Instagrams I posted in August

 

Location: Tantrum Central

“This is where I’ve been for 30 minutes waiting for Faith to stop her mega-tantrum.  (She has to be in the bathroom because she makes herself barf).  #sometimesbeingthemombites”

Location:  the fridge

“After 15 years of marriage…why do these kinds of notes still make me feel giddy? #crushonmyhusband”

 

“Bored of your cast color??  Fall in the pool at swimming lessons…surefire way to ensure a brand new bright green cast.  #couldthiscastcostanymore?”

 

Location: Park Pool

“Waiting for his last swim. (he’s in race 70 out of 70) #3.5hourswimmeet”

 

“Swim lessons.  #theteacherhadtoconstantlyremindsethtofocus”

Location: Riverfront Park

“On the carny rides at Riverfront park.  #theymakemesickbutiridethemanyway”

 

Location: Pavillion Amusement Rides

“Unforeseen consequence of Emma having a birthday party and Gabe not having a friend along: these two have spent the whole day together.”

 

Location: Coeur d’Alene Beach and Lake

Packet Pick Up.  #imalittlescared #firsttriathlon #ineedabuddy

 

Swim.9/bike 24/run 6.5: done! 3:17  #imakedorkyfaceswhenirun

 

“I have a good friend (post-race burrito disappeared quickly).”

 

“Family game night.”

 

“School supplies for the year plus 10 days of groceries (all price-matched) PLUS all 5 kids in two.  I should get some sort of award."

 

“Reward for good behavior for longest Walmart trip ever.”

 

Location:  NOT the operating room, cross fingers

“How we remove a cast and pins without anesthesia.  #technologyismyfavorite”

 

Location: Silverwood Theme park

“I always love amusement parks…One hour in.”

 

Location: Silverwood Theme park

“On the roller coaster.  Love everyone’s reactions.”

 

Location: the lake house

“These two make me happy…so fun to be best friends with your cousin.”

 

Location:  the Lake House

“Birthday table for my new 12 year old.  #Ibasicallycrythewholetimeiputthesetogether”

 

Location:  the lake house

“Birthday Boy”

 

Location: the lake house

“#familyintownmeanslotsoflaketime”

 

Location: the lake house

“Romney brothers v. Daines brothers

 

Location:  the lake house

“The 8/28 birthday boy with the remnants of his birthday breakfast. #onlytookme2hrstocookandclean

 

location:  the lake house

Seth drew a big crowd for his birthday celebration.  #partyweekend

 

Location:  the lake house

“Evidence of a FUN weekend.”

 

Location:  The Pit Stop

“Amazing Race Birthday Party for Gabe”

 

Location: Chez Romney

“Fresh huckleberry shake.  You. Don’t. Even. Know.”

 

“Faith: ‘I like this thing.  It looks like it’s smiling at me.’”

 

Location:  I’m embarrassed to say

“Seth is taking advantage of the all you can eat pickles at this buffet.”

Athletic Events we competed in last summer

(man, I really better pick this up because we are going to be recapping summer when it’s snowing…)

Everyone who knows us, knows we like to be active.  I’m happy that we’ve been able to pass this on to our kids.  There were a lot of bike rides and early morning exercising all summer long (Gabe and a couple neighborhood boys had this super-impressive 6am workout schedule), but we also did some more official events over the summer too.

The Windermere Marathon

I ran my third marathon in May and continue to love them.  It was my hardest one so far on many levels, but pushing through those kinds of challenges really makes me feel good.  My time was 3:54 which wasn’t a personal record but I was okay with that.  And, honestly, me being okay with not reaching a goal is an accomplishment in and of itself. 

I ran the first 8 miles averaging 7:55 minute miles, which was too fast.  My legs kind of seized up around miles 13 and I ran the rest of the marathon in immense discomfort.  Right around mile 22, I realized I wasn’t going to get my goal and I began really feel that it didn’t matter.  Training, learning my body and this sport, being with friends, setting an example for my kids are things I would/did accomplish and I was able to finish in good spirits. 

A highlight was having Gabe join me for the last 3 miles.  I was in such pain and having him encouraging me and running next to me was such a sweet thing for me (tearing up as I write this).  I’m glad to have such support at home and I’m glad to have a healthy body that can do hard things! (Marathon #4 happens next June!)

Kids Triathlon

In June the 3 middle kids competed in a triathlon and it was also a great experience.  I think they learned a lot about the sport and competing and feeling good about trying their best.  Gabe had a lot of bike trouble but because he’s such a good swimmer and runner, I think he came in 6th.  Jane had a little breakdown in the pool but really pulled it together and finished well.  Seth (hilarious as always) finished first in the swim and just really enjoyed himself.  I’m proud of my kids who are willing to challenge themselves!

 

Liberty Lake Loop

We run this race every year and it’s such a fun event.  Gabe, Ryan and I ran the tough hilly course and all finished in about 30 minutes.  Jane, Seth and Faith did the kids events.  Jane has a thing where she sometimes freaks out over a lot of attention and these kinds of events can stress her out.   She got it together and each of our kids medaled in their age brackets. (Not that we care, truly, but these entries are journals and I’m just writing it down).

 

Couer d’ Alene Olympic Triathlon

I competed in my first triathlon this year and just LOVED it.  I LOVED swimming and biking outside in our gorgeous Northwest summers and I loved learning something new.  The event itself went better than I expected.  It was a .9 mile swim, a 24 mile bike and a 6.5 mile run.  I did it in 3:17, which was better than I expected.  I just have to get some of my buddies/family members to join me next year!

 

Family Triathlon

Our neat friends that Shenemans organized a family triathlon for labor day weekend, complete with prizes.  All ages competed and finished and we ended with a big breakfast at the Beykirchs.  It was a great end to our active summer!

The places we swam this summer

You know how I said it was a lazy summer?  Basically all we did was swim.  Here in Spokane, you can swim for about 2.5 months and so my motto was “If I can do it (museum, hike, nap, clean, read, make dinner) October through June, then I’m bagging it in favor of swimming.”  And that’s just what we did.

A few of our favorite spots:

The Taylor’s pool (fabulous ward members who open their pool at designated time for anyone who wants to come)

Whitworth Aquatic center (for a triathlon!)

 

Natural Bridges Beach in Santa Cruz (unbelievably fun…possibly my favorite day of the whole summer)

Swimming at Girls Camp!

 

Grandma Nut’s pool for the the last time (sob!)

Doug and Marcy’s pool!

Boulder Beach at Silverwood:

 

The Daines Lake Cabin (my kids love it here so much they’ve written essays naming it their favorite place on earth.  Seriously.)

The Sheneman’s backyard lakefront (they are so generous with their home and beach):

Every ounce of sunscreen, load of beach towels, messed up hair-do was worth it.  We sucked the life out of our warm Spokane summer!