John!

A couple weeks ago my brother, John, returned from his mission. He served in Houston, TX doing ASL. I still can hardly believe he's home! Last week we spent a day together catching up, making a Halloween treat with the kids, playing air hockey, and yeah...basically boring him to death. But I don't care cause I've missed him so much and I'm so excited to spend time with him again! I'm proud of him and the selfless choice he made in serving the Lord. Welcome home, bro!

John coming down the escalator. It's a dark pic, but yeah, he's there.

Finally, the wait is over!

Trey and Drew thought the airport was a giant playground and ran around screaming the whole time. For 1/2 a second they stood still just in time for me to snap this cute pic.

John being such a good sport. I gave him the job of putting the pupils on the doughnut eyeballs.

John, friends, and family hanging out after the homecoming.

Love you, John!

Hot Tamales

RUN?.........YES!
SLEEP?..............TRIED, BUT COULDN'T!
EAT?..........THE LITTLE THAT WE COULD GAG DOWN!
REPEAT?....................DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE AT THAT POINT!
REPEAT AGAIN?................YES, I KNOW WE'RE CRAZY!

Last weekend myself and 11 other awesome girls ran the Ragnar relay in Las Vegas. We all trained for it most of the summer and were ready to rock it. The race began just outside of Mesquite and ended at the Red Rock Hotel in Vegas. 171 miles. Each runner ran 3 legs ranging from about 3-8 miles each. We finished in 26 hours 49 minutes and 15 seconds.....placing 4th for female teams and 87th overall.

The day before. Getting ready to leave.

Van1 ready to start.

Van 1

Van 2

Amanda starting off the team.

Amanda gets the award for being the most cheerful. Seriously. When we were feeling awful Amanda was always so positive and kept everyone's spirits up. Thanks, sis!

Morgan passing me the bracelet at the exchange point

And I'm off for my 1st leg.

Getting sprayed with water to help with the heat.

I have been running alot of long distance hills to train for my 1st and most difficult leg and I thought I was totally prepared. The hills were insane! Steeper than I ever imagined. However, what made it more difficult was the heat. It was 90 degrees when I ran this leg. I trained for hills, long distance, and multiple runs in a 24 hr period, but couldn't train for the heat. When I had about 2 miles left my legs starting feeling like they were swelling from the heat and I was in alot of pain. I stared at another long steep hill ahead of me and knew I would be in trouble if I didn't slow down. I ended up walking for I'm guessing the next 3/4 mile then booked it to make up time. I was SO discouraged and down on myself for having to walk up that darn hill. When our van drove back down after I was done I noticed that almost every runner was walking up the hills. Yesterday I ran into a trainer that ran the same leg 2 hours after me and he told me how difficult it had been for him. That made me feel a little better. I guess I should be proud for running as far as I did. Even with walking that little bit I still had a 8.5 minute mile pace that leg.

That ain't no smile. I read somewhere that pain is weakness leaving the body. I must've been totally out of weaknesses after that 1st leg. Phew!

Stopping to try to force ourselves to eat something. Apparently running wasn't enough for the energizer bunny Amanda.

Starting off van #1's 2nd legs. Damon got us these reflector vests from Ogio. They ended up being a lifesaver. It was difficult to tell one runner from another in the dark since all the other vests looked the same. We could spot our teammate easily which was a huge peace of mind.

I had gotten horrible nausea from my 1st leg and was pretty nervous about running again. We thought we would have places to refill water but in the middle of the desert there was no such luck. Trying to hydrate with warm water was making me get worse and I began saying alot of silent prayers. This race was so important to me and I couldn't let myself and my teammates down. I began my 2nd leg just before midnight and it ended up being gorgeous. I ran at a slower pace, turned off my ipod, and soaked up the view. I ran along Lake Mead with only the light from my headlamp and the reflection of the moon on the water. I was alone for most of it and had no van access so I was afraid of getting lost. Ragnar did a terrible job with directions for the nighttime legs and some runners ended up running around the wrong side of the lake. Thank goodness that didn't happen to me. When I got to the exchange point my teammates didn't know I was done and the next runner wasn't there. I waited for about 5 minutes then the Ragnar worker told me to keep going. I had alot of things running through my mind. The next leg was the highest elevation gain in the whole race and 6 miles (I had just run 6,) I was so sick, and there would still be no van access and no one to relieve me. However, the weather was cool and I had enjoyed running in the dark. I just said "OK," said another quick prayer, and headed on my way. Fortunately, before I got off the beach the next runner got there and I heard a volunteer yelling for me so I headed back. Just in time!

Driving into Vegas...finally. The city couldn't have looked more beautiful.

