Xterra Triathlon

HE DID IT! HE'S STILL ALIVE!

Pat completed his first Triathlon Saturday. The thing was NUTSO! 1500 meter lake swim, a crazy up hill rugged mountain bike ride (I think 16 miles), and a 4 mile psycho run, mostly up hill! Pat was mostly worried about the swim because it's not his strongest sport. I worried about his run, being the final event of the race in 90+ degrees. He said he enjoyed the swim the most because the water felt so good and he had the energy to do it.

While waiting at the finish line, I couldn't help but imagine Pat crawling up the last stretch of the hill and rolling across the line...it was 96 degrees at that time and Camden was throwing up in my lap. I thought for sure Pat would be feeling like we did. I was so wrong! Pat made great time and ran by with a smile!! He wasn't trying to beat anyone so he said he really paced himself, sometimes walking (like everyone else around him) off and on during the run.

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE!

I was so PROUD of him! It was a great day (besides Camden coming home with the flu).

Mommy Clubs

The last month has been lots of fun meeting new people and getting to know better the friends I've already made. I felt like in the past weeks I've really felt like I've got an awesome group of women I can call good friends. We, as a couple, have also found quite a few other families (with or without kids) that we love to hang out with.
My friend Holly has introduced me to a group of Moms that enjoy hiking so I've been out with them on a hike once and have also been to a couple playdates too. Camden loves hanging out with the guys...these boys play super well together too, surprisingly with a group of 15 moms and kids! No bullies...yet :)

Yesterday I had a few moms over and their kids to splash in the kiddy pool (that I borrowed from my RAD neighbor, Alex). It was almost 100 degrees!

I also joined a mommy group that I found on meetup.com. We have done playdates at the library, have a CPR certification day coming up and sometimes just do mom stuff like pedicures. I'm looking forward to meeting more moms this way too. I recommend any mom looking for people with common interests to use this website to find a group close to you...especially if you are relocating and don't know how to meet anyone besides talking to strangers at grocery stores and inviting them over. Mom Groups are fun and healthy...you know you'll always have at least one thing in common: you love your kid and want what's best for him.

BEST BUDS

Meet JOSH, Camden's most favorite buddy. Josh lives right down the street and is exactly 3 months older. They play SOOOO well together. Camden could care less when Mommy's around if Josh is there, it's a WONDERFUL thing. On many occasions we've been asked if they were brothers or cousins...but I think that's because Both Mommy's look a lot alike too, so if we're all together...someones bound to wonder.
Josh is so well behaved, very polite for a 20 month old and speaks very well. He's a SUPER good influence for Cam. I hope they are friends for a long time.

We try to get them together at least once a week and it's usually twice (or more) because it's so much fun for all of us, even the Dads to visit. Friends are most definitely one of life's greatest blessing! WE LOVE YOU JOSH, HOLLY and DAN!!

The Game

Dessert Terrace and Highland challenged each other to a softball game last weekend. It was so fun! DT (Pat's nursing home) won big time.

This picture of I guy running with his cell phone to his ear is a CLASSIC! This is Tyler, the administrator of Highland and one of Pat's super good friends down here in AZ. This picture really sums up to me the life of a nursing home administrator: Always multi-tasking
trying to balance keeping everyone happy (employees, residence, their own families and everyone else in their world), not letting anything slip through the cracks, especially financial matters, and meanwhile trying to maintain some sanity by playing SUPER hard!

I love this last picture of Camden giving Daddy a pep talk before he hits the field. Camden was so tired, all he wanted was his Daddy. He would get so excited watching him hit the ball and run but then he would brake down until Pat would come see him. It was pretty sweet. I think he wanted to be out there with him.

The Ellie Bellie

So here's my bump for all to enjoy. These Pictures were taken with 6 weeks to go...I now have 4 1/2. Hooray!

Easter Fiesta! Ole!

Easter was very different this year. We had our neighbor over and she invited a few friends with kids.




Our guests also brought with them tons of eggs to "hide" in our back yard, or throw on the grass and rocks since that's all our yard consists of, and the kids went wild. We decorated easter eggs and enjoyed the bubble machine.

