Backwards in time...Oh well!?!!?

Prior to our weekend in Fargo...we had a pretty big week here in the Jeffers' household!!!  Last week Thursday was a BIG day in our house!

The first big event was Zachary's classroom Spring program--these kids are so cute!  We were invited into his classroom where a group of 2-3 students performed old school nursery rhymes (3 Billy Goats Gruff was Zach and his partners skit) but instead of the endings that we all know don't end so great---they resolve their differences and each skit ends with "I'll read to you and you read to me." They were very humorous--microphones, rhymes, and all :) 

After the skit, came the year end recap slide-show---if you haven't had to watch and wipe your tears through one of these yet--just wait, your time will come!!!  The music, the faces of all those cute kids (especially your own :) is just so overwhelming....we have been blessed with some of the best teachers Bismarck has to offer and when Mrs. Ward got up to give her end of the year speech and started crying...well I had to tear up too, I can't let anyone cry alone!  She is a super, great, amazing, wonderful, inspiring teacher who will be greatly missed at Northridge!!!  ...so all that happened at 11 am

Came home, cooked lunch, got everyone settled in with Sara and off of to Addy's preschool graduation we went at 1pm....enter emotional roller coaster #2 :)

Addy went to Merry Go Round preschool this last year and absolutely LOVED it!!  These teachers loved it just as much as the kids did each and every week and you could tell :)  The program had it all...from these little bodies walking into the church to Pomp and Circumstance, to the graduation caps and tassels, to the presentation of the graduates---there was not a dry eye in the house!  They sang at least 8+ songs that they learned throughout the year and these kids BEAMED!!!  They were so proud--as were we watching them :)  I just felt myself watching to mentally capture everything I could in those moments--kinda like Pam does (from The Office) :)  After the program we went back to the reception area where we snapped multiple pictures, gave some amazing women BIG BIG hugs, and Josh and I looked at each other, as we often do with Addyson our youngest, and say--we will never have a preschool graduate again :S



Addy's MGR teachers---these ladies are amazing!!!

Our babes...the big Graduate!!



Grandma and Grandpa also made it to the program and brought the graduate a flower---she was so proud!  It's so great to be able to share these events with our loved ones--we are truly so blessed!!!

 

Anna, does not have a special end of the year program, but stays busy non the less :)  They had a track meet on Thursday ( in the rain) and her team scored 2nd in the 800 relay, she also competed in the 400 relay and tried long jump and shot put!  

On Friday she completed and showed her science project at the Science Fair up at the BSC Careerr Acc in which they did an experiment to see if a banana with and without the peel would float or sink!?!  They both float--fun fact!  Way to go Anna---we are so very proud of you and can't believe you will be off to Horizon next year!?

2nd Annual (well for us anyway)...Fargo Half Marathon Weekend!

The weekend we had spent the last 12+ weeks for has come and gone.  It was an amazing time with some great people....

Before I get to the weekend itself, I want to give a big shout out to my family.  Training for a half marathon( I can't even imagine how much more time would go into a full!?!) takes a lot of time and energy!  So thank you Josh for putting up with me being gone a few nights a week-sometimes it would just be for an hour, but those long runs aren't just long for the runner I know, they are long for the other parent at home making supper alone or double checking homework.  And if and when Josh was gone or busy I had my parents--I appreciate your love and support so much and I couldn't have done half the training I was able to do without the love and support of my family by my side :)

Michelle and I left town Friday around 11:00--we wanted to get to Fargo early enough to pick up our registration packets--the dome experience is breath taking--to see that finish line and know what you are going to have to endure to get there--woof!  They have vendors set up the night before and everything a runner could ever want available for purchase!!  The medals were all lined up waiting to be handed out the next day and the race routes were up all over so you could view your running route!  We made sure to sign the We Will Remember Boston Banner and get our Boston bracelets!  We also learned that the finish mats(that give you your final time with your chip) were from Boston!  What a neat feeling that was!
Next we were off to have a big (carb loading) lunch!  We ended up eating at the Spitfire Grill and it was delish!!  We had a steak and pasta combo--yummmmo!  After that we hit up a few stores and grabbed our breakfast items for race day!  We spent the weekend at Josh's buddy's house-Timmy Lystad--who was a great host :)  Friday night we stayed up maybe a little later then we should have and had a little more fun then we should have ;) but it was all part of the weekend fun!

