So, so sorry to keep you all waiting!

I know I'm so popular you all have been dying to know what we've been up too! (said sarcastically!)

In June, I worked hard in training for Ragnar and then ran it. I think I did well. M.C.'s cast came off which he absolutely loved! I gave a talk in sacrament meeting, went to girls camp, ran Ragnar, and camped out all in one week. Starr and Dimples started participating in a Library Mentor Reading program. They love to read and are doing very well. The three oldest started playing piano again. Love to hear them.

In July, We hiked Adams Canyon in Davis County. We had fun and I know we have pics but I'll have to post them later. I ran in the Riverdale "Old Glory Days" 5k with My S.I.L. Net. It was her first race and she was amazing! So proud of her. I ran a 6 mile trail run with my pals then went for a hike with the family up Waterfall Canyon. I must've twisted my knee or something sometime because I limped down the trail once we got out of tree cover. Ugh! I really need my knee back! I have a 10k in Sept. I'm training for! Starr got to go to Lagoon with two of my brothers and their kids. She had so much fun with them! Thanks guys! We've gone: swimming lots, to see fireworks, and to lots of bbq's and parties. The kids all have swim lessons and they are doing so well! Starr also got to attend a Babysitting class at McKay-Dee Hospital, which she enjoyed and learned a few things to help out with others.

There's more to come I'm sure, so for now, See ya!

Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay2011

I ran Ragnar again this year and had a fabulously, exhausting, mentally and physically draining experience. I was really super busy in June and didn't have any time for my mind to rest. With the kids out of school, I did my best to let them have fun. I was asked to give a talk in church, which I did well. Because I have a hard time getting in front of people, I decided to paint the front room, therefore taking up my time. more on that later. I went to girls camp the monday through friday before Ragnar, so I didn't get any sleep or training done. I got home, picked up the burb from my friend, went to get it decorated, went home to pack.
We left Friday morning at 10:30 and headed to Liberty, UT. I was runner 7 in Van 2. My legs of the race weren't that hard really, BUT, when you've had as little sleep as I did, and didn't get to train as hard as the year before, well, I did my best I could possibly do with the circumstances. I enjoyed the whole thing, was tired, crazy, silly, insane, sleepy, caught my second wind at the wrong times...and so on. I love my team, and they are absolutely supportive. They don't care if I can only run a 10min45sec mile. They are just glad I can finish my legs and help others. I tried to take a lot of pics and that happened the first day but not so much the second. Oh well. Enjoy!

"Starr's" Birthday is today!!!

So I actually posted this today April 17th, 3 weeks late! Ugh where did my time go???

Starr's birthday is today, I remember her birth so well-I could have had her at home-but that's for another year. I can't believe she's nine!!! Where does the time go? I will show you, hopefully, in different pics where that time went. I've decided she's the nature loving, hiking, soccer playing, climbing, artistic, girlie girl who loves to learn. There's more I could say to describe her, I just can't think at the moment. Hopefully, you'll be able to see it all in the pics. Okay, here it is a little late, but I finally made up some groups of random pics of "Starr" and a lot of different things she enjoys!

