Baby Feet

 Growing fast...we love this little guy!!!

Wes Climbs Mt Williamson

 Mid July, Wes hiked Mt Williamson with his boss and some others.  It has an elevation of 14,389 feet...6th highest peak in the contiguous US.  He said it was hard and painful.  He had stomach pains and he should have brought a proper pack for the hike.  The pack worked against him since it protruded out a ton.  of course you want your pack and gear as close to your body as possible, laying parallel to your body, not perpendicular.  A blurb from the internet, "The most common way to climb Williamson is via the standard Class 3 West Face route. The climb itself is not overly difficult, but getting to the base of the climb is a different matter altogether. The most common approach involves an 11 mile hike to 12,040’ Shepherd Pass, followed by an arduous traverse of the glacially carved Williamson Bowl. The Williamson Bowl area may look fairly flat on your topo, but it has lots of small ups and downs. You have to weave around lakes and climb up and over many large boulder-strewn hills just to get to the base of the route.   It is important to note that hiking the trail to Shepherd Pass (12,040 ft) is not a casual outing! The trailhead is only at 6,299 ft! In addition, the people who built the trail must have been on crack because parts of it have switchbacks that gain about 3 ft in 100 yds, and at one point it descends almost 1000 ft when it should be going up!"
They hiked two days, and he appreciated the adventure.



Westin's Swim Team

This Summer we had Westin try out for the city swim team.  There are two teams, the Lightning Bugs (ages 4-15) and The Lightning (ages 6-15).  Westin made the Bugs!  Last weekend he had his first swim meet.  He swam 3 heats:  the breast, back, and freestyle.  It was really casual and not well organized, but it was fun watching him swim anyway.  He swam 25 meters across the pool, for each race, starting at the deep end.  He didn't win any, but we just loved watching him race.  The backstroke was especially difficult for him, but with Wes and a coach encouraging him, he finished it.  I was so proud of the little guy for not quitting!  By that last race I had taken Jade and Benson home, as that day was 108 degrees!  Fortunately the meet was in the morning, but still was 90+ by the time I left.



1/2 Ironman

Back in January Wes decided he wanted to do a half Ironman race.  Since November, he'd started to get back into exercising (after a 5 year hiatus!), and decided to go big or go home.  He chose the Boise 70.3 Half Ironman race.  I was slightly shocked.  Wes hates running, and the race ends with a half marathon!  Anyway, he set his mind to it, and the rest is history!  The race started with a 1.2 miles swim, then a 56 mile bike, and then the 13.1 run.  Turns out the weather that day was in the high 80's too!  BRUTAL!  Wes was able to get a friend, Nate, to sign up for the day of torture as well.  They stayed with Auntie Judy and Uncle Bill, who took exceptional care of the boys. 

 Race Faces!

 A look at the swim

 They had to swim all the way out to the tiny buoys you can barely see in this pic!

 In their tri-suits

 Right after finishing..."What the heck was I thinking?"

Haha, actually they both did great!  Wes finished with a time of 6 hours and 51 minutes, his buddy just behind him.  I was totally impressed, especially considering the 87 degree run and the fact that Wes really did not adequately train for the run, in my opinion.  This race is one of the most difficult half Ironman races, also...in the top 4, I think, or 7, don't remember.  Anyway, that's my husband!  Great job, Wes!!! 

GG Packages

GG and Papa Wayne moved to New York about 8 months ago.  Fortunately, we Face Time, email, and text often.  Westin and Jade have gotten several surprise packages from GG and Papa Wayne in the mail.  There is always something for Benson, and us too!, but Westin and Jade just about go nuts opening and discovering the fun things inside!  In the picture, most of what they have on is from "GG packages."  Westin about wore his safari vest to bed the other night...sooo right up his alley.  Thank you GG and Papa Wayne!  

Westin Turns 5!

 Westin is 5!  He is trying to catch a bird with his net, in the above picture.  This kid is all about animals of every kind!  He wants to know the names of people who specifically study certain kinds, he loves watching nature shows (for short spans), he loves trying to catch anything that moves.  He definitely keeps us entertained.  He grew an inch this past year, and still wants to be a police officer, hunter, and scientist.  He often says he also wants to be an archeologist.  He will be quite the catch for a lucky lady one day, but won't have a minute left for her.  Ha, ha.  He is a great older brother and definitely keeps things fun for Jade, most of the time.  He is a great swimmer and soccer player...both perfect activities for his energy level.  We love listening to his sweet voice when he sings for us.  He will be starting kindergarten in the August!  At the family interview (most just an information session) for John Adam's Academy he impressed the Dean when he quickly identified a Battle Beetle and Praying mantis in a book she let him look at.  We love so many things about him, which makes his naughty side hardly noticeable.  Ha, ha...that's only true sometimes.     

 Jade clearly loves her brother.  Whenever she brings something home from church class or play group, she wants to share it with Westin.

 Grandma and Grandpa Kanooth were here for Westin's birthday and Benson's blessing.  Great time we had!

 Westin sleeps with his bunny and penguin every night and so you know that if he is sharing them with you, he REALLY loves you.  He put them under Benson's arms.  Westin has such a loving side to him and often tells us that he loves us.

 

 Westin drew this picture, for Jesus, at Easter time.

Benson's Baby Blessing

We blessed Benson on April 14th.  My parents were in town, which was great.  Mike and Shirley joined us too!  Wes did a great job giving the blessing and Benson didn't cry a bit.  The group picture didn't turn out the best, and we probably should have chosen level ground, but whatever, you get the idea. 

 This little guy is so sweet!  We just love the heck out of him.  I put him down for a nap 15 minutes ago, and he is already screaming for me to come get him!  I've said this many times, but it sure helps that they are so cute and innocent at this age!