A Weekend of Firsts

This past weekend marked the firsts for many in our family. It was the Huntsville Half Marathon and 5K run. This was Craig's first half marathon and he did well. He finished in 2:00:33. Though he was wanting a faster time, he did a great job! Craig's parents came out to cheer him on, as did the kids and I.

It was also my first. My first 5K and actually my first competitive run. I was pretty nervous the day of the race but it was a lot of fun. The hills were hard, but running in our community helps, as we have many hills too. I finished 2nd in my age group with a time of 30:11.

We received cool tech shirts and we both got a medal. Craig got a finisher's medal and I got a second place medal.

What also made it fun was the fact that some of our friends participated too!

Craig's dad even had fun clowning around, pretending he had raced and won!

The second part of the weekend and the most important first, was Lydia putting God first in her life. Lydia got baptized! She was just beaming! Usually the family stands to support the person getting baptized, but because so many people have nurtured Lydia along the way in our church, Craig asked all those who supported her to stand. She thought "Whoa!" when she saw everyone stand! It was great to have Craig's parents, his brother's family and my parents celebrating with us.

What a wonderful weekend of firsts!!!

I'm trying to spice up our blog. I hope you like the changes.

Events Galore!

This past weekend Calvin and Craig went backpacking and camping at Lake Sommerville with Calvin's boy scout troop. They had a wonderful time. They even went to the Bush Museum in College Station. Calvin loved it and wants to return as a family. Lydia and I ended up going to the SHSU football game at the last minute with my friend Kathy and her family. Lydia and Kathy's daughter, Allison, as such close friends. They had so much fun cheering and coloring pictures for people. They may have even watched some of the game! The cutest thing was their cheerleading costumes they both wore - unplanned!




On Sunday my brother, Mike, came to visit for the week. The kids got to spend time with him while we had our small group Sunday night and Craig got to play golf with him and my dad on Monday. I was able to go around with him Tuesday as he passed out his resume to various golf courses in the area. Tonight we are taking him to Red Robin. He loves a good burger and fries!!


Monday, Lydia got her Daisy pin for girl scouts. She had a little part in the ceremony. It was really cute.



Saturday, Craig is doing a half marathon and I am doing my first 5k. Craig's parents are coming up to help watch the kids. Then on Sunday Curtis and Tracie and their family are coming up because

LYDIA IS GETTING BAPTIZED!!

Lydia has been drawing pictures of getting baptized and drawing the family members that will be attending. Very cute! She worked through a book called "Now that I'm a Christian." It is a very special time and both sets of grandparents will be there too!

So these two weeks have been very eventful and wonderful!!

Our Activites

I'm writing this as I wait to take Calvin to piano. Calvin is inside playing legos and Lydia is running around in the backyard. It is so nice outside right now! Calvin loves it! He just started at the end of August and is enjoying new songs and playing duets with his Mimi (my mom). He is also busier and more motivated this year in Boy Scouts. He advanced to a new rank (Tenderfoot) and is working on another merit badge. Calvin and Craig have a 10 mile hike and campout this weekend at Hunstville State Park. Calvin isn't actually excited since he is still holding onto a cough, but I think with Craig going it will encourage him.

While they are gone, Lydia and I will make her halloween costume. She is going to be a paperdoll! Very cute idea from Family Fun! I'm not sure what else we will do - maybe work on her bike riding skills, as they need some work!

Another big thing going on now is the planning for our next vacation - Disney World! Wow, I never knew planning could be this detailed! But thanks to some websites, friends, family, and apps I think I have a good idea of how it all works. I will keep you posted on that as it progresses!

Before I close - I just got word that my brother passed his playing ability test (PAT) to restart his career as a Golf Professional. He was an Assistant Golf Professional at one time, but switched careers. He is thinking of going back to that and this was his first step towards it. So I had to send a praise about that!

Well - time to go take Calvin to piano! See you later!

Time Goes By

Well it has been 3 years since we updated this blog and a lot has happened!
1. Susan graduated from SHSU with a MS in Agriculture
2. Craig is now tenured and is an Associate Professor
3. We moved to a new house in Elkins Lake in 2010
4. Susan's parents moved to Huntsville, TX
5. The kids are now 11 and 7 and both attend Alpha Omega Academy
6. Craig is training for the Houston Marathon.

Our life is busy but is fulfilling. We still attend Elkins Lake Baptist Church and enjoy our family and friends. I will try to keep the updates coming, with recents photos.

That is all for today - I need to actually go get something done!!

So I am busy again!

Well, it is back to our busy life again - no posts, no photos! We just went through a hurricane, but with no major damage at our house. Our kids actually liked not having power for most of the week! God was good - he sent a cool front right after the storm. Calvin is busy with 3rd grade and is learning Latin. Lydia loves her little school on MWF. I will try to keep you posted on our life - but as you know my track record isn't too great. Until later - Susan

AHHH Summer!

The kids are already enjoying summer. Calvin got a slip-n-slide for his birthday and they got to play in the water at our church's splash day.

 

 

 

 

Food Fight!

For Calvin's 8th Birthday he had a food fight with his friends. We got a chance to try and hit him with whip cream. They also got to have a pudding flicking contest to see if they could flick the chocolate pudding in each other's mouths. Last, the kids had an all out food fight. Calvin said it was great except the macaroni was hard!

