November 2018

I am very proud of my little garden of lettuce.  Our house had these tiny raised gardens and I figured I'd try to use them for the winter before we move them to somewhere not in the middle of the yard in the spring/summer.  I had put in some beets and peas, but they didn't make it.  Only my lettuce has survived.  But that is a good thing, since I can barely keep my house plants alive! 

 Bryan went to San Antonio  to present his fellowship before the board of Optometry and became a new fellow! Congratulations to him!!

We camped at McKinney Falls State Park over the Veteran's Day holiday.  It was a little wet and a little cold.  But the girls did great.  This would be a beautiful place to visit in the spring and summer when the water is warm.  

We also ran 9 miles in San Antonio over the Veteran's Day holiday with one of Bryan's friends, Joy.  Because it was such a small race, most of us got first place in our age group! It was a very cold run.  I guess this prepared me for my other very cold run in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 Kate's school picture!  Look at that fake smile!

I went up to Oklahoma before Thanksgiving to run a 1/2 marathon.  Basically, I am trying to keep up with my friend Jennifer and all her different state medals.  This run was so cold. It was so cold I ran the fastest I've ever run- 1:52! A new PR!

The worst part about this race was that I lost my car keys that were hidden under my car.  I had no cell phone or money because everything was in the car.  Nothing was stolen out of the car. No windows were broken.  My keys were just taken out of thin air.  I found a kind sole that let me warm up in their car, call a pop-a-lock guy, and wait until my car opened was opened.  I took an Uber back to where I was staying (Adam's house) to shower and really get warm.  Then I had the car towed just in case someone were to come back and claim the vehicle.  Bryan was able to first class mail the extra car keys, thank goodness- because a new key costs like $250!  It was a crazy, cold adventure!

 But I got my Oklahoma medal!

For Thanksgiving, we all traveled to Michael's home in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  It was Wendy and her family, Adam and his family, Bryan and our family, and Stratton.  Amy and her family came a few days before, but left early to have Thanksgiving in New Mexico.  We played ultimate frisbee, ran a 5K, played at a trampoline park, swam at a hotel, watched Ralph Breaks the Internet, went bowling, drove through a park with Christmas lights, ate Braum's Ice Cream, and played with cousins. 

It was lots of fun!

October 2018

Bryan turned 36 at the beginning of October.  We got him an inflatable eye with glasses to put in our yard for Halloween. He thought it was pretty cool.  It gets harder and harder each year to find a good gift for him.  Mostly because we don't need more stuff, but also because we purchase what we want anytime. We enjoyed some pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.

 Kate participated in her elementary school's run-a-thon. She ran 27 laps to help raise money for her school.  We sure appreciated everyone that helped donate to make this a fun event for her.  She did her best.

We traveled to Muenster, Texas for a 1/2 marathon.  It really was the worst race ever!  It was so hilly and we pushed the stroller. 

Mostly we wanted to wear our running Trachten and go to an Oktoberfest.  The towns folk running the show really liked our gear and asked if they could use our photo for their website.  We could be famous!

The girls really like the face painting. 

After the race, we went and visited our cousins in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  My girls always LoVe seeing their family!

My Volvo was gradually costing us too much money in repairs.  We traded it in for a Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Pretty much the same car, minus the brand and a few upgrades.  I LoVe it!

We went kayaking on Stillhouse Lake, which is about 8 minutes from our house.  There had been lots of rain over the past couple weeks, but we didn't realize how bad it was until this adventure!

We took the girls to a church in Robinson, Texas for a fall festival.  It was rather small and the weather was awful.  We had to go indoors for a little because of a potential tornado.  Maybe next year, we will attempt the fall festival in Marble Falls.

This year we dressed up as Goldie Locks and the Three Bears.  Everyone was happy with the decision.  It is always hard pleasing everyone, especially when both the girls want to be the princess.  Maybe you could give me ideas for next year? Or maybe I'll be a prince and Bryan will be a prince, and the girls can choose a princess??

I am pretty sure we did the pumpkin cutting on Halloween.  I know how Texas rots the pumpkins real quick!