We had to wake Cam from a nap to join the festivities so he was a little dazzled from all of the excitement. My awesome neighbor went all out making Carne Asada (however you spell that) and all the other traditional Mexican yummies.
Basically, this was the easiest party to throw. All I had to do was sweep the floor and open the door.

I tried to get a prego tummy picture in there. I'll post more soon.

(Hey Beth and Bre, recognize my dress, I mean shirt? Thanks again Doug!)

I Will Survive!

Temple Trip

Pat and I have made arrangements with 2 other couples in the ward with little boys to babysit for each other, making it possible for each couple to attend the Temple monthly. Today was our first time going. I realized this morning that I am not as strong and as confident a mom as I thought I was. I was literally in tears, trying desperately to hold them back , thinking about dropping Camden off. It's not like this is the first time he's been with a babysitter but here is a list of my worries that I felt justified my behaviors:
-Camden has never played with this kid before
-Other Mommy may not be there the first few minutes, just "daddy"
-I woke Camden up from a nap to go...will he be in a weird mood?
-The other boy wouldn't be there for the last hour...NO OTHER KIDS to DISTRACT!
-I don't really know the parenting style of this family (though I work side by side with Her in church and have been in her home for mtgs, etc.)
-What if this experience traumatizes Camden for life??

I had to have Pat walk him to the door and even call her with diaper bag details...I couldn't hold myself together for the life of me!!! I just kept thinking "I wouldn't be so emo if it was the other friend watching him...right?". Silly Mommy. Excuses excuses.

On the way to the Temple Pat gave me a pep talk about sucking it up...this is only the beginning and if anything goes "wrong" it will build character. He brought up other times in Cam's life that might make me want to cry like Him falling off his bike, getting picked on, not getting on the team or into the school he wants. I answered back with "that's when Mommy will go to her room and cry for him and Daddy will give him a pep talk and then take him out for a good time to cheer him up".
Parenthood is awesome. I'm just so glad I don't have to do it alone!

By the way, Camden didn't cry at all...I don't think it even phased him we were gone. She said the boys had a lot of fun together and that they basically just played with balls the whole time. She turned on music and taught him how to slam dunk! Thank you, thank you!!!
I had nothing to worry about. :)

Top of the Mornin' to ya!

I realized Camden was wearing green, eating a green Popsicle and playing in the grass one day last week and thought the pictures would be appropriate for St. Patty's Day. We've been very "LUCKY" this year thus far and couldn't be more grateful. These pictures were taken when Camden was still sick but he's better now. Baby Ellison (Ellie) is doing great, Pat is ROCKIN' at work and I'm enjoying motherhood and homemaker very much so (ask me again in a couple months when this little one comes out to play).

Sick and tired of being sick and tired!!

Camden is once again sick with double ear infections, eye infections and teething molars. This would be his 5th ear infection (counting each ear seperately) since Christmas! That common cold really does a number on us! Luckily this time around it really hasn't dragged him down. He's sleeping well and wanting to get out. I just don't want him to get other kids sick (with a cold) so we've been keeping our distance which has been no fun at all. This picture below was on a fairly good day of eye puss and puffiness.

Still my happy boy! I think this is the morning he woke up with one eye swollen and the other glued shut. He looked at himself in the mirror and laughed...I would have cried seeing myself like that.

This is how Camden tells Mommy he's sick of being locked up in the house: exhibit a above and b below.

Fortunately, the eye drops are helping, and hopefully the antibiotic is clearing up his ears, or "puss pools" so the Dr. calls them. It's been so beautiful out, we try to be outdoors as much as we can but it's just not enough for Camden I guess. He literally runs to any door open to the outside world! On the road to recovery, yeay!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Searle!

July 2007, Our last visit with Grandpa

4 generations... and a dog

Yesterday was Grandpa Searle's Birthday! We miss him! Since I never posted pictures from his funeral services last month, I figured we could make a tribute to him now so close to his birthday.

Bumpa Hobbs and cute cousins, Kylie and Abbey

First time in the snow and first time wearing a hat outside of the pool area.

5 gorgeous kids (especially the stud on the far left...OWE!)

We love you Grandpa Searle! You are missed but have left an amazing legacy!!

