Push, peddle, and lots smiles!

The newest adventures of the Z team as mentioned in prior post is BMX racing. We started this summer. I think towards the end of June. We have quickly come to love the sport, the community is so friendly and kind, and the culture is wonderful. Even I have since bought a BMX and have been racing in the Moms class. Although it's usually only Ziah cheering for her Mama, the first time Zaynes saw his Mom come off the track his eyes were as big as quarters with a big smile, he was so proud. So, a family event it has become, with Papa Z making sure all the bikes are tuned, lubed, and fast. Although I will keep encouraging him to race.

Zoe crashed her first race, making her not want to race "oh big ones" again. We took a trip to Minnesota and in my Grandma's home town of Isanti, they have a huge indoor race. I took the kids their one night to race. Zoe loved it, she wasn't even do e with her race and would say, "I go again," while racing. The kiddos took 2nd (Zayne) and 3rd (in Minnesota).

We have since gone back to our local track and Zoe is back racing. Although I am pretty sure she was still hesitant to race on our track. She even had a reputation for taking her own short cuts or they would announce her and make a comment about showing up for support.

She raced on our Anniversary and she won fair and square. It was so great to see. My heart was so proud. The best part is 2 rollers before the finish she stopped on top and started clapping, so wish I had a picture of that. She was so proud. Again though, I am pretty sure she does it for the "water pops," aka. Otter pops.

Zayne loves everything about BMX and his bike. They both do really. Their new thing, "I need peddles Mom." I can't remember I think Zayne won his first race, maybe second. I can remember standing and watching him with tears in my eyes. Another Mom was standing with me and she was like "oh, you are such a good Mom." But I was like "no, you have no idea." I wish all those who cared for me and him and the University or Utah, all his doctors, and his specialist here could come stand at a race and watch him. "Look at me/him now." Yes, that's the little guy you all said would never make it.

Did you know that BMX is big in the x games and the mighty OLYMPICS? Neither did we. Here we thought it was just a little ol race in our town. Turns out that there is state and nationals. This could turn in to a big ordeal for the Z team. It's all about the fun and smiles. As long as they are smiling we will keep doing it

Speaking of state. State was held here in Bozeman last weekend. Zayne took 2nd Zoe took 3rd. Oh, and Mama got to race as she was qualifed. Nothing spectacular but she was out there and for the first time go to race with the women.

As I mentioned before. Ziah doesn't know it yet but she is getting a strider for her Birthday. You may just see her make her debut yet before the season us over. Stay tuned.

Zoe proud of her taking the Number One spot!

Lovin Life

State qualifier and the 3 racers. 

First place for this kiddo. 

The Strider Gang!

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High fives always at Gallatin Valley BMX

Most of the time the Striders riders have smiles on their faces while riding. 

Zo Bear on the "Oh, Big Ones!"

A little start action. 

Thumbs up before the start.

High five with Hayes. 

BMX Mamas

It was hot!

Chillin

A little mid race Yoga! Yep those are my kids.

Total eclipse of my heart.

And here we go again. Playing catch up. I will just face it this will be the norm for a very long time. Or until I take time for myself and set time away weekly for blogging. #goals.

One of my most recent favorite photos! 3 y.o and 23m.

I thought I would go back and post a blog for all that has happen (I have wrote this blog before it seems) but I can't because that would be insanity on top of insanity. So, from some inspiration from my long time friend Rick, I will post some simple pics of life that has happened the past 6 months. You should also check out his blog, he is a great, inspirational writer.

The twins turned 3. That day came and went quickly (insert sad, yet me screaming "someone is finally 3!, tear face). I continue to tell myself that I will enjoy every stage they are in and not wish for one stage to last longer or shorter. But, it's NO FREAKIN' JOKE when they say it goes fast (and please don't remind me, I am well aware). It could slow down just a bit. But I also feel I am a bit of a disadvantage. I don't get a breather. I feel I barely get to enjoy each of their stages. I feel I am rolling with the punches that are coming at me 100 mph. The twins barely get through a stage or learn something knew and Ziah is right behind them. Andy and I have always joked that she wants to be so big, ever since she was a little tiny baby she wants nothing more than to be big like those two. We have always told them that they better look out "she is coming for you." So that is what is tough, really tough, and sometimes hard to process, when you have 3 that are so close in age. So, slow down little ones, I can't keep up.

Made with love by Mama

Back to turning three. Young, Wild, and Three, was their theme (I guess themed parties is the new thing). They enjoyed their party, and we invited their friends and those that are involved in helping out in their lives and their Mom and Dads. Zoe weighs in at approx. 28# and is 36 inches and Zayne is a BIG 25.5 pounds and 35 3/4 inches. They are talking lots, are so funny, racing BMX bikes (we will touch on that more), love their new scooters, love to fight and then are the best of friends, and are planning to attend preschool in September.

