If you are a mother, have a mother, know a mother….well, you know that Sunday was Mother’s Day.  As I often say, tongue firmly placed in cheek, everyday is Mother’s Day at our house.  Anyway, Sunday was dedicated to me.  It was all about me….me, me, me…..Well a girl can dream, right?!?!

We started the day at church.  Upon arriving at church, I pleaded with everyone to be on their best behaviors because it was mom’s day.  They did pretty good. They are kids after all and the snacks did look really good and they totally forgot that they could only pick one. After church we went out for a bagel lunch which is a crowd favorite at our house.  Anything on a bagel works for us. We headed for home to put on some comfy clothes, hats and sunscreen and then we piled in the Cruiser and headed for the hills.  We drove up to Monument and spent the afternoon hiking around.  We found some fun new trails and beautiful views. Hiking with my family, camera in hand, is definitely one of my favorite things to do.  It has become a Mother’s Day tradition and I plan to keep it that way 🙂  The kids kept the whining (hungry, thirsty, tired, hot) to a minimum and we all enjoyed the day.  After a yummy dinner at Wahoo’s and ice-cream for dessert, we headed home.  I turned in my “get out of chores for a day” card and put my tired babies to bed. Mother’s Day, same time, same place, next year.  Enjoy the pics. 

Before anyone starts staging an intervention due to my lack of blogging, I am back! 

I am healing from surgery and feeling better.  The weather has finally turned gorgeous and I am itching to get out and run.  Truth be told, I am really missing my kid free chat time with my running partner!  Today was my post-op appointment and the doc gave me the okay to start running.  No lifting, but running is good. 

Last week we were busy with soccer practice and games, track days, a trip to the Denver Nature and Science Museum and tons of school activities. Adding to the mayhem, it was also Scott’s last week of work.  The kids have eleven days of school left before summer break and until then, life will be busy. 

To all my blogging friends~ are you having trouble with your pictures turning blurry after you post them?  I spend tons of time editing and then they look crummy when I upload them…..very frustrating….
I welcome advise or help 🙂

Okay, so I know that I haven’t posted about my 25K trail race last weekend.  I am still getting over the trauma of it.  No, just kidding. I am actually flat on my back from surgery.  Nothing major, just a hernia fix that I have been putting off for about 9 1/2 years.  Anyway, I am still recuperating and  bit sore still.  I thought this might be the perfect time to write a short post about the race.  Since I am still laying on the couch and all.  Laying on the couch for long periods of time is not something in which I am accustomed.  Scott is doing my job really well. Too good, if you ask me 🙂  He has mastered meals, piano lessons, doctor’s visits, field trips and school pick-ups. 

So, back to the race.  It took place at Cheyenne Mountain State Park.  This state park has recently opened and is awesome for hiking, running, camping and just exploring.  We hiked down there last summer and I remembered the trails being really wide and easy to navigate. Well, my memory was better than I thought (which hardly ever happens). Most of the trails were in good shape.  Some of them were pretty rocky but as long as I am careful, rocky trails can be fun and navigating between rocks can keep your mind busy.  The trails were also really twisty and winding, another good distraction.  The first half of the race was fun and went by fast.  The aid stations were stellar and I found myself checking out the buffet which included Pb&J’s, jelly beans, M n’ M’s, coke, sprite, water, Gatorade, pretzels, and on and on…. By mile 7 I was tired but still felt pretty good.  I saw Scott and the kids and that perks me up every time!  Back out on the trail, it seemed like we were doing a ton of climbing without the down to go along with it.  Up and up we went. So, I could continue to write the word up a few more times but I don’t want to bore you, completely.  Up pretty much summed up (he he) the rest of the course.  There was a slight down to the finish but needless to say, the second half kicked my butt.  I finished in 3:15 and was very happy with that time.  It seems that according to multiply GPS watches, the course was actually closer to 16.7 miles (not 15.5).  That makes sense when I look at my time and usual pace.   
Don’t laugh too hard at my picture.  I had a mouth full of jelly beans.  A mouthful of jelly beans makes it really hard to smile. 

So I won’t be running for a couple weeks or doing much of anything for that matter.  I think I could get used to this couch potato thing. 
Have a nice Saturday.  I will be here, right here, if you need me…..Jennifer

The Colorado Wescotts are having a great Easter Sunday!  I wish you all a blessed day and week!
Love, Jennifer

Sam has been working on a huge project for school.  He was assigned a local pioneer from the 1800’s and had to present on that pioneer. Not only did he have to present but he had to really get into character.  He researched and created a story board of his pioneer. He also had to give a speech about his pioneer.  We spent a lot of time preparing for presentations.  Yesterday was Pioneer Day at school. They gave speeches and presentations in the morning and had fun activities in the afternoon ending with singing and square-dancing.  Even I got to square-dance.  I know you are jealous.
Sam’s assigned pioneer was Major Henry McAllister.  McAllister was a very influential man in Colorado Springs. It was really fun learning about him.

For the last month, Paige’s kindergarten class has been studying a few different countries.  This week is Australia.  When Paige’s teacher sent out the email looking for a parent to make and bring in food from each country, I scrolled down to the last week possible and signed up for that date.  April 21st. A month ago, it seemed easy.  Bring in Australian food. Granted I have never been to Australia and I have no idea what Australians eat.  Soooo, this past weekend I did what every good mom does and I Googled it.  I found a very yummy recipe that included sponge cake, chocolate and coconut.  That seems universal to me.  I’m just sayin’.  Anyway, Paige and I got out the aprons this afternoon and made some very deliciously Australian Lamingtons.  Here is the play by play. 
Excuse the quality of my pics.  For some reason, unknown the me, some of my pictures are fuzzy and not as crisp when I send them over to blogger. 

Today we are having a gorgeous Colorado day.  It is a bit breezy but with warm temps and a blue sky.  We are lovin’ it!  We managed to get out for a short hike this afternoon and a bit of playtime in the backyard.  Here are some cute pics from our fun weekend.  Last night we introduced Scott’s parents to Just Dance 2.  Good times!
Jennifer

Just wanted to stop by and say Hey.

We are enjoying a visit from Scott’s parents. They are so good to make the trek west from Michigan a couple times a year and it is always awesome to see them!  The kids cannot get in enough games, cards, stories,etc.  They are soaking up the grandparent time, for sure.

We are all prepped again for a semi-busy weekend full of fun. 

I am spending part of my weekend at a missions meeting for my upcoming trip to Costa Rica.  I (and my team from church) am going for week at the end of May.  There is a lot to be done between now and the end of May and most of the time it feels like a race.  If I make it to the finish and haven’t dropped too many balls along the way, I call it a success!  Anyway, a mission trip has been heavy on my heart for quite some time and I don’t believe that it was a coincidence that this trip came along when it did.  I wish that Scott could go with me but the timing was not as perfect for him. 

Sam has a huge pioneer project due this week so we will be dedicating some quality time to finishing that up. 

Scott, his parents and the kids are heading out in the morning for a soccer game and then to the movies.  Good times all around!

We are trying to decide what the rest of the weekend has in store for us but we know it will be fun no matter what the activity. 

I hope you all have a great weekend.  We are loving the bit of rain we have gotten this week and are hoping for some more next week.  It is really dry and fires have begun to pop up around town and the state.  A couple weeks ago there was a small grass fire a mile down the road.  Just a bit too close for comfort!

Enjoy Spring!  It is wonderful to be able to open up windows and let the warm breeze in! 
Jennifer