My brother, the machine!

Last weekend my brother Tom ran a marathon in Yuma. Susan and his kids were not able to make it for this race so my parents went to watch him and cheer him on. They texted the entire family and kept us updated during the race. It was raining that day which I thought would make the race harder. There  were a lot of muddy farm fields to run through, but Tom said later that the rain felt nice. He started off at a good pace and with every text my parents sent they couldn't believe that Tom was smiling! Running, running, running, and smiling! :)

Tom said that around mile 18 things started to get really rough and he wanted to quit. His ankle and hip were giving out and he even told my mom when he was running by her on the side that his whole body was hurting and he wanted to stop. You have to know my brother to know that him saying he wanted to quit is a huge deal! He has done MANY races in the last decade including 4 other marathons, the Tour De Tucson several times, and a half iron man. For him to say that he is hurting and wanting to quit, you know he is HURTING. He kept going and started shedding layers of clothing that were drenched and handed it to my mom. Then my parents would get in the car, text the family again, drive to the next point they could stop at and wait for Tom to pass, checking on him, and cheering for him. They did this the entire race. 

The last 3 miles were uphill and Tom's leg and hip were hurting so bad he was limping while he ran and had bleeding blisters on his feet. My mom went and ran with him for the last half mile, cheering him on and telling him he was almost there. She said it looked like he was going to cry when he looked up and saw the finish line up ahead. 

Later on, Tom thanked the family for cheering him the whole way through text messages and he said he couldn't have finished the race without my parents there. 

This really touched me, I was emotional with every update and felt so proud of my brother and so happy that my parents were there with him. Tom is such an inspiration...his entire body was killing him and he wanted so badly to just stop, but he didn't. He enjoys working out and doing competitive races (always competing against himself for a better time) and enjoys being healthy. But he has told me many times that he does this simply because he loves it. Isn't that cool?! All because he loves it. 

I love my big brother and definitely look up to him :) Way to go on another amazing race Tom! 

Running hard and smiling :)

Shedding layers around mile 20

                                                

Cheering in the rain!

He made it! 

Snowbaording Trip!

Quint went on a snowboarding trip this year to Durango with a few friends and his brothers! He was especially excited to go with Danny and Josh. Snowboarding is Quint's happy place so I try to ship him off at least once a year so he can get his fix. He's always saying that he would love for it to be a tradition for our family to all go together every year someday. We'll see. :) 

In the mean time, he had a wonderful trip with his brothers and hopes that it will become an annual vacation for them! 

This is Quint...very, very happy!!

Poor Josh had a nasty fall on the first day and had to sit it out and recover the rest of the trip. Quint said Josh was in such good spirits about it and they all still had a blast together. 

Happy New Year!

We kicked off the New Year with a few friends over for some games, marshmallow roasting, and fireworks! Our backyard is not landscaped yet so it was perfect for building a fire pit and letting the kids run around and go crazy. But I think the fireworks were everyone's favorite! The kids loved it and we all had a good time.

                                                

Funny boys...

Gavin was rockin out! 

On New Year's Day we went and played in the snow! We went to a beautiful home on lots of land who belonged to a friend of a friend. :) There were lots of hills for the kids to sled on and they even had a play set in the backyard surrounded by snow! It was a fun little get away for the day.

 Tenley's first time in snow! She was very cautious and poked at it slowly, then would look up at us like she was asking if it was ok to touch it. Sweet girl.

 When everyone was done playing in the snow, they got out bee-bee guns and did some target shooting. It was Tristan's first time and he was actually a pretty good shot! 

We ended the day with some yummy hot chocolate! 

Happy New Year!!

A Merry Christmas 2012

We had an amazing Christmas! We were able to spend so much time with family, share special traditions, eat yummy food, and most of all reflect on the true meaning of Christmas...the birth and life  of our Savior. 

I remember last Christmas was such a blur to me. We all kept getting sick, we had a 2 month old who didn't want to sleep at night, and we had the brilliant idea to put our house up for rent in the crazy month of December! It was still a special holiday season, but I love that this year I was actually able to sit back and enjoy every moment. I really soaked it in! On Christmas morning I was watching my kids play after they opened all their gifts and I actually started crying! It was one of those sweet, rare moments where the world seemed like a perfect place, and I felt so blessed sitting by my husband and watching our young kids play with their new toys from Santa. I hope it's a moment I will never forget.  

                                                                         

 Baby girl, posing for mama!

Christmas celebration at the Saxton's home! We always have a yummy fondue dinner and dessert, play a gift exchange game, and read the Nativity and sing Christmas carols. 

My four big brothers! Anyone who messes with me better be careful...these guys have my back! ;)

 I love it when my dad gets in his goofy moods! He is too funny! 

Most of the cousins! We're missing Katie and Tradd

All the Lamoreauxs in town got together for Christmas Eve this year and we had a blast! Elaine made a yummy Mexican food dinner and Emma brought a delicious dessert. After dinner we had our gift exchange! Then, we all got bundled up and drove over to Winterhaven! It was a very memorable night.

CHRISTMAS MORNING!! 

In years past, Quint and I would wake up and go out to the family room to find that our boys had already opened their stockings and seen their Santa gifts and we kept missing their excitement, or the priceless look on their faces when they see what Santa brought! So this year, Santa decided to wrap their gifts (I know, duh)! We told Tristan we would set our alarm and come get them when it was time to wake up. We got up around 6:45 thinking that Tristan was probably DYING to come out of his room. We were so shocked that all three of them were still asleep! We turned on The Polar Express soundtrack really loud and started dancing and yelling for them! They ran out and came and jumped on us. I love that they ran to us first instead of their gifts...seriously wasn't expecting it, but it touched my heart. Then all of us ran in together to wake up Sissy. Everyone was finally awake so we got the party started! It was awesome watching them open their Santa gifts and stockings! 

This year, the boys each took $2 out of their piggy banks and went to the Santa Secret Workshop at Tristan's school and picked out gifts for each other. They were really small gifts like a whistle, slime, smencils (pencils that smell), but their reactions were soooo cute! They both yelled with excitement, said thank you, then hugged. Tender mommy moment :)

                                                                         

Tenley loves her glow worm! She gives it kisses and cuddles.

And to top off a wonderful Christmas, Sean stayed with us for a couple of days! The boys were in HEAVEN with him! He is such a good, sweet uncle. He played with them nonstop! We really enjoyed having him with us. Please come back soon, Sean!!

     

Haha :)