Josephine's

Wednesday for lunch the Jeanne, Grandma, and I went to lunch.  Grandpa and Jacob packed a picnic and headed for a boys trip to the park.  Jacob was proud as a peacock to be going out with Grandpa by himself.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch and dessert with some gift shop browsing afterwards.

Cahokia Mounds

Tuesday we went to the Cahokia Mounds. Its 150 some steps to the top. We were very surprised Jacob made it to the top himself. When he got to the top he let out a big breath and went "phew". I was afraid the lady coming down was going to fall and kill herself she was laughing so hard at him

The view from the top

Fall Parties

Bella's Class

Xandy coloring at her desk

Bella during the parade.  The girls' elementary school is next to one of the middle schools so the kids walked around the track for their costume parade.  I overheard one little girl complain to her friend "this is more like a REALLY long walk than a parade.  I didn't get to throw any candy" 

Bella and Madison playing Halloween Bingo

The pumpkin spoon relay.  Not sure why Bella left her clothes on under her shirt and poodle skirt

Xandy making a handprint Bat craft

The kids in Xandy's class thought we looked like sisters in our costumes.  Liz and I may not be sisters, but we are neighbors and good friends

Bella's First Field Trip

Friday was a busy but fun day.  I made soup for the Teacher Appreciation lunchm taught my first full hour class, went on a field trip with Bella's class to the Watershed Nature Center, went to the younger girls' costume parade, helped with Bella's Fall party, and even stopped into Xandy's party for a few minutes.Bella has a friend Madison in her class.  Madison is in the other ward but the two have become close friends.  The sit next to each other in class also. 

Bella and Madison

Bella's class

A visit from Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Jeanne

Jared's parents and aunt went on a church history tour that ended in St. Louis.  We were lucky to have them stay with us for a week.  We fit in lots of fun activities including a trip up the Arch, visiting Cahokia Mounds, several walks on the trails, lunch at Josephine's, our first geocaching experiences, two trips to Bobby's, lunch at Pappy's, and a day at the Godfrey Maze. 

Its been two years since the kids have seen Grandpa.  They were excited to see him!

 A walk on the bike path.  Grandpa and Jacob showing off their BYU shirts.  Jacob thoroughly enjoyed having Grandpa here and getting one on one time while the girls were in school.

 Grandma and Bella

 Jeanne and Xandy

I have a ton more pictures of their visit.  I'll post them in small groups over the next few weeks.  Special thanks to Grandma for the majority of the pictures.  I was so busy having fun I forgot to take pictures most of the time.

Eckerts Fall Fun Farm

I took the kids home to rest before we headed out for more fun that evening.  Our friends had rented a bonfire pit at one of the local orchard's fall festival.  We had hotdogs and s'mores around the fire. The orchard had carnival rides, mini-golf, a little cornmaze, a haunted hayride, a long dark tunnel slide down a hill, and pig races.  The kids really enjoyed the pigraces and the haunted hayride.  The Haunted Hayride even had a Frank (think CARS) that chased the wagon.  That was the highlight for the kids.  Before we left we let the kids each pick a pumpkin.  I had hoped to get there early enough to pick apples but Jared didn't get off work in time and then our GPS froze right at the part we needed it so it took some time to figure it out and get there.
(I can't find the pictures from this night but hopefully I can post some soon)

That weekend was Stake Conference and Elder Maynes from the Seventy came.  Since we were going to be missing Sunday to take Austin back we made sure we could attend Saturday.  After the sitter came I drove down towards the Stake Center and stopped to get Olive Garden Take Out.  We had wanted to go out of dinner but there was only an hour between the Priesthood session and the Adult session.  So we had a picnic dinner on the church lawn.   It was peaceful and fun.

Watershed Nature Center

We had Austin with us for a week at the beginning of the month.  He had a week off school and since his mom and dad both work, we got to have him stay with us.  We met in Lexington the first week-end at my Great-Aunt Glady's house.  It was fun to visit with her and cousin Linda.  We also got to see my parents who were exchanging cars with Tonya and Dustin.  It was a quick trip but was lots of fun.  Jacob adored Austin and loved having a playmate.  He even told the neighbor "I got a new brother".  Austin handled Jacob's smothering very well. We had several playdates throughout the week besides Jacob's B-day party.  For one morning playdate we had 5 little boys and no girls here.  Thats something I never thought would happen in this house!!! The girls had Friday off and Austin was thrilled to be able to spend more time with the girls.  After debating what to do, I talked them into park hopping.(I did not feel like driving to the zoo)  We packed a picnic lunch and off we went. 

Making animal tracks

There is an observation tower that looks like I've always imagined King Benjamin's tower.  Austin was pretending to be King Benjamin (which of course Jacob had to imitate).  Austin climbed up, raised his arms above his head and said "Ladies and Gentleman, today we are going to talk about Jesus Christ and a little bit about CTR".  It was priceless!

After leaving the Watershed, and a quick stop at the library, we went to the park we had family pictures taken at.  We had a picnic with the Pearsons and played on the playground.  We finished the day at Sonic where we got 4 icecream cones (Jacob was dead asleep by this time and I couldn't get him to wake up), a small soda pop, and a large slush for $1.70!  I love Happy Hour and Coupons!!!

