Visit to South of Bellevue Kennels

Over the weekend we visited Mark & Gail in Bellevue. We had a great time. Rett was able to get in a bunch of training with Stormy. And of course, he learns a ton just watching Mark work his dogs. I got to watch, do a lot of chatting with good friends, and enjoy myself while the boys played dog training. Crew & Drake were really well behaved. It's so nice to be able to do things with them as they are growing up and able to understand what it means to be good and listen. Don't get me wrong, they are still little boys and have their moments, they get really excited, or just have tons of energy and don't always know how to channel the excitement or energy. But it's really fun when they are well behaved. So, after a lot of dog training, Mark got down this kayak and took the boys around in one of his ponds. It was such a treat for them! They loved it! And right as we were loading up to come home, they asked to go again, but we needed to head out. We are so grateful for good friends and the fun we get to have with them! They love our boys just like grandparents and are so good to us! We owe a lot of our knowledge of dogs to Mark. What a blessing to have good friends!

Mark & Drake

Mark, Drake, & Dog

Crew & Dogs

Crew & Dog

Mark, Drake, & Dogs

Mark & Crew in Boat, Drake running w/ Dogs

Mark & Crew

Drake, Crew, & Rett

Zink in Canada

Zink, Libby, Riot

Zink has been back with Kenny and Marcy. They went to Canada to run the trials up there during June. Zink took 2nd place in the Open in Saskatoon, which qualified him to run in the Canadian National later this year. A pretty amazing accomplishment, especially for a 2 1/2 year old dog! Way to go Zink! We miss you, but are so proud of your hard work! Rett was so excited the day he heard the news! It was really cute.

Utah Valley Half Marathon & KidsK

A friend of mine hooked me up with a free race pass to the Utah Valley Half Marathon. It was sweet! Anyway, I had some pretty good training runs this spring, and felt really good this year. I didn't have any injuries, and very few aches and pains. I should have trained a little better on hills. But I felt like I could try for a new PR. I ran the Top Of Utah Half last year in 1:47, so I was trying for 1:45. I was so excited when I came in at 1:44! YAY! My friend Jen ran it and was excited to enjoy running again. My sister in law Megan also ran it, and set herself a new PR and got to run with a friend from high school. While I was running, I saw a couple of old neighbors from Saratoga Springs, and was reminded of how many wonderful friends I had there. Then, when I got home and looked at the pictures Rett took, I noticed a friend from the old neighborhood at the finish line right next to me. Silly that I didn't see her during the actual race, but she's in my pictures! I felt pretty good after the run, and didn't even think I was going to be sore, until I woke up the next morning and my legs were pretty sore. Crew loves to ask what your favorite part of something is, and my favorite thing about running is when I get to the end and see my family! I am so grateful that I have the blessing of a strong physical body that allows me to do something I love and keep myself in shape.

At the end of my 13.1!

Over my right shoulder is
my old neighbor Brooke!

Megan, in white, and her
friend Rachel.

Megan & Jenn

Me & My Boys!

Crew has been really excited to run a race for a while now. We talked about it before my last half, but it was a lot of money for a kids race, so we didn't do it. This one was FREE! The kids got a little t-shirt, and it was the perfect distance for them. Crew had a really good time, and says he wants to do it again. Drake pulled one of his social anxiety things and TJ said half way through the race, he looked down and Drake looked like he was about to cry, so they walked the rest of the race. When they got to where we were standing, and he noticed us cheering for him, he looked away, and wouldn't even look at us! At the finish, he just wanted to go to the car. And when we asked him, he said he never wanted to do it again. I'm so proud of my boys for doing the race. And I am so glad they tried something that I love. And even if Drake doesn't want to do it again, that's ok, because he is a great cheerer! Love you boys and your Dad and Uncle for helping you race! 

Rett & Crew, TJ & Drake
Getting ready for the KidsK Race!

Crew & Rett at the finish!

Drake & TJ at the finish!

My wonderfully supportive family!

Crew & Drake
Love the costume Crew!
Love the crooked smile Drake!

Rett's Birthday

Rett had to share his birthday with me this year, as it ended up falling on Mother's Day. But we still had a nice dinner and cake for him! It was a delicious chocolate bunt cake and turned out perfectly. It was even better and more moist the next day! Rett, we love you so much and hope you know what a wonderful husband and father you are to us! We don't tell you enough how much we appreciate your hard work for our family. You are the best! XOXOXO!