Our Valentine's weekend

*Warning: Be prepared to read for a bit*

Valentines Day is a Monday. That means the kids are in school and Stephen has to work. So the last couple days have been our Valentine's weekend. Saturday, the girls got to have a, or go to a, sleepover. They all had fun and enjoyed their time with their friends. I had an early morning meeting-it was at 9 which is early for a Saturday! So Stephen made breakfast for the boys and girls and played referee. When I got back he and his sister went hiking and I waited for Brake-Time Bobs to call about the car, I wrote about that earlier. We finally got the car back and Bob said the engine's real good, he was impressed with it and knows we plan on keeping that car for a long time. (That car will be the one that Becks gets to drive in about 3 years.) Later, much later, that night, Stephen took me to Outback steakhouse for dinner. Problem for me was, it was too late. Eating at 9 p.m. and my lovely stomach acid issues don't combine. I brought home my delicious sandwich and Stephen enjoyed his rack of lamb. We had fun either way, I got to talk with him while he ate-guess who did most of the talking. We came home and helped Becks get the kids to bed.
Let's move on to Sunday.
My wonderful friends were blessing their cute son yesterday. We were invited to a brunch and then to their sacrament meeting. They were just sealed on Saturday to the cute little guy, making their family a family of four. They are amazing people, so filled with the spirit and so excited for life that you can't help but want to be their friends and friends with their friends. Anyway, after we visited with them and others we went home. Stephen and his sister sue planned on hiking again. He begged me to come with them all-cuz the kids weren't going to pass this up again. He said "It would mean the world to me" if I went with them. How can a wife say no, I hate hiking, after that card has been pulled? I went with them and actually kinda enjoyed it. We hiked up to the "BL", then to some silver square thing (which I thought was our destination-Wrong!), and then a little bit further up. I did okay. I filled my hiking quota, anything else will have to involve money I think. On the way up, M.C. found the cactus, with his knee and finger tips. Thanks to aunt Susie, the prickly hairs didn't stay long in his fingers and thanks to his pants they didn't stick to his knee. The next thing M.C. said was- he didn't want to see anymore cactus. While continuing our hike, M.C. said- Cactus are mean! It was pretty funny, poor kid. We made it up the rest of the way without any further contact with Cactus or falling down in the dirt. The way down was great, Stephen found a herd of deer, we got pics of it and other things that I will post differently. I know why it's faster to come down a mountain hike, but I still think going up to be easier for some reason. I didn't complain too much about the hike this time, so most likely I'll go on another one.
We ate dinner with Stephen's parents and sister. We played Zombie dice and worked on a puzzle of New York City. We came home and eventually went to bed.
This morning, the girls got up and made themselves pretty for school since it was Valentines day and all that. Dimples wore a shirt and tie to school because they are having a dance with all the 1st graders. (I'm so excited to see this!) It's kinda just a regular day for me, nothing special til later when the hubby gets home.

So yes, I've been missing...

Yeah, yeah. I've been missing from the blog for a while.

In January, we went go-karting at Speed Street in Layton. We took Becks and two of her friends, Megs and Court. It was totally awesome! I loved it. Stephen and I tried so hard to beat each other, he cheats by the way-he bumps you out of the way. I had so much fun and I know that Becks and her friends did too. They were fabulous girls and we all got to race twice. Becks and Court went with Courts Dad the next Monday and they all had an awesome time. Good times, good times, love them. I hope Becks had a great time with her friends, it was sort of a birthday party and not all the friends showed up. Man, we should plan better. Anyway, here are some pics of the girls and fun we had. Enjoy!

Piano Recital December 2010

Last Thursday my kids had their piano recital. Their final one for now until we can find a suitable teacher anyway. They all played their pieces memorized, and did very well. Even if they may have invented their own version of the song. I hope I can get the video's on here.

I will miss having my friend teach them, but I do understand when your family needs you more. I've decided to come up with things to go visit her, I don't know what yet, but I'll figure something out. She's a great person and lots of fun to be around, and she'll listen when you just have to vent about people she doesn't even know! But anyway, Thanks so much Lisa for all your hard work and all that you have done to help my children to learn to play the piano. We (Stephen and I) really appreciate it!

The kids didn't announce their song, or wait for an intro really, the just sat down, started playing and when they finished, they walked off while the audience clapped. It was funny. We tried to tell them to at least bow or curtsy, but they were too shy.

Dimples and Deck the Halls.

Starr and Silver Bells. (She kinda played her own version, but I promise she knows this song.) She plays it none stop now.

Tigger and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

By the way, I will no longer be calling Girl #1 "Bratt", there was a suggestion of Teeny me, and I thought about maybe calling her Tiny, but she would now like to be called Tigger, because she's always bouncing off the walls. We'll see how it goes. Again, suggestions are welcome ;) Oooo, I just thought of one while looking at her school photo, pretty girl or beautiful. ? What do ya think?

**Okay the video's are too big to post. Just believe me when I say they tried so hard and did very well.** December 15

Day 30

Day 30. Today. This morning I finally went for a run with Amanda and Lesa. I'm so happy I did. It was freezing cold with a temperature of 11 degrees and we went for a 3 mile run. I swear it's the hardest thing to do when it's that cold outside, but I did. I couldn't keep up, I had the hardest time breathing, and I swear my shoes gained weight. It was so hard to move my legs up and out and down. I really, really struggled. I eventually was able to breath better, but by that time I felt little pins and needles of cold in the back of my thighs. When that went away I noticed my toes were actually kinda cold. We were on our way back by then so it didn't matter. I did finish and my friends didn't have to carry me home. I warmed up way late in the day, but ya all know I'll do it again. I just wish that February's weather would wait until then and not be present in November and December.

