FALL TIME FUN ...
Soccer Is Over?
No, not really. We are moving the game indoors! Both Kate and Taylor had such fun outdoor seasons...they loved playing and I loved watching. Kate has improved so much- its really exciting to watch her use her moves...she is turning into a great player. Because this was Taylor's first season, her games are more fun-ny to watch...8 little girls running around in a large group. Taylor would get so frustrated if she couldn't hear me cheering for her, so I would have to yell at the top of my lungs whenever she was in...crazy soccer mom. Speaking of soccer mom- our women's indoor team just started back up. Three games every week between us and I'm looking forward to all of it.
Happy Halloween '10
Alright, now I have time to write. Brian posted the pictures and now I get to tell you all about them. :)
Taylor dressed up 4 different times for different events, Kate and Lauren three. Each time there was a different costume used and all of them came from our very own dress-up box. I don't know if that speaks to how deep our costume box reaches, or how lazy I am. Most of them were/have been used at least three times. Ah, the perks of having three girls.
These pictures were taken at Nana and Papa's ward trunk-or-treat. For the record, Kate and Taylor think that the trunk of a car is actually called a trunker because of these "trunker treats"- you get treats from all of the trunkers.
Lauren was a lamb. Well, dressed as one at least. Obviously, she has the personality of a little lion these days- those terrible two's are looming nearer! Can't wait. Taylor was a soccer-playing unicorn. That was a last-minute "soccer" add when I arrived late after Kate's soccer game and realized that Brian had forgotten to bring shoes (shoes?!) for Taylor so she got to wear Kate's cleats. Kate, after dressing up for the 80's last week at school, decided she loved it so much that she wanted a re-peat. Is it sad that most of her outfit came from her own closet of everyday clothes? Hmmm.
St. George Marathon?
I'm 0 & 2 when it comes to running marathons. Thats right...trained completely (almost NEVER missing a single training run) for two different marathons in the last year- eight grueling months of training through one of the coldest winters and then hottest summers on Texas record. One knee surgery and one IT Band injury later...I still have no finisher's medal. I was even shooting for a BQ finish and had hit my time markers during training both times around.
So, when I crossed the start line early Saturday morning in St. George, Utah and immediately felt my IT band flare up, it was disheartening, to say the least. I knew right away that I wouldn't be finishing the race- at least not running. I also knew I would regret not pushing myself as far as my body would allow. By mile 4, I was in intense pain. But, I kept going because I wanted to stop when I literally could not go any further. At mile 7, my knee locked up so tight and so quick that it stopped me dead in my tracks. My first thought was that I could just walk the remaining 19.2 miles. It didn't take me long to realize that wasn't going to happen- my left leg couldn't even bear its own weight as it continued to seize up on itself. At the mile 8 marker, I sunk into the aid station chair and told the nurse through tears that I was finished.
While I knew beforehand that it was not likely I would finish the marathon due to my injury, it was completely crushing to be faced with it in that moment. Its hard to explain the emotions that I went through in the following days and I know this may seem a little crazy, but it was totally devastating to walk away with nothing to show for my 8 months of hard work.
I've learned enough to know that there was a lesson in this. I'm grateful that I have a body healthy enough to even take on the training. I'm grateful for a supportive husband who let me train (ie: lots of early morning long runs watching our three girls!) and also listened to me sob and get totally emotional the night I returned. I'm grateful that I was able to even start the race. And, I'm grateful for the challenge that taking on a marathon presents...it really changes a person.
Third times a charm, right?
Sea World Trippin'
To see more pictures, click here: San Antonio
We took a quick trip to San Antonio last week with the Dardanos. We stayed at a really fun resort with a lazy river, slides, and a sandy beach. The kids had SO much fun. On Wednesday, we took our posse over to Sea World for the better half of the day- the weather was a little ominous (sprinkling with a few downpours mixed in) so we weren't too optimistic. But, it turned out to be a perfect day with temps near 75 degrees (in Texas, in July...I know, crazy.) It was my first time going to Sea World as well as the girls' first time. We loved the shows- Shamu and her three whale friends did not disappoint. We were soaking wet after it was all over, despite sitting about 12 rows up. We got to pet the dolphins and see alot of other sea creatures (obviously I don't remember what they were or I would write it out). Very fun.
We even stopped at the San Marcos outlets on the way home (AKA the 3rd best shopping place in the world!!) and made out with our three children still in one piece and a new bed from Restoration Hardware. Check, check.
Good trips + Good friends = Priceless.
Spring is Here ...
I know I'm a lame poster lately and we've been so busy and had seriously so much happen in the last couple of months. I wish blogging was easier- no wait, I wish the days didn't pass so quickly so I had time (energy) to record whats been going on.
Anyhow, we've had a fun couple of weeks so I'll just start there. On Easter morning, we took the girls out on a morning Easter egg hunt in their pretty dresses. They loved chasing the eggs around and Daddy loved chasing them around with a camera...
Last weekend, we drove to Brenham, Texas for the Bluebonnet Festival. We stayed at a hotel in the teeny little town, which happened to be Kate and Taylor's favorite part- they were up until 10 PM watching Shrek...whats not to love? The bluebonnets were so gorgeous and driving through the country was beautiful. So glad that we took this last-minute trip.
To see more pictures, click here: briancrofts.com/blog
To see more pictures, click here: briancrofts.com/blog
To see more pictures, click here: Sessions | Easter Egg Hunt '10
Give, Give, Giveaway...
If you are interested in the easiest giveaway in the blogosphere...click here. The girls in my family- there are 9 of us- started a cooking blog a few months ago where we share what we are cooking for our families, pretty much real-time. So, these recipes are tried-and-true and absolutely delicious. If you're struggling with what to cook for your family, check it out. Easy, peazy stuff. Whats better than that is that right now my sister is giving away a Demarle Silpat- very cool. Go check it out...for both reasons.