Here she goes!

Gwen had her first day of preschool. She has been anticipating this day for quite some time. About a month ago Gwen chose her backpack and lunchbox. She has carried that backpack almost everywhere she has gone for 3 weeks straight. This morning Gwen was giddy with excitement when I packed her lunch and got her backpack all ready to go "for real." You can see in the little pocket on the backpack shoulder strap that she also HAD to take her purple tinkerbell sunglasses for the drive to preschool, "just in case it is too sunny." She chose this headband because it is "sparkly just like Cinderella's when she goes to the Ball." On our drive to school she begged to have her window rolled all the way down and asked me several times to turn the radio up. You could definitely tell she was feeling quite grown-up. I loved every minute. These are the little details that I love and never want to forget. Here's to a fun year!

First Day - First Grade

The picture above was a candid moment I caught between Elle and her daddy before she hopped in the car headed for school this morning. He was whispering how much he loved her in her ear and telling her to have a great first day of school. I tear up just looking at that photo. It really is unreal how much love you have as a parent for your children

The traditional front porch photo before rushing into the car to make it before the bell rang. I took Elle shopping yesterday to pick out a "first day of school outfit". She saw this black and white polk-a-dot dress and black leggings and it was a done deal. The silver sparkle backpack and matching lunch box was ordered a ways back and she has been admiring it for the past few weeks. To say she was excited to put it to use this morning would be an understatement.

We arrived at the blacktop and found her classroom's designated line where the teachers meet each class before they head into the classroom. Elle was pretty much attached to me at the hip at this point. She was nervous but excited. She said her tummy felt "all mixed up".

Her first meeting with her new teacher. She is a lucky little girl to have this amazing first grade teacher. I am so happy to know she is in good hands.

I used to be a first grade teacher. I taught first grade for 6 years right up until one month before I had my Ellers. I didn't think I missed it until today. Seeing all of those cute little 5 and 6 year old kids wide-eyed and ready to learn along with that fun classroom made me miss my teaching days. First grade is a magical year in my opinion. The best. I am so excited for Elle.

I am happy to report that she was all smiles when I picked her up from school today. I waited with Gwen and Lily outside of her classroom after school. Gwen jumped into Elle's arms and yelled, " I missed you, sissy!" and Elle quickly unbuckled Lily out of her stroller so she could hold her. She said she had a great day. I think there are a lot more great days ahead of her.

Tiger Sharks

My Ellers spent the majority of her summer in the swimming pool. We found something she not only likes but actually loves...swimming! She was on our community's Tiger Shark Swim Team and loved every minute of it. She practiced monday - thursday from 9 - 10 am and had weekly swim meets. If you came in first place or last place each swimmer received a ribbon after their race. Elle was always oblivious as to what number her ribbon read (good thing ;) but would just hop out of the pool and give me a big hug. I am so happy that she has found a sport she loves.

It's Good to be 3!

Gwen kills me. Seriously she makes me laugh all day long. Today I sat outside with the girls and their friends as they rode bikes and scooters around our neighborhood. Gwen was out of control. She was going soo fast on her little scooter. She kept pushing herself faster and faster with her legs and then would wrap her front leg around the front bar of the scooter (she was getting very tricky) all while screaming, "this is awesome!" I was dying! I couldn't get a clear shot because I couldn't keep the camera still because of my laughter. And let me say, she didn't think it was funny. She was totally serious. This went on for a good hour. She's a keeper.

plastic jewelry: check

pink scooter: check

sunglasses: check

hello kitty boots: check

butterfly helmet: check

a very fun afternoon: check check

My Lily-pie

I really love this little one year old.

McGee Girls

These three adorable girls are my nieces. Their dad is Jon's brother, Rob. For their mom Linda's birthday, I had them come over to our house to take pictures for her as a surprise. We took lots of pictures and then I put them all in an album for her as a gift. These two pictures were our favorites of the three of them together.

I really love these girls. When Jon and I first got married it seemed like we had them over every other weekend for sleepovers. It was so fun for us. I would also take them out by themselves on little dates. We usually ended up at either Build-a-Bear or Color-Me-Mine. I still think of them as those same little girls even though clearly, they are not so little anymore. We now live super close to them and my girls are lucky for that. They love their very grown-up girl cousins, Sorelle, Juliet and Kandis. I love them too.

Elle's Lost Tooth

Elle lost her tooth while we were waiting for Jon at the 20 mile mark. She now has her two front teeth missing. It looks so cute! Right when it happened I told her I was sad that we didn't have the tooth fairy pillow but that we would make something work. She quickly told me that she had packed it in her suitcase, "just in case". Sure enough when we got back to the motorhome that night she pulled that little pillow out of her blue and red monkey suitcase. And yes, the tooth fairy did find her...6 year olds are fun.

The Leadville Trail 100

Directly after the 6:30 am shotgun start:

I had Team McGee T-shirts made for all of us (thank you, Stacey!):

My sister-in-law Linda and Elle waiting for Rob and Jon at crewing station #1:

Jon had a bag for each crewing station labeled for me to throw to him and ready to go. Here was bag #1:

Next year I am taking binoculars. I was always stressed that I would miss him...they are going so fast!

I love this shot below of the two brothers side by side:

Coming in to the crewing station at mile 60:

Grandpa McGee. I love him. He drove Rob and Jon all over the country when they were growing up and racing BMX bikes.

McGee girl cousins: Kandis and Elle

The last stretch. The sign in top corner is the finish-line banner. I was really stressed out here!

Leadville Race director Ken Chloubler congratulating Jon and telling him that he had made it in under 9 hours!

Elle ran to give her daddy a big kiss:

I sure love this guy.

