The Last Few Days (edited)

Adin's GRAND NOT-SO GRADUATED Graduation!

Adam at the start of the triathlon.

Adin Blowing out his 4 Candles!

Well, we have had an action packed week. It started last Thursday with one of those well loved adventures of Adin's preschool graduation. Who invented these things? How much wasted film has been produced at preschool and kindergarten graduations? The funny thing is that Adin didn't even really graduate. He's in preschool again next year, what's up with that? We then went up to Ft. Collins on Friday. Early Saturday morning I did a triathlon and then we hung out at Grandma and Grandpa's and went to the park (our camera had problems, so no pics are included). I can't believe that I left out the best part of Saturday. Us guys (grandpa led the charge) went down to the race track. We fit right into the crowd. After spending a fortune on the snacks there, Adin had enough and was ready to leave. I would have liked to have stayed just for the people watching! Sunday, we slept in a little, went to church, and then just plain hung out. We did get some Nertz in that night (Alyson was the champion). Monday morning, Alyson, Connor, and myself ran the Bolder Boulder. Connor did it in 58:26, Alyson finished it, and I got my PR. Much to our surprise, Derek and the clan arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's at noon. It was great to hang out with all of them on Adin's 4th Birthday! Adin had a great Birthday! We got home late and crashed. The last couple of days have been "catch-up" days. Connor and Preston finished school today! They're very excited, but Mom has a different opinion.

Mini Weavers back in Colorado

We are so lucky to have the Derek and Brit and boys for a few days!!!!! Don't they look good in the mountains?
Zoom of derek and Ethan and the far shot of the mountain they climbed. Group picture at Credmore lakes.

Where Is Grandpa?

Grandpa Fred, where are you? You have not even made a comment for way too long!

Happy Birthday, Jason!

We hope you have a great day, Jason, and that your family treats you right!!!! :)

Multi-tasking gone too far?

I realized I might have too much on my mind this morning when I started pouring the juice for the boys into cereal bowls. Not that I'm going to play the "I'm busier than anyone else" game, but this week has felt unusually crazy for us.
"So where do you find time to blog?" I know Derek will ask. Well, I figure taking a few minutes to enjoy and share the craziness with the family is worth it. :)
See you next week!

And The Award Goes Too....

A life long goal has been achieved for two of the Richards' girls. Awards (Trophies) have been earned for an incredible performance in Shreck 2 3/4 !

Both Shelby and Hannah were in their first play tonight. They joined a children's theater group in January and have been spending many long Saturday morning hours rehearsing and preparing for this their big night. I was a little nervous that stage fright might overcome one or both of them, but they proved me wrong...never missing a cue or a step. Hannah was cast as a baby ogre named Miney (as in eany, meany, miney and moe), a puppet and part of the dragon. She was absolutely incredible. She shined! Shelby was the first of the three little pigs, had a solo as sleeping beauty and the constellation...Andromeda. She forgot to smile, but was awesome...she never took her eyes off of her director in order to see her parents trying to remind her to smile like she was enjoying herself. She seemed to adore the applause and cheers her out-spoken Weaver induced mother was supplying. All in all they were great and must have gained if nothing else some self esteem boosts tonight. We are so proud! A professional DVD is being made for all to view.

Mia and Adin in the Stream

Mia doesn't care that she's got shoes on. All she knows is that it's feeling like summer here and she likes to play in our stream. Adin is in the pond and stream all of the time which means we have to watch them both like a hawk.

A Yummy New Grillin' Recipe

I got this new recipe and my family loved it!...thought we'd share

Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2t olive oil
1/8t salt
1/4t pepper
2t Dijon Mustard
4 slices Deli Ham
4 slices reduced fat swiss cheese

Pre-heat Grill. Rub chicken with oil and salt and pepper. Grill for four minutes one side. Turn over and brush each with 1/2t mustard and top with ham and then cheese. Cover and grill untill cooked through and cheese is melted (7-8 mins.)

Yummy Yummy!!!!

CONNOR WON!!

The results are finally in and Connor prevailed. I still disagree a bit with the times, but I'm not going to squabble when the result is exactly what we thought! He won!

Here's the link...
www.kiwanis-superior.org/triathlon/2006/KIWANISTRIATHLON_results.htm

Here are some links to his pictures. We're going to buy these, but this way you can see the champion in action.

The Swim...
http://www.skipix.com/imagebig.php3?event=Kiwanis_Youth_Tri_Swim_7&id=DSC_1406.jpg

The Bike...
http://www.skipix.com/imagebig.php3?event=Kiwanis_Youth_Tri_Bike_11_12_1&id=DSC_0308.jpg

The Run...this is when one of the volunteers told Connor to remove his glasses, you can sense the frustration in this picture.
http://www.skipix.com/imagebig.php3?event=Kiwanis_Youth_Tri_Run_11_12_ws&id=DSC_1503.jpg

The Triathlon Season Kicks Off

Connor coming out of the swim all alone!

