Keith's GNO (Girl's Night Out)

On February 26-27 Keith went down to Prescott AZ to participate in the Ragnar Relay Series Del Sol Race (hereafter referred to as "the GNO"). The race is a series of 3 individual runs (mostly speed walks) for a team of 12 from Prescott to Mesa AZ, which totals 204 miles. Keith was invited by his sister Keri to join her and her friends, and he spent 2 months training for the running. If you can read the rear window of the van they are team "Poison Running Through My Veins".

Van #1 - Andrea, Carol, Keri, Kate, Ashley, and Keith (all in the team color pink)

Keith finishing his first run, which was 6.6 miles over a hilly pass. Hannah really wants the pink top so she can wear it as a dress.

After each series of runs our van had a stop to recuperate while the other half of our team was on the course. This is a picture of our team camped out with a sampling of the other 350 teams doing the race. Keri is taking the picture, and Kate was sleeping on a banana for some reason??

Keith was a little confused about which head lamp he should wear for the night run.

Keri and Keith right before Keith's night run. Notice Keith is still smiling, which is how you can tell it was before the run. Keith's second leg was 8.7 miles up a 4 lane highway, and was not his favorite part of the trip. People kept telling Keri "thanks for volunteering", because of that vest she is wearing. She had to be either a volunteer or working road crew.

This is the team safe a sound back at Keith's house (except for Keri's burn). Unfortunately, the team did not get to run their 3rd leg due to an accident on the course where a runner was struck by a car and died. In total Keith ran 15.3 miles, and was really grateful for the experience with his sister. What did he get for doing this insane event you ask??

This medal and the best/only GNO of his life. We are already planning to do the race in Las Vegas in October 2010. Let Keith know if you are interested!!

Thanks Chuck!

So yesterday we decided to go to Chuck E. Cheese and use the leftover tokens from Hannah's birthday. A great, inexpensive way to spend an afternoon! As we are pulling into the parking lot we had a very insightful discussion with Nick. Here's how it went down.......

Nick: (pointing to the mouse on the sign) "He died for us?"
Mom: "Who?"
Nick: (pointing again to the mouse on the sign) "He died for us and then came back to life again?"
Mom: completely baffled "Who Chuck E. Cheese?"
Nick: "Yeah."
Mom: light bulb moment! "No Nick...JESUS died for us and then came back to life again."
Nick: "Oh!"

Well they do kinda sound the same Jesus/Cheese's. I guess we know what Monday's FHE lesson with be on.....

We are not complete failures as parents though......we do make our kids wear their helmets when riding their bikes.....all 3 of them!

A Utah Weekend Away!

My older sister Georgia had her baby at the end of January and I just had to go meet him while he was still teeny tiny! He is absolutely gorgeous & precious! If Jack were just a little older I think you could talk me into having another one! I felt like Dug in the movie UP when he says "Hello. I have just met you and I already love you!" Welcome little Andrew Jacob Raymond....you are too cute!

Jack was such a joy to have all by himself! We flew and he did great on the plane. He got a lot of attention from everyone and was so happy and smiley the entire trip! He also was a champion sleeper. There must be something about a cool dark Utah basement! I sometimes feel like because he was such a hard infant we didn't get a lot of quality bonding time. This trip more than made up for it! He kept looking around wondering where those other 2 kids that are so demanding of me were. I think we loved having each other all to ourselves!
We had Sunday dinner at my parents and there are so many babies in my family I'm afraid we are not much help to each other. "Here I'll hold your baby if you hold mine!"

In 5 days I ate out 7 times! (I am going to need to kick up the walking!) I got to spend lots of time with my mom and sisters. My sister Melanie was in town from Idaho and I spent one night with my sister Emily and her girls while her husband was out of town. I also went out to lunch with my girlfriends from high school Marilee & Sarah. I went to visit my old neighbor & dear friend Veena and see her beautiful new home. Plus I got to see my sister in law Keri and my mother in law Dottie! Lots and lots of big girl bonding time (plus Jack!)

A special thanks to my wonderful Mom & Dad who were the greatest hosts! Thanks for all the yummy food and late night cards! You are the best parents a gal could ask for and the coolest grandparents on the planet! Jack sends hugs & kisses!

