I made it!!!

Yesterday, I completed my first 1/2 marathon. For those of you that don't know, that is 13.1 miles. I never really thought I'd enjoy running, but I kind of do. My Dad challenged me at Christmas to do the 1/2 marathon with him and at first I laughed, but then I decided to take him up on his challenge and started some training. I didn't get far before I hurt my foot and had to take a break for several weeks. Then, my next hurdle was blistered feet. I couldn't manage to get them to heal. It was ridiculous and I'd never seen blisters that bad. Yesterday, that was my biggest pain. I felt pretty good, considering, but just couldn't stay going for any long periods becasue my feet were in such pain. Needless to say, I didn't make the goal I had set for myself, but I finished and that is what really matters. It felt great to cross that finish line and have some cheerleaders there too only made it more rewarding!!

Despite the forecast, Alex and the kids as well as two great friends from church were there to cheer me on at the finish line. Here is a shot of Maddie holding up her sign. One side was for me and one side was for Papa Monkey (my dad).

If you look in the center of the picture you can see me and my dad. He is wearing a blue shirt and I'm beside him in white and black.


Here is a close up of us seeing our cheerleaders just before the finish line. (Thanks for the picture Shelly and Madi!!!)

We made it and are still standing!!! :-)

Maddie's Turn

Maddie has been getting the shaft when it comes to blogging lately. I have been doing a lot of blogs about Ashton and tee ball. This past week we did some shopping and Maddie picked out several things she wanted herself. The outfit she has on being one. Alex thought she looked so cute he took a TON and I mean TON of pictures of her wearing it. I found two that I thought were cutest and thought I'd share them.

The Big Game

Thursday night, Casey and Addison were in town, so they tagged along for Ashton's tee ball game. He was so excited that they were coming to watch him and he played a great game!!

He got an awesome hit, which in tee ball language... it was to the grass. :-)

He had the biggest grin on his face as he ran the bases. I couldn't resist posting it.

Then just couldn't stop at home plate, he had to turn around and run as hard as he could to the dug out! LOL

So, after a great hit and throwing not just one but TWO boys out on first. He got the game ball!!!!! He was so excited that he couldn't go to sleep until Alex got home so that he could tell him about it and show him the ball and his certificate. It was cute and we're so proud of him.

Easter Egg Hunting

Sunday, we started the day out by going to church. Erik gave a fantastic sermon, as usual. We had baptisms following service and there were just under a dozen people that dedicated their lives to Christ. Wow! What a way to start out our Easter Sunday!

After church, we went to Alex's parents' house for lunch and an Easter egg hunt. The kids had a great time and I thought I'd share just a few pictures of the fun.

Ashton with his golden egg.

Maddie with her golden egg. How do you like that face???

The kids after they finished the hunt with all their eggs. Ashton by far got more than Maddie but she didn't care.

Update on the Clubhouse

So, it has been only FOUR days since Alex started the kids' clubhouse and he has gotten it almost done. I'm so excited and proud of him!!!! He has never built anything like this and he has done the whole thing from scratch. I think it has turned out great! Here is a few updated pictures of the progress.

Sunday afternoon, I helped him hang the siding and then he worked on some of the trim around the windows.

Monday's project was to do the roofing and that was some hard work he said. I think his hands actually have no finger prints left. :-(

As the process of building has been going on, the kids have insisted on playing inside. There most favorite thing to place so far has been drive thru window. So yesterday, Ashton asked Alex to build a smaller window in the side window for their drive thru. Here is what it looks like now.

Then they decide to build a little table next to the window for her to put her drive thru cash register and head set that my brother and sister in law got her for Christmas last year. It is super cute and they are having a lot of run with it!

Today, Alex stayed home from work because he really wanted to get some work on it done before the rain comes tomorrow night and all day Thursday. He got the front door done. I think it turned out really good. He did a half door so that the kids could get a little extra air and they LOVE IT!

Our high mainteance son, Ashton, told Alex the other day that he really didn't want just a wood floor, so we planned to just get a indoor/outdoor rug and put inside but today Alex found a remnant piece of linoleum and put it in there. I really like it and it will be much easier for me to sweep and/or mop out.

Alex is doing a great job! I think all that is left is a few odds and ends, to paint it and do the landscaping! Hopefully it'll won't take too much longer depending on the weather.

New Project at the Perry House

Alex has decided to start a new project at the Perry house. A clubhouse for the kids!! I'm probably just as excited as the kids because we had a clubhouse briefly as kids and I loved that house. I thought it was the coolest thing ever and can't wait for our kids to have theirs to play in.

Last night, Alex got the floor done with the help of his friend, Jason, and this morning he and the kids started framing it. Ashton and Maddie were so excited to be getting to help and thought they were cool stuff. They all had their own hammers and Alex did good at finding little things to let them help and feel like they were really doing something.

Maddie is going to town hammering in nails in a scrap piece of wood.

Ashton is helping Dad to measure out where the front windows and the door are going to go, while Maddie is still working on her nails.

Ashton is helping to drive the nails in to hold the back wall down to the floor. He is really big stuff. He thinks he can build anything now! :-)

And here is where they are at the end of day one! I am pretty impressed. Tomorrow's project is to get the roof on and start on the outside walls IF the weather permits.

Fun in the sun with the McGuire's

Thursday, we got out to enjoy the sunshine. It was such a pretty day. We packed up, went to the park to meet the McGuire's and had a picnic. It was a lot fun and the kids are already up for another day. :)

Maddie played on the tire swing until they got there. I literally couldn't push her high enough. She is definitely our more "daring" child.

Ashton hung out on the regular swings waiting for Abe and Lola to play.

Once they arrived, all five of them piled on the tire swing for some fun. Lola pushed the younger ones some and then she got on and Abe and Ashton pushed the girls. I think they all had a great time and we will definitely be planning another day soon!

Opening Day

Saturday was opening day of the tee ball season. Ashton was so excited to wear his jersey and play his first game. He did really good and had Papa Monkey, Papa Andy and Geega there to watch. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Ashton started out on short stop and he's ready and waiting for the ball.

The ball was hit to his and he's trying to get it picked up. He is really good at throwing it to first.

Here is his FIRST time at bat and he got a good hit.

He made it to first and was so proud!

I couldn't resist posting this one because he is running from 2nd to 3rd with his tongue hanging out which is a classic Dillard trait.

Here is Maddie and Geega hanging out watching Ashton's game!