Day 29

Day 29. (I am going to finish this tonight.) I'm thankful for the many, many ways we can communicate now-a-days. I'd like to think that I'd be okay if all we could do was mail a letter to others, but in reality, I'd fail terribly! I would probably run to people's houses often if I could and talk with them for brief minutes. Crazy, I know.
The one thing I can't believe now is with all the ways there are to communicate with others, how come I sometimes feel like it's been way too long in communicating with my family and friends? Why? I should be able to call them or text them right? I think life gets in the way sometimes. I am trying harder to call people if I'm thinking of them, just to let them know I love them and I'm thinking of them. Crazy, crazy!

Day 28

Day 28. Tylenol and Allergy pills. and yes modern medicine and doctors. I have serious allergies to my dog, Jake. It seems to be worse in the winter because we can't get outside all the time or air out the house when we want to. Thanks to the allergies I get sinus headaches a.lot. I try to be keep up on my own meds along with anyone else in the family, but man, you get tired of trying to remember everything. Thanks to Tylenol and my allergy pills, I can make my headaches go away and feel like running in the a.m. again with my friends. I am also grateful for the modern medicine and the doctors who do their best to help us, I know many people who would have a much harder life than they do now and I'm glad they are around.

Seriously?!, Where did the time go???

Wow, lets play the catch-up game...

I will try to make it short. Heh heh.

Day 20, I went on a run with somegreat gals, unfortunately, it was a blah day with lots of cold/freezing rain/snow and two of us weren't feeling so great. We still did it, all though we walked most of it. Thanks to great friends who'll run/walk with ya through anything! Thankfully we were only half training to run the turkey trot but none of us did it because of the wonderful single digit freezing temperature.

Day21, Boy #2, a.k.a. M.C. from now on. M.C. is my final baby. I love him to pieces and he makes my heart melt with all of his mischeiviousnes. He is super sweet and I think he thinks he can only love one person, and I'm the lucky one. Seriously, he will tell Stephen he doesn't love him, he loves mom. I know he loves everyone, he just hasn't realized it yet.

Day 22, Boy #2, a.k.a. Dimples from now on. Dimples got his name because he has the cutest ones ever! He can choose to show them or not, but usually they are there with his smile. He is such a sweet boy and I love him for all he brings to my life and to our family. I'm thankful that we have him and that he brings so much joy and happiness to the family. He also likes to make up jokes, some are a little flat, but he's always trying!

Day 23, Girl #2, a.k.a. Starr. She loves that name. She has begged us to please, please, pretty please change her name or give this as her middle name. Starr is our families drama queen. I always thought the oldest would do this, but no, it is Starr. She loves art, and music, and animals. She even wrote her own song and can't wait to show her piano teacher! I love this little gem! She truly loves life! and she doesn't want people to miss out on it.

Day 24, Girl #1, a.k.a. Bratt (she prefers this to mini-me.) I love her to pieces as I do all my children, but she is the first and gets spoiled a bit more. She also has a lot more responsibility in the home. Her chores are bit bigger and she usually has to babysit without pay. I should say cash payment, she usually gets something else. Bratt is trying to be sarcastic but have it be positive. I don't know of a positive sarcastic way, but she's trying. She loves school and her friends and family, and she loves going to church and working on her personal progress. I know she is a wonderful person, trying hard to make it through the jr. high world. I know she will succeed.

Catching up on my Days of Gratitude...