Happy Halloween! All of our loot from 2 hours of trick-or-treating.  The weather was cold and rainy, and I think all the neighbors just wanted to get rid of candy, so they dumped it into the girls bags by the handful.

September 2018

Keeping up with my blog has gotten a little more challenging over the years.  Especially as the girls have gotten older and all of us are involved with more activities.  It is spring break 2019 as I write about these last 6 months.  

Jane started pre-school at Iglesia Cristiana Mont Sinai at the beginning of the month.  They integrate English and Spanish into the curriculum, so we might have a little Spanish speaker (or undersander-er). The best part is wearing these cute little uniforms.  Unfortunately, Jane only likes to wear dresses, so I had to shop around for appropriate wear.  But isn't she darling!

I started a new job at Seton Medical Center in Harker Heights.  It is literally 7 minutes from my house.  I work in the surgical services area, which has been a little bit of an adjustment.  I see patients for about 1 hour at the most.  It is very family friendly though.  I work roughly 8-9 hours three days a week Monday-Friday.  I don't have to work on the weekends, unless I decide to take call.  Call is about once a week on the weekdays and one weekend every two months.  Super easy.  Eventually, I'd like to pick up some shifts in their ICU.  

Kate lost her other bottom, front tooth this month.  Her teacher pulled it out in class and she got a fancy tooth necklace to keep it safe from the school nurse.  She was excited because it was just like the story Fancy Nancy and the Too-Loose Tooth.  It is fun to see her grow up, but it is also a little painful.  I keep looking at her and thinking about when she was 18 months or 3 years old.  My little KitKate is growing up so quickly!  

I wrote a little note from the Tooth Fairy.  It says "Make sure you brush a little longer. Your tooth was a bit on the rotten side." 

Rebekah turned 34 this year.  I pampered myself with a haircut and pedicure.  We went out to eat at Richard Rawlings' Garage and I bought myself a Nothing Bunt Cake.  The girls and Bryan got me nail polish and a new car! 

The next weekend we traveled down to Kerrville, Texas for their triathlon.  Bryan did the sprint this year and I completed the Olympic distance.  If I remember correctly, Bryan got 4th in his age category (lost by 0.01 seconds) and I got 3rd place in my age category. Bryan's little brother, Michael, came out to race in the sprint triathlon as well.  We stayed out at Bryan's grandma's house and the girls enjoyed seeing and petting all the animals.  

The girls having fun at a trampoline park.

We started the girls in gymnastics every Tuesday at Texas Tumblers.  They both really enjoy it, thank goodness!

August 2018

Vacation is over.  Time to get back to real life!  We headed back to Texas to pack up our house and move to our new house in Harker Heights.  The girls were pretty curious with the packers and moving truck.  I think it was good for them to see because we had been talking about it for quite some time.  Our neighbors were so helpful with watching them, giving us treats, and making sure the trash was out and plants watered.  

Bryan started in-processing and I started finding information about gyms, schools, gymnastics, library, stores, swim lessons, and putting the house back together.  This move wasn't too difficult as it was only 150 miles up the road.  We were able to keep all of our cleaning supplies, plants, and garage scraps. 

We've been busy learning the neighborhood, exploring the school grounds, and riding our bikes.  The girls like to get fancy when they ride their bikes!

We met our brother-in-law Kent for dinner while he was in town.  It was nice to catch up with their family's happenings!

Grandma Koplin is already sending my beautiful girls packages in the mail (at their new house)!

Bryan and I completed the Hotter than Hell Hundred (HHH) in Wichita Falls, Texas.  His brother Mike only lives 4 hours away, so we dropped the girls off with him and headed to the race.  It was really hot, but we survived! Our overall time was 6:30, but our bike time was 5:40.  My goal was riding less than 6 hours!!

Kate lost her first tooth at Mike's house.  Luckily, Bryan pulled it out so we didn't have to pay $200 for his dentist skills!  The tooth was literally rotting.  Bryan barely had to do anything.  She was so excited to have the tooth fairy visit.  She wrote a cute little note about giving the tooth to a baby and possibly getting some candy.  She sure got some candy- a whole bag of chewy gummy lifesavers. 

