Callum's Playhouse Update

 A couple of sides are up!

 And they are working on the roof.

 This is the kids' attempt to keep Grandpa's dog, Scooter 2, out of the play house.

 Hanging out in the playhouse.

All the sides are up and the fun top windows are cut out.

A look inside--the loft & the bottom.

 the kids all had a sleep out the day they finished the sides & roof.

 Benjamin was excited of the concept of sleeping out there--and loved climbing up and down.

 But actually staying there after the first 1/2 hour was enough.  He slept inside.

 Callum, Brienna, Ben & Emmalee--peeking out the windows.

 Benjamin up in the loft.

 Emmalee 

 Even Dad had to have a turn testing out the bed--he told Callum that when the playhouse was completely done, he would have to "sleep in MY playhouse."

 Emmalee, Benjamin & Zane climbing up the ladder to get ready for the sleep out.

 Emmalee & Ben wanted a zillion pictures of them climbing up and down the ladder.  Emmalee said, "But Mom!  the last picture was of me climbing down.  Now take one of me climbing up!"  Silly girl :)

 Notice that Callum even has "electricity" (the extension cord).  He is using electricity from the freezer shed that is next to his playhouse.

What is mainly left is the roofing, the sides of the crows nest on top & a ladder to get to the top.  When that is finished, the kids (and myself) will paint it.  Callum is having fun trying to decide how he wants it painted.

I am glad that Callum likes to build & had this wonderful idea on how to use some of his pig money.  He spent a lot of time on it, and now is enjoying hanging out & watching movies in it.

Callum's Playhouse

Callum decided to build a playhouse, using the money he earned from his 4-H pig last fall.  

 Rusty & Callum planned what it would look like, and then in April they broke ground.

 Callum was out there every spare minute he could find.

 And he did a lot of it by himself.

 Gotta love his smile!

 The foundation!  hooray!

 Benjamin having fun walking the "balance beam".

 Emmalee's turn.

 We are thankful that Grandpa lives right behind us--he is letting Callum build his playhouse just on his side of the yard.  That way your yard won't be any smaller.

 Getting the walls up.

 Callum put the tarp on the top so he could be inside & be a little sheltered.

 I love how Callum thinks & tries to figure things out on his own.

 Benjamin was having fun already with just a shell!

All the side frames on up and the roof frame is now up!  More pictures to come.

Dubois Biggest Loser Contest

I saw that there was going to be a Biggest Loser contest in January, but I didn't think I was ready to get serious about weight-loss.

The contest started Jan. 12th but I had decided I didn't want to commit myself to it. But the following week & the weekend of the 21st Zane had some basketball games.  While I was at the games, 2 of my friends talked to me about the contest. We were in Montana on the 21st (for a b-ball tournament) and Amy & Stephanie talked to me (again) about joining the contest.

I told them that I just didn't think I was ready--but Amy said, "Is anyone ever really ready?"  That made me think and so by Monday morning, I had decided that I was going to give it a shot.  My friends also said--losing something is better than losing nothing.

Here are some of my "before" pictures: 

Nov. 3, 2011.  My birthday 

Dec. 2011

Dec. 2011

This is the last of my "big" pictures.

When I finally signed up (2 weeks late), I knew that I was going to put all my effort into this.  The next blogs will be about my journey.

And here is a picture at the piano recital on May 21st (10 days before the end of the official contest).

My friends--Stephanie, Amy & myself.

Shortly after my 5K run--feeling good!

My 1st 5K!

Today (June 9, 2012) was my 20th day of "running" (alright--jogging).

My friends--Stephanie Eddins & Amy Murdock (who both talked me into doing the Biggest Loser contest with them) also talked me into signing up for this 5K.

 Notice how happy we all are BEFORE the race.

 #700 is Amy's sister, Emily.

 Anxiously awaiting the start of the race.

 Rusty was kind enough to come with me & take pictures--proof that I was crazy enough to take on this mountain.

 And the first 2 miles were all up hill.  

 Stephanie & Amy finished together--40 minutes!  Awesome ladies!  The actual course was 3.3 miles long.

 The first 2 miles were a killer for me--I ended up walking up the 3 steepest parts, and when I reached the first mile marker, it was already 16 minutes (which I can walk 1 mile in 16 minutes!).   So I only walked 1 more place for about 2 minutes (up the last steep hill) & thankfully the last mile was downhill.  After we turned the corner it wasn't that easy, though.  But here I am near the finish line.

 My time was 42 minutes 40 seconds.  At home the fastest I had run 3.1 miles had been 40 minutes, so I figure with the 2 mile climb & the extra .2 miles, I did quite well!  I have found that I can do hard things!  

 So hopefully, my time will improve the next 5K I run in!  Yes--that's right, I think I can do this again!

Here are my results (#81).  So my goal was to finish--and not finish last.  I was about in the middle.  

I am going to see about running the 5K in Lander over the 4th of July.