Time to grab a registration packeet and prep for the big RACE DAY!



A very empty Fargo Dome



The medals hung-ready for tomorrow!!!

Saturday early morning around 3:30 I woke up to the sounds of thunder and lightening---by the time we had got up and started getting ready, it was only raining slightly, so we left the house at 6:15 and headed to the dome!  We waited in a long car line to pull into the dome and got there just in time to use the bathrooms(one last time) and walk outside to find our pacer!

Ready...Set...RUN!!!!



The dynamic trio--nighty, night gals...time to do some running in the early am!


We did have a goal to finish close or under two hours this year---and the first five miles looked promising!!  But then the legs get tired and the mind gets a little weak(at least for me anyway) and by mile 11 I felt like my feet were bleeding due to the huge blisters on the balls of my feet!  My shoes and socks were soaked from the rain and humidity and had rubbed my feet raw :(  I finally yelled at Michelle enough to GO! and she finished five minutes before I did (she at 2.15 and me at 2.20) but it's still an improvement from last years time of 2.22-so I will take it as a win and push harder next time!!!  ...oh yes, there will be more halfsies in my life :)

The amazing part about racing in Fargo is the crowd!!!  They make the race so much fun that you literally can sometimes forget(even if just for a moment) what mile you are at!  It was incredible to see and hear my good friend Lacee and her sister Cherish cheering us on around miles 5 and 7!  Then at mile 10 or so our hubbies were there with cameras rolling and clicking cheering us on again!!  Those moments will always stick out for me :)
People come out on their lawns and cheer with cow bells, pots and sticks, blow horns, etc.  One of my favorites is the Bloody Mary Thon--a group of girls who have a Bloody Mary bar set up in their lawn :)  People make great and very creative signs too:
*I will give you $100 to quit now
*Bet you thought this was a good idea 4 months ago...
*Run faster, the guy in front of you is farting
*Worst parade ever
*Run like you stole something
*Run fast, the beer is waiting for you at the finish line
*Go Random Person Go!

And of course the GRAND moment when you turn down the corner and finish your race with everyone cheering and clapping as you cross that finish line in the Fargo dome takes the cake!!
We hung around the dome for a little while longer, giving our feet and legs a rest and just watching runners come across and reach their goals at the finish line--it's an amazing community--these runners!!!  One I'm extremely proud to be apart of :)

After the race we went to our favorite breakfast restaurant, the Cajun Cafe and had something to eat--then headed back to Timmy's for showers and naps!  After we rested up, we met up with some others for supper and drinks and had a fun time helping Dacia celebrate her birthday :)  Bed felt good that night, even if it was almost 1:00am before we got there :S


Celebrating at Three Lions Pub after the race



Our support team--what a great group of guys!!! 



Sunday morning we slept in, packed up and grabbed some breakfast.  We did stop at Beyond Running in downtown Fargo and Momma got some new shoes!  I'm straying from the asics and giving brooks a go--hopefully I will run like the ND wind blows (one of my favorite signs we saw along the race)
Overall, another amazing weekend and experience in the books!  A HUGE thank you to my parents for keeping our kiddos this weekend---they get excited when Ma and Pa are gonna leave town to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa, we know they get spoiled rotten, but that's what a Grandparents job is to do sometimes--are we're OK with that!

