Jace's 4th Birthday

Jace at Kangaroo Zoo....what a crazy dare devil he is.

He could have played in this tube for hours.

I don't know who enjoyed his nap more...me or him...notice the mustache from his chocolate milk. We live it up on birthday's around here!


Today was Jace’s 4th birthday, and I can’t believe how the time has flown. When he was born 4 years ago, it was the Friday before General Conference. What a great way it was for me to bond with my new baby, sitting in the hospital bed, being served every meal, holding my baby and listening to conference. Even though it was a cold and windy day today, we were able to do some fun things. Hannah had playgroup this morning for 2 hours, so I was able to take Jace to Kangaroo Zoo, just me and him. (The kids get a free ticket every birthday.) After about an hour of running around he said he was ready to go home. But since he wanted a pizza for his birthday lunch, we went to the store and picked up a pizza and looked at the bikes there. Just to see what was available. After lunch with Hannah, I started making the pumpkin pies that he requested for dinner (instead of birthday cake…why not have your favorite on your birthday right?). He said to me, “Mom, can I go take a rest on your bed?” Why sure…who wouldn’t want to take a nap on their birthday, his Broadhead traits show through more and more.
That night we had a little family party with Gramee and Bumpa, Grandma Bug and Cassidy, and also Kelly and Aimee. At Jace's request we had rice and chicken and of course the pumpkin pie for dessert. Jace was very excited about his extra large Transformer that talks. And amazingly enough it didn't break within the first 5 minutes! We had a great time hanging out with the family, and even Shannon our babysitter stopped by and brought Jace a present. Now on to plan the friend party!

Jace and Sara's Soccer 2009

Josh and Jace going after the ball.

Robert, Jake, Jace and Josh with their awards

Jace running neck and neck down the field.

Warming up before the game

I was a very 'serious' coach. Just kidding, all I really cared about was the kids actually kicking the ball in the right direction down the field.



This year, even though Jace wasn't 4 by September 1st, I 'begged' PG Rec. Dept. to let him play soccer, since I didn't want to chase him every game to try and keep him OFF the field. They agreed, and soon after called me and Nate to be his coaches. (Well it ended up just being me, because Nate was asked to be and assistant coach for Brady's football team.) I figured I couldn't mess up 4 and 5 year olds very much with my 'extensive' soccer knowledge. We had a good year and actually won some of our games. Although sometimes I felt like I was babysitting instead of coaching, those cute little kiddos made a soft spot on my heart. I loved it when they would call me 'Coach' whether we were on the field or if I would see them elsewhere. About 1/2 way through the season, Jace said to me, "I just want Dad to be my coach." He was having a bad day, and didn't want mom to be coach anymore....he wanted me to be mom. Even though Jace wasn't the best player on the team, most kids were 2 years older than him, he has pretty great talent. A little bragging on my part, but he was one of the only kids that could drop kick the soccer ball. He was also pretty fast running down the field, and could get ahead of other players, but had no sense of direction and couldn't stear his kicking towards the goal. So it usually went out of bounds. But for an almost 4 year old, I think he had a great 1st year.

Rachel Soccer

Rachel's team (as best she can remember their names): ?, ?, Bailey, Macey, RACHEL, ?, Alexia, Autumn, Becca, Macey, ?

Rachel had some great defending skills!


Rachel just finished her 2nd year of soccer, and although it took a little bribing on my part (I told her she couldn't do gymnastics unless she did soccer), she absolutely loved this soccer season and can't wait until next year. I think one of the differences is having a coach...a really good coach...that teaches the girls rules and fundamentals of soccer. It was nice to not see 'a pack of kids' chase after the ball, and actually have defenders, forwards, and mid-fielders. One of her good friends, Autumn Redd, was on her team and they loved being defenders together. She also liked being on an all girls team, since she felt like she had just as much skill as anyone else. (In fact the first week she told me, "Mom, Becca and I are the best soccer players on our team.") I love it when kids think that they are the cream of the crop!

Happy Birthday to Dad...oh yea...and ME!!!!!!

Well since we will be out of town for Labor Day weekend, I thought that I would make a quick post in honor of me and my dad. It was 34 years ago tomorrow, September 5th 1975, that my mom went into labor. Since it was the time before ultrasounds (not that my parents would have found out what they were having), the first thing that my dad said to Dr. Smoot was, "Well, it's my birthday, I already have 2 little girls, so this has GOT to be a boy!" (Well something to that effect anyway ;-) Oops sorry dad, I was a girl! But I've never felt that you were sad that I wasn't a boy, you FINALLY got a boy 10 years later. And I have LOVED sharing my birthday with you every year. Sometimes I have to remind you how old you really are, but that is just because we are both kids at heart! Like you've always said, the only thing that makes me look old, are the ages of my kids. I have loved the tradition of always being gone to the cabin over Labor Day weekend, because that means that we are spending time with our loved ones. While growing up, every birthday was at the Granny and Pa's cabin. And now we are making some wonderful memories at the cabin down in Fairview. (The first birthday I remember actually waking up in my own bed, was my Sweet 16...and then I had to cheer that night.) But it's always been wonderful to have this special day with you! (I'll post pics of me and my dad later.)

Confession

Well I have a confession to make....I made a goal at the beginning of the year with 3 'running' goals. Here they are:
1st: Run a 1/2 marathon...check (SLC 1/2)
2nd: Run the Wasatch Back...check
3rd: Run a second 1/2 marathon...ummm still waiting for this.

And actually I probably won't do it for a number of reasons. Since most 1/2's are on Saturday, between now and the end of October we are crazy busy with Football and soccer. I was going to run the Provo River 1/2, but was invited to go and hike Mt. Timp instead on that day. So my friend Annie and I were looking at other 1/2's to do, since she wants me to reach my goal too. We found one in November called the Snow Canyon 1/2. But now we have been invited to do a Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hike instead on that weekend. I think I am going to do it. And honestly, from what I've been told, it is just as challenging as a full marathon. We start at the North Rim of the G.C., and hike 5 miles down. At the bottom (where there is only a 5 ft elevation), we will RUN 9 miles across. Then we hike up 10 miles to the South Rim. For a total of 24 miles. It sounds a little crazy to do all in one day, they usually suggest completing it in 3 days, but that is during the hot summer months. I hope all of our plans work out in setting this up in such a short time, because this is something that I would love to check off my list and say that I've actually done it. When I first heard about it I was like, wow that sounds so cool...crazy, but cool.
So I guess my confession is that I won't be achieving my goals that I set at the beginning of the year...just tweaking them a bit. Now I just need to cross train, and get a few extra long runs in before November 7th!