St. George 1/2 Marathon

Most mornings when I crawl out of bed at 5:30 to go running in the freezing cold, I wonder what the heck I am doing, but it is all worth it when I finish a race! This last weekend I ran the St. George Half Marathon with my friend Tiff. We knew it was going to be a tuff course but went into it with a good attitude and had a great time. I don't know what it is about races, but I love them. I love the feeling of accomplishment. I have lots of fun running with my running group but it is even better when all my hard work has paid off and I have a good race.Todd and the boys waited for us a couple different places during the race to cheer us on. It help so much to see them cheering. Todd said that everytime he saw us we were running up hill-probably because we were. I wasn't expecting so much up hill, but we made it!! :)Tiff and me after the race...yea!!

There was also a 1/2 mile "Tuff Kids" race that Jaygen wanted to run. It was so much fun to watch Jaygen run. He took off sprinting and then kinda slowed down and looked around and then took off again. He loved it and wants to know when his next race is!!Jaygen has been telling everyone he took first place. He didn't, but he did really well for a little guy. All that matters is that he had fun!My mom also came to watch me finish. It was fun to have her there with my boys to cheer for me. Thanks guys!!! The weather was kinda rainy and overcast while we were there, but it was still nice to get away and have a mini vacation. The boys went swimming at the motel and of course we got to eat fun places.

So...until my next race!! :)

What church does to us!!

We have changed to the 1 p.m. church schedule and it really really stinks. Sleeping in is good, but besides that it is not fun. Especially that it is totally nap time during church. Briggs spends all his time at church entertaining everyone and flirting with the girls so he will for sure not just sit on my lap and fall asleep. By the time we get home from church it is too late to have a nap so the poor little guy really struggles on Sundays. I put him in his highchair yesterday after church for dinner and the little guy was so tired he couldn't even eat. He finally got in a little nap after all. The truth is, I feel the same way after church, especially from wrestling with Briggs for three hours. We both need our Sunday afternoon naps back!!! :)

True Heroes!!

It was a privilege today to watch the procession for one of our sheriff's, Josie Greathouse Fox, who was murdered last week. When it all happened last week I felt many different things. I was mad, sad, and scared. Standing there today, watching all the law enforcers driving down the flag lined street, it really hit me what had happened. I couldn't control my emotions and I felt such gratitude to all the law enforcers that leave their own families each day to protect the community that we live in. They truly are all heroes! Thanks to all the law enforcers for their great bravery!!!

There were about 700 flags that lined the street all the way to the cemetery and then a huge flag hung over the road at the top of the street. Todd and the boys got to hold one of the flags. There were police cars from all over Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Nevada that I saw in the procession as well as many motorcycle cops. There was also helicopters that flew overhead. The scene today was amazing!! I am sure neither the scene today or the mood will be forgotten anytime soon. This has hit our little community hard.

Todd, Pace, Jaygen

QUARTZSITE, AZ HERE WE COME!!!!

We were all so excited for our annual trip to Arizona. Who wouldn't be when it is 70 degree weather there??!! Well, I don't know where I should start. Maybe I will start with the trip down that took 10 1/2 hours...no joke!!! I honestly didn't think we would ever get there. Considering everything, my boys were pretty good during the drive. Pace kept asking at every town if this was Quartzsite. So, I laughed so hard when we finally got there because Pace walked up to grandpa and said with a big sigh, "Is THIS Quartzsite grandpa?" It was hilarious because he said it like it better be or else!! :)

Holy cow!! Briggs was a mess by the time we got there, but I for sure didn't care. I just kept passing licorice back to him to keep him happy!!!!

Besides just enjoying the warm weather, we kept busy doing lots of other stuff. The boys were having the time of their lives following grandpa around outside, playing in the sand, going for walks with grandpa, going for 4-wheeler rides and Rhino rides, and looking for rocks. We could have used at least another day down there!

Briggs just playing. He wanted to stay outside and play all day!

Pace worked hard at shoveling sand from one pile to another making his "own" desert! :)

All the boys ridin' around.

Jaygen, Todd, Pace, grandpa heading out for a big ride. Jaygen couldn't get enough of going for rides. He loves it!!

Me, Jaygen, Pace, Todd, Briggs on one of our journeys.

What did Briggs spend most of his time doing? That's right, eating rocks!!!!

The boys with grandma and grandpa. While on one of my dad's adventures, he found this pretty vein of quartz in a mountain and he couldn't wait to take us to see it. It was really pretty!!

Of course we have to end with the sombrero picture. My dad loves it! We all had a great time even the long ride back home. Thanks dad for letting us spend a little time in your paradise!!! :)

Okay, I guess there is one last thing I need to mention. While we were there, we celebrated my 30th birthday. It is unbelievable to me to think I am really that old. When people ask me how old I am, I really still want to say 24 or 25. But ya know, I am going to love being 30. I decided I am going to have the best year ever! I am going to do things I never thought I could do or wanted to do. I am starting with running a whole marathon in May...crazy I know, but why