My van 1 teammates after finishing our 3rd legs. Loving the jets on our tired legs while we waited for van 2 runners to finish.

The tired Hot Tamales team and Amanda's brother, aka driver Ben. Ben stayed awake the whole time, hardly ate anything cause he felt bad eating in front of us, and looked out for our runner when the rest of us were too busy fighting sleep. He never complained and we were all so impressed. Cause lets face it...us girls were complaining. Good guy.

You're probably thinking why would we would pay to do this to ourselves. The nausea, the exhaustion, etc etc etc. I have to say, as difficult as it was, it was an incredible experience. How close you get to your teammates, being there to help each other out, taking over when a runner wasn't able to finish, crying when another runner cried...it made us really close and I have nothing but admiration for all my incredible hot tamale friends.

Yesterday I decided to run a 10k. I figured that since I was already trained and had a week to recover from the relay, I would be fine. My sis and her family, Damon and the kids, and my dad all came to watch which was so fun to have them there. It started out chilly but the sun quickly came out. So apparently I'm not always that bright. I soon discovered that my body had not recovered and the nausea quickly returned at full force. Luckily I was fine till I stopped running. My time wasn't as good as I had wanted and I'm hoping that I'll finally wake up tomorrow nausea free. I think it's time for me to take a little break. I finished in 47:27. 4th for women and 21st overall.

The kids being ever so patient during my race.

Thanks everybody who helped out and supported me. Mari for watching the kids during the relay while having morning sickness. Amanda for training with me and babysitting when you weren't running with me. My teammates for your encouragement and friendship. Our team captain, Becky, for all your hard work. And especially Damon for your support. You've been patient with me being gone alot to train this summer and never tried to talk me out of my craziness. I love you, hun!

This Week

While Damon and his friends were at the Priesthood Session Saturday evening, my friends and I took our kids to the Pumpkin Patch. The weather wasn't too chilly and it was a great way to start off the Halloween season. We try to do alot of fun activities and baking throughout October to celebrate the gruesome holiday. Love it!

I went with Bailee and the 2nd grade classes on a field trip to the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum. Why have I never taken my kids there before? What a blast! Bailee's teacher let me take Trey and oh how cute! He wanted nothing to do with me. He totally participated and stayed by Bailee's side the whole time. I was so impressed with Bailee. She wasn't annoyed or embarrased at all by him tagging along with her and her friends. Now that school has started my kids are best buds again. I love watching them together. I am so blessed!

Labor Day Weekend

To start out Labor Day weekend Trey and I met Damon at Ogio and went to lunch with him and some of his work friends. Damon decided to ditch work the rest of the day and come home with us. He spent the afternoon giving the kids some golf tips and the kids are now hooked! Bailee then went to a Hannah Montana birthday party/sleepover at Mari's house and we spent some time with Trey, watching King Fu Panda and eating pizza. Saturday we watched the 1st BYU game of the season, which Damon compared to Christmas. When I memtioned the yardwork that needed to be done that day he said "WHAT?! You don't do yardwork on Christmas!" Very funny, Damon. :) On Monday we were going to spend the day at Liberty Land but the kids told us they would rather spend the day outside playing with their friends in the water toys. Sorry, but there are no pics of the day in the sun...I was just too dang busy...hard at work laying in my lougechair. It was such a relaxing holiday and so nice being able to spend time with each other. One more thing...Damon turned 32! Happy birthday, old man! I love you!





With all the racket the boys make during the football game I was hoping to capture a great picture moment. And oh boy did I get one! I snapped a pic right as Oklahoma missed their field goal to finish off the game and the boys jumped out of their seats into mid-air.

First Day of School

Bailee started the 2nd grade a few weeks ago. I'm still not quite sure it's real. Before school started I printed out the 1st graders supply shopping list. After buying several of the wrong items I remembered that my baby girl is not going into 1st grade after all. Reality check to me...she is growing up faster than I can keep up with. That was a sad day. Realizing how quickly time goes by...so quickly in fact that somehow it feels like I missed a year.
Bailee has been blessed with 2 incredible teachers so far. I prayed and fasted before school started that Bailee would have a great teacher again. When I saw her class list I noticed that everyone in her group of friends but her and one other girl were in the same class. Bailee was devastated and cried when I took her to school the first day. Luckily she was all smiles when I picked her up. Yesterday Bailee informed me that she was glad she didn't end up with her friends because she wouldn't have her teacher or her new friends. "And besides, mom, I still play with my old friends at recess." I'm grateful that the Lord answers our prayers. And I'm grateful that Bailee loves to make to friends, loves school, and has such an overall positive attitude.

You go girl!

Bailee and Kestlie looking so cute! (Notice that Bailee didn't waste any time getting a hole in her leggings.)