Zo-Bear on the gator. 

Get it buddy!

It was so hard to capture pictures. So busy. I didn't get them both in there cute shirts I made. Someone did though. 

Her new baby and carrier. She loves, loves baby dolls. 

Back to BMX racing. This is a new fun little hobby the Z team has picked up including Mama Z, and we are loving it. Papa Z is sure to have all the bikes lubed and tuned and sparkling clean. It is so fun and such a welcoming community. The twins love it. Zayne is a pro and will be competing in state this weekend. Zoe crashed her first time racing and has since not wanted to race "oh big ones" at the local track. Although we made a trip to Minnesota and she raced the indoor track there and absolutely loved it. This past weekend Andy took them to practice and her and Zayne did many practice laps. She is now hooked, or it's the Otter Pops a.k.a "water pops." But she is racing and loving it. In fact, on Sunday, our Anniversary, she fair and square took first place among four 3 year olds. So, look out x-games and olympics the Z team is coming for you. 

Lining up for the race. 

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Studying the big kids. 

So, what else? A quick little update on Ziah-bear! She continues to be sweet as can be, but she is on the heels of her brother and sister copying everything that they do. She really is the sweetest our saving grace, although her latest this week is telling us "NO!" She is always, always trying to keep up with them. They wear her out. She weighs in at approximately 23# 10oz ish., she hasn't quite passed Zayne. She doesn't know it yet but she has a little strider bike waiting for her in the basement for her birthday. She just may make her debut this year in BMX. Oh, and how is she 2? I feel like we just had 2 year old twins, oh wait we did. Again, slow down. 

Andy and I don't get out much. It's a big challenge that we are working on. We are forever grateful for the few babysitters that we do have that are willing to take on the fierce Z squad all at once. We did make it out to a Pinky and the Floyd show for Andy's birthday and we also went to the Poison and Def Leppard concert. We try to get out, even if it's the 5 of us making tiny road trips, hikes, or day outtings. We have done lots of work at our new home also this summer. 

And the total eclipse of my heart? I just celebrated my Birthday. It was a fair day although my birthday was also on the same day as the total eclipse, which was amazing. The kids and I drove up to West Yellowstone (my favorite piece of Earth) to watch it, although I sure wish I would of left earlier, drove farther and been a witness to, and experienced the totality. Thanks to great friends and great photographers that I know,  for sharing their experience, photos, and the feeling behind witnessing something so magical. What we saw/I (as the kids were sleeping in the van, but I did let them put the glasses on and see a bit of the end of the show) was amazing. It was dusk in West Yellowstone, the temperture dropped significantly, and the calmness was almost eerie. It was amazing. I did my best to take it all in, but being the totality was in my back yard, I can't help but be a little bummed that I/we did not witness it. So, where is the next one? I heard 2020, Arizona may be on the radar, We are coming that way.

So as we watch something magical like the Sun and the Moon come together, as I celebrate another year, I look forward to what this next trip around will be. It's never a dull moment. There is lots to work on. But, in the end we always continue to sit back, enjoy the little things (although when life is going at 100 mph it's sometimes hard to see that), and remember! We got this! 

A look back on the past 6 month or from March forward. A few pics of things we have done, I am not posting individual blogs for a catch up. 

Zayne with his best bud

On their snowboard. It can go on grass, carpet, or snow. 

Mama and Zaza

Mothers day and the plant they gave me. I love this pic. It is so true to our days. Zayne is in a 6 month onsie, the twins are both in PJ's, Ziah is trying to eat the plant. And the cheese smiles. Don't forget those. 

Got this gem done this summer. A absolute true treasure. My heart is so full. 

They love this Gator! Happy 4th America!

Auntie loves these wild animals and can't stay away. 

Oh yes, we also saw Eric Church. This show was hands down Amazing. I also went to Tim and Faith and journey. 

Eric Church Baby! Date night!

Some how I forgot to mention that Ziah and I escaped and went to visit my BF Misty in Scottsdale, Arizona for a weekend. Ziah was a absolute gem on the plane all flights. People commented that "She must travel lots?" Nope, her first flight. It was a great trip, minus the motion sickness that Mom got....Bad.

Again, set your expectations low. At least it's me, her, and a cactus. Love it. 

Ziah and a prickly pear. 

Pinky and the Floyd for Papa Z's Birthday

The kids and I witness this magic one day. This Mama had just gave birth. She still has the after birth coming out. The significance behind this picture.... This was my first trip back to west in almost 2.5 years, to pick up a Buffalo picture. Be the Buffalo, Z team. We got this. 

Our annual Red lodge trip. Love this mini vacay. 

One of my favorites. 

Easter 2017. As good as it gets.