Trips

The past few weeks have been really fun. We have been able to spend a lot of time with family. First we went to Breckenridge with Drew's fam, and it was a blast! The house we stayed at was incredible and it was just perfect. We all went on a little hike, we had a foosball tournament (don't ask), we went in the spool several times, we played games, went to the park, had a manliest man competition, ate a lot of good food, and just relaxed. I love the Foster fam, it's guaranteed to be fun. I am so glad to be part of the family.

Then we went on a trip with my parents to Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Arches. It was amazing. We hiked Bryce, which was seriously incredible, and did shorter hikes at the others. Drew and I camped and my parents stayed at a hotel. We packed a lot in for 3 days. It was so fun to be with them, and to have a little family vacation again.

Here's my manly man during the rock throw.

This is the sledge hammer competition.... so manly

The football tossThe car push..of course

The 40 yard dash up hill

Bryce Canyon

A little far away, but that's ok

There were these tunnels that were so neat.

Taking a little break

Look how strong he is!

"Ohhh Kristen Take my picture!"

Our little friend found our apple core.

This was the most awesome view.

This is the famous arch that is on the Utah licsence plates. It's a little far away.

This is "Double Arch" it was so cool.















You can barely see Drew, but he's there.

The Garden

Well everyone we now have a garden. I really wish that I took pictures from the very beginning because it looks a little different now. The area was covered with weeds and very hard dirt. We just went to town on it on Monday, and after that I was sooo sore. Then we finished it up yesterday. Although we had some more room so I am going to go get a few more plants today. We found a lot of interesting things while digging. Drew found a piece of foundation that he dug up with his pick-axe (I think he felt pretty manly), along with nails, kids toys, doll clothing, etc..
We got a few different veggies, so we hope they turn out right. We also got one pumpkin that says it could be 500 pounds! We joke about that because we know that's not true. Anyway, I am now a fan of gardening.

p.s. Teaching is the best.... summers off.... livin it up.

Many Happenings

I have had an eventful few weeks. I am done with my first year of teaching in 2 days!! I really can't believe it. I am very excited, but at the same time I feel really sad. I feel my eyes start watering everytime I talk about it with the kids. I don't know how to explain how I feel. I am sure most teachers feel like this with their class at the end, but I think because it's my first year it's even more difficult. I have learned sooo much this year, and have put in so much with these kids, it's hard to know I won't see them everyday. Oh goodness I am now crying. Anyway, it's been a spectacular year, and I love them so much!

We had a talent show, and the third grade teachers decided that we should show our talent. We did a synchronized swimming act. We had some people hold up our "water" in front of us on stage. We wore our swim suits over our clothes, it was great. The kids loved it.

Onto another topic... I ran a half marathon! It was really fun. It was in Midway, Utah. It is absolutely beautiful up there. I knew that it was in the mountains and I knew it said it wasn't a course to get personal records, but I didn't know it was going to be up a mountain!!! The first few miles were good, and then I saw this mountain and a path going up it, and then I saw cones going towards it, and I couldn't believe it. It was at least 4-5 miles straight up the mountain. BUT it was along a river/lake. Somehow it didn't bother me that much, I felt good and I just focused on each mile. I had Drew and my two friends, Emily and Kevin there cheering me on. Emily and Kevin flew out from Colorado to spend the weekend with us. It was fabulous. I had been missing my girl time. Anyway, They met me at the bottom of the hill, right before I had my last three miles on uphill pavement. They would drive and then stop and cheer me on to the next mile. I wasn't exactly a happy camper by that time. When I finished I was so happy. I kept imagining stopping and what that would feel like. And let me tell you it felt great! There is just something about accomplishing something that's hard that feels really good. I love making goals, and then actually completing them.

This is right before!

Our wonderful friends!! They look a little chilly.
I look a little creepy here, but don't worry I am very happy.

The New Place

Well folks here is the new house pics. We are absolutely loving it. I think I will be sad to leave now. It has all the things that make a woman happy.

Here she is! We have parking!

This is looking throught the front door. You can kind of get an idea of how it's laid out.

Drew has his own workspace now. By work I mean homework:)

This is the cozy front room

A real bathroom. If any of you saw our old shower, you would know it was more like a dungeon.

This is our room. It is still pretty spacious.

This is my little workspace.

This is the extra bedroom/computer room

This is the cute kitchen. I now have counter space, dishwasher, and cupboard space!

And check it out! A special home for the spices.
This is the family room. Drew's dream came true; we got a very large tv.

This is wonderful! Having a washer and dryer is a huge plus. This is the laundry room/storage room attached to the house.