Utah and Idaho

Hi friends and family! We just wanted you to know that we are going to be in Utah and Idaho this week! Give us a call if you want to visit!!! We love you all and can't wait to spend time with the Hobbs family! This will be Camden's first time playing in the snow so we'll post pictures!

Another Hair Cut

Camden hair grows so fast, I feel like a new hair cut looks good for only a couple of days. I cut his hair a couple of weeks ago when Ari was in town but it was already hanging out over his ears again so we brought out the BUZZER!! it was only a No. 4 but I couldn't believe how much it took off. I left the top a little longer but I think next time I'm just going to buzz his head (no shorter than 4...or 3). It's just so hard to keep them still, and Camdens not even a big wiggle worm. Sorry the picture is sideways...I took it strait from the camera.
One of these days I'll post a little more on the hobbs happs.
Doesn't he look like Alex Gourley?!!! Pat and I totally think so.

WE'RE EXPECTING A GIRL!!

We found out yesterday we'll be having a girl! We are way excited about it. She'll be here in May and I can't wait to buy her clothes and do her hair!! It would have been easier to have a boy, seeing that we already have blue everything, but I had a hunch we were in for some pink. Oooooh, I wonder what she'll look like?! What if she has RED hair!? She totally could!! Oh my gosh, I'm getting so excited! At least the pressures off for the sex of the third child with one of each.

I dedicate the rest of this post to Jamie Hobbs...we had quite a laugh about my ultrasound pictures last night...I thought I'd share the story with the rest of you.

So my OB/GYN is our ex-bishop of our last ward. He is an awesome Dr. and because we know him personally, he told me I could call him at home or on his cell if I ever had a question. Nice perks! Another nice perk is that I get an ultra sound every visit. This is what makes me laugh. That's a super cool thing, especially when they can cost so much, BUT...his machine is like the first ultra sound machine ever built. I can never tell what things are, even if I'm using my imagination. Whenever he's checking for things I hear comments like "...hmmm, this doesn't seam to be a good angle, maybe next time". Then he prints me off 2 to 7 pictures to take home. What am I going to do with these fuzzy blob pictures? Definitely not carry them in my purse and show them to any one!! I literally have 16 pictures of nothing I can decipher hanging on my fridge just to make me smile. Oh, I love my Doctor. I wonder if he'll ever find the "right angle" with that thing? I wouldn't be surprised if we received a little surprise the day the kid pops out ("Oh, from this angle it's definitely a boy")!
Maybe it's just the fact that the ultra sounds are being done so early in the peanut's progression. Or maybe I was just spoiled in California with 3D pics. I 'm still very grateful for the perk and enjoy the silent laughs in his office each month.

NOW THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED AT 8 WEEKS:12 wks, Hmmmm.
DON'T GET ME WRONG, I'M WAY GRATEFUL SHE HAS A FULLY INTACT SPINE>>>BUT DO I NEED A PICTURE, DR?
OH MY GOSH! ARE THOSE EYE BALLS LOOKING LEFT IN THE TOP RIGHT CORNER?!! FREAKY! I never noticed that before! Down below is a cool picture of her eye...it looks open.
THIS LAST PICTURE IS THE ONLY ONE I"D EVER SHOW PEOPLE...UNLESS I"M MAKING FUN OF THE OTHERS. I WOULD HAVE POSTED MORE BUT IT TAKES TO LONG TO SCAN THEM IN. I should have posted more of the really strange blob ones.

Super Dad

This morning I had a dental appointment so Pat took Camden to work with him for a couple hours (The apt. was right around the corner from his facility). We dressed him up in work clothes and let Cam take "Baby Bear" (his stuffed bear) to work in case he got a little scared. When I went to pick him up he was sitting on Pat's lap as Pat was interviewing someone. It was the most adorable site! He was being so still, holding on to his bear...just being a sweetheart. I wish I had my camera. As soon as I put him in the car he wouldn't stop talking to me about his day with Daddy. Even when I walked around to my side of the car he was still jabbering away...of course I have no idea what he was saying but he must have loved it!! One of the employees said that as Pat was conducting a meeting, Camden would just talk along with him. I'm interested to hear what Pat thought of the experience. I hope his team likes him even more knowing that he's such an awesome Dad!! Thanks Pat, I owe you one!!

