30OCT13

This was the most emotional race I have done.  This wasn't a race for time or to say look what I did or how far I ran.  In fact this race had nothing to do with me.  To say I am a military supporter would be an understatement.  I am so proud to be an American.  I'm proud of all the men and women who have served and those who have died for my freedom will not be forgotten by me.  The Fisher House did a rememberance run for all military men and women who have been killed since September 11.  Over 6,000.  It was awesome to see so many people out running or walking just to remember them.  I know it's not much but it felt like a great thing to do. 

 

They lined the route with a boot and a picture of each solder that was killed.  They were pretty close together and it was 5 miles. That puts it into perspective.   I did spend quite a bit of time looking for one name in particular. Doug DiCenzo was Travis's favorite commander and his wife and son are 2 of my favoritest people.  When I think of someone who has gone through some trials and come through with incredible strength and grace I think of Nic.  So while I ran this for all soldiers I was thinking very specifically of one and the awesome family he left behind.  Shameless plug Nic wrote a book about her experience and seriously it is wonderful please check it out!You can get it here.

 

Never forget.

 

Ya a full rainbow. Perfect.

 

21OCT13

 

This post has a LOT a LOT of pictures.  I would apologize but it's my blog so I can do what I want huh? :) 

 

Ever since Cristine and I did our half marathon the girls (especially Alexis) started BEGGING me to do a race with me.  When we found the Run or Dye color run I knew that would be the perfect race for us to do.  These color runs are all over the country and there are tons of different ones.  They all are basically the same.  3 miles and you get covered in color.  We had so much fun.  The girls were awesome.  They didn't run the whole time but they moved and they had so much fun.  I will absolutely be doing another color run with them first chance I get!!

 

 

Nice and crisp clean.

Silly face (EVERY time I take a pic they ask for a silly face one!)

Bright and Early start time all ready to go!

Could it have been more appropriate?  A rainbow before the color run in Hawaii?!

Well of course we met up with The Holtgrewe's! Nate was our official photog!

Start line!

Starting to get a little color on us.

This was before the race even started!

And they're off!

If you've forgotten or I haven't said it enough time LOVE these sisters!

We took a little picture break halfway though.

Look at that form Ryan.



We did it!

Run or DYE!!

We were absolutely COLORED!

15OCT13

A few sweet David pictures.  He is getting so big but he is still definitely our baby.  And I do mean OUR.  As in our whole family!  He makes us laugh and smile all the time.

He wasn't feeling well but I didn't realize quite how bad till he fell asleep at Cristine's while I was running! So sweet.

His smile is contangious.

This is what happens when you give him frozen yogurt or ice cream.  Sometimes I feel I have no son. ;)

By OUR baby I also mean the Holtgrewe's.  They love him so much!

In his hand is fingernail clippers.  He had them upside down trying to clip his toe nails. HA!

He loves the beach especially playing with (in) buckets.

His 5 o clock shadow.

Tucker is SOOOO good with him even when he invades his kennel.

14OCT13

 

My sweet girls.  They are so much fun.  I love playing and doing stuff with them and they have their own (very different) personalities.  Here are some random pictures from August of Alexis and Ryan!

 

Impromptu photo shoot trying on the clothes they were going to wear for picture day.  Every pose was all them!

So cute!

They are both WONDERFUL about helping and playing ith David.  They love making him laugh and are constantly saying, "mom watch David!"

We will never tire of turtles!

One morning Ryan said, "Look mom I'm a pirate ARGH!"  HAHA that's a headband!

Cheesing it up!

A very VERY common sight in our house.

I told her she didn't match and she said, "yes mom see rainbows and rainbows!"  Smart girl.

10OCT13

We finally got to do another hike with the Holtgrewe's and we kept going back and forth on which one we wanted to do.  I had been wanting to do Hanauma Bay for a while to get the awesome views but the research we did made us nervous for the kids.  We finally decided to go for it and if we had to turn around and go back then that was okay.  Well we didn't.  Those kiddos ROCKED this hike.  Seriously, I have heard many adults talk about how difficult this hike was and they cruised it!  The first picture doesn't do it justice for how steep it was and this is actually not even the steepest part.  They not only rocked it the loved it.  They love hiking and especially together.  They were naming random things and just chatting while they walked.  Such a great group of

 kids we have!  We loved snorkeling Hanauma Bay and hiking around it was even better!  We will be doing this hike again!

 

 

07OCT13

Lexi started school on August 5th and Ryan started a week later since she was starting Kinder.  Alexis was excited for 3rd grade although a little nervous b/c she said it was going to be "harder than 2nd grade."  She has been doing so well though and when I asked her if it was harder she said, "no not really." Her teacher says she is doing well and the only "problem" she has had is occasionally Ms. Liu has to tell Alexis to put the book away. HAHA!  Not surprised!

 

3rd Grade August 5, 2013 Barbers Point Elementary Ms. Liu

Ryan was sad she had to wait a week but she was happy for Lex.

Ready for the day to start.

We had to go out for fro yo after the first day of course.  Especially since Dad was off and got to come with us!

 Ryan had not a single fear about starting Kinder.  She was so excited to get to go to "big girl school" and for the whole day!  After the first day she started asking me if she could walk to her class by herself (to which I said no.  I'm so mean.)  After the second day she started forgetting to even say bye to me.  She just walks in as soon as her teacher opens the door.  She absolutely loves school and her teacher.  The only thing she has said is that they are not aloud to whistle in class.  I asked her teacher who confirmed my suspicions that this is a new rule for Ms. McCormicks class made just for Ryan who LOVES to whistle (it's a McBride thing.)  I can't believe we now have 2 kids in Elementary School.

Kindergarten August 12, 2013 Barbers Point Elementary Ms. McCormick

The sun was really bright this was the best I got.  Lexi was very excited for her sister!

All ready and very excited!