March Madness

Ok, this actually has nothing to do with the real March Madness (although, if you must know I am beating Mickey and Drew pretty badly). Anyway, this month has been very eventful. First, all of Drew's siblings and their families traveled back to Colorado for a surprise party for his parents' 60th birthdays. It was a blast! They had no idea, and it was so fun being with everybody.
Actually the week before we left for Colorado was pretty crazy. Who ever planned having Easter, St. Patrick's Day, and parent teacher conferences in the same week is in trouble with me. Although, we did do a lot of fun things, but it was definitely a lot of work.
Then came the triathlon. It was really fun, and also really cold and windy. Luckily they switched the events around so that swimming was at the end. Which apparently messed me up a little because at the transition area I forgot to grab my goggles. I could see the look on people's faces, they were saying, "why would you do a triathlon without goggles? What an amateur." I think that I did the best on the run part. When I was on the bike going up some pretty nice hills against the wind I was pretty sure I could have ran faster than biked. I am really excited to do one in the warmth of the summer. Here are some pics from the month.

Here is a reinactment of the surprise. If you want to see the actual surprise on video go to the Foster homepage.

I thought it was important to show the sub Drew and I got the family for lunch. It was huge even for the whole family. King Soopers treats you right baby.

We made leprechaun traps on St. Patrick's Day. And it was so fun. They are so creative. During lunch I put gold sparkles and candy in their traps. Some are still wondering if it was me, but for the most part they were soo excited!

Of course the boys built an army base. The little signs say Gold.

And here are the girls welcoming the leprechauns with a nice hot tub.

We made our very own Blarney Stones.

I wrote this on the board. And they went nuts. Don't worry I wrote it with my left hand so there was no suspicion.

Here is my friend Brooke who invited me to do the race. We went on a bike ride a week before and she took a "little" spill. Ironically she had just gotten her bike and named it Lucky. It was the first time she had ridden it. Not so lucky. She did break her elbow, and she is quite the trooper. Love you Brooke!! This is the night of the accident.

This is me a little nervous and a little cold, before the start.

This is right before the run. (We ran, then biked, then swam)

Here I am right after I finished.

ABC Tag

My friend Emily tagged me, so here ya go. It's pretty thrilling so get ready.


A: Attached or single: Attached

B: Best friend(s): Of course my hubs (ladies, you know who you are).

C: Cake or Pie: Pie, unless it’s icecream cake.

D: Day of choice: Saturday’s, especially if Drew is here.

E: Essential Item: toothbrush or scriptures. I don’t mean to put toothbrush in front of scriptures but come on it’s important to brush. I am getting prepared to be the wife of a dentist.

F: Favorite Color: I used to think blue but I am noticing I am drawn to red.

G: Gummi Bears or Worms: Well I like to bite the bears limbs off. I know gruesome.

H: Hometown: Littleton, CO

I: Indulgence(s): Drew informed me last night that I have an obsession with cookies and cream icecream. Like I didn’t already know that.

Just look at that!





J: January or July: January 9th to be exact.

K: Kids: 26 (ok, I can’t exactly claim them as my own).

L: Life is incomplete without: cookies and cream, and Drew.

M: Marriage Date: 12/30/06

N: Number of siblings: 1 sister

O: Oranges or Apples: Apples, with a little peanut butter.

P: Phobias or fears: spiders, weirdos

Q: Quote(s): Holding a grudge is like drinking poison hoping someone else dies from it.

R: Reason To Smile: Thinking about my husband dancing:) He is hilarious.

S: Season: Fall, the leaves are amazing.

T: Tag: Brooke, Dana, Susan

U: Unknown Fact about Me: I try to plan my life around “The Office”

V: Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: meat lover baby!

W: Worst Habit: Pretending that I am listening and I’m not. It’s really a skill. Sorry if I have done it to you, but you probably have no idea, that’s how good I am.

X: X-rays or Ultrasounds: What kind of question is this? Umm I guess I hope to have an ultrasound before I have an X-ray.

Y: Your favorite Food: Mexican

Z: Zodiac: Capricorn

Why Is Exercise So Great?

I am running a half marathon in May that I am starting to get ready for, and my friend invited me to do a triatholon at the end of March. Am I ready for that? NO. Have I been swimming or biking lately? NO. BUT I am now in training. I am really excited for these events.

I don't know what it is about running and working out in general. I think I NEED it to stay sane. For instance today I had run out of patience and energy completely. I came home and went running and felt so much better. I reminded myself of how I love my job, and my kids, and I was again ready to tackle another day.