The Peach Pedal 2011

Last Saturday, John and I participated in the Peach Pedal. It was our annual "bike date." Before we had kids, we did all of our biking events and rides together, so a while back, we decided that each year we wanted to do at least one ride together. This is the third time we've participated in the Peach Pedal, but this time we did the 100K. The distance was just right, but the heat and hills I could have done without.

(Funny, I just read the post I wrote the last time we did this and apparently I had forgotten that time too how bad the hills are...maybe I'll remember next time).

We had a great time, and even though this was our bike date, we still had a few friends join us for the ride, which I didn't mind at all. It was still lots of fun. Of course, my sweet hubs was always loyal to me and gave me the draft and the gentle nudge up some of those rolling hills- what a gentleman :) I love how these pictures don't even come close to showing how rough we all felt (minus John. I think he could have gone all day). It was seriously 100 degrees and we were all covered in salt and grime, but at least we're still smiling!

I was especially grateful for the most wonderful baby-sitter. How many six-teen year old girls do know who are not only willing, but are extremely capable to come to your house at 6 am and watch your two active little boys for 6 hours- and that includes one meal one snack and lots of Diabetes duties!?! I swear she is heaven sent! It did make me laugh to see John flying up a steep hill (while the rest of us were just struggling to keep up) with the cell phone to his ear discussing the breakfast bolus.

It may not have been a candle-lit dinner, but it was fun and we got matching t-shirts out of it, so that's pretty awesome. I'm so grateful that we have "a thing"- something that we love to do together, something that brings us both joy, something that we can talk about and plan for, and something that we hope someday to be able to share with our whole family.

Dynamic Duo

Tyler showed her a picture of the robot he wanted to be, and she got right to work cutting and taping this little number together for him.

Afterwards, I'm sure she dreamed up some totally creative, imaginary scenario that she wanted them to act out together that included something about princesses and puppies, and he probably went along with it because she's the only one in the world who can get my boy to do that type of thing.

...and this is why we have her over for play dates so often.

Fourth of July

We had a fun-filled Fourth of July weekend this year. Here's a brief recap of some of the things we did.

We knew the day of the Fourth was going to be a busy one and our boys probably wouldn't last late into the night for fireworks, so we went to watch one of the local firework shows that are put on the few days prior to the fourth. It worked out perfectly!

Here is our attempt at a family picture.

...and a few of the out-takes.

I love this picture of Ty and John with their matching outfits and haircuts...so cute!

(I should mention here that Tyler was really excited to have matching hair with dad)

We also decorated bikes for the bike parade and breakfast that our church holds every year on the morning of the fourth.

Here are the boys enjoying their breakfast. It was scorching hot, but we still had a good time. Spending the morning with good friends made me appreciate the ward family that we have and the strong friendships that we've made here.

The boys participated in the bike parade (or bike pa-race as I like to call it because you can't put 40 kids on bikes in an open parking lot and expect them not to race)

After the parade we went to the theater to watch Cars 2 with our cousins. John's brother recently moved here, and we're so glad to have them close by. They had plans to head to Dallas for a work party that evening, but we were glad we got to spend a little bit of time together.

After a quick lunch and naps, we headed over to have pizza and to swim in our neighbor's pool. They were out of town and asked Tyler to feed their fish, water the plants, get the mail, and swim in their pool. We were very dutiful in fulfilling all our responsibilities.

The boys had a great time splashing, swimming, and playing. And John and I loved relaxing on a blanket in the shade. We really enjoyed having a pool all to ourselves. It was a perfect way to unwind, relax and just be together as a family. After spending the rest of the evening in the pool, the boys were exhausted and ready for bed.

This was one of those days that made me grateful- grateful to live in a country that allows me so many opportunities and freedoms, grateful for good friends, grateful for finally having family close by to celebrate holidays with, and grateful for my little family that brings me so much joy.

Six years ago...

Today marks the six year anniversary of the day we took our adorable, little Tyler to the temple to be sealed to us. I can't believe it's already been six years. And I can't believe how much my gratitude for adoption, temples, and families has grown.

That day was so special- one I will cherish forever. Our court date was two days prior. It too was special. We became an official family, recognized by law for our time on earth, but it wasn't until our sacred sealing in the temple that we became an eternal family, recognized by God for all eternity.

I look at this picture and see pure joy. Tyler's arrival into our family was nothing short of miraculous. Heavenly Father brought him to our family through the hands of a loving, selfless, and dedicated birth mother. I hope that when she placed him with us she envisioned his life to be everything that it is today.

(other posts about this experience found here and here.)