 

 

 

 

Food Fight

More pictures of the food fight!

 

 

 

 

Food Fight!

More Birthday Food Fight Photos.

 

 

 

 

The Best Mother's Day

I don't have any pictures of this :( but I had to share it. Craig and the kids asked what I wanted to do to have a special day, so I chose a picnic! We went to the State Park and had a picnic on the most perfect day! It was in the high 70's, clear sky, no crowds, and awesome food! I made gourmet chicken sandwiches with a garlic/rosemary dressing, hummus, pita chips, strawberries, cookies, veggies, dip, etc. It was so yummy! We played catch with the football, Frisbee, and follow the leader! Lydia chose follow the leader, but we all got to be the leader. We stayed at the park about 2 1/2 hrs just playing, eating, and laying on the blanket enjoying the day. It couldn't have been more perfect. Calvin even remembered to wish me a Happy Mother's Day right when he woke up! My kids and husband are so wonderful! I am blessed.

We ended the day with calls to our mothers, as we are blessed by them. I think I can easily say this is the best one yet!

Some of our newest pictures

These are from Easter at Craig's parents

 

 

Here are our kids in their new rooms! Lydia got Calvin's bed and a canopy to make her feel like a princess. When she saw it she said "It is a dream come true!" I think she has seen Cinderella one too many times. Almost every night she thanks God for her canopy!

 

Here is Calvin and Kallie in his room with new furniture we brought back from my parent's house. He loves his new bed and so does Kallie! We are working on having a space room for him. It still is in progress. Hopefully this summer I will be able to finish it then!

Hectic Schedules - no photos

Once again it has been awhile since I posted a blog. We are finishing up the semester with Craig taking oodles of trips and me staying home with the kiddos. Thankfully the weather is beautiful and I have been given a 'thumbs-up' to buy plants and play in the yard! The kids have been helpful in planting and digging as well! Calvin and Craig went on a cub scout camp-out last weekend and really enjoyed it. Calvin got to fish and ride his bike with the other boys. Lydia and I played in the yard and did the usual homemaking things (clean!). My semester is slowing down, thankfully. I have some stuff to turn in and complete for my class, but not as bad as before. The grant is going well and Craig and I seem to make a fine team! It is actually working out for us to work together! Who would have thought???? Of course many other happenings, but I won't go into detail. I just love this time of year with the flowers, beautiful weather and new little baby animals all over! Speaking of babies - you should see our church! We are full of pregnant women with babies being due all the time!!!! It is so cute! Lydia loves it - she loves the fat babies and the little fingers and toes! She actually was hugging a swing seat today saying it was her baby - pretty funny! Enough rambling - thanks for reading!
SORRY NO PHOTOS

Easter at ELBC

The kids got to hunt eggs and do crafts at our church the weekend before Easter. They seem to really get into the crafts and Calvin is like every other kid - competitive to the end! Lydia on the other hand just had fun and said "Mommy I am done" when she had enough, though many eggs were still on the ground!

Sleep Walking Once Again

No pictures for this one, but I have to post this!
Craig was gone this evening when I put the kids to bed and once he came in I told him Calvin wanted to see him, as he had already been up to check and see if Daddy had gotten home. Craig went into his room and Craig kind of "woke up" Calvin. Calvin then said

I want to call Daddy, I want to say hi to him.

Craig said,

OK, you can call Daddy.

So Craig walked Calvin out to the den and told me he wanted to call Daddy. I said sure, dialed Craig's cell number and gave it to Calvin. Calvin sat on the couch waiting for Daddy to answer. Standing about a 6 feet way from Calvin, Craig answered his cell phone. Calvin still was sitting there in a daze when Craig answered. Calvin then said "Hi Daddy" and when Craig said "Hi Calvin" Calvin must of woken up at that point because he looked up really confused and surprised to see Craig standing in front of him. We just started laughing then which I am sure kind of startled him more. He basically woke up then kind of laughing and amazed at how he didn't realize Craig was Daddy.... This isn't a strange occurrence for Calvin, as he sometimes has very funny sleep walking experiences. We always get a good laugh out of it! Hope you did too.

The Pinewood Derby

This is the first year Calvin has participated in cubscouts. As a result, we got to experience the thrill of pinewood derby racing! Calvin made a car and so did Lydia, who is considered a "me too". Of course they didn't do this alone. Craig's dad is really great with woodworking and took on the project. Thank you Grandpa! We had a great time racing and Craig's parents were able to attend.

Calvin's car came in first place twice and second place twice, which qualified him for the finals. However, the cars in the finals were very fast and Calvin didn't win. There were about 15 or so cars in his group, which made it harder for him to win. He did have a great car and really had a great time.



In the "me too" group there were only 4 cars. Three of the cars had the same shape - a block of cheese (triangular shaped). Her's was the only car with a different shape so I guess that is why she won best in show for her class. She also won first place out of the four cars each time, allowing her to win best in speed in her class. She was so proud. She now has two trophies.





Both kids got a blue ribbon for doing their best, along with the other entries and they also both won a t-shirt in a drawing. Next year Mommy is going to enter!!! They have an adult section too. We are already planning for next year!!!