Crew's Preschool Graduation

Crew had a preschool graduation last week. It was really fun to see him with his class. He got a little shy in front of all the other parents. He has LOVED school. This was his second year of preschool and I feel like he's very ready for kindergarten. A very common topic in our house lately is when school will start. The boys are both very excited. Crew will be in Kindergarten, and Drake will be in his first year of preschool. Drake will go to preschool twice a week in the mornings, and Crew will go to kindergarten every afternoon during the week. I will admit, I was a little bummed that I wouldn't get a couple of hours a week to myself because of the opposite schedules. I have decided though, that it is actually a wonderful opportunity for one on one time with each of the boys and I am super excited to be able to spend that time with them!

This is one of Crew's buddies from class. His name is Shandon. They love to play together. Crew was little bummed to find out that he wouldn't be going to kindergarten with him because of the way they split up the classes, but we told him he'd probably end up in his class at some point and that we'd still have him over to play.

During graduation, the teacher said a little blurb about each kid. This is what they had to say about our cute little Crew! We were so excited for him and can't wait to see the amazing things he learns and progress he makes as he continues his education in the fall. We hope he will always make education a priority in his life. We love you Crew! "Crew is 100% thoroughbred cowboy. Whatever Crew does, he does it at 100%. That includes his school work, playing with friends, and even listening. Crew is very intent on doing a great job! Crew is aware of the feelings of others and sets out to be fair and kind. He has a good head on those broad shoulders. He's the kind of boy you would want to have be a friend to your child."

Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon

Last weekend I ran the Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon with an old neighbor and friend, Jen. It was a great race. It ran through the Thanksgiving Point Gardens, Golf Course, and all around. There were a few really steep hills, but they were short, so they were manageable. Jen had an awful cold and cough, so we took it a little easy. But it was tons of fun to run together and get to catch up! My cute sister Jolene came to the finish area with Rett and the boys, and it was so good to see her. She also gave the boys these silly glasses and they have had so much fun playing with them! Thanks for being a great Aunt Jo! The race registration included a couple of free passes to the Thanksgiving Point Venues, so we took the boys to Farm Country afterwards. There were all kinds of baby animals, and it was so fun. Also that same weekend, Rett ran Zink in the Salt Lake Field Trial and took 4th in the Qual. After Zink's amazing year in the derby, it's hard settle for 4th, but he was the youngest dog running it, and he did really well for all things considered.

Jenn & Jen

Jolene, Rett, Jenn, Crew, Drake

Rett, Jenn, Crew, Drake

Jolene, Crew, Drake

Crew & Drake

Sleeping Positions

The other night Rett was home with the boys. I told them they could have a movie night. Which at our home, requires a movie and popcorn. I took longer than they were thinking I would, and Rett kept telling them to just wait till I got home. Crew was a little upset and ended up falling asleep in a funny position! Luckily Rett got a picture of it!



As I was looking through the pictures on the computer, I realized he has a history of falling asleep in funny positions! So, here are some of the pictures I found! They make me laugh! Silly Crew! I love that he gives Rett and I a good laugh! What on earth did we do before we had our kids? I know, lot's of fun things together with just the two of us, but Rett and I love our boys so much that we can't imagine life without them! It's funny the paths life takes you down...I feel like my life is more blessed than I could ever have dreamed! These three boys make me the happiest woman on earth! Enjoy the funny sleeping pics!

He is under that blanket! It's a miracle he didn't suffocate!


This one I am pretty sure we were getting ready to leave and he ended up falling asleep before we left the house!

This is how he slept for a long time! He's outgrown it now though, and sleeps in a more normal position most nights!

This wasn't too long after Drake was born, and he REALLY liked the baby swing and had gotten up super early one day, and ended up falling asleep around 9am in the baby swing!

This was at my sister Tierra's wedding. It was a little late when we were cleaning up, and he found a spot and put it to use!

I don't know what the story is behind this one. I wish I did! I seriously don't know how he could sleep like this! I sure wouldn't be able to!

And this is pretty typical on a long drive!

Crew is 5!

