friesenfam.net

Friesen family blog

May 10, 2011
by janette
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a bit of an improvement

So…I know you’re dying to know about the run.

Sorry…I’d gotten behind on blogging and had to catch up first. I’m like that.

What a gorgeous day for a run! Last year, if you’ll reminisce with me, you’ll remember it was a balmy 38 degrees. It left us wishing for appropriate running clothes, and a warmer spring.

This year, 57 degrees at race time and beautifully sunny, which left us wishing we hadn’t worn so many clothes by the time it was done.

Beth picked me up on this beautiful morning and we were off to meet Stacey in Cedar Falls.  (I cropped the picture because I didn’t like how the lower half of my body looked in it…but now realize you’re missing the best part – Beth’s pink sweatpants! They were the perfect thing for her to wear – if we got separated in a crowd, I could usually locate the pink pants!)

Don’t we look excited?

I wish one of us had brought a camera to the run…that way we could have gotten Stacey in the picture too. And we could have had a victory photo. Not victory for winning…victory for finishing of course!

I can’t speak for the other two ladies…but the run was awesome. Mile one felt great…miles two and three just kind of went by… and mile four, well that was probably the hardest for me. We were nearing the end I could tell. I’m not sure where Beth got it, but she found some pocket of unused energy at the end and took off trying to catch a mom pushing a baby jogger before we got to the finish line.

At the end…of course greeted with a buffet of healthy options…fruit, bagels, etc…and then there were the things I chose…a zinger and a ho-ho.

But…I did share.

We have to keep them excited about mommy running too. It’s all about the support system!

And over last year…quite an improvement I’d say.

I don’t know if you can read it at the size I have it posted…

Last years time is on the left: 49:17

This years time is on the right: 42:56

Since my two goals were to run it all and improve on time…i’m feeling accomplished. I’ve got a new goal for next years run though…find that unused pocket of energy, and use it to beat Beth.

Stay tuned for the next run of the season…the library’s own Run Your Buns Off…June 4th!

May 9, 2011
by janette
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a few more from Easter

I know Easter came before cowboy fun…so these posts are a little out of order…but these pictures are just too good to not post.

Yay for cousins. Especially smiley, girl cousins.

And yay for sitting nicely so Grandma can have a picture of all 4 grandchildren.

Although, I’ll admit i like this one better. It’s the real story.

And this girl I just love. Goodness, just look at her. She’s the nicest, sweetest, calmest baby I’ve ever met.

I think she gets it from her Aunt Janette.

May 8, 2011
by janette
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a little cowboy fun

At the end of April every year, Nathan’s family gets together in a cabin in Minnesota and for a whole weekend, we just visit, shop the local downtown, eat way too much, and watch our kids play with their cousins. This year, it was a themed event.

The kids were invited to the Lazy G Corral for a cowboy weekend.

Nathan’s Uncle Paul thought of everything…

First, you had to hop the stage coach to the corral…

where you’d get to choose your horse and get outfitted for ranch life.

The horse on the way left with the mustache is “Snibley.” Evan chose him as his horse…only as a second choice because the ones with the red lips were for the girls. Ellie’s horse is the one on the way right of the picture. It got missed in the naming…but Ellie provided her with the name “Kenny.” Because, as it was explained to me, some boys have girl names and some girls have boy names.

After you were hooked up with your hat, bandana and horse, then you were free to roam the range.

They all stopped by the chuck wagon for some lunch…macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, beans, and cowpies (chocolate cookies).

This is probably my favorite picture…it reminds me of that one where the two little boys are in their overalls and the one asks the other “You been farming long?”

There was also a mine to explore.

And cattle roping.



Thanks Uncle Paul! They had so much fun.

Evan still tells me every night before bed how he wants to have more “cowboy fun.”

May 2, 2011
by janette
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Resurrection Jesus

On Easter every year, my parent’s church hosts an Easter breakfast after church. We are treated to scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, and assorted muffins. Its something we look forward to every year. In addition to the yummy breakfast, on the tables every year there are small Easter baskets for all of the kids.

In addition to the standard jelly beans and chocolate treats, there are always some trinkets for the kids – cross necklaces, handheld mazes, etc.  This year, we were thrilled to find resurrection Jesus!

You just push him down, and wait, and he’ll eventually pop up.

This guy is obviously jumping for joy over the resurrection! Clever.

April 20, 2011
by janette
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twirly whirly pizza

Not only does it sound fun…its super easy…super yummy…AND my kids ate it!

This one…going in the rotation!

Twirly Whirly Pizza

1 tube refrigerated pizza crust. (13.8 oz). You could also totally make your own crust…this was what the recipe said and I don’t usually like to deviate until I’ve tried it once. I think next time maybe I’ll try a wheat crust.

1/2 c. pizza sauce

1/2 c. italian blend shredded cheese (I used pizza blend)

fresh spinach (a handful)

Spread pizza dough out into a rectangle. Spoon pizza sauce on top. Sprinkle half the cheese over the pizza sauce and cover with a layer of spinach.

Roll up and cut into 8 slices. Put slices flat side down in a greased pie plate. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Bake at 400 degrees for 22 – 25 minutes.

Again…so easy, so yummy. And pretty too! We did add bacon to ours. Because lets be honest, what isn’t better with bacon? And the doctor did tell me to try and get more protein from meat in my diet. Could i have picked a healthier meat? Absolutely. A tastier meat? Doubtful.

We took bets. We agreed on 25/75 against that the kids would eat it. We were pleasantly surprised when both of them ate their whole piece.