Cute Pumpkins Contest.

My cousin posted a link to this blog that is having a contest for some really cute pumpkin decorations. I get an extra entry if I post a link, so sorry if this is a boring post for you, it is purely self serving.:) Link

Beating Beethoven

I ran in my first 5K race on Sept. 12th. My friend Amber asked if I wanted to run it with her and I decided it was a good way to get me back in shape after having a baby. I started out struggling to run a few blocks and after about a month I was running 1 1/2 miles. Still it wasn't 3.1 miles, so I was nervous. Tim and Amber were very supportive and encouraging though.

The race was called Beat Beethoven because Beethoven's 5th symphony is about 32 min. in length. If you could finish the race before the last note played, you got a pin the said, "I beat Beethoven." The race was to benefit the arts council in our city, so I thought it was appropriate. My personal goal was to finish in 45 min. and only walk about 4 blocks. I accomplished both the goals and finished the race in about 35 min. I came in 96th of about 250 runners and was 35th in my age category. I'm proud of myself. Running is hard for me, but I am starting to enjoy it. It was good for me to have such a specific goal. I knew I needed to be able to run about 3 miles by Sept. 12th.

Now I'm going to run in the Turkey Trot 5K with Amber on Thanksgiving. That is helping me continue to run. My route is now about 2 miles in length. I like that my kids see me running as I really am trying to set a good example of a healthy lifestyle for them. My mom did that for me, I'd like to pass that on. I didn't beat Beethoven, but I still won my race!

Bryant's Blessing

Bryant was blessed on Aug. 30th. Two of Tim's brothers and one sister were in town, so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity and bless him. I cleaned the house and made lots of food for a luncheon on Saturday. We borrowed a cute little white tux from Tim's sister. Everything was going well. Then Tim spent the whole night throwing up. We couldn't really postpone it, so he dragged himself out of bed and put on a suit. Despite his illness the blessing went well. I could feel the spirit in the room and the love both his father and Heavenly Father feels for our precious baby boy.


My uncle and a couple of cousins also attended to represent the Despain side. I know both of Bryant's grandfathers were there in spirit as well. They would have loved to play with this newest grandson. He is such a happy little boy and we feel so blessed to have him in our family.

The luncheon went well, though Tim stayed in our room to try to avoid infecting others. My good friend Amber taught me how to make focaccia bread and it was a big hit. It was wonderful to have so many family members here and I'm grateful they were able to stay and wish us well with our new little one.

Kindergarten...at last!

Lydia's first day of Kindergarten didn't go as I had always planned. Oh, we went and bought special new school clothes and shoes, new school supplies, new backpack, and fixed her hair all cute. There is no bus to her school, so there was no big get on the bus moment. In fact, when we arrived at school we looked on her teacher's door (whom we had met and done testing with the week before) and she wasn't on the list. So, we checked the other teacher's door and she wasn't on that list either. When her teacher came out she smilingly handed out the name tags. The tragic conversations went like this:

Lydia: Where's my name tag?
Teacher(coldly): Your daughter has been moved to the morning class with the new teacher.
Me: You told me she wouldn't be moved because we registered on time clear back in April. We also weren't notified of the change.
Teacher: You'll have to work that out with the office.
Me: Ok, but while I'm working that out with the office can she come to your class today since she missed her class and she wants to go to her first day of Kindergarten?
Teacher: No.
Me: She's been looking forward to this for a long time, and had we been notified we would have gone to her class, but we weren't, so can't she go to your class so she doesn't miss her first day of school?
Teacher: No. She missed her class. She will need to come back tomorrow.

Lydia was of coarse in tears at this point. We went to the office and an hour later she was in the other teacher's afternoon class. She is still in that class, but we are working on changing her school. Needless to say, I am unimpressed with the school. Lydia unfortunately is now disenchanted with school. She doesn't want to go and is already telling me she is sick and can't go to school often. I thought that wouldn't happen until at least 3rd grade. Hopefully she'll have a 2nd first day of school next week.

Ali had to put on her backpack too. She'll miss her sister.



Bye Lydia! Have a great day at school!

Aspen Grove

The Pedersen reunion was at Aspen Grove this past week. Everyone had a blast! They put on a great program up there. Bryant and I stayed home for the most part (we visited one night) so I will post some pictures and a little from what I was told goes with the adventure.

Ali was put into the "stompers" class. She loved her couselors and made a lot of new friends. They did things like a bug hunt, pirate day, arts and crafts, and swimming in the pool. Arrrrgh!
Lydia was in the "kittens" class. She did lots of arts and crafts, mini golf, swimming, and a treasure hunt. She came running whenever she heard the call, "kittens, unite!" I wish I could get her to listen that well.

Every night was family night. They had shows put on by the different classes, frontier night, and other fun activities.





Tim also went with his brother-in-law up to Sundance and took a lift up with bikes and rode down the mountain. They had a great time, except Tim crashed and wrecked his bike. He has some scrapes but he rented another bike and went down the mountain again. Boys.

During their trip, Lydia had her first day of school, that I went and picked her up for. I'll post that soon. Then on Sunday we blessed Bryant while everyone was in town. That will be another post as well. It was good to see everyone. Tim has a fun family that I enjoy being a part of!