Someone's Three!

Three years ago today a little toe head came a flyin' out of my body(sorry to be so graphic), literally. We were so excited to have a 7 lb 14 oz, healthy little brother in our family. Logan seemed so little while he held the tiny addition. Now here it is three years, and many pounds later and that little toe head is still as blonde as can be but an even more important part of the family.

Ben has been asking and asking to go to Chuck-E-Cheeses. I've told him over and over again not until his birthday. So we finally took him there today, and boy, what a treat! You'd think I'd given him the world.

Someone asked me today if he really understood that it was his birthday, and my answer was a very quick "YES!" I told him we were going to the gym this morning, he said, "Nooooooo!" I don't know why he doesn't like the gym, I think maybe it's because Logan doesn't come with him now that he is in school. I told him sorry but we were going. He responded by saying, "NOOOOOOO, it's my birthday." Smarty pants, I know.

The day was pretty uneventful, the usual stuff, errands, cleaning, etc, etc. Then we went to Subway(our weekly date) and then picked up the boys from school. We went to the park like we do almost everyday. But today was especially gorgeous. If you notice in the pictures Ben's face got pretty banged up there, he plays hard man.


After we got home we waited for Wes and then headed over to Chuck-E-Cheese. Ben didn't like the guy dressed up like a mouse, but what little kids does. We stayed until we ran out of tokens then headed home for cake and presents.

Ben got some awesome gifts (special thanks to gramma, and papas for sending goodies via mail). After he played with the loot we shuffled the kids into bed for one last birthday kiss.

We are grateful to have this little boy in our lives. He's been a handful lately(hard to believe, I know) but can't imagine life without him in it. Thanks Benny O. for being ours!

Halloween-Star Wars Style

We had a great Halloween this year. The week started out rainy, but it all dried out and it ended up being a perfect day for trick-or-treating. The boys have been waiting and waiting for the day when I would finally let them wear their costumes without saying, "Oh no, don't do that your gonna ruin your costume!"

Classic Ben above

Clone Trooper and Darth Vader

We met up with our friends who just so happened to be Star Wars characters as well!

Clone Trooper, Commander Cody, and Darth Vader II

Darth Vader vs Master Yoda

This is Ben and his BFF Aiden, it was hilarious they kept hitting each other and crying, then they would go back for more.

The whole cast!

Hope your Halloween was as Boo-rific as ours!

L&B

Here is a brief highlight of what are boys have been up to:

Benjamin- now knows how to spell his full name. Before he used to say, "B-e-n, that spells Ben." Now he can tell you all 8 letters in his name. He talks like crazy and understands so much. We are amazed at what comes out of this child's mouth. On Friday he said to me as I was making dinner, "Mom, there's a shark in here. I'll save you." He ran upstairs grabbed his "gun"(really a star wars light saber), ran down stars and began shooting the shark. "I'm shooting him in his tail mom, now I shooting his chest. I'm shooting his arm mom." Then from the background I hear, "Ben shark's don't have arms"-can you guess who said this? Yeah, Logan. So I said, "Sharks don't have arms, what do they have(fully expecting him to say fins)"

He looked at me for a sec really thinking and said, "Wings?"

Here he is with his gun

We signed Logan up for Fall Ball(t-ball), he is loving it. He looks so cute in his baseball cap, and has quite the arm. He has another Logan on his team so he is called "Rusty" as is Rusty Staub the famous pro ball player. Here are a few pics of his game Saturday

Logan is doing awesome. He is finally starting to adjust to kindergarten. Remember kindergarten in Texas is full day. He has lots of friends and got all checks marks on his first report card. He is reading like a champ, and understands math really well, I'm amazed. He loves Star Wars and cannot wait for Halloween to be here so he can finally run around in his clone trooper costume. He lost a tooth in June is is about ready to loose another.

And that's a wrap!

The Tyler Half

(pre-race jitters, driving to the starting point)

Well, I did it again, as crazy as it may seem. I ran another 13.1 miles.
A while ago I befriended a girl at the gym. We met while we ran on the treadmill. Occasionally I would catch her looking at my speed and distant, and if we're all being honest here, I sometimes checked out what she was running. Finally one day she said, "Thanks for being my silent running buddy. I wanted to stop then you showed up and helped me finish."


Since then we have become running friends. I ran my first half and subsequently she entered and ran in her first, and second and lots of other races. It had been a year and half since I ran my first half and she motivated me to do it again. I remember the day, we talked about it and I came home with the determination to do it again. I called up a friend and said, "hey wanna run a half marathon with me?" She said yes and the rest is history. We began training a few weeks later in the middle of the summer. The only way to escape the heat was to get up at 5 am and beat it, those were hard days. It all paid off yesterday!

Throughout the course of training several other girls joined in the running fun. We had so much fun going on our long Saturday runs and stopping off for a smoothie afterwards. However, due to pneumonia and several other leg injuries, not to mention crazy schedules some of our devoted running buddies couldn't run in the race.



