My Boddy

There's one, maybe two people who prior to reading this entry know that "boddy", is not a typo. Way back many eons ago, when friends used to write notes to each other in class instead of texting, I received a note that I thought was signed "your boddy" instead of your buddy. My friend and I got a good laugh, but from that day on, we always signed our notes "your boddy". She, Kellie White, now Conde, became my best friend.

We played basketball together in Junior High and High School, created only minor mischief together and about a month ago, I got to go back to San Ramon and visit her.

You know you have a true friend when you've fallen in and out of contact over the last fifteen years (when my family moved to Denver), for real lost contact for four of those years, and yet when you get together it feels like yesterday.

Kellie is one of those friends for me. We always have a good time together. My only regret about my most recent trip . . . I went to Great America without her. Next time.

Thanks Kellie, for always being a best friend.

The reason for the maddness, Denver Third Installment

But back in May I embarked on an endless journey, 1700 miles . . . one way, to drive myself and four small children (all five and under) to Denver so that I could "indulge" by doing none other than running 6.2 miles. I think somewhere a bolt or two has come loose.

However, running a 10K (the Bolder Boulder) with your mom, dad, sister and brother is priceless and therefore obviously worth the bolt or two lost along the way. (Not my fastest race time coming in at 58:45, but like every good person, I'm sure I can blame that on someone else!)

This is me and dad after the race and getting ready to watch the pros do it, my dad did awesome and finished the race in just under 51 minutes! not his goal, but wow, he's FAST in my book!

Popcorn and Popsicles, Denver Second Installment

Popcorn first. You should have seen the "fun" these two had together. If only we could see Lisa's little boy Carter more often.

If your reading this entry and a Bown, you will at least understand the second half of this title. Apparently, the love of popsicles is genetic; going back at least three generations, and therefore cannot be helped. Ruston's grandpa loved them, his dad, I'm sure at least enjoys them, Ruston is addicted and MUST always be able to find them in the freezer or will immediately remedy the problem, and as you can see, the kids . . . obsessed. (I'm a little concerned, Ruston, elated.)

Denver, First Installment

Since I'm soooo far behind in blogging this is going to take a couple of entries. I finally made it home after being away for about two years. We came so that I could run with the fam in the Bolder Boulder (I'll have to tell about that later!). I love going home, and wish I didn't live so far away. Here are some pics from our trip.

This is taken from my mom's kitchen window. I love that they get deer in their backyard and yet the grocery store is still just a block away!

Brooke and Josh is Lisa's hammock, we had a good time there.

Brooke experiencing what we called "extreme swinging".

If you think this is nuts, just imagine when we used to do it on the most broken down old wood ladder, and really you were more worried that the ladder would break than you were about swinging or jumping from so high. You can see the old ladder in the background.

I love it. It's so much fun!

We made it to ONE

Ok, so I've been out of town since the 13th of May, so I'm sorry this one is soooo late. The boys did finally turn one; we made it, we all survived, and really I'm just shocked. I NEVER thought I would make it, but not only did we make it, now their 13 months. Wow, who would have thought.

As far as the party goes, initially I was planning on throwing this big party for myself, who cares about the boys, I made it. I was all pround that I survived, but when it came time to put all that together . . . I was too tired. SO we had a small gathering with a train cake and some ice cream. Really it was just about right for two kiddos turning one.

Luke was a little timid, but by the end he had eaten a little,

but nothing like his little brother!

I

Girl's Night Out

For most of you it is no surprise that if I'm ever given the choice as to where I want to eat, it's just about always Sushi Town. Sushi Town is the local sushi restaurant and lucky for me it is the BEST sushi restaurant around. Lots of people drive the 45 minutes down from Seattle to go for sushi here in Bonney Lake, and their rolls are the best! I crave sushi on almost a weekly basis, but due to financial drawbacks I only indulge monthly.

Well about two weeks ago, our stake had the Father's and Son's Camp Out, so what did Brooke and I do . . . got a babysitter for the twins and headed to Sushi Town. Now what five year old little girl wants sushi . . . MINE!, and I love it. She was almost as excited about the sushi as she was about going on a date just the two of us. After dinner we came home, put the twins to bed, watched a movie together in my bed, and then fell asleep together. It was really a great night.