Crew had a sweet #5 this year! His birthday celebrations actually started a while back! His Grandma Teresa saw that Zorro the Musical was playing at Hale Center Theatre and wanted to take him. It was a little early, but he was excited to have a night out with Grandma, Ron, Unlce TJ and Megan, Uncle Seth and Jessica, and Mom and Dad. It was really good. It started at 7pm, and Crew just couldn't make it through it. He fell asleep, even after we stuffed him with candy and coke during intermission, hoping it would keep him awake. He still thought what he saw was super cool, and had a great time with everyone!

(This advertisement is actually my sister Tiffiny's brother-in-law Danny Frederickson. He wasn't in the show, but was asked to do the advertisements before casting was ever done. He probably would have made a better Zorro too. The one we saw was a great actor, but wasn't tall, dark, or anykind of Latino looking!)



Then, Crew was so lucky that his cousins had spring break during the week of his birthday! Tiff brought them up to surprise him and came to stay a couple days. It was so much fun to have them here! We even conned a friend into letting us take them on horse rides! It made for a pretty cool birthday activity! Another thing Crew was so excited about was that his Kindergarten Open House was on his birthday! So we let TIff and the other kids stay home to decorate for his party, and Mom & Dad took Crew to see his new kindergarten classroom and meet his teacher. It was pretty fun! Then came home and had a cake and ice-cream and opened presents.

Grandpa Kip and Deb gave Crew a new belt. It's really pretty and he was very excited that it fit well into his belt loops!

He has wanted to play Super Squad Chutes and Ladders every day since then!

And he also has wanted to make something from this book everyday since his birthday! Some day mom will get her act together, and we'll get some fun things made!

This was his big present Dad had made for him. He was really excited and it was so cute. So he gave his old chaps to Drake and now they each have a pair to play in. Some days they get all dressed up as cowboys and play cowboys ALL DAY LONG!

So, not my best cake. I was super pressed for time, and didn't have enough frosting made, but figured it really didn't matter if the frosting didn't look perfect, and Crew still loved it!

Crew with all his Frederickson cousins! Sam, Maggie, Michael, and Gabe.

Crew with Grandpa Kip and Debbie.

Crew with Mom, Dad, and Drake.

Speaking of Drake...This picture doesn't even do justice to how sad he was. It's very hard to be 3 years old and understand why brother gets presents and you don't. Actually, we did give him a few things, but not as much, not as cool, and not new chaps! He was so sad and his faces were so funny. I just didn't capture how sad he was that night!



I can't believe how big my little Crew Boo is! He has grown up so fast! He's so excited about starting kindergarten in the fall. He is such a good big brother! He wants to learn so much. And he is such a fun boy to be around! He is still a really good cuddler, and I LOVE that about him! He is loving getting to make new friends at school and never stops talking about them. He is always reminding us about having prayers, blessings on the food, scripture study, and family home evening. He still loves to play cowboys and superheros. He loves puzzles and games. He loves to be outside. He loves feeding the dogs and helping Dad with chores. He is a really good helper cleaning up inside too. He's growing out of some of his OCD sensory stuff, which is a relief! He is so sweet and always asks how we slept in the morning, or how our days were. It is so cute! And I'm so glad he's growing up into such a caring boy! Crew is such a good boy and we are so glad he's a part of our family!

Here are a few pictures that took me down memory lane....still seems like he should be as small as he is in some of these pictures!

Easter

We had a nice Easter. Crew and Drake woke up and went to the couch to see what the Easter Bunny brought. Only, Drake didn't really remember what happens on Easter. So he saw his basket full of stuff and asked "Is it my birthday?". It was so funny. We had to explain to him that everyone gets something on Easter, and it doesn't have to be your birthday. I laughed so hard! Their favorite present was a new "bull shirt" which they call basically any long sleeve, button up, collared shirt. They were so excited to wear them and I didn't even get a picture! We tried to help the boys understand the real meaning of why we celebrate Easter. I think they get it. A little. The chocolate may have just melted their minds to focus for very long though!



Drake's still obsessed with monkeys, and loved this little monkey filled with candy!


Crew is very into drawing right now, so he was super excited about a BIG drawing book!


And the swim goggles were a big hit! They boys can't wait to actually get to try them out FOR REAL!


We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!