Trey and Corban hanging out at the school. Sorry boys...you still have a while till you can join the girls.

Summer 2009

Because of my lack of blogging this summer I am cramming the best of our summer events all on one post. Why does the best time of the year have to go by so quickly? The usually perfect month of June was more like March and even August has had more than its share of chilly days. I'm not ready for the cold to begin. Too bad we can't put it to a vote, right? I can say, however, that we jam packed the season full of memories. Here's our favorites:

At the start of each summer we go on a week long camping trip with our friends, the Riggs. Last year Damon scheduled it for the last week of May and it was freezing. I decided I would schedule it this year after putting up a big stink about it. We tried a new spot, Millsite State Park, and I thought the middle of June would be perfect. Yeah, we froze again. We had our camping trailer for the first time and that saved us. The site was beautiful with a lake, grassy areas, a golf course, 4 wheeling, and a kick butt jogging route for Amanda and I. We started each day fighting the weather and jogging 4 miles up some challenging hills. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to burn off the treat calories while we played games at night. Regardless of the weather we had a lot of fun spending time with each other and our great friends.

Damon and Micah bought a couple remote control boats and played with them for seriously hours.

Damon was a little lazy when it came to having to walk the whole 10 yards to the toilets. He took either Bailee's bike or her Barbie scooter. Once while he was riding the scooter he hit a crack in the concrete and flew head over handlebars. Oh man, if only I could've seen that! Of course, this picture was taken before Damon backed over the bike with his truck. The lesson to be learned is...well, need I even say?

This is what I get for making fun of the guys about their socks.

Making s'mores. Once after Bailee pulled her hot (metal) fire poker stick out of the fire she accidentally poked it into her cheek. She got a pretty bad sore but luckily it only left a barely noticeable scar.

Going for a bike ride...chasing after me while I was trying to capture the perfect picture.

The day we left we woke up to the beautiful sun. That seems to be the way it always works. We hurried and packed up then spent a couple hours at the beach.
The dads and their little ladies. What you can't see is the very sad little boys watching them ride off. Unfortunately, our 4 wheeler started having a problem with the back breaks not too long into the ride and they had to turn around.

My boys.

Damon took what seemed like 12 hours to walk neek deep into the freezing lake. Micah decided to man up and follow his lead.

The dads chased the kids with their remote control rock crawlers till the batteries died.

2 of the days were so cold we were mostly confined to the trailers. Luckily, we both have TVs. Can I say LIFESAVER?!
Amanda and I attempting to change the weather's mind by laying out. You can tell by my expression how well it worked out for us.

Fourth of July

Damon and Trey prepping the yard.

Our neighborhood gets together for a never ending firework show to end the big day.

BBQ at our place after the swimming party.

Lehi Roundup

We try to go to all the Lehi Roundup festivities throughout the roundup week. Damon tried his hardest to make it to almost all the activities with us...and did really good. For the last day we took the kids to the park to see the animals and go on some rides.




We went to all the Lehi parades and the Steel days parade with Damon's family. The kids got so much candy that my candy cupboard is still full!





One thing we always enjoy in the summertime is the drive in. Gotta love stuffing the love sac in the bed of the truck and watching movies outside in our pj's!

Racing!

I ran the Lehi 5k with Amanda and surprised myself with my new best time. OK, so I haven't run that many but I was still pretty happy.
Seriously, one of the best moments of the summer was this one right here. After watching me run the Lehi race (and chasing after me), Trey said he wanted to run a race too. I signed him up for the half mile children's race in American Fork that a lot of his cousins run. Bailee ran it last year and pretty much hated it. I knew Trey would be one of the youngest and smallest and figured he would stop and ask his daddy to carry him not long into the race. However, this is what I saw coming around the corner before the finish line. Trey following his dad. He ran the whole time with little effort and a huge smile on his face. Melt mommy's heart, why don'tcha?!

Trey took first place in his age group while moomy took third.

Every year we go on a weekend camping trip with Damon's family. This is the whole clan (except Reed who is taking the picture.)

Riding in the back of the truck to the kickball field.

Trey was a little sleep deprived after coughing all night. This is what happened when I let Tyler sit on my lap.

Dodgeball.

Buddies, Trey and Jace.

So, we had to end summer break with a bang. What better way to do that than going to the demolition derby? OK, so it's no Disneyland, but it was still so much fun! Damon and I have gone a couple times but this was the first time since we've had kids. My sis, Autumn, and her family came with us. This is soooo going to be a tradition now. My kids had an absolute blast! Trey's new favorite thing to do all day? Playing demo derby with his toy cars.

See ya next year, summer break. :( Missing you already.