So sorry I'm behind. This last week I struggled with what I'd write. Most of these things I usually take for granted, so hopefully my day 19 will help me be grateful for even the littlest of things.
Day 11- Veteran's Day. I am grateful for those in the armed forces and also the public defenders for the service of protection and freedom they provided in the past, provide now, and hopefully will always be able to provide in the future.
Day 12-My Mom. She gets me. Even when she doesn't realize it. I love her for the unconditional love she has given and shown to me.
Day 13- My Dad. He's amazing. He loves me, my husband, and the kids. He cares when I'm hurting or angry or showing any type of emotion. I know there are many fathers who do this, but my Dad is special to me. I love my Dad.
Day 14- Sister-in-laws. I have several of them now. I love them all very much. Every one of them affects how life is for the others, whether they realize it or not. I went with Stephen's sisters to a craft fair thingy, I really did enjoy my time I spent with them. I get to see the Nutcracker with the ones who married my brothers, that will be a lot of fun too!
Day 15- Stephen's and My Grandparents! I really do love to visit with all of them, I wish we had more time to do it. They are great people who always love to visit with us and the kids, especially the kids. Together we have 5 grandma's adn 3 grandpa's. It's fun to see them.
Day 16- Stephen's Parents. They are wonderful people. They are full of love not only for him and the kids, but me as well. Many people don't get the chance to know their in-laws because they are far away or for other unhappy reasons, but I'm glad I have the ones that I do. I love them much!
Day 17- Good Friends. I was able to hang out with a group of friends the other day. There is nothing like some good long girl talk with a bunch of little boys running around. These friends are amazing, even though some were missed, we still had a great time. Can't wait for the next time.
Day 18- Good Friends for my Kids. I'm so, so happy that my kids are able to play or hang out with kids who are a good influence. I love that when their friends do come over, they can talk freely and I'm not worried about what is coming out of their mouth. It feels good for my kids to be happy like they should be.
Day 19- Today I opened a blog about a family, the Coleman's, who had two children, a boy 3 yrs old with SMA and a girl 2 months(?) with SMA. Now, I don't know how I found this blog or why I decided to read it and add it on my list of blogs, or how long ago I found it, but I did. And I'm glad I did. Today's post said the little boy passed away during the night. He's been sick all week with a simple little cold, yet it was enough that he couldn't go on. His body was tired and he couldn't fight anymore. I think his mom knew, but didn't realize this was really it. I cried. and I cried and I cried. I have never met this family, but they have a loss that I never want to have to deal with. There was another family, The Sullengers. I saw their blog from a friends blog. I've been keeping up with it as well. The too, lost a child. Only she was as healthy as could possibly be. She had an accident and fell into a canal. She was found 2 miles down by some farmers who pulled her out, began cpr, and phoned for medical help. I have never met these people either, but I prayed for this family. I prayed for the little girl to make it through all of it, but she couldn't. There is so much more I could write, but I need to sum it all up. I have my children. They are healthy, happy, and alive. I need to let go of my fear of losing them and enjoy them so much more than I know I have. I'm grateful I have children and that these girls and boys are mine. I pray for comfort for these other families often, and I pray I will never have to deal with the loss they have felt.

Days 6, 7 and 8!

Yes, I'm behind again.
Day 6 11-06-2010: I'm thankful for going up to Stephen's Grandpa's land in Idaho. We went up with the kids to initially work, but to play if there wasn't any work. Yep, we worked. A lot! The trees decided shed, so, we picked up after them. We made a fun-filled day of it by stopping at Gossners, Pepperidge Farms, and La Tienda on the way up. (I Love going to two of the three places.) We got there and Stephen cleaned out the shed while I worked on my Primary music stuffs. The kids all had to start raking up the leaves into piles. They did an okay job for being kids who normally don't have to do this. When I was finished, I joined them. Then Stephen joined us, he had two of the younger ones grab some huge buckets from the shed and they started filling them up with leaves. I had the best rake so I raked up more leaves in 45 mins than the kids did in an hour. It was good times I'm tellin' ya, Good. Times. Girl #1 had a friend with her and they both worked hard. By the time we were done, we needed to head home. We stopped at McD's for some burgers and saw a Momma dear with her baby. It was kinda cool. We then hit 7-eleven for slurpee's! It was a great day!!!!

Day 7 11-07-2010: Babies! My brother blessed his baby girl yesterday. It was so fun to see them and the other families. The blessing he gave was so nice and I'm sure little A-girl will be able to become what Heavenly Father wants her to be. But this isn't just about her, it's about babies in general. Saturday I was at a baptism and one of the Stake Presidency members was there. He is older, his kids are mostly grown and on their own, but there was a cute little baby that sat at his feet during the talks. The Stake Pres. member watched him for a bit, then picked him up just smiling the whole time he held the baby. It was interesting to me the way babies can turn the hardest of men and women into softies. It happens everywhere and all the time. I know how much they can change a persons life and a families. My good friends Amanda and Jared were able to adopt children and I have seen the wonderful changes in their lives. Stephen's cousin's adopted a baby girl and it has been world of difference for them. Babies are amazing! No matter how they enter your life!