Buckeye boys

I just love these two and this picture!  I also love how Jacob always wants to be like Dad.  This picture was taken of them watching Katy's soccer game.  ( Jacob has a OSU hat on too)

My "baby" boy

I wrote this post several weeks ago and just never got around to adding pictures and posting it.  His B-day was almost a month ago now

Okay, so maybe he's not a baby anymore.  Especially since he turned 3 last week. THREE????  I can't believe how fast that time went. Here's a little bit about him:
He loves to play with his sister's.
He adores his Dad.
Mommy is his best friend........until the girls and Dad come home
He is my pickiest eater
He still loves to snuggle with me (except when he's trying to stay awake)
Toy Story is his latest obsession
He wants a little dog
He has tried to get on the school bus a few times
He beats up the bad guys during movies and TV shows
He wishes he didn't have to take turns saying prayer- he wants it to always be his turn.
He loves missionaries now that Uncle Alex is on a mission
He likes to talk and talk to anyone who will lend an ear
He will always be my baby

  We got a Turtle Pie from Bobby's on his B-day.  IT WAS GOOD!!  He kept asking when his friend party was.  His sisters all had friend parties this year and he was insistent that he had one.  I wasn't sure it was necessary for a 3 yr old (this is what happens by the time you get to the 4th).  He was so insistant that I finally broke down.  He, of course, wanted a Toy Story party.  He had a few friends come over while Austin was visiting.  He was super bummed that his best bud Tyler was out of town.  We went through an obstacle course to escape from Sunnyside.  Then we dug for Army men in the sandbox.  We had some other games to play but never did get to them.  He had a blast and will still tell anyone that we see all about his Toy Story b-day.  I forgot to take pictures at his actual party which is why its only him and Austin in the pictures.  I had them re-create picture ops from the party after everyone had left.

Woody singing Happy B-day to Buzz

 Army crawling through part of the obstacle course

 Digging for army men

 Playing with the Toy Story racer toy Jacob got for his B-day

Even though Tyler couldn't come to his party we did get to go to the zoo with them a few weeks beforehand. The boys had a blast

It was fun to see the baby giraffe 

Group Fitness Instructor Certification

A month ago I went to an all day group fitness certification on a Friday.  I had wanted to certify for a little under a year but decided to wait to fall because AFAA was having an Apex event in St. Louis which made the cost of the course $99 instead of $299.  AFAA is the Areobics and Fitness Asssociation of America.  We had a textbook for the course, along with a supplemental guide, 40+ page study guide, and practice test.  I borrowed my friend's books so I wouldn't have to pay another hundred bucks for all the materials.  AFAA does send everyone a study guide for free.  I spent many hours of reading and studying leading up to that day.  I tend to be a little obsessive compulsive  when it comes to studying for tests.  In addition to reading all the materials, filling out the study guide, and memorizing the muscles in the body, I made flash cards out of the entire study guide.  It took a LOT of index cards. 

My friend Kristie decided to certify with me.  We worked together to come up with our pratical portion of the exam.  We needed to demonstrate a warm-up and cardio segment of a class. Everyone in the certification would be demonstrating this at the same time.  We figured if we were doing the same routine, if either one of us got nervous and panicked, forgetting the routine, we could glance at the other and make a quick recovery.  We also had to prepare an individual exercise with three different intensity levels to verbally and visually teach the rest of the class.  I chose the plank.

We also had to get CPR/AED certified beforehand.  We did an online course through the American Heart Association and then took a pratical exam at the hospital.  It ended up being a very convenient way of certifying since I didn't have to get Jacob a babysitter.  I did the online portion while he was napping and Kristie and I switched off watching him during the pratical

The day of the certification came and we set off with butterflies in our stomach.  We were disappointed when we arrived at the location (a local college) to find there were no signs directing us.  Our packets only had the address of the college listed and we assumed there would be signs or something to help mark which building it was in.  We headed to the entrance that appeared to have a fieldhouse near it.  When we saw other people in workout attire and yoga mats we hoped we had the right place.  A lot of the other people at the certification already taught classes and were certifying with AFAA through their respective gyms.  It was a little intimidating since Kristie and I don't currently teach classes.  I had taught the ab part of my friend's class a couple days beforehand.  It went pretty well so that helped me feel a little more confident.  They ended up splitting us into two different rooms based on the first letter of our last names.  Of course, Kristie and I ended up in different rooms. 

We spent most of the day reviewing the packet and going over different parts of the pratical exam.  I liked how much feedback we were given.  It also helped that the instructor kept checking our alignment to make sure we wouldn't have any points deducted during the actual pratical part of the exam.  I knew that as long as I did everything the way I had all day, I'd be fine.  She kept stressing that they weren't looking for creativity, just proper alignment and execution. 

When it came time for the pratical portion they lined us up alphabetically by our last name.  I wasn't worried since "R" was in the middle of the "M-Z".  There must've been a lot of "s" in there cause I ended up front and center.  The warmup and cardio segment of the pratical were probably pretty funny to watch.  There were 40 of us in the room all doing our own thing.  I had to make small moves to keep from crashing into the people around me.  When it came time for the strength exercises and stretching, I got a little nervous.  One of the judges was standing directly in front of me.  Everytime she made a mark, I panicked that I had done something wrong but I seemed to be in correct alignment.  It was just nerve-wracking having her stand right there.  They rushed us through the individual presentation due to time contraints.  I didn't get to say everything I had planned but it was okay.

I got my results in the mail this week.  When they say it takes 4-6 weeks it really does take that long.  I only missed two on the written test out of 100.  They don't tell which ones you miss, nor do you find out your pratical score.  I only know that I passed.  I am now officially a certified group fitness instructor.  Since the certification day I've taught a few more portions of my friend's class.  I am also now on the sub list at the YMCA.