Things I wanna remember...and at the time, probably a couple we'd like to forget ;)

Just a quick note so we can look back at this day and remember what our kiddos were doing, what they enjoyed, fun facts--other then the record breaking snow fall we got last night and today (around 18"plus inches in 24 hours)--and other random thoughts this evening while Josh catches up on Big Bang Theory and HIMYM, just a couple of his favorites right now....
*Anna has her first ear infection that she has ever had since having tubes when she was 18 months old, of course this would happen when there is only one walk in clinic open(from 12 on) today, so we opted for some Tylenol and a home remedy of warm olive oil in the ear--it worked!  ...but Gma is still taking her to the walk in tomorrow when things have calmed down a little around here :)
*Zachary is a smart, loving, kind kid--he rarely yells(unless it's at a video game he's losing) ...he makes a great little brother to Anna, but might need a little help in the big brother to Addy department--those two are either the best of friends or the worst of enemies, it's not uncommon to hear them screaming with laughter or frustration at each other when in the same room :)
*Anna has a very low pain tolerance--we have known this about her since she was very little and would scream when she had to have her hair combed--the ear infection incident today just reminded us of this fun fact :)  The epidural will more then likely be ordered for her before she even leaves home when she makes us Grandparents---some day---far far far away from now :)
*Addyson's classic move right now is to go to the furthest room away from me in the house...and then yell MOM!!!!!!  It can vary from anything to a glass of milk needed to a simple I love you---but I can remember as a child my Mom teasing me that I used to do the same thing and it drove her crazy!?  I didn't understand why...until now!!!
*Zach is color blind.  It usually doesn't bother him--but he will almost always ask what color is this when trying to find anything specific.  We found out when he was in kindergarten and his teacher asked him to grab the purple marker and he kept grabbing the blue.
*Addy has two personalities--daycare Addy and 5:30 Addy--we notice that she is a lot more difficult during the day when she has to share her house, her toys, and her Mom...but  5:30 and weekend Addy are very pleasant :)
*Josh and I would like to run a full marathon together on or before our 15th wedding anniversary...this summer will be 12 years together, just a fun goal we have set together!  I said full before we turned 40...but he one uped me to a full in 15 :)  I do love that guy.
*Josh has recently started to run--I'm glad he likes it and I look forward to running together...if the snow ever goes away :)
*I gave up diet coke for a full 30 days--I should try to give it up again....for good :S
*Anna is a wonderful violin player--Zach recently decided he will also play next year.
*I love Las Vegas and if I could afford it, I would visit it once a year :)  not to gamble, but to see the shows, the sites, and the sun!
*It's crazy to me, that when we talk about up coming car trades, purchases, that looking ahead to a 5 year plan we have to take into account that Anna will be driving by then!!?!!
*Zachary is so very ticklish---and he has a very contagious laugh :)
*Anna has a huge heart and the thickest most beautiful hair I've ever seen, I tell her if she ever colors it we will kick her butt---even though I know it will happen :)
*We have the best friends any couple could ask for---I can't imagine going through my day without a text or a call from some or all of my lady friends--I don't know why we are surprised that Anna is so social!?!
*Josh is obsessed with shoes.  The man has more pairs then I do and refuses to throw any old ones away.  He also has an impressive collection of khaki shorts!
*Right now if you ask our kids what they want to be when they grow up Anna will probably tell you it's a toss up between a vet and a rock star....Zach would like to be video game designer and will have his best friends be the first ones to try the games out with him...and Addy--it depends on the time of day and which day of the week it is when you ask her :)  But we tell her not to worry, she's got some time to figure it out!

*Addy's thought process tonight---she was upset about having to go to bed and she told Josh and I that she might just move out to a new family...when I asked her who, it was one of my dc girls, so I replied, ohhhh so do I get the other little girl to come live here with me then if you go live with her family and she said no---you get the baby brother :)

Ready, Ready, Ready, Ready...Ready To RUN!!!

Back in the high school day, I was a volleyball player, speech geek, track-shot putter/discuss thrower, and a cross country manager...never the runner....until last year!  Me and two of my splendid gal friends, decided that we should run a half marathon 13.1 crazy miles of Fargo fun!  It was great, terrible, amazing, awful, dreadful, breath taking(literally), the biggest athletic accomplishment of my adult---oh who are we kidding, adult/high school life!!!
So here we are again...7 weeks into our training for our 2nd half marathon and this year I wanted it more remembered/documented then last year--FYI we finished in 2.22.:21...along with all of my other fun races I did through out the year!  So this particular blog, may have to be an updated one :)  
Runs/Training 2013....