Connor Powering through the bike!

Connor started the tri season today with a very impressive performance at the Superior, Colorado Youth Triathlon. The funny thing is that we don't know how well he did. Here's why...We know that he won his heat in the swim (200 meters), but we really don't know what happened after that. He got on his bike and was winning that as well, but the volunteer at the race said he was done after two laps on the bike, but he was supposed to do four. He then started the run looking very strong and he finished in 1st except that once again he cut everything short do to another misuderstanding volunteer and triathlete. So, as we was running into the finish line feeling great because he thought he had won, the race director told him that he had to do two more laps on the bike and another lap on the run. Connor's temper went crazy as did ours, but he did it! He got right back on the bike, did his two laps and then another lap on the run. Connor wasn't the only one that did had this problem. There at least 2 other kids that we know of that did it. We waited 2.5 hours after the race, but they still couldn't tell us the results. It was very dissappointing. We think that he still kicked butt, but even as of tonight we have no idea how he really did. They told us that they would have results up tonight, but I really don't think they have a clue as to what happened.

He's Our Champion!

Happy Mothers' Day, Weaver (and Richards) Women!

This is as much "stillness" as the boys could muster up after 3 hours of church. We love you, Nori, Cami, and Alyson!

Derek and the boys have made my mother's day great so far. Which is why I'm sitting here blogging, while Derek is cleaning up from the delicious dinner he made for us. I hope your day is equally as wonderful.

FATHER'S AND SONS 2006!!!

I have some fond memories of Father's and Son's campouts with Dad. In fact, that's probably what motivates me to go. I loved going on those campouts and hangin' with my Dad. They were great! I am here to bear witness that they are far better as a child than for the Dad. I love to go camping and I love to be with my boys, but being with the rest of our Stake and dealing with the little nuances of camping and fishing with little boys are a little annoying to say the least.

The above picture is of us "dudes" on our hike away from everyone else and in the great beauty of Colorado. I had to jump a small stream to get into this picture and then Adin wanted to try. This is at the top of a twenty foot drop of a waterfall. That Adin!

Speaking of Adin! He actually learned to cast pretty darn well. If you look closely by at his lure you will see why I absolutely hate fishing. The knots that my kids were able to create were better than any of the surgical knots that I tie on a daily basis. I think I'll have Adin come into my office and suture up my patients. Although they may have a problem with the size of his knots being slightly annoying.

It was a beautiful day and a brisk, full-moon night that was great for camping. I also realized something very important. My kids are very good when I compare them to the nuts that were around us. It was also very interesting to me that while most of the Dads around me were hanging out with each other and that their kids appeared to more interested in their friends, my kids never left my side. It's pretty cool to me that my kids would rather be with their "old man" than their friends. I hope that it lasts. I know that I would rather hang with my kids than the other guys.

The only regret that I had as I was leaving our camp was that I wished that I would have invited Dad to be there as well. He probably wouldn't go because hed' have to untie my knots! We'll do it next year!

Irresistable...

...even with rice cereal smeared all over his face!

The price of a "Bon-Bon Moment"

It was 5:00 pm. I knew I should get dinner started. But I decided to call my mom instead and chat a while, delaying the inevitable task. Forty-five minutes later, this is what I discovered in the bathroom that I just cleaned this morning. Ethan and his buddy from next-door, Nicholas, with a sink-full of water, markers, and food coloring, doing "experiments." I quickly explained what was going on to my mom and hung up, after promising her I'd take this picture so she could see the scene I had described to her that was causing her to crack up with laughter. And to top it all off, when I asked Ethan what he thought an appropriate punishment would be, he said, straight-faced, "Not to practice piano."
He may be sneaky, but not that sneaky.

Pest Discovered

Unlike our house in Lansing, we do not have ants or mice here. But we do have a new pest. You all have experienced this type of pestilence multiple times. The one-year-old homosapiens. He may be cute, but he's constantly getting into something; the toilet, the computer, the potatoes. Derek had to return his newly purchased Pocket PC (palm device) because Luke chewed the cable that connects it to the computer beyond use. This potato is another shroud of evidence. Watch out! Looks can be deceiving!

Our back yard picnic yesterday evening with Grandma Nori's new picnic blanket.

I don't mean to be dominating the blog this week, but Derek is working 7-7 which doesn't sound bad but he goes to bed by 8:30 pm so he can get up by 4:30 am to exercise. I took advantage of it this morning and got up with him, so we had our time from 5-6:30 am-- we made good use of it, arguing over the Oprah episode that we watched on the DVR (TiVO) featuring Lance Armstrong's ex-wife and her story of why their marriage failed. Fortunately, we were able to put out the fire and I was able to convince Derek that I do not feel like I am losing myself while supporting him through medical school. :) No need to worry, it wasn't that heated of an argument, and Derek is still treating me right.... the fact that he'll watch Oprah with me while we exercise should be proof!