Visiting with cousins in Ardmore, Oklahoma while mommy and daddy ride their bikes.  The girls did really well together.  It is so nice that family lives only 4 hours away.  Can't wait to do stuff together!

Kate started school at Skipcha Elementary on Monday August 27, 2018. She laid out her clothes and shoes the night before.  She prepared her backpack and I made her lunch.  When I woke her in the morning, she told me she could hardly sleep throughout the night because she was so excited!  She rode her bike, while mommy ran with the stroller to drop her off in Mrs. Rich class.  She was so brave.  i almost shed a tear.  Kate gave Jane the cutest kiss right before we left.  She told her she was going to miss her, but would see her after school was over.  When we picked her up, she said "School was soo awesome!"

I am so proud of her.  She will do great things.

July 2018

Another super busy month! Probably our busiest yet.  My good friend Jennifer and her family came to visit.  We went to Schlitterbahn and had a blast!

Our kids got along just great.  Kate and Cole were reunited as best buddies.  Kate is my little flirt.  She loved chasing Cole around the house. 

We went to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch together as well.  It is fun having company visit because you do the touristy stuff in that area.  Unfortunately, we have been so busy with home repairs and work, we have hardly done any touristy stuff.

Kate hanging out the window hoping to see an animal.  They were sparse with the temperatures already so high at ten o'clock in the morning!

Jane feeding the goat.  She wasn't too sure about it at first.

Jennifer made it to an Orange Theory Fitness class with me as well.  I think I got her hooked! Wishing Fort Hood had one or were in the process of building one. Boo.

Finally finished our fixer upper in Kirby.  It looks really good! Bryan did an awesome job.  He put in all new windows, tiled the kitchen and bathrooms, carpeted the three bedrooms, applied vinyl flooring to the living areas and hallways, painted the kitchen and bathroom cabinets, repainted all the walls on the inside and outside of the house (after putting up new siding).  We changed out the light fixtures and counter tops. Practically brand new house!  Now on to find some renters...  

After I finished my last day of work and Bryan cleared from Fort Sam Houston, we made our way towards Utah.  We stopped at Arches National Park.  Kate already asked to go back! Yay!

Balancing Rock

Love that my kids enjoy being outdoors.

My courageous mother and father took on watching the girls for 10 days while we went to Seattle to Portland race and Alaska.  The girls were in great hands.  They got lots of toys at the store, loads of attention, lots of macaroni and cheese, pool time, cousin time, baking lessons, and riding bikes around the neighborhood.  Both have asked to go back plenty of times since!

Started our 200 mile one day ride from Seattle to Portland with Bryan's sister Becky.  It was a pretty cool morning and super light at 4:45am!  Bryan stood by my side the whole time.  The farthest I had ridden over the past few months was 80 miles, so this was going to be pretty tough.  Good thing most of the ride was in the shade and the weather is much cooler than Texas'.  It was tough, but quite the accomplishment for both of us.  

Unfortunately, this is the medal we got for our hard work.  It is a patch! I was hoping to add something cool to my collection.

Our total time was about 14 hours, but our riding time was about 11.5 hours (I think).  The group: Melanie, Anna, Audra, Becky, Bryan, and Rebekah.

After the race, we took a bus up to Seattle to catch our flight to Alaska! See the Alaska post for more details.

When we got home, we made sure to have a birthday party for Jane.  She turned three while we were away, but I told my mother to not do or say anything so we could celebrate when we got back.  Before we left, we told her we would have an ice cream birthday party.  She LOVES ice cream almost as much as her daddy, so she was so excited!

Then we celebrated my dad's retirement.  We rented a boat up at East Canyon Lake with all of the immediate family.  It is the first time all the siblings have been together at the same time in a LONG, LONG time.

The girls LOVED tubing!

My whole FAM DAMILY!! We are actually missing Joan and the kids, but so glad Brandon was able to join us for the day.  Here is to a fun month and retirement!