Day 8 11-08-2010: Monday is Laundry Day! I know, it's the bane of some people's existence, and probably mine, but! I'm grateful to have clean clothes, bedding, towels, and whatever else you can wash and dry. My washer and dryer have gone on the fritz a few times lately and I'm glad for the handyman in my life, maybe even more so because I don't have to go to the laundromat! I know I will always have work in my home, because of laundry. I will never get bored here. Because I can watch a show or take care of other little things here at home while I'm getting the laundry done, then my house is clean for a bit. It's also a sign that I am always needed. I'm not so sure my hubby could get it done or that the kids wouldn't put in a brand new red shirt with the whites. I'm sure they could figure it out, but I'll only teach them about it and I'll still be the one to do. In fact I have taught the girls how to do this. They conveniently forget or don't have the time to help me out. Whatever, I know I have job security. I do like that they have to put their clothes away. That is prolly one of the best parts about it. Either I will seperate the loads once they are done or all of us will. Then, they have to put their stuff away. and I don't mean, thrown into the closet or drawers. Folded and/or hung up. Matched socks. folded underwear.
It feels so good once it's all done, I love the feeling.

A Clean house....

or so I thought I could have one. Yeah, right! With kids and a dog in our small place, there is only a small window of opportunity to see my place clean. But I try. Every day I try. Well, Last week I was able to make sure one of our closets stayed in order, paint the floor boards in the kitchen, move Jake's kennell and the Baker's Rack back into the kitchen and then clean the front room carpet the next day or two. I'm so excited I was able to do this. I love having my carpet look nice and since I have to wait for funds to be saved again for carpet, I can at least clean it for now. It looks really nice. I even re-rinsed it the next day because I felt like there were sticky spots from the soap. Ugh! but it is now nice and clean. I really should post some pics of my finally done kitchen and mostly clean front room. Maybe. We'll see.
I did get to spend some fabulous time with some fabulous friends! I love having the time to be with them and just sit and talk. And cuddle with their babies and such since my own kiddos have grown. We had some yummy crepe's with banana's, peaches, nutella, cream cheese, and a yummy sauce I make. We had fun at Lisa's place. I cooked while Lisa and Amanda got to talk. We all had fun and missed some friends who couldn't make it. Hopefully next time!
Girl #2 received a Student of the Month award in her class and she also received an award for being there everyday on time. Her teacher really likes having her in class. Girl #2 is always helpful, cheerful, sincere, and especially kind to everyone. She even helps kids if they don't understand something and she has already finished. Girl#2 did really, really well on the block tests they take in school and that are a few reasons for her receiving her award. I feel bad that Boy #1 didn't get that award cuz of his asthma, but that is how it goes. He still does very well in school and I know he works hard.
Sorry for the novel, but this is a continuing one right? a blog, is just the novel of our lives? Yep, I sure think so.

This Weekend...

We had a fun, yet busy weekend. Most of this was Saturday. In fact I believe it all was on Saturday.
We ran in the ward 5k! All of us. well most of us. one of us got to ride in the stroller, but, he's only 3. Girl #1 ran it in 35 minutes!!!! Boy #1 was right behind her with 35 and half. I was right behind them with 37 minutes!!! I felt great and I loved that my family did this with me. Sorry, but no pics., we forgot the camera. Girl #2 started out the same, but she kinda gave up when the other two wouldn't let her catch up. Stinkers! She did come in before her daddy I do believe, but I could be wrong-I have been before. Stephen and boy #2 came in with 47 minutes. Stephen's knee went out on him again. We tried running earlier in the week and he did ok up to 3 miles, but then we had to walk out the rest of our run. Poor guy, I feel for him.

We then hustled home to grab a small breakfast, Girl #1 went to a young Women's service project we were off to Boy #1's soccer game. They won, but who's really counting at this age! He played his heart out and he didn't have any asthma problems!!!! I'm so grateful for that. I just love the little guy!