A great book recommendation

I have just started our Traverse City Book Club book for this month: Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (the aviator Charles Lindbergh's wife.) It was originally published in 1955, so maybe some of you have already read it. I have only finished chapter 2, and I am already amazed by the insight of this thoughtful woman. Her description of our roles as women feels as true today as it did 50 years ago. She discusses the desire to lead a simple life, and why, as wives and mothers, it's just not entirely possible. Here's an excerpt:
"I mean to lead a simple life, to choose a simple shell I can carry easily--like a hermit crab. But I do not. I find that my frame of life does not foster simplicity. My husband and five children must make their way in the world. The life I have chosen as wife and mother entrains a whole caravan of complications. It involves a house in the suburbs and either household drudgery or household help which wavers between scarcity and non-existence for most of us. It involves food and shelter; meals, planning, marketing, bills and making ends meet in a thousand ways. It involves not only the butcher, the baker, the candlestickmaker but countless other experts to keep my modern house with its modern "simplifications" (electricity, plumbing, refrigerators, gas-stove, oil-burner, dish-washer, radios, car and numerous other labor-saving devices) functioning properly. It involves health; doctors, dentists, appointments, medicine, cod-liver oil, vitamins, trips to the drugstore. It involves education, spiritual, intellectual, physical; schools, school conferences, car-pools, extra trips for basketball or orchestra practice.... it involves clothes, shopping, laundry, cleaning... It involves friends, my husband's, my children's, my own, and endless arrangements to get together; letters, invitations, telephone calls, transportation hither and yon."
I think you men would also enjoy it--her perspective applies to men as well. It's a quick read-- I think you'd finish it in a day, Fred.
I look forward to reading more and maybe even taking a day at the beach by myself to contemplate :) Hope you enjoy it.

For those of you who don't know Luke....

Here are some pics I dug up from February. I realized I posted them on the Hatch blog but not on the Weaver blog (sorry for the oversight!) We're trying to keep Luke from walking before we get there at the end of May so he won't seem too grown up.

These are for you, Fred!

Derek got off the phone with Fred last night and said it sounded like you could use a boost, so here are some assorted photos from our life around here lately.

Reid is our little imagination/ dress-up boy. Thanks, Gramma Nori, for the Easter treats! (Can you tell we just woke up?)
And thanks for the beautiful picnic blanket! We love it!
This is the consequence for Ethan jabbing Reid in the eye with a fake sword (not ours!)… I made him eat breakfast and try to go upstairs to get dressed blindfolded. I think he got the point (no pun intended) . By the way, I hate it when people say “no pun intended.”
Here’s a pic from our all-day journey down to Detroit for temple day a few weeks ago.
Lukey after his bath. He would hardly stay still to get a good photo.

P.S. Sorry I was out of the loop last week... I went to Lansing with the boys for a few days and then spent a few days recovering from the journey. I've posted a few comments to last week's blogs.

Updated Tim

Is this more natural? I know I need an expert. but hey I am learning. After all I am unemployed.

Who needs a Mom Anyway!

When Alec is hungry, he has a "I will do it myself, then" policy! I am not sure why he needs me, he has the cereal shelf in the pantry! I step out to use the bathroom and come back to this!

The newest Member of the Richards Family!

We did it! We finally got a playground set. We submit for your approval!

A Tim Picture for your review and comments

What do you think of this picture of Tim?

A Challenge to the "best looking weavers" Easter

Here is my challenge photo and it is a Easter Weaver picture as well. Looking close, I guess the little weavers still win. Oh well!

Flash from the past

I am coping some old photos that I took from Grandma Weaver when I wa in St. George. Thought you might like to see some stuff from Sourdough campground.

Major Event not posted Major Opportunity may be missed

I failed to notify all of you that there is a party in Las Vegas on June 16 & 17 for Grandma Weaver (Mavis) 80th birthday. I will be attending and would certainly love to enjoy your company if you can tear yourselves away. I am sure she would love to see all of you and enjoy your good humor. Unfortunately, I will be traveling alone because Mom has found better use of her time so I guess I will just enjoy the event alone unless you all attend;)
I thought I might share a family photo just to show you that me and my siblings usually have a great time whenever we get together and that my dad used to make special things for us;) Love dad

Notice to the Troops

Grandmanori is going away for the next few day!

I'm going to Utah for Women's Conference with my friends, Gayle, Dixie, Donna and Diane. So I'll be out of pocket for a few days. Dad has generously offered to hold down the fort while I'm gone. I'm sure I'll have a good time and won't be thinking about any of you! ha ha ha ha ha! Love you all!