I remember going to work with my Mom and Dad in elementary school and loved it!! I am totally for "take your kid to work days", as long as work allows it.

December 2007

Great-Grandma Nickie and Grandma Cheney came from California for Christmas! We took the Grandmas to the Mesa Temple to see the lights and enjoyed the chance to "bundle up" for the occasion (especially anndalyn)
(I didn't fix the red eye so excuse the zombie eye balls) Camden was very excited to see the balloons Santa Claus left for him Christmas morning. He was in heaven!

We were glad Camden could get some bonding time with Great Grandma Nickie. We are hoping He'll just call her "Great" some day.
These are my handsome boys all dressed up for Shea's wedding...the day was a little cold and breezy but we had a great time visiting with extended family and friends.

Together Forever

Shea and Mehgann are now happily married and cruising the hawaiian islands for a week, catching their final rays of sun and shine before their next semester at BYU Idaho. CONGRATS TO YOU BOTH! WE LOVE YOU!

Pictures

Check out the punk mullet and fro!! I've already given the kid a few trims but his hair grows like crazy! He totally looked like an 80's child with this fro in his warm ups. I cut it that day or the day after and kept the mullet in a baggy but no new pics...I'm still figuring out how to cut a wiggly boys hair (it's a good thing it grows fast :)). we think his hair will most likely turn brown because he has long dark eyelashes like Pat and Pat was a blondie as a kid too.
I got my hair cut again! You can't tell by this picture but I cut off the flip in the back and went for the bob. I love it! I can do so much with it...or do nothing with it and get away with it! Perfect for my laziness. Pat got his hair cut too...We had an awesome weekend!!
So here's Pat all comfy cozy after church sitting down for dinner. This Sunday our home felt so...Homey. I was taking a nap (trying to get over a cold) but couldn't sleep because the house was so peaceful and smelled like a yummy roast and the boys were down stairs quietly jabbering. I wanted to be down there with them. It was such a special feeling that I haven't felt since I was a kid in my parents home. Home and family are truly "of the Lord", a piece of heaven on earth.

So here's my RED wall. I haven't hung a single thing up on a single wall in the home yet. I wanted to paint a few more walls first. I'm hoping to finish the sage walls today or tomorrow so that I can get a move on the rest of the decorating. This month has flown by! My Mom and grandma Speakman will be here for Xmas Wednesday!! Wowzers, the house is totally not were I wanted it to be by the time they came but that's OK, it's still comfy.

So here's Mr. Camden checkin' out the Desert Terrace Christmas Party. He loved the lights and figured out every possible way to get back to them. (Sorry I turned the Camera...silly me). Camden loved the party, especially the music.

So here's a little taste of the goodness in our lives these days.
We are loving our new ward (church congregation) and have already had dinner with a sweet family in the neighborhood. The weather has been in the mid 50's to 70's and we couldn't be more grateful for the cooler days. We've had a fair bit of rain but would love some more and are looking forward to our trip to California for Shea's wedding and new years!

Oh, we didn't send a Christmas card this year but plan on sending out a New Years card in January! Love you all! Happy holidays!

Hobbs Happs Update

Hi all!! Sorry we haven't posted for a few weeks. Lots has happened, including our camera breaking so that's slowed the posting down. Here's a list of the recent Hobbs Happs:

Camden decided to walk
Grandma Hobbs came for Thanksgiving and a fun week of visiting!
We bought a new camera
We packed up and moved to our new home!
Grandpa Hobbs came to help with the move and for a great weekend visit!
We went to see the ZOO Lights
Went to see the Mesa Temple lights, twice
Anndalyn's enjoying Christmas decorating (even though she hasn't put up any of the everyday decorations)
Pat's plugging along at work and loving Camden kisses and giggles every evening,
and Camden is enjoying closing doors and playing with the doorstops (boing!)...and climbing up onto boxes and occasionally falling off.

Camden also had his one year visit (at 13mnths) and falls in the 50th percentile for weight and over 95th percentile in length. Oh, and his heart murmur has decreased more on it's own!

I'll post pictures soon, but here's a heads up on what you'll be seeing.
We love you all and will be sending out our new address via email today or tomorrow!

'tis the season to be grateful!!!