Houston

It was spring break but the weather did not feel very warm.  We decided to go down to Houston thinking maybe we could get a beach day in.

Just not warm enough so we went to the Aquarium instead.

Very nice aquarium right downtown.

We all loved watching the White Tigers.  

The one tiger put on a show for us.  He had a huge bouncy ball and he was walking on it and totally playing around.  We were face to face with it through the glass.  We spent a long time just watching 

 The Aquarium also had some rides.

A really nice day at the Aquarium.

Glad Larson made it out alive.

Jordan & Dirtbiking (all in the same sentence)

This is Allie in the front, one of Jordan's cross country team mates.  She is a sweet girl and has been a good friend with Jordan this year.

What I love about their relationship is that Allie's parents have a ranch and on that ranch they have tons to do, even dirt biking.

Being friends with Allie takes Jordan out of her comfort zone a little but she loves it!!!

When Jordan told me they were dirt biking I of course was like, Jordan you have never done that before in your life.  I just hoped that she would come back in one piece.  Apparently she handled the bike just fine and even did a jump!

This was Allies birthday celebration.  They spent the entire day and night at the ranch.  It was cooler than expected so no swimming but they made up for it with golf cart tag, dirt biking, animals, and a big bon fire for marshmellows of course.

I love that Jordan has so many great friends.  I never worry about what any of them are doing.  I know that they are having a great time!

Jordan's friends are soooooo diverse.   I just think that is the coolest thing ever.

She can go with her friends dirt biking to shopping all day with just about anything in between.  Out of every single close friend that Jordan has in High School, they each have their own specialties.  Its not like they are all cheerleaders or all in the musical.  They each are so unique!

What they all have in common is being good friends to each other !

Teenager #2

I feel like Jackson has been a teen for some time.  I guess when they pass you up on size, they seem older.

birthday morning with a few presents.

Every year this is the special cake that Jackson gets.

After school, Adam and Jacob came over.  

We ordered pizza and had a chocolate fountain with so many different treats to dip in chocolate.

Boys are boys and they went crazy over this.

Jordan and I escaped from the on slaughter of this food and went to see a chick flick.

Books and video controller were perfect gifts for Jackson.

Great friends to have!

The next morning, all suited up and ready to fly!

Jacob

Crazy Adam

Jackson getting the hang of this.

The boys loved doing the ifly.

It was so fun to watch them.

Tom asked Jackson if he would like to do this for his birthday and Jackson was all in and couldnt wait to go and fly.

The boys had a very early morning session because the place is packed and we could not get any other time slot.

We took the boys for breakfast right after.

These guys consumed so much food in 24 hours.

Jordan who eats nothing was really just shaking her head at the amount of food they were eating.

This was a great 13th birthday for Jackson.  

It really was perfect for him.

We were so happy for him and glad his friends could spend it with him.

Scary thought that in 2 years we will have our second one behind the wheel and driving.

Larson Turns 9!

Happy Birthday to the boys!

Larson just joined Lone Star Soccer Club so we went with that theme.

The happiest 9 year old we know!

He's so polite opening his gifts and has a serious organization issue.

Larson is one put together kid.  

Jackson is a good big brother as he let the night be mostly about Larson.

Jackson was getting more for his birthday in a couple of days.

Logan deserves 99 wishes for his birthday not just 9.

Jackson holding 3 passes to ifly for the next weekend.

At school, the drill for your birthday is standing on your desk doing a crazy dance!

I hope he always has this confidence!

We love you 9 year old Larson

Austin Marathon 2013

Fun afternoon with Jordan at the expo.

She was really excited about her race the next day.

Cold morning at the start line.

running up the big hill on Congress.

I kept Jordan pretty paced until Mile 10.  She had lots left in her and I was ready to step it up with her.

We had a short set back as my CRAZY sister that was in Las Vegas the night before jumped out at us at mile 10 and was running along.  I could not believe that she was there.  Total surprise and was a great addition to the race.  OK so now we are ready to head on in...   right until I saw the forever hill in front of us.  I had never ran the 10 to 13 miles on the course as I have always gone on.  It was brutal.  Very hard finish for the half marathoners.  

We turned the corner and to the finish line.

I loved running this race with her.  This was her first and I know she will only lower her time as she did so well.

Getting her medal

Some quick photos before I continued on.

Tom is a pro at this!

Uncle Chris drove me out to mile 13 and I resumed putting one foot in front of the other.

It was slow to start as I had to get my legs working again.

Colby has been my true run it in marathon running coach.  She has helped me every year she has been here.  I will be so sad if she is not with me next year.

For not running marathons, my sissy does a pretty good job helping me along the way.  The races are nothing but fun for me so having her run with me is perfect.

all reunited at the finish line for the second time.

That was so weird crossing the line twice but I wouldnt have changed it.  I only got an official half marathon time since I crossed the finish then but I know I did the full and it counts in my book.  I get the medal just the same.

I could hear Jackson and Larson screaming for me as I ran in.

Celebration dinner on the Lake

Larson made sure there was a sign for when Jordan got home.

Dont ask!

1 and 1/2 years since she started running.

So proud of her.  Loved every training run that she would join me on.  

Early morning runs were on the agenda 6 days a week.

Dedication, perseverance, skills she has learned that will help her through life.

Bring on the next one.