Beautiful Julianne turns 2!

Cold weather kept us from going to the zoo as we had planned for Julianne's birthday, but we made it up to her with lots of treats. Since this morning, we've probably sang happy birthday to her five times. She had a birthday doughnut for breakfast, and cupcakes at lunch. Who knows what special something will appear after dinner? Julianne has always been such a sweet and precious girl. Alan and I love the girl she has become in just two years. She loves to give hugs, sing with Barney the Dinosaur, and comfort her dolls. Julianne also copycats whatever Tessa is doing, even if that happens to be crying and throwing a fit. Julianne received special presents and birthday greetings from family and friends. Please enjoy these sweet pictures of our growing girl.

So cold ....

Today, my friend and I ran in the Women's Celebration Run in Boise. It started raining - no pouring -- at 1 a.m. and didn't stop until we came home from the race. I finished a somewhat disappointing time of 27:19, and I spent about the same amount of time in the bath trying to warm up. I'd like to run another race in October with my coach (Alan) by my side and see how well I can do. We also had a nice dinner with my running partner, Jessica Myers, and her family (also our neighbors). The kids played, adults chatted ... I couldn't ask for a better way to spend time. I will post a pre-race photo once I get it from Jessica.

It's been too long ...

I'm so sorry that I can't keep up on this site. I have a lot of pictures I'd like to post, but it always seems like one of our three computers is broken and for some reason I need all three of them to get this blog going.

Anyways, AJ has started school and is doing great. His handwriting has improved dramatically in three weeks and so has his reading. He doesn't mind his uniform because he sees all the other kids wearing the same thing. We ride our bikes home from school because we are so close, and I really enjoy it because it gives me a chance to talk to him one-on-one about his school day. The girls entertain one another while AJ is gone. The days seem to fly by now since he has started school. I will get pictures posted soon, I promise.

AJ prepares for kindergarten

AJ doesn't realize that's what he'll be wearing to school next year. He won't have to wear the full uniform every day, and they can wear shorts at the beginning and end of the year. He is sounding out words and understands the one and two-vowel rule. We struggle with reading, but he is very interested with reading any sign that he sees in public. Alan and I are very excited about AJ attending Challenger. The school sets the bar high, so that the students always have something to strive for, and the students will actually celebrate holidays like Halloween and Christmas.

Straw-sucking good

The kids love shakes, and I found a new recipe for a healthy chocolate smoothie. I think they liked it!

AJ and the Fireballs

AJ loves soccer, and we've enjoyed cheering him on. He's got an incredibly powerful kick and he is a good sport.

One year ago

This is a picture I took last year at this time. The girls have much more hair now.

car crash

Everyone said the winters here are mild, except for this year. And we had fun playing in the snow. But they city was not prepared for cleaning the roads, so I tried for many days not to drive. But when I did, a 16-year-old boy slid across the road and hit me head on. Thankfully, the kids were not in the car. A friend pulled out a huge screwdriver that had lodged itself into the grill of the car.

Easter 2008

We went to a crazy Easter egg hunt at the zoo, decorated eggs at home and ate a lot of chocolate. The grandkids want to thank Grandpa and Grandma Trites for the sugar rush!

new investment

We have teamed up with Dave Ramsey to buy and hold this next home. The backyard faces a runoff from the Boise River and is located in a golf course community. Believe it or not, this house does need some work. Look at that crappy grass!

winter 2008

Words left unsaid, deeds left undone

Around the corner I have a friend,
In this great city that has no end;
Yet days go by, and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone.
And I never see my old friend's face,
For Life is a swift and terrible race. . . .
But tomorrow comes--and tomorrow goes,
And the distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner! -- yet miles away. . . .
"Here's a telegram, sir. . . ."
"Jim's died today."
And that's what we get, and deserve in the end:
Around the corner, a vanished friend.
~Harriet Beecher Stowe

This poem inspired me to really get this blog started and to try and really reconnect with family and old friends. I just want all of you to know that I do think of you often and the roles you have played in my life. Thank you.

For the Grandmas and the Grandpas

After one year in Idaho, I think I've found a way to keep the grandparents in touch with what AJ, Tessa and Julianne are doing. I hope this helps lessen the distance between Kansas and Idaho. Just be patient with me because after four years of college and working for a newspaper, I cannot download pictures without something going wrong.