Right after the results ceremony the next morning. Rob and Jon with their much deserved Under 9 Hour buckles!

This sign says it all:

They did it!!!!

Jon and his brother Rob have been training for months for the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race in Leadville, CO. It is a grueling 103 mile mountain bike course. The majoirity of the race is on forest trails in the mountains. The course begins at 9,000 feet and climbs to 13,000 feet. My Jon is not 'a claimer' so I am going to brag for him. I am soo proud of him. He and his brother have worked so hard. Training has been no easy task. Jon's work schedule has been so crazy this last year that the only time he has had to train has been in the very early morning hours. He would get up most mornings before 5 am to train and make it home to begin his work day. He trained on mountain trails around our home and also on his road bike. If he didn't get in a ride in the morning then late at night after we all went to bed he would go into the garage and train on his stationary bike. To say he was determined is an understatement. The main goal is to make the 103 miles in under 12 hours. If you do, you receive a large belt buckle. There is however another level of accomplishment. The under 9 hour mark. Jon being an overachiever only wanted to try for the this goal. This award is an even LARGER Belt Buckle. It sounds funny to be working so hard for a belt buckle. However, being there with him I quickly realized that the belt buckle is more than just a buckle...it is the symbol of working hard for and achieving a goal.

Being at all of the "crewing stations" I knew that Jon and Rob had stayed together for the whole race. As we all waited at the finish line we saw Rob coming in. It was super exciting but he was alone! Rob came in at 8 hours 46 minutes and 56 seconds (way to go, Rob!!) I quickly ran to him to see what had happened to Jon. He said Jon had gotten sick and was cramping just 10 minutes before and had to get off his bike. I was now sick. So then we all just stood and waited at the finish line with the huge clock ticking. I finally saw him come over the last hill at 8 hours 59 minutes and 15 seconds. The whole crowd stood up on their feet to cheer him in. He finally crossed the finish line at exactly 9 hours 0 minutes and 14 seconds. At first my heart sank because I thought he missed his goal by 14 seconds!!! However, the race owner quickly ran to him and informed him that each rider has an electronic monitoring bracelet on his/her ankle. The main clock starts at the sound of the shotgun but each individual riders time starts when he/she crosses over the Start Line at the beginning of the race. Since Jon started a little further back in the pack that gave him a few much needed seconds. And every second counted in his case. My Jonnie did it! He made it without a second to spare...literally. Talk about cutting it close!

He qualified for the coveted X-Large Under 9 hour Buckle.

There were 1320 riders from 20 different countries that participated in the race. Jon placed as rider number 137 to cross the finish line. Amazing.

I have lots of photos that I still need to go through and will soon post but had to show-off his and his brother Rob's much earned belt buckles.

This all sounds so crazy but for me to see the person I love the most in this world achieve something he worked so incredibly hard for was amazing.

Here's a link to the course.... Leadville Trail 100 - Race Across the Sky

Lily's Party

We had Lily's 1st birthday party last night. Jon made his famous crepes. No one can make them better. I had lots of toppings on hand: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, whipped cream, powdered sugar and our family favorite...nutella. We really did have guests too...I promise. It's just I was so busy during the party that I never took any pictures of everyone! Lily had on her birthday dress - the same dress her sisters had on for their 1st birthday parties. It was a special night for our little girl.

Happy Birthday, Lily-pie.

Gwen

Here is a picture of my Gwen that I took last week. I love it because this is a face she makes a lot. It is very, "Gwen". She is so hilarious. To say she is animated is an understatement. Living with her truly is like living with a cartoon character. She is beyond excited about everything. If I say, "Gwen, we are going to the grocery store..." She squeals with excitement and jumps up and down. If I buy her a new toothbrush or tell her she can choose a movie to play in the car...yep, she is just as excited. And when I say excited you need to picture someone winning the publishers clearing house sweepstakes. That is the kind of jump up and down excited she gets...about everything. I took the girls to an outdoor mall yesterday and told them I had brought magic pennies for them to throw into all of the fountains. They were dying with excitement. I gave Gwen her three magic pennies and let's just say she did not take those three wishes lightly. She stood on the side of the fountain - closed her eyes and chanted " I wish I may, I wish I might.....". She then closed her eyes super tight and threw her pennies in.

I don't know what she wished for but I sure hope it will come true. I love that I get to be this girl's mama. I am so excited to see where her life will take her and to watch as she grows-up. I just don't want her to grow-up too fast because this is too much fun.

Happy 1st Birthday, Lily!

Lily turned one yesterday. Her name fits her well. She is a very sweet little girl. She laughs loudly and loves to be held and snuggled. She adores her sisters and is just as happy in their arms as she is in mine. When she sees her daddy her face lights up and she leans right out of my arms and into his. Her favorite game is peek-a boo and it never gets old. She loves dancing (wiggling) to music. We turn music on in the kitchen on most mornings and the three sisters dancing is quite a sight. Lily is so patient and has a very mild temperament. She has brought so much happiness into our lives.

I love you, Lily-pie. Happy Birthday sweet girl.

My Girls

The word Love just doesn't seem big enough for how I feel about these three little girls.

Mermaids and Manipulation

Elle and her friends made Gwen a mermaid tail in the sand. Gwen loved it so much that when she came home from the beach she announced that she is going to be a mermaid for Halloween.

Elle spent a lot of her day on a boogie board. She informed me that a fun mom would boogie board with her. She is amazingly talented in the art of manipulation.

I want to be a fun mom...

It made me second guess my decision until I felt how cold the water was. I just couldn't do it.

So now it's official.

Amy McGee is NOT a "fun mom".