Bye Bye Binky

 Yesterday we officially got rid of Beckett's binky. We have been wanting to get rid of it for a while now-he was getting too old for it and too dependent on it. He loved that thing.

We heard of an interesting way to get rid of the binky from a few people and decided to try it. For about the past two weeks we talked to Beckett daily about giving his binky to Jesus in heaven so that he can give it to the babies. We explained to him that he was a big boy now and didn't need it, but the babies in heaven did. He bought that story but kept going back and forth on whether he really wanted to be that nice or not. Then yesterday Josh came home with some balloons. We tied the binky to the balloons and went out to the deck. We had a conversation with Beckett again about where his binky was going and how nice he was for giving his binky to the babies. You can see from the picture that he was having a hard time saying goodbye. As soon as Josh let go of the balloons Beckett started crying. I must admit, I cried a little and had to go inside. It was too sad! Josh and Beckett stayed outside until they couldn't see the balloons any longer. It was kind of rough, not sure if I'll do it again, but at least the binky is gone!

I was nervous for that night because he always has to have his binky to go to sleep. He cried for it as we read nighttime stories but I was able to calm him down. Once he was in bed he didn't cry and went right to sleep! Yay! He did wake up a few times in the night wanting it, but overall it wasn't too bad.

26th Birthday

Yes, I am now closer to 30 than I am to 20. I am not too happy about that. All well, that's life, right?

I had a fabulous, relaxing birthday. It was last Sunday so we hung around the house and went to church. My mom invited us over to their house for a birthday dinner. It was delicious and dessert was the show stopper: chocolate molten cakes with homemade strawberry ice cream! Yum yum. I got spoiled, Trevor & I both did.

The day after, Monday, Josh took me out for a birthday date. We got some sushi for dinner and went to the movies to see, 'The Heat'. So funny! Cheers to the next year being faaaabulous.

Beckett's 1st Time at Lagoon.

My dad had a work Lagoon day on Saturday (yes, right after the Triathlon). It wasn't exactly what we wanted to do after the Triathlon but we got free tickets and a chance for Beckett to ride a few rides for the first time. I must say, it was worth it. We had a good time. My dad and Josh played a game (against each other) to win a monster stuffed animal for Beckett. My dad won both games (sorry, Josh) and Beckett got his monster.

 B's first ride was the merry-go-round. He seemed to have a good time, he was ready to go.....until it actually started. As soon as his horse started going up and down and the ride was going in circles he was screaming. Pretty sure he was the ONLY kid screaming, and I mean LOUDLY. Haha, it all makes for a good time. I don't think he was too traumatized.

 It started to downpour so we took some shelter on the train. Beckett loved seeing all the animals. I felt bad for all those Tigers and Lions....locked up, bored out of their minds.

 Beckett did MUCH better after the merry-go-round. We rode Puff the Magic Dragon with him, which he loved. He rode the boats by himself (which he was indifferent about).

 They had a new ride (at least to me), it was basically a kid version of the Rocket. Beckett, Josh, my dad, and Bree all went on it. Beckett didn't like this one as much. You can see Beckett's little feet sticking out of his seat.

 

Orangeville & the San Rafael Triathlon

Wow, what a busy weekend it has been for us. We participated in the San Rafael Triathlon for the 2nd time last Saturday. Our main goals were....#1: Don't drown #2: Beat our times from last year. I am happy to say we did both! Josh, his brother Jacob, and I all competed with Ryan as our personal photographer. He took a lot of great pictures that tell the story of our race.

The night before we went at got our packets at Huntington Lake (where the race was held), and got tatted up. Please, don't be blinded by my large guns.

The race was bright and early the next morning, we arrived at the lake around 5:45 am. We got spots for our bikes, got our area set up and our wet suits on. Josh was in the middle of getting his on when this picture was taken. Oops.

We then headed down to the dock to wait for our heat to be called. The Olympic distance went first, then they called the men's sprint down. Last to start in the water was the women's sprint. The sprint is a 1/2 mile open water swim, 15 mile bike, and 5k run.

 Finally, after the Olympic distance started they called the men's sprinters into the water. Here are Josh & Jacob ready to go.

 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1....GO!

 Lastly, it was my turn to start. Finally! Haven't they ever heard of ladies first?

 We (the women) started 5 minutes after the men. We swam the 1/2 mile in a large circle in Huntington Lake, we had to follow large orange buoys.

 We finished the swim up the boat ramp and ran to our stations to take our wet suits off, get our bike stuff on and to start the bike portion. Jacob & Josh came out of the water and about the same time. The key to the first transition is to figure out what items you're taking off first (goggles, cap, etc), then to dry off, and in what order to get your bike gear on that will be the quickest.

 We got suited up for our 15 mile bike ride, the first 7.5 miles are straight uphill. The last 3 of those miles are where girls become women and boys become men. The good part is the last half of the bike is mostly downhill! This year we were lucky enough to get some amazing bikes! Our neighbor works at Masherz and hooked us up.

 After the bike we came into the shoot, dropped our stuff off and finished with a 5k run around the lake.

 Then it was the good part....the finish! Josh rocked it at 1 hr and 37 minutes (beating last years' time by 4 minutes).

 Look....he is so fast the camera barely got a picture of him ;)

 Then Jacob came in at 1 hr and 47 minutes.

 Finishing off was me at 1 hr and 48 minutes.

This is right after I finished, in all my sweaty, lake-water beautyness.

 Here are some of our fans. Crue (Chewy) & Beckett. They look like brothers.

 It was a successful triathlon! We were both satisfied (minus the swim portion, we both struggled a bit on that this year). I got 1st in my age division, 11th overall in women's. Josh got 3rd in his age division, 18th overall in the men.

Here are a few pictures of our time in Orangeville. Beckett had the time of his life, running around and being free in the country.

 

Bear Lake

I absolutely love Bear Lake. I grew up going there every summer and have always enjoyed it. After high school we stopped going up every year and I have missed it! I decided to jump out of my comfort zone, reserve a campsite, and rough it for a night. The surprising part? I somehow got my parents to come. In case you aren't aware, Stapley's don't camp. The first day was a bit rocky, my dad was unsure about the whole camping thing to say the least. However, once the tents were up I think we all enjoyed it a little more.

Beckett had an absolute blast in the lake. He could have stayed out there all day! It was a fun little weekend get-a-way, I would do it again!

 We rented a supboard (stand up paddleboard) and a kayak. Best decision ever! We had a blast.

 This is B running naked, yes naked into the water.