Then we were off to a Ragnar Team Picnic! We had so much fun. Stephen got to play with the metal detector and the kids got to play on the playground. I got to talk with some wonderful peeps!

Then off to the wonderful and spiritually lifting General Relief Society meeting! I went with my M.I.L. and we ate dinner at her stake house and watched the meeting there. None of her daughter's were able to make, but we all try to when we can. I heard what I needed at this meeting. Sister Beck's talk was wonderful and I needed it. It only reaffirmed that I'm doing exactly what I need to be doing right now. I really, really, really appreciate the fact that I have friends to pay better attention than I do. I really have a hard time remembering what's been said. I'm also glad that I can go online and catch what I missed.

The rest of my fam went swimming! The pool water was very warm from what I was told. They had a lot of fun and I'm glad my hubby was able to go with them. The next day, we went to church, girl #1 was set apart in a calling in young women's, we enjoyed church and the speakers, came home and did nothing really. It was soo sooo soooo nice. What a great weekend!

By the way, Stephen sorta fixed my dryer! more like put a band aid on it, so no more visits to the laundromat! Watch, it'll break for good and he'll really have to fix it, now that I've said something.

Urgh! Stupid Dryer.

So I started my laundry today and after I put the second washed load into the dryer, it went ka-put! The drum decided not to roll around so the clothes would dry, instead, it decided to smoke up the inside of the dryer. Urgh! Frustrating!!!! I called Stephen and he told me to pick up a belt for the dryer. Something like this happened a year ago, not the belt, but the heating element went out on the dryer. Frustrating!!! In the meantime, I had one full weeks worth of laundry to do. I went to a laundromat. I have to say it was interesting...I have never been to one before to do my own laundry. I liked that it saved me all day, but I didn't get to finish all that I needed to here at home. It really kinda messed up my day. Both girls had soccer games at similar hours. So I pretty much missed both games. I had to get the grocery shopping done, so that took up time and girl #1 was late for her game. Then the 3 youngest had hair cut appointments so we had to do that. My friend is sooo cool, she is awesome and super fast, especially with just trims and cuts for boys. I have had one crappy day. I hope tomorrow is better, maybe I'll even get to sleep in. Doubtful...but hopeful. I need a break, anyone want to have 4 kids, a dog and a house for a few weeks, I think that's all I'll need. Anyone, anyone? No takers? fine I'll survive somehow. I think that running will help me. I think I'll have to do just that.

Another blah....

Just trying to keep up with this and I'm not always sure what to write about. So today, here are a few things:
Last weekend, Stephen and I were asleep. The kids had all gotten up and were having cereal for breakfast. Boy #2 started choking on his cereal and Girl #1 performed the hymlich (spelling?) She learned how to do this with infants and children from two babysitting classes at the local hospitals. She saw that he wasn't crying, breathing, or trying to caugh, so, she just helped him out. I thought don't you wait a bit? Stephen said, "Heck no! it could be too late! She did a fantastic job." I think I need a refresher on these things, I simply forgot what to do. I'm so greatful she was with them when it all happened. She is amazing!
I finally went running this morning. After 6 or so weeks of not doing a single thing, I got up at 5a.m., got ready, met up with my friends, and we ran for 3 miles. They are quite impressive. They don't just stop and wait for me, they keep running. They go to a corner, turn around pass me, go to a corner turn around and pass me to take the lead again. It works out great cuz, no one is really running alone. I'm so happy and greatful that they are doing this and I get to go with them. Lesa is going to have her hand operated on this week, so I hope she makes a quick recovery.
Stephen asked me why I always start-up running (again) in the dark? Why can't I run when the sun's out? Because I don't know, I can't answer him. Fall is the perfect time for running, so, sorry honey, I can't answer that question at all. I'm jus happy to be back!

Blah....Just emptying out my thoughts

This post is sort of an update-y thing.
Thursday at Book Club we talked a little bit about Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. It is a really good book, but eh, I like romance in my adventure like books. This one lacked a little bit. It was still good, and I know I'll re-read it several times, and I would recommend it. We also had a baby shower for one of the girls in the club. She is having her first baby after having had some struggles, so I was so excited for her. She and her hubby will be great parents.
Friday, I got to take dinner to my Bro. and S.I.L. who had a baby a week ago. I was so excited to see her again. They have a blog, and it's on my list that I like to read, titled I need some Chocolate. Their little girl is so blasted cute, I could just hold her and hold her. I may be a little biased as she is my niece, but, ya know, so what. I took them some food from a delicious place. It was so yummy looking that I planned on ordering for Stephen and me later.