On our plate we have four pieces of Salmon, two pieces of Tuna, squid salad, and two long rolls. The only thing Brooke wasn't such a fan of was the crab on top of the one roll; she thought it was a little spicy. Oh ya, and the wasabi. She tried to talk a big bite of that, but fortunately I stopped her before she got it in her mouth and simply let her smell it. After that, she was okay leaving that one alone.

Finally . . . We only need ONE!

When you're having twins, they always tell you, make sure you have two. Two cribs, two car seats, two high chairs, two pacifiers, you get the point. Ahh, but for now, we only need one.

Other Updates

1. Luke is crawling. They've been army crawling for a while, but Luke finally figured out how to do it on his knees.

2. Brooke is learning how to read. About a week ago she read her own bedtime stories. It was amazing to watch. She sounds words out very well, and I love listening to her.

3. Josh is Mister helpful. He loves to vacuum, sweep and do the dishes. I only hope it lasts through the years.

4. Last weekend we went to the Oregon Coast to check things out for our summer vacation. Despite the bad weather, we had a great time and the coast is super gorgeous. We are really looking forward to spending a full week there in the summer.

5. Brooke and Josh love playing together.

57:45

What do those numbers mean to you? Could it be a scriptural reference? Well, let me give you a hint, it's a time. Fifty seven minutes, forty five seconds. So, what can you do in 57:45? Get ready for the day (ie. shower, blow dry, make up)? Do a load of laundry? Vacuum the house? Well, on March 20, I did something I've never been able to do in only fifty seven minutes and forty five seconds, I ran a 10k, or 6.2 miles! Now for some that time isn't all that exciting, but for me it was amazing. I'm still impressed with myself for doing it so fast. My real goal however, is to run the Bolder Boulder (Denver, CO) in less than 55 minutes. I have another 7 and a half weeks to train, and three minutes to shave off. I have no idea if I'll be able to do it, but I'm gonna try.

A Few Recent Photos

Brooke's first day of gymnastics

My cute little Zach causing mischief

Zach's first haircut, really just s trim to get rid of the "bald spot"

Luke

Luke figuring out Josh's power tools, dad loved it!

Another boring Update

I want to post something, and I've had time recently, but I'm big on having pictures with every post, since at least for me that's about all I do at other people's blogs. Sometimes I read, if it 's not too long, but not very often! And now that the holiday's are over, I haven't taken many pictures, and although fun things continue to happen, I'm out of it.

So the recap for now is . . .

1. Luke and Zach can both crawl, although it is only an army crawl. However, they can get around and it's time to buy a gate for the stairs. Sadly they've both tumbled down once! The good news is they fell gracefully and neither had any battle wounds.

2. Luke and Zach each have a tooth. It's funny though because for both of them it's a lower central, but Zach's is his right and Luke's is his left. Luke also is just starting to poke another one through.

3. Brooke is READING!!! She can sound out simple words and I'm so impressed by how much she has learned.

4. Brooke started gymnastics. I finally feel like I have it together enough to get her to and from ONE activity a week. She's been going for two weeks and yesterday when she was done she was so mad because other girls still got to be there.

5. Josh, is Josh. Nothing really new, although I think he's grown two inches since Halloween, nothing fits him anymore.

Just an Old Fashion Update

For those of you who didn't get a Christmas card, oh wait that would be all of you since we didn't send one out!, this is the family photo we would have included. Things are good at our house. The boys have been eating solids for a couple of months and although life is busy and hard, it is getting easier. I feel like my life is spent in the kitchen, and from what I hear, it only gets worse! Luke can army crawl, but we are still waiting for the day when they both take off to disappear for hours while they happily entertain each other. (Does that ever really happen?)

Below is the newest addition to our family!, well, the larger Bown family. Katie, Ruston's sister, had the most beautiful little girl on December 19, and we got to meet her last week.

And lastly, Brooke thought she looked so cute with the curlers in her hair, that she made me post this picture. Sadly though, the curlers mostly fell out while she was sleeping, so we had to start from scratch the next morning. Does anyone have any tips for keeping these super old fashion sponge curlers in?