As for Hannah and Nick.....don't feel too bad for them. They got left behind with their completely awesome father! (Thanks honey for making this possible for me! You truly are the best!) They went to a hockey game and a movie and ate out way too much as well! When I got home the house was clean, the laundry was done and dinner was made! I am spoiled rotten! What a fun Utah weekend away! Anyone want to join me and do it again soon?!?

My Nutwinkles!

These are the 3 little people I love most in this world! Sometimes I am not always good at remembering that so this post is a little tribute to them!

I love blogging because it is such a great way to keep family and friends updated on your family! Here are updates on my 3 little nutwinkles!
Hannah earned her orange belt in Tae Kwon Do last weekend! She received a gold medal for doing the best on her forms and kicks. Way to go Hannah! She has really found her talent and is excelling in her class! She has lost 2 teeth and has one more really loose! I hope she doesn't end up missing all 4 front teeth at the same time! (Can you imagine trying to eat like that!?!) I think Hannah is very mature and grown up for her age. I sometimes think she is 6 going on 16. Maybe that's what you get with an oldest child. She loves Kindergarten and is becoming an excellent reader and writer. She also is a beautiful artist! Keep up all the good work Hannah!

Nick is loving preschool and goes 2 days a week. He is starting to learn his numbers and letters and he draws some hilarious pictures! He also is in a playgroup with some friends in the ward that meets once a week! He is going to start playing soccer in March. We spend a lot of time together while Hannah is at school and Jack is napping. I love him so much! He often makes me laugh out loud (and sometimes he makes me cry too!) He can be quite the charmer and has a fabulous imagination. When Nick is playing or excited he yells out "Yeehaw Cowboy!". Not sure where he picked that up but it is very funny! Love you Nick!

Jack is doing great as well! He is almost 9 months! Can you believe it? He still has his helmet and will probably have to wear it for 6 more weeks! But we hardly notice it anymore...it's just become part of who he is! He is down to only 1 physical therapy session a week and is showing great improvement! He is at this beautiful stage where he can sit and play with toys on the floor forever but can't go anywhere. I call it the "golden stage of babyhood"! He loves table food and is probably a better eater than Nick! Jack makes this adorable clicking noise with his tongue when you give him a kiss or tell him "I love you". I swear it's his way of saying "I love you too"! Hip hip hooray for Jack! We are so glad you are part of our family!

Now for my biggest nutwinkle of all! My sweet and adorable husband! He is so good to us! He works so hard to provide for our family! He is the greatest Dad! He is also the bestest friend and husband a gal could ask for! I never dreamed that when he dragged me to Vegas nearly 4 years ago we'd still be here but now I know that home really is where ever he is! The other night Jack woke up while I was out walking with the ladies. When I got home I found this.....my boys vegging out on the couch watching football! They had this guilty look on their faces like they had been caught doing something naughty! Like staying up way too late!

I'm so grateful to have these 4 nutwinkles in my life! They are the reason I am such a nutwinkle too! I love and adore each and every one of 'em!

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Yesterday Hannah turned 6! I can hardly belive my baby has grown up so fast! She was born Jan. 15, 2004 at 7:16pm. She was 6 lbs. 5 oz. 19 1/2 inches long and 8 long days overdue! We didn't have a digital camera back then but I did find this baby picture of her.
Here she is now! 6 years, 2 moves, 2 houses, 3 cars, many vacations, 3 broken bones 2 missing teeth, 2 schools, and 2 brothers later! She has weathered it all very well!
We love you Hannah and are so proud of the beautiful, smart, sweet little girl you are becoming! Thanks for being such a wonderful daughter & sister. Our family truly wouldn't be the same without you! HANNAH has 6 letters and this what it stands for...

H-Happy

A-Awesome

N-Nice

N-Nutty

A-Adorable

H- Helpful

Hannah has wanted to have her birthday party at Chuck E Cheese for the past 2 years and we finally gave in. It was great to leave the mess and chaos somewhere else for a change. Thanks to all her fun friends (and supportive parents) who came and joined in the fun!

Merry Christmas!

The week proceeding Christmas was a busy one here at the Nigbur home. After school parties/programs Aunt Keri came for a quick visit over the weekend of the 19th. We exchanged gifts, made cookies, and went to the lights at the Springs Preserve.