I took Boy #1 to soccer practice and then to Winco. I'm not sure you really can get the best savings there, but we'll see. I plan on getting an old grocery list and receipt together & shop at Winco to see if they're any better like most people believe. I'm not sure.
Anyway, I ordered some food, dropped Boy#1 off at home, and left to pick up the food. As I was pulling out of the driveway, my hubby showed up. We left, got the food, came home, got the kids settled, then we watched Sherlock Holmes. It was really good! I was worried that I might have been bored with watching it and fall asleep, but I didn't. I really enjoyed this movie.
Later!

Can't help it

I can't help but love this face.

Isn't he all sorts of cute?

My good friends Amanda and Jared were able to adopt this little cutie. I got to see him on his one week birthday last week. His older brother is so cute helping out, I love it. He will totally be the bestest big brother to this little guy. Jared and Amanda will continue to be the best parents for these little guys.

Congrats you two! So happy many, many prayers were heard and answered! You deserve to be happy!

running this week with critters

monday. i went for a run with chuck. we did 4 or so miles going through a neighborhood. just as we passed a house three deer ran across the area we just cleared. it was kinda cool/scary. the hooves on the pavement sounded so different i was nervous, wondering what was following us. end that day on a good note.
tuesday. chuck, lesa, and i went for a 5 miler. we started out doing really well and headed for a hill. they are faster than i am so i wondered why they were backing down from the top of the hill. i looked at what they were looking at and saw the top of a yellowish furred body, walking along the front of a garage door. chuck said it was a mountain lion and decided she wouldn't run that area alone again. ;) (and she was so worried about a mountain lion getting her while running ragnar....nope, just in her own backyard) we finished our run without any other "critter" encounters. end that day on a flat note.
thursday. i went running with lesa for an easy 3 miler. on my way to lesa's house to run, i almost ran over a raccoon. almost. i'm pretty sure i didn't even nick it, but you never can be sure. i even swerved to miss it. i don't usually do that, it causes accidents. so on my way home, i drove the same way i'd gone. i didn't see any kind of greasy, hairy spot so i'm assuming one of two things: i never hit it; or i hit it enough to send it to the weeds past the sidewalk and there it lies.
later that day, stephen and i went for a drive to his parents place. a quail comes running out on the road. again. i swerved. stephen looked at me and said i "so could have had that bird!"
what is with all the critters!!?!! critters- stay where you are so you don't get hurt. i'm not responsible for anything that happens to you if you leave your areas. have a good day!

Ragnar Relay 2010 Wasatch Back!

Rockstars!!!!!
We Rock our miles!

Amanda!!!

O Captain, My Captain!

(to quote Celeste, her sister)
Just packin' and decoratin' our "vans"

Celeste, Amanda, Lori, Trina, Lesa, Kathy (back by the other "van"), and Kristin. Sabrina had already left, and Erin, Tia, and Lisa (a.k.a. Chuck) couldn't make it.




Logan here we come!!

Go! Chuck. Go!

Starting my first leg....

....finishing my first leg.
Go Lesa!!!!!!

This is the only night-time leg pic I got. Lori, from van 2, will pass off to Chuck. Chuck ran from the top of Snowbasin to the bottom of Trapper's loop. 8.1 miles baby. She rocked it.

Just waiting for our final legs! Hip hip Hooray!!!!!! Such a fun van. Thanks ladies!Chuck, Sabrina, Kathy, Tia, Lesa. We are a bit slap happy from lack of sleep.

13.1 miles, Done. Go Lesa!

Lori and Amanda, running towards the finish line in our lead!
Logan to Park City, 188 miles...Done.


Tia and me. She is one heck of a runner. Watch out if she's after you, 'cuz she will get you.

After 34 hours (some of us only got 3 or so hours of sleep,) we can still smile, laugh, drink, eat, have fun, and we still like each other! It was a blast ladies! Thanks for all the fun!!!!!! Let's do it again. Read about other team mates experiences here.