome to the Jungle" comes on your iPod, guess what? People are going to see you and it's going to be kind of embarrassing.
• Along those same lines, lip syncing and hand movements to Pink on the St. John Bridge also equals embarrassment. People were driving past you for the love of God.
• If you give a wild fist pump and hop in the air at the top of St. John's Bridge for a photo op (and didn't stretch or train beforehand), your Achilles' tendon is going to feel like it's snapped, which is going to lead to the worst calf cramp, which is turn will lead to overcompensation on your left foot, which is going to lead to ALL FIVE toenails falling off on left foot. Save the fist pumping for the end, preferably while sitting in a wheelchair, front part of shopping cart, whatever you can find. And no, it's not likely that your next pedicure will be half off.
• Give a "whoop" when you see your favorite fan sign that states, "Give a whoop, if you haven't done a poop (in your pants)."
• High Five every single kid along the course, after all, you are running this race for the little peeps.
• Get a little teary eyed when you see high school cheerleader, all decked out in cheer gear, with her dad, who is wearing her school's t-shirt and he's also waving pom-poms. It's a reminder that thousand of parents are also cheering on their children... in hospital rooms.
• Drink the beer at mile 23, it might have helped you. Dangit, you hate regrets! When offered, always say yes to the beer!
• When you cross the finish line, try to keep your exhaustion to yourself. The medics at the finish line don't appreciate running to catch you from falling and all you can mutter is... "food." 
• Only do marathons with plenty of food at the end. But next time, let's not lay down on the chocolate milk table, okay? Better yet, let's not fill your mouth with Ginger Snaps before laying down and pouring chocolate milk into your mouth. There are some things you should only do in the privacy of your home and this is one of them.
• Do it again and do it for Ben Towne Foundation. Yes, I know at mile 20-23, you mentioned never again. But let's be real, it was a pretty big honor to run for such an amazing cause! 

A HUGE thank you to who all who financially supported this endeavor, who emotionally supported this effort and who are continuing the movement for Ben Towne Foundation. People that I love more than life, love and miss Ben so much and I would give anything to lessen their grief. I can't do that, but I can sure run my little toenails off, so run my toenails off I will!

www.bentownefoundation.org 

No, Laura doesn't have her hands in her pockets, she and I are wearing black gloves. Because we were awesome and prepared like that. (Ha! Laura's training regimen included eating well and drinking less and she STILL rocked it! Atta Girl!)

Labor Day Weekend Fun!

I'm supposed to be studying for my LCSW exam, so what to do, what to do? Update the blog! (I know, I know, I should have taken this exam years ago, these babes of mine took precedence and I can't use them as an excuse any more!)

We took Bigg Pigg up to the Stanley area for Labor Day weekend and the old beast did not disappoint! Fun was had by all and we are counting down until next summer!

Bull Trout Lake, what a beautiful spot!

The ever so serious fisher-people.

This picture was taken seconds before Morgan caught her first fish of the year AND seconds before this old gal slipped on a wet log, landing smack on my back in the water. Classy lady, I am.

One second before reeling in the finest catch of the day. Yep, she's allergic, so mom gets the fun part of actually catching and releasing (hence the falling in part).

Since my sweatshirt was a tad muddy from aforementioned "swim," I thought my 5 year old's carhart was a good option. Yes?

The "bad girls of badminton" took a break on this camping trip and instead "Misty May Morgan" and "Momma Walsh" had some fun with the volleyball. Watch out 2016 Olympics, we are coming for YOU!

Too bad this lake was so ugly.

Darling boy in a carhart. Anything cuter? Nope.

Heart melting little creature he is.

We left the lake and hit the river. Yeah, my family is pretty tough, just sitting in the river like it's nothing. (Okay, it's actually a hot spring).

Beautiful day, gorgeous spot, kids busy building the deepest pool they could, not a bad little Sunday afternoon!

Bathing beauts.

No campsite is complete without a spot for the fairies to visit. You are welcome little fairies!

8 is GREAT!

Word on the streets is that there is a big EIGHT year old in the Kearney house! We celebrated our big girl with Mema and Papa!

Seriously, who is this darling child? And where did that baby girl go?

Dock dinner on Lucky Peak! One of our new favorite, evening weekday activities. We're already missing summer... 

Showing his excitement for sister's big day.

Disregard my wild hair and my son's face. Why did I post this picture?

Two puffy haired Kearney boys! That look on Aidan's face is what pure happiness looks like.

And again.

Oh how I love this little girl!

Sunset with Papa outside our front door.

Someone REALLY wanted a Kindle, can you tell?

And big, pink earphones!

And an ipod. Oh man, what have done!

This look to me says, "I can't wait to fill this sucker up with really bad music that is going to drive my parents crazy."

Love, love, love the new watch from great Grandma and Grandpa!

A new volleyball? YES PLEASE!

As you can see from the previous pictures, it was a very animated present opening session. Which really is very appropriate. Morgan has never done anything half way, whether it be celebrating, having fun, being dramatic or throwing a fit, there is no 98% in this girl's life. She's 110% at everything she does. I've always said that raising her sometimes feel like I am taming a wild horse and sometimes we just have to hang on for the wild ride. But it's a wild ride that we wouldn't trade for anything else on earth. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this lady, wait, I mean, I can't wait to see what Morgan creates for her future! Happy Birthday little Mo. We love you to the moon and back.

School days are here...

It's official, my work here is done. The kids are BOTH in elementary school and now it's the teacher's jobs to raise these mun-che-che's. Ha, kidding, I think this means we are even going to be busier!

Batman and Bieber, Jr. Notice the puffy shoes, oy vey. Now you know why my hair coloring appointments are more frequent these days, gray hairs.

Our 2nd grader, as excited as can be!!

Our brave and excited kindergartner! Batman was the choice for such an important day...

Daddy and Mema did drop offs. Apparently, mom has a little issue with tearing up.

A locker? For real? Yes, for real, if you come near my child you will hear ALL about it.

A little sad his hook isn't near Isabel's, but word on the street has it that it is near Adam's and that's pretty rad.

To left of Aidan is our beloved Ms. Robinson. She's a HIT around these parts!

1st day and already copying off his neighbor. His dad must be a Coug.

An extremely exciting first day, there was an important tooth lost! That's what happens when you don't stop talking, teeth fall out of your head.

Because of the loooonnnnggg school day at Sage, Mom got to do pickups!

Big hugs!

Action shot, this is how we do it peeps.