First Day of School

Aly's First day Of pre-K
Aly Could not wait to get to school!! She was so excited!!

Kylee too was excited about school. Now she gets to eat lunch with her classmates--but forget the nap--She'd rather play blocks and babies or make artwork with her teachers while she waits for Mommy to arrive!!

Year #3 for Daddy. Wow--time flies!! We are starting our third year here!!!

Mommy also gets to start a new class. This year I will teach Organic Lab.

Aly

The Pueblo Zoo

Visting the ZooAly, Kylee, Mommy and Daddy spent Sunday morning at the Zoo. The Girls had a blast. The weather was perfect and the animals were active. Lots to explore--spent more time watching the girls rather than shooting pictures--so here is a small sampling of the morning!

Tipi - similar to those lived in by native american Indians in CO!!

Kylee getting some air just outside the TIPI!!

Aly--trying to hug Kylee!! It did not go over very well!!!

Aly playing in the spiderweb!!

The Otters were a blast. The Zoo keeper hid the food and placed some in suet containers to make the otters "work" and search for their food to more resemble what they would need to do in the wild. The girls thought this was great. We spent quite some time watching the busy hungry otters!!!

The Rainforest room was fun too--Kylee thought otherwise. She could do without the stench!! We thought she was going to lose breakfast!! But she held on!! The turtles, sloths, exotic birds, blue frogs, and pirhanas were great!! Then we watched the penquins--but they were surprisingly docile--just playing with the Zoo keeper who was cleaning the cage!!

The rest of the pictures just show some fun times with Daddy and the Sculptures. But we did see lots of other animals--A Sun bear, some singing monkeys, A lion, kangaroos, emus, maned wolf, ducks, lemurs, bats, Snapping Alligator turtle, python, pigs, camels, goats, naked rats, meerkats, etc. etc. etc. we all had fun relaxing together!!

Beach Time at Lanthrop State park

The Girls and I went swimming and kayaking at Lanthrop State Park with Liz, Kailey and Kiersten. We had lots of fun in and out of the water.

Kailey and Kylee both loved to Paddle. Above, Kailey is showing off her talents. She was very proud of here paddling technique!!! Aly paddled last trip--but preferred to play on the beach this trip!!!! Kiersten, I am sure will be fighting the rapids next year!!!

Aly and Kailey playing on the tubes!!

Aly and Kailey playing in the sand!!

Mommy, Kylee and Kiersten out for a ride on the lake!!

Mommy, Kylee and Kiersten playing games in the water!!!

Cheryl and Kiersten working on the sandcastle that Aly, Kailey and Kylee started earlier---as pictured below!!!

Lanthrop State Park

Lathrop State Park has a great swim and boat lake--Martin Lake. All the kids, big and small, like to swim, build castles and go kayaking. This visit was with Jen and Ethan. Lots more pics later to post with our visits to the lake with other friends!!!

Below is Aly showing off her swimming talents. She is doing great with her swimming lessons. She loves her teacher and loves the water!!!



Kylee loves to play by the water, splash and go kayaking!!

Here is their buddy Ethan. The girls have lots of fun swimming and building castles with Ethan!!




Kylee having lots of fun at the waters edge!!!

Aly and Kylee working on a sandcastle!! or so they thought!!!! At least they were having fun!!

Jen and Ethan on the Kayak--our big banana!!!!



Aly and Kylee having fun in the sand!!!


Aly and Jen go for a ride. Aly is now starting to row herself!! lots of fun!!




Hey ladies--Cheers for the next round of Random Chicks Volleyball playes!!!
Or maybe a high jump star!!!

But I am happiest now just playing jokes and smiling!!!


Ethan and Aly Posing for some cute shots!!

Hello to everyone,

Well it has been quite the week-But Rick is doing much better. Home, smiling and of course the LAUGH is BACK!!!

It was the scariest thing that we have been through yet!! But we are all home--helping Rick to stay low--this may actually be even harder!!! He knows that there will be some changes but we will enjoy life, each other, our kids and our family and friends!!

Thanks to everyone for the outpouring of support and help. The calls, the food, the help with the girls and the thoughtful remarks and your ears and your hugs!

Here is to my Husband--for a full speedy recovery to enjoy the life that he knows!! I love you HUN!!

Our New Blog

Finally!! This blog is ready to be viewed!! Friends and family enjoy keeping up with us. Our life has been jam packed with love, hugs, fun and work!! Lots has been happening over the past nearly two years since our move to Colorado!!! It has truly been an experience that we are all enjoying!!! Come back often to keep up with our growing girls and all that is happening in our life.
Cheers
Cheryl

My First Triathlon- CO State Games

Ok--So I was going to start with postings about my little girls but pictures of the Triathlon were requested.

July 26, 2008--My First Triathlon-CO State Games (along with Ashly(her 6th Triathlon))
0.5 mile swim, 13.2 mile bike, 3.1 mile run!!!

42 AG  Cheryl    1:42:30.75  23:09  3:02  47:45  2:02   26:32           176 

28 AG  Ashley    1:35:30.75  17:22  1:37  51:20  1:11   23:59           154

It was quite an experience. I am truly ready to race again. I deem this my life long commitment to health!! There will always be room for improvement and always a new challenge to tackle. The three sports combined deliver an overall fitness which should allow me to keep up with my girls as they pursue their dreams.

Rick brought the girls and made it for the start-while Liz, a very close friend of mine came the night before and got up at 4:45 am with us to get to the transition area--what a trooper!!! Having my family there and Liz, and my training partner made the whole event spectacular. I feel that we must live what we preach; what better way is there to pass on a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle to our children.

My goal was to finish in under 1 hr. 45 min. I did it and was very happy with the race. My Reach Goal was 1 hr 30 min. So I have a bitto go--but I have a plan!!! My results are listed above including the transition times. First times to drop--transitions and the run. Should be very doable. Enjoy the Pics!!



The swim was the hardest--Took on some water but finished in 23 min. A bit pale--but with a little longer time in the transition area-I was ready to ride!!









The Bike was a blast. It was a nice ride with some good hills. The entire race was done under overcast skies--which was also very pleasant--No strong CO sun bearing down on us!!! The end of the climb was infront of my cheering sweets so I always took the chance to smile back!!

Then off to the run. Felt great until I stepped off m bike. As soon as my feet were on the ground I fought a massive cramp. Most likely a lack of electrolytes--could be the water I swallowed but.... i was bumbed!! My legs were ready to go--but breathing was tough--but I wasn't going to stop!!
This was probably the most emotional part of the race--the finish!!!! Ashly came back after she finished to push me!! She new I was struggling--but that did not matter---GO GO GO--RUN PUSH IT NOW!!!! Then the runner behind me picked up right on my tail we sprinted to the end together. What a feeling of fellowship!!!






Wow!!! What a Challenge!! I am done!! This is a GREAT SPORT--especially when it is over!!!!

Now time with the Girls!!! DAD and Liz too!! But they are getting all the shots!! THANKS GUYS!! Your the Best!!!