Happy Birthday Alex

Today is my brother-in-law's birthday - he made the very wise decision to marry Erin! He has been under the weather and so we hope he is feeling better & that he has a great birthday!

Happy Birthday Alex - we hope that your sushi is extra yummy tonight!

These are some pictures to take us down memory lane - I have more recent pictures but I love these of our first trip to Massachusetts (summer 2004). Alex with, B, K & Erin.

Changes

I've noticed changes in my blogging since the beginning of this school year. I used to write about specific events... now it's a hodge podge more than anything else. Guess what - so is this one!

Some fun/funny stories to share - then pictures.

I have started running and swimming again - since last week. I never thought I would say it, I LOVE to swim. I don't think I could give myself a decent workout without someone egging me on but I'm learning to love the whole thing... except actually getting into my car and driving. I dread leaving in the evening after Jason gets home but I have felt great there and feel even better afterwards. This Tuesday was no exception - as a matter of fact I felt even better this week than last because I raced John (friend who I've trained with, he's an amazing tri-athlete) and beat him (he didn't know we were racing but I did - hee hee). We were doing kick board drills and I apparently have a strong set of legs - it helps that I can keep my head out of the water and breath.

Last night I went to run and we did bleachers (yep ran up and down them - yucko!) - but here's the great thing. I did the intermediate workout. I was so proud of myself after it was all done. There were a few times I thought I was going to fall off the bleachers and I'm sure I looked like I was downing a margarita at the top each time with my legs wobbling and twitching like they were but I did it! Here's what got me through that last set (4 total) - "Thank God for a body that will allow me to do this!"

Z and I went to the dentist today - he did fabulous! I took him out for Chick-fil-a afterwards and we "partied"! In other words there was an indoor playground so we could play and eat. We drove past an outdoor McD's (I didn't want to go there!) and he was a little disappointed when I "called" and they said that the play yard was closed because it was so cold (upper 60's)... was that wrong?

Brotherly Love
I walked in on this scene and couldn't resist a picture, they immediately began hamming it up as soon as I took this picture.


Sweet Big Brother
Another one that I walked into. Z giving his little sister a ride. Sweet!
I love bossy (aka A) pointing out the way she WANTS to go.

One Shot
That is all it took to get these goofy grins! I love that B&A are so in love with each other!


Straight up silly
Daddy snapped this shot - I guess the big kids are showing the little ones how you dress up for cool northern weather.


Getting ready to camp
K and I are going to Girl Scout camp this weekend. With a projected temperature of 37 on Saturday night I felt that K needed some long underwear and long socks... it will get cold in our cabins!

Last but NOT least
Tuesday night I came home to this staring at me as I walked in the door, wet and cold from my swim. Let me say that often I feel guilty about leaving to go exercise at night, but this made me so proud and happy. I don't know why she wrote it but it keeps me motivated to keep trying to work hard and show my kids that you can do anything if you set your mind to it! K - I love you and you honor me greatly!

This weekend

We were so busy last week! Saturday morning we got up early to make the trek to Houston to see Dad, Judy-Mom, Mark, Cheryl, Shawn & Justin. Justin was in a band competition and Shawn had his last regular season football game. Sadly we didn't get any pictures while we were there - Cheryl took the one picture below but that is all I have to show for our time in Houston. We left here Saturday morning got to Houston just in time to stand behind a chain link fence and watch Justin play his tuba in the military marching band - I saw one mistake but I was still impressed, sorry Justin you did great! Then we went out for lunch, played at the park and headed out to watch Shawn play football. The Mustangs scored the first touchdown and that was certainly the highlight of the game! After that it wasn't so great but we were thrilled to see Shawn play! Finally we went out for a bite after the game and then headed back home for some sleep before we got up and headed home Sunday morning. It was a whirlwind trip but left me looking forward to Thanksgiving! Thank you all for allowing us to come and invade this weekend!

K went with Mark, Justin & Cheryl to cheer Shawn on as they headed out to the game!
K's ready to sign up to be a cheerleader ~ today!

Happy Birthday Uncle Michael

Yesterday was my Uncle Michael's birthday but I was out of town so I couldn't post this blog.

So without further ado - Happy Birthday my Michael, we can't wait to see you at Thanksgiving! Better late than never! Love, Jason's Clan


Sadly we don't get many pictures of Michael - I guess he's a little camera shy, but here's a couple from Thanksgiving 2005.

Michael with his buddy, Winston

Happy Birthday Rae Ann

Today (if I'm not mistaken, **inside joke** :) is the birthday of one of the most fantastic, amazing women that I know! Rae Ann and I met the first day of our freshman year in high school and we have been friends ever since. How she's put up with that long is a miracle in itself.

Rae Ann I hope you have a marvelous birthday!

The dorky one on the left is Rae Ann... yea the other dork is me.

hee hee, this picture cracks me up!

Seriously - Texas sun is BAD! Rae Ann looks marvelous!

Rae Ann with her sweet husband, Dan.

Halloween - finally the pictures & story

Friday was an insane day around Jason's Clan. I finished the last of the costumes (mine) at 2:15pm - right before getting the big kids from school.
It was a relatively uneventful Halloween except that A was in it this year (last year we represented Jason's Clan in MA and officially welcomed little J) - she was really getting the hang of "thank you" by about the midway point of our trick-or-treating, of course she was halfway down the sidewalk with her back to the people when she'd say it. But I heard it and it was cute!
B was Harry Potter, K was Alexa from Barbie & The Diamond Castle, Z was baby bear, A was supposed to be a lady bug but we went with easy and did the jack-o-lantern since she wasn't fond of the antenna's on the lady bug costume - when she wore it to a Halloween party last weekend she ended up wearing a pair of shorts around most of the time, I guess the costume wasn't very comfortable either.
In addition we had some friends join us for trick-or-treating - B's friend Hank was some type of scary faceless monster and McKaen was a deatheater from the Harry Potter series. Me?! I was Supermom - two people (I suspect Supermom's themselves in disguise) recognized my costume and thought it was very cute. I made the emblem out of pieces from the kids costumes - it was fun!

K had a pumpkin decorating contest at school -
I can't believe ours didn't win! Disco pumpkin!!
Disco is ALIVE!

Finally on an incredibly disgusting (but funny nonetheless) side note: Apparently Hobbes decided that he didn't get enough treats so he played a trick on us - he pooped on the bed, this was Jason's reaction which was the funny part.

Perhaps he's on his last leg.... (the cat, not Jason)

Happy Birthday Uncle Scott

Today is my brother, Scott's birthday - he's 9 or 10 years old - or at least he acts like that. hee hee! In honor of his birthday I have decided to post some pictures specifically for him, these pictures were taken right after I said, "Smile for Uncle Scott!" Here's what I got:







Just kidding! These were just some funny faces and I knew that Scott would appreciate them! Happy Birthday Scoot we love you!

Note to friends & family of Jason's Clan - if you take a self-portrait you should expect it to show up on your birthday blog.