Congratulations!

Two major accomplishments have occurred in Tyler's family this past week.  

His father RAN A MARATHON 

and his sister GRADUATED from high school!  

Two unforgettable events that thankfully Tyler, Lincoln and I were able to witness.  

My mother-in-law has been a runner for years.  She has 7 marathons under her belt as well as half marathons, 10 Ks, and any other races she can sign up for.  Recently she has had knee trouble and a hip fracture, which has put her behind in typical mileage count.  For someone who needs to run as much as she needs to breathe, this is a huge bummer.  After all these years, though, her husband decided to try out her beloved hobby.  It's sweet and supportive.  I can't believe how far he carried it: all the way to the finish line of the Ogden Marathon!  Just in time to beat his 50th birthday.  Amazing?  Absolutely.

Nick ran out to cheer him on the last hundred yards or so.  It was beautiful!  I loved the endorphin high Bill was floating on afterward.  Way to go!

Recovery drink: Coke.  Post race activity: racing his grandson.  Impressive.

And then only a few days later, his youngest daughter walked into the world of adulthood.  Katie is done with high school, and ready for the big, beautiful life ahead of her.  Honestly I think she's already wise beyond her years.  She makes mature, rational decisions like deciding to end a relationship when it obviously won't lead to the place she wants to go.  She doesn't plan on marrying or having children any time soon; I think she's seen enough of that with her older siblings.  ;-)  There are other goals to accomplish for now.  She is going to take a year off before going to college, to work as a CNA and to visit a few of her friends that live in different states.  I think it's awesome to breathe in a little bit of real life before plunging into a degree program that may or may not be what you really want to study.  You are one smart girl, Katiebug!

Here she is with us, Grandma Cox, and her parents.  Her older sister, Tara, and her children came too, right after my camera battery died.  I was bummed, but what can you do?  It was fun to sit in the stadium seats with family all around us.  Lincoln had a blast with his cousins.  Thanks for bringing us all together again, Katie!

Summer Hats

      Lincoln has very soft, sensitive, pale skin.  He burns easily if we don't apply and reapply, and then reapply, sunscreen.  He definitely needs a summer hat once the season arrives.  I looked at all the typical stores: Target, Smith's Marketplace, Babies R Us, etc.  Nothing was very cute or even fit his head.  It seems that babies need protection, but once you hit big boy/toddler sizes, you're kind of stuck with baseball hats.  So I went to a children's thrift store, Kid to Kid.  They would obviously have different styles and more variety.  Turns out they had the perfect hat for Lincoln, and I didn't even need to have him with me to know it would fit!  

$2, reversible, and he loves it.  Perfect!

I decided to purchase a new summer hat, too.  We're not adding very much to our household right now, considering we have to move it across country in a couple months.  But, I've already been sunburned this spring and I know you're supposed to be extra careful while pregnant.  By now I've worn it enough to know I made a wise choice.  Linc loves it too!  He put it on his head and promptly fell asleep.  I have such a funny kid!

As far as I'm concerned, this is what youtube is for:

Happiness in a three minute clip!  Lincoln watches these with me almost everyday.

Alleliua!

It's behind the times, but I can't neglect an Easter roundup.  It was a lovely day.  For the past three months, Tyler has been waking every morning with our child to give me more rest, but this specific day I was wide awake and had things to do, so I volunteered.  (Yes, I know, Tyler is awesome.)

We showered.  I sang "Christ the Lord is Risen Today!" because it's my favorite Easter song, and really the only one I could remember.  I got myself and Linc dressed, then we headed to the kitchen to make rice krispie treats for the family get-together.  Still singing.

About every other weekend we are either at Tyler's parents house or mine.  And for special occasions like this, both sets of parents join in the fun!  I'm going to miss that.  So much.  Anyway, us three plus Liz piled into our minivan and headed to the Metcalfs.

You wouldn't believe the meal they put together!  Cafe Rio down to the very dressing-- but even better, because you got to make your own!  Lori worked so hard at recreating the pork, beans, rice, tomatillo dressing, etc.  Then everyone went at it to create their own salad or burrito masterpiece.  I always want more rice in my pork salad, and so that's exactly what I gave myself!  Everyone was impressed with that meal.  Well done Lori and Bill!

Of course there was an Easter Egg Hunt.  That's mainly what I took pictures of, so here you go:

The cousins assemble.

While he was a little slower than the competition, Lincoln still understood the concept better than last year!

But "Gama" and Papa Lawrence helped him scope out plenty of eggs.

And look at that cool bucket, decorated by Linc himself!

It caught this princess' eye! 

We were all thankful for the sun, except maybe Evan at that moment.

My brother and best friend get along really well, and it looks like my niece enjoyed their company too!

And last but not least, guess who stopped by?  The Easter bunny, of course!  

Thank the Lord for family and friends.  Especially when I'm a big, fat, grumpy, pregnant wimp I love being with people who won't hold it against me.  

Whale

I feel so much movement.  Tossing and turning, punching and kicking.  They're telling me what a handful they're going to be once they escape.  I smile and pat my belly, assuring them Linc, Tyler and I can handle whatever they dish out.  Hopefully.