Out my kitchen window

I was making dinner the other night and looked out the window to check on the kids. The picture below is what I found. The memory of them all tangled up talking and laughing is one I hope never gets erased.

American Trails 1/2 marathon

As is becoming tradition, either Niles or I run the Labor Day American Trails 1/2 marathon in Colorado Springs. This year was Niles turn. Unfortunately, Kara got sick and wasn't able to run it with him. He did a great job solo. In true Niles/Brecken fashion I dropped him off at the starting gate right as the announcer was counting down 10, 9, 8,....1! He did a great job minus having anytime to warm up for a 13 mile run!

Coming around the last turn.

Coming into the finish.

His personal cheering section...lucky guy!

Birthday week at the Watterson's

Every year, this week is a whirlwind. The twins birthday on the 9th, Niles on the 10th and mine on the 14th. If I had been given any choice in the matter (obviously not!), we'd have them a bit more spread apart....for sanity's sake. The twins had a birthday party at this new park by our house. They all made clown cupcakes (another blog post altogether) and we attempted a water balloon toss. (a complete disaster, but luckily they are too young to know that!) The kids had a great time and I'm just relieved I only do this once a year! All in all, it was a fun week filled with family, friends and lots and LOTS of cake!

Pirates Cove

Last week I took my kiddos to this fun waterpark, Pirates Cove, with two friends from college. We all had so much fun with our kids on the lazy river, in the sand and pool. We even got the kids to go down the big, scary slides. It was so much fun and I can't wait to take them to Water World next summer for some really "big, scary slides"! Thanks Shauna and Megan for such a fun day!

5 years old

Today my little munchkins turned 5 years old. It has been 5 years full of good times with these two! I was looking at pictures of them when they were babies and it never stops amazing me how much they've grown and changed. They are turning into such great little people. We are so fortunate to call them ours. Happy Birthday Lovey and Soren!

A Klomp Expedition

A few weekends ago we went up to our friends, Justin and Shelly's, family cabin. We had a great time visiting with everyone. We went on a super fun 4-wheeling excursion that left a majority of us covered in mud.....the guys of course had to go multiple times thru the worst parts(just for fun). It was beautiful up in the mountains, we had a great time.....can't wait to go up again.

Jocelyn, Cami and I before we got muddy.

Niles and I mid excursion.

Our hosts.

Everyone on the way out.

Cami, me and Shelly.

all the guys figuring out how to get the Bills out of their unfortunate situation.

I promise there's a moose in the picture....just squint real hard.

Words to Live by

One of my great friends emailed this list to me. It's was written by a columnist in Ohio. I have never heard of her, but loved this list of "45 lessons of life", and thought I would share it. #10 and #22 are some of my favorites....enjoy.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come..
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
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