Monday we drove up to Utah for my Oma's funeral. She was very old and miserable so we think it was a blessing. She was a wonderful Grandma and I have fond memories of her growing up. We are grateful she is with Opa and her parents now in heaven and free of pain. It was a quick trip because we drove home very late Tuesday night.

Wednesday we did a quick repack and jumped back into the car and headed to Williams AZ for the Polar Express. It was a surprise for our kids and they loved it. We rode the train all the way to the North Pole and saw Santa in our jammies. We also swam at the hotel (which always seems to be their favorite part!)

We got back late Christmas Eve and celebrated with just our little family. (The first time ever!) Christmas morning was awesome. Santa was very generous this year and our kids got many loud, extremely annoying toys. Thanks Santa! Jack loved his first Christmas too! His biggest gift was a helmet to help shape out the flat spot on his head. Even though it was a bit busy we had a fabulous time. Merry Christmas everyone!

Hannah's Big Weekend!!!

Hannah had two big things happen to her this weekend. She lost her first tooth, and was really excited to stay up and see the tooth fairy.

She put her tooth in the special "tooth fairy pillow"...

...and awoke the next morning to her reward. She was a little disappointed that she didn't catch the tooth fairy, and thinks that perhaps the tooth fairy is "invisible".

Next, Hannah had testing at her Tae Kwan Do class to earn her purple belt, and passed with flying colors. She broke a board on her very first try!

They gave an award to the individual who did the best in each belt color...

... and to our surprise Hannah was presented with the trophy for the yellow belt class. She was really excited, and is looking for a repeat performance on her next test!

Congatulations Hannah! It was a great weekend and we are so proud of you!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our little family headed to Utah to spend the holiday with family. Thanksgiving day was really busy and a little crazy. We started out having family pics taken at 8:30 am. 2 grandparents, 14 aunts and uncles, and 17 cousins! I'll let you know how they turned out! Since we had such a crowd my parents "rented" the church for the day. We spent it playing basketball, watching movies, coloring, painting fingernails, catching up, cooking and running around! It took 4 long tables to seat everyone and it was super fun! A few of our many cousins. Some were napping or eating!

My best friends in the world. My mom and sisters!

We also celebrated Christmas with Keith's mom since we won't be heading back up in Decemeber. She was very generous with gifts and made us a yummy German dinner. Thanks Grandma!
My mom turned 65 Sunday and we threw her a surprise party too! We watched the Utes lose (sniff sniff), played in the snow, ate lots of yummy takeout and got to little sleep. We are still recovering. (I did 7 loads of laundry yesterday!) But we wouldn't trade all the craziness for a minute! Family, friends, food and fun! Our favorite things.

Family Pictures!

We are a happy family!

Sweet baby Jack!

Big boy Nick!


Beautiful all grown up Hannah!

Best buddies!

Awww! True love!

Daddy & Daughter

Together Forever!

Happy Halloween!

We had such a great Halloween weekend! 3 days jam packed with fun. After school parties Thursday Aunt Keri came into town and spent the weekend with us! Friday we went to a pumpkin patch and rode a pony named Moe. We also picked out the pumpkins we were going to decorate!
Patiently waiting our turn!

Our sweet neighbor gave us these cool faces and the kids just painted their pumpkins and poked these in. SOOO much easier (and safer) than carving! We did carve one pumpkin but it was a lot of work! (I think it had petrified in the patch!) Didn't they turn out great?
That night we went to a super fun Halloween party with some friends! The whole family dressed up! A witch, a ballerina, Mickey Mouse, a lamb, a Boston Red Sox (who about 5 minutes after the picture decided to be a Chick on the Run instead!) Hilarious!

Saturday we went to yet another pumpkin patch with rides and bouncy houses galore! The kids were so pooped they needed naps before the big Trick or Treat! Hannah (I think in Keri's honor) decided to go as a cowgirl. In 4 houses our buckets were full! When I was little you got one piece of candy per house....nowadays people give out hand fulls! But we emptied our loot into the bottom of the stroller and stayed out for more!

We had a lot of fun and are still recuperating from all of it! We had a very Happy Halloween!