(miles 8 or 9, giving some of my fans, aka Log and Ben a "high five", check out the guy behind me, don't know exactly what he's smiling about, also his shoes. I read about them in this book, crazy to see)


So those who could saddled up for a trip east to Tyler Texas. (Have you even ever heard of it?) We had a great time, we went to Olive Garden and pounded pasta the night before, then woke up early for what looked like perfect running weather(and it was!!).


(mile 10, Wes drove passed me in the car, I was walking. He said, "don't quit now only 3 miles left. Then I pointed to the water, "just getting a drink sweetie" I replied. I haven't mastered the art of drinking and running at the same time.)

It was a HARD run, hills up the wazoo. They killed me and my time, but I finished and can put it down in the record books(my journal of course). Thanks for all who ran with me, motivated me, supported me, and cheered me on(either personally or mentally its all the same). I loved it and can't wait to do it again!

(the finish, check out the medal, s! Don't know if you can tell by our faces but we are glad to be done!)

My neighbor called today and asked me if I won. That you might all get a good laugh out of that one, clearly he doesn't understand the word elite!

Latest Project

For You

Mom

Mom, you're a wonderful mother,

So gentle, yet so strong.

The many ways you show you care

Always make me feel I belong.
You're patient when I'm foolish;

You give guidance when I ask;

It seems you can do most anything;

You're the master of every task.
You're a dependable source of comfort;

You're my cushion when I fall.

You help in times of trouble;

You support me whenever I call.
I love you more than you know;

You have my total respect.

If I had my choice of mothers,

You'd be the one I'd select!

Staub Family Reunion

We had an awesome time with the Staubs and the lakes! First we drove to east Houston and stayed at Artesian Lakes. It was such a neat place that I would go to again in a heartbeat. It was a chain of lakes with cabins, swimming pools, fishing, pony rides, and more. As we drove into the swampy area I turned to Wes and said, "You don't think they have alligators in here do you?" Wes quickly said, "I am sure they keep them cleaned out."

As soon as we checked into our cabin and sat on deck facing the lake, this is what we saw...

Sure enough there were alligators. They alligators were very entertaining. We sat and watched them for hours. Actually the alligators were interactive. We would throw stuff at them and see what they would do. Did you know alligators will eat hot dogs, tortillas, and marshmallows?





We also saw the hugest snapping turtle to roam the earth. This picture does not do it justice. It's head was roughly the same size as Wes's(and that's pretty big, right?)





We celebrated a big birthday for Sheriee. It was a fun surprise. It was really fun to be with everyone, we had a really good time. Here are our attempts at family pictures...




Grandparents and the grandkiddos...



After Artesian lakes we headed up to the family lake. There we swam, napped, laughed, talked, went to the island, but probably my favorite part was the talent show put on by the grand kids. They each showed us a special talent and then all sang primary songs.


Oh, and here is a funny picture of Ben

All in all, we had a wonderful time. Thanks again Vern and Sheriee for hosting a great party!! We love you.

Random Colorado Pictures

I can't seem to o get my act together to make a clever, cute post. Mostly because I have two little people sitting right by me and pushing buttons and making nosie and just being distracting. So here they are, in no particular order.

We had so much fun, despite the sickies and snow. We miss you already and can't wait to go "home" again!!

Dinosaur World

Logan had a paleontologist visit at school a couple of weeks ago. The Dr. brought in a pamphlet for a place called Dinosaur World. Logan has literally been carrying around this pamphlet everywhere, the grocery store, church, school, everywhere! Wes and I decided to surprise him and go yesterday. It was a blast. The only downside was it was just about a 2 hour drive. We stayed about 1 1/2 hrs, then two hours home.

First we dug in the fossil pit....

Then we walked around the park looking for the 100 life sized dinos.

After our walk we played at the playground,

Then we visited the musem.... It was a good time. The boys are already asking to go again.

Dear Jason Mesnick,

I hate you from the bottom of my heart. You've failed. Failed the bachelor, America, but most especially Melissa. You are a creep and wouldn't know love if it jumped out and bit you in the batooty. Good luck with Molly, but I don't give your relationship more than 6 weeks.

Sincerely yours,

Staub Squad

ps-Molly don't forget you were not number 1, but number 2. Melissa, we still love you the most. You were by far the better catch.

Would the real slim shady please stand up?

If you are from Oregon and you like to look at my blog, please, please leave me a comment. I don't know anyone in Oregon and I'm always up for makin' new friends!!
love,
the staub squad

An understandable mistake...

Wes and I are sitting in gospel doctrine on sunday listening to a wonderful lesson that was well thought out and planned, when he leans over to ask me a question. "What is Sister Osborne's first name?" Shoot, I can't remember. I started mulling it over in my mind.

W:"It's Sharon isn't it?

K: Definitely, that's it.

You see, Wes had to teach his lesson in the third hour and wanted to borrow her chalk. Assuming we remembered her name he jumped up and went to talk to her.

W:Sharron, great lesson and do you mind if I borrow your chalk?

Sister Osborne:No problem and by the way, it's Jennifer(name has been changed to protect identity).



After church Wes told me what had happened and how embarrassed he felt. He then asked me why I so positively told him her name was Sharron. I knew her name was Jennifer, why did I do that?

Then this image flooded my mind....











It's times like these that our minds prove to be a very powerful things.