Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Happy 4th of July!

In April, my mom and I decided it was a good time to get in shape, so we took the Precision Rehabilitation's challenge and exercised for 30 min a day, 5 times a week through May and June.  Then we got T-shirts and had the opportunity to participate in the 5K fun run on the 4th of July.  The last time I did this race, there were a lot of people walking, but things have changed a little because I am pretty sure we are the ONLY ones that walked the whole race!  Coming in last was a little embarrassing, but it was a good experience and time well spent with my mom.

Jade, of course, ran the race - "just for fun", he said, as he had not really been training for it.  His morning jog earned him second place overall, just behind his best friend, Taylor Francom.  This says a lot since there were around 300 people participating in the race, and most of them have been training!  Way to go!
After the race
Jens, Amber, Jade, McKady, Mom
 As a fundraiser for the drill team, we built two floats, one for Recapture Metals and one for the San Juan Pharmacy.  The girls did a great job, and I think the floats turned out pretty cute!

This is the Recapture Metals float, it is (almost) a life size torpedo honoring the Navy Veterens of WW!!.  We also included a special honor to Navy Seal Jason Workman, who was killed last year in Afghanistan.  His mother is an employee at Recapture Metals.
"We will never forget U.S. Navy Submarine Veterans"
 The San Juan Pharmacy float honored the women of WWII.  You can see Rosie the Riveter in the back of the truck by a sign that says "We Can Do It!", and on the other side of these two beautiful entertainers are a couple nurses, representing those women who served in the medical field during the war.
"We will never forget the women of WWII"
 And we saved the best for last . . . 
The San Juan Royals themselves, riding on the flatbed of a semi truck, saluting ALL those who have served and who are serving in our nation's military.  Note that we are missing Amanda, who is the Rodeo Queen, and decided to ride her horse instead.  Also note those rain clouds in the background . . . the best gift of the 4th of July this year was a little rain we got in the morning before the parade and right after the fireworks.
"We SALUTE the Military heros"
 Stetson was super excited to ride the float with the girls and throw candy to all the kids.  This lucky 4 yr old has 8 beautiful girlfriends!  You have to admit, he is pretty cute - how can they resist?
Stetson and his girls in front of daddy's truck

Our driver, Kenny, posing by his sparkling clean truck -
don't they both look great?
 Lucy watched the parade with her cousins and collected so much candy in her pockets that her shorts almost fell off!  After the parade we headed down to the park for the traditional Navajo Taco and Sno Cone.  It was pretty hot, but the food was great and we got to see lots of friends and relatives we haven't seen for awhile.
Lucy enjoyed getting her feet wet in the water around the pavillion

Stetson had fun with a bunch of other kids on the merry-go-round
 That night we gathered at the park again for a picnic and to watch the fireworks.  It was so nice to just sit and relax while the kids ran around and got all their energy out.
I think Stetson actually took off flying after this picture

After a safe landing he is wrapped up and ready to watch the fireworks

You've gotta love Lucy's hair!
All in all we had a great day!  Happy Birthday America!

The Royals are alive and well!

A year ago I quit coaching drill team so that I could have more time with my kids since I was working full time.  The past year was a little rocky for the Royals, and ended in almost everyone (including the coach) quitting.  The word on the street was that the school was going to discontinue the program.  Thankfully that wasn't true, but they were looking for a new coach, and since I am no longer working, I decided to apply. I have been an assistant coach for about 7 years, but this time I am head coach.  I was (and still am) a little nervous, but am grateful for the help of two amazing ladies, Jeanna Grover and Carrie Joslin - couldn't do it without them!  Also, we have 8 awesome girls on the team.  They are young and inexperienced, but very hard working and determined.  I believe if we stick together and keep the "FLAME" burning all year, it will be an amazing experience for all of us!

Thanks so much to Katie Christensen of Joslin Photography for taking these great photos!
Ashley, Jenacia, Jennifer, Amanda, Ivori, Sam, McKady, Emma

With the coaches:
Amber, Jeanna, Carrie

With the kids (they are a part of the team too!):
Audrey, Stetson, Lucy, Brooklyn
not pictured: Brittany and Jensen
 In June we had an amazing camp, put on by PDC dance camps.  The girls worked hard and learned a lot!  We couldn't believe how much they had improved in just three days!  Way to go Royals!!!
The Royals with their instructor, Amberly Frank
Here's to a GREAT year!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Swimming!!!

This year I decided to sign Stetson up for swimming lessons.  He did a great job and had a lot of fun.  He also learned lots of new tricks like going under water without plugging his nose, floating on his back, and the front and back strokes.  He also got really good at kicking his legs, so he can move all over the pool now when he has his tube.  Stetson was the only boy in his class, but he didn't seem to mind at all!
Stetson - Jadee Ruiz - Nathan Webb (teacher) - Jennifer Webb (teacher) - Eliza Knight - Sierra Hillhouse
 They also got to play lots of fun games like, find the ring, red light - green light, big fish - little fish, airplane and rocket.

On the last day they dropped cans of pop into the water and the kids had to dive down to get them.  Stetson got his on the first try, then dropped it and dove for it again, just for fun.  He officially passed level one!  Good Job Stetson!!!

And this is what Lucy did while Stetson was having swimming lessons . . . 
Evelia Knight and Lucy
 It was so hard to keep her out of the pool.  But she finally found that the water around the showers was just as fun.  And, we often went back for mom and me hour so she could play in the pool too.
Stetson and Lucy love their tubes!
 I'm afraid my kids might be part fish - they could play in the water for hours!  Neither one seem to be afraid of the water at all, and they never get cold (they didn't get that from me!).  It has been so nice to be able to take them swimming almost every day now that I am not working.  Plus, it wears them out so they both take a little nap in the afternoon (bonus).
Lucy's funny face

Stetson, just chillin'

Jumping in

Soakin' up some sun at the edge of the pool
 My beach babes:
Stetson

Lucy