When we started training for the half last year, we used Hal Higdons training...the furthest we ever ran was 10 miles in the streets of Lincoln and we NEVER ran a big run inside on a dreadmill due to the beautiful spring we had last year!  We spent the night before the race at Danny and Dacia's in Fargo and it was SO hot the day before the race---but the morning of we woke up to a nice rain and perfect racing conditions!

Enter 2013.....
We are using Hal Higdon's training again, novice #2 and this time before the race we will actually get up to 12 miles before the half....we've been able to run outside twice and had to put on lots of miles on our ever dreaded treadmills :(  Here is a look at our training routine....

April 6th: Michelle and I did the first annual Run for Change in Fargo--it was a 10k, the weather was crappy--35 degrees, raining, and icy in spots along the race!  We were so proud to say we finished in 59 minutes!!   What a fun weekend!!!


We left Bismarck early on Friday and checked in to our hotel and had a nice supper out with the guys at Spit Fire Grill---cheers to a good race on a cold day tomorrow!!!





Carmyn came down from GF to race that day as well!  She looked great in her cute tutu :)





After a slip on the ice and a quick shoe tie, Peyton and Josh were there to cheer us on at the finish line!!  10k complete in 59 minutes!!  Whooo hoooo!!!



Post race picture---Mica and Jennie



After race celebration-downtown Fargo!  We had a great evening with the hubbies and the Lystad guys!  A great weekend in the books.....see you again in May Fargo!

 Huge THANK YOU to my parents and Josh's Mom and Gma Ruth for coming down to tag team watch the Jeffers' kids this weekend!!  I actually don't know who had more fun....the parents or the kids this weekend!!  We are so lucky to be so close to Grandma's and Grandpa's who like to take on three fun kiddos for a weekend while Mom and Dad are able to get away to do some of these races once and awhile!!

Other races lined up for 2013 so far:
Parkinson's???  Bismarck--April 13.  5 or 10k
Fargo Half Marathon Fargo---May 18---Josh do 10k :)
Color Run Bismarck June 2nd--Josh, and Anna registered as well!!  WHOOP WHOOP!!  Along with Michelle, Ana, Tara, and Rick!!  This one is going to be great!!!
Color Run Fargo June 29th
Mid evil Rush??? Bismarck July 6

Hoppy Easter 2013

I love Easter, usually because of the super cute Spring colored dresses they have out in the stores for the girls, but mainly because it's a sign that Spring is FINALLY on its way here and we can get outside and enjoy the massive Easter Egg hunt in my brother Paul's amazing backyard.  I joke that I would leave Bismarck for hardly anything...except for their beautiful, huge, FENCED IN backyard :)

This Easter was no different--we colored eggs at home on Friday afternoon!  I got each kiddo their own 18 eggs to color(side note--they were all eaten too...between 13 of us in my family!!!) we invited Gma and Gpa over for pizza and some fun egg coloring!!  We tried a new pinterest idea where you put shaving cream and food coloring together in a pan...but it didn't do anything amazing!?  Pinterest-fail.

 

Saturday morning we got up and headed to Beulah around noon, we got there and the weather was BEAUTIFUL!!  One of our family traditions is kite flying every Easter--we have done this in our apartment parking lots in GF and playgrounds or fairgrounds in Beulah--so we took advantage of the nice weather on Saturday and flew some kites :)  Each kite comes with 75 ft of string, so when everyone else was wrapping up their kites, Josh and Zach used everyone elses string to see how high they could get their kite to go---300ft of string later and that kite was really UP THERE!!!

After kite flying, we grabbed a quick snack (Deviled Eggs and Gourmet Dips---yummo) and then headed up to the Americ Inn and did some swimming!  Addy was so proud to be able to touch in the 3ft end and hardly put a floaty on the rest of the time we were there!  Zach and Anna tried to splash as much water out of the pool and Todd and Casey when they jumped in!  We ordered in Hot Stuff Pizza and had a great time!

As it got darker, we wanted to try our first ever glow in the dark Easter Egg Hunt!  --thanks Pinterest :)  The kids thought it was a neat idea!  

Back to the hotel for bedtime for the kiddos and hot tub time for Josh, the nephews, and I!  We had a great visit with those guys---man they are really growing up into such nice young men...glad I'm not getting any older as they do...haha!

Sunday morning was cold and it even had snowed a little.  Church service was at 10:30 and I think we walked in at 10:29.58--the Easter bunny had found the kids at the hotel when they had went for a morning dip in the pool!  Anna got a couple movies and candy, Zach scored some legos and candy, and Miss Addy got a new Barbie, my little Pony and some candy!

After church we headed to Paul and Julies for Easter dinner, Julie cooked a delicious ham and potatoes!  After lunch came the HUGE hunt in the back yard!  Another fun tradition we have is that my Mom hides one Gold and one Silver egg for the adults to search for!!  They have a gift card to Walmart/Target inside!  I was the silver winner two years in a row...but this year I had to give up my title :( 

Addy found the Gold Egg and Todd found the Silver



 Great weekend, with more great memories made...until next year....Happy Easter!!

Oh!  And one of my favorites...Some Bunny Loves You, From Addyson

Anna's First Communion

Can't believe our little girl had her very First Communion!!  It was a special night, the Thursday before Easter Sunday--which we found out why they chose that evening and it was because that is when Jesus had his last supper. We were glad to have our family and good friends the Hochhalter's there :)  Grandma RuthAnn made her a special cake.  Anna also recieved many nice gifts, one very special gift being a cross necklace that was her great, great, great Grandmother Anna's :)  We didn't even know they shared a name  until after Anna was already born.

Friends are fun...no matter your age

The older we get we are finding out that our kids have a bigger and better social life then we do :)  It's not uncommon most weekends that we are either driving Zach to a birthday party sleep over, picking up Anna from Volleyball and then taking her to grab a friend so they can both go to a sleepover, etc, etc!  Even Addy has started asking when she can have friends over to spend the night....

We are so blessed in Bismarck to have friends in Bismarck who are, like us, ready to be over the bar hoping, late night parting, feeling like garbage the whole next day scenrio!  Now, don't get me wrong, we still love our ladies nights and the occasional trip to the OK ;)  But we also have just as much fun being at home and sipping on a drink or two or none in our homes while our kids enjoy each other and someone elses 'new' toys!!  When we are all together and can make it, there are 5 couples and 9 kiddos :)

Enter Super Club...

Growing up, I can always remember my parents having a once a month supper and game playing nights with their friends!  They would take turns bringing a potato, salad, desert, meat, drinks...they even had a snazzy chart :)  So last year we decided to start our own!  We each take turns hosting and bringing a meal, side dishes, desert, and we LOVE LOVE LOVE a good theme! 

So our last adventure was over in Lincoln and Danielle, Josh, and Coen hosted a 'Minute to Win It Theme'...the kids and adults both had a ball!!!  Best of all, she had some amazing prizes to give away at the end--sorry I don't have a picture of the fleece out of the shower man wrap :)

GAME ONE...Can you get 6 dice to balance on a tongue depressor?

GAME TWO...

Can you put a cut up cereal box back together(like a puzzle) in less then a minute?

Game THREE....

Is it possible to stack three golf balls on top of each other??  We almost all got at least two, but three is tricky!!!



Game FOUR...

Using nylons and a ball shoved in them, you had to swing your hips--no hands and move the ball on the floor with the ball in your nylons and knock over the cups at the end of the living room...this one was HILARIOUS!!!!

And FINALLY....

Can you get 5 Cheerios on your uncooked spaghetti noodle in 1 minute?  GO!

There were two games I didn't get pictures of, one of which you had to rub Vaseline all over your face and then get cotton balls to stick to your face, run across the room and get the cotton balls into your cup!!  The other was putting an Oreo on your forehead and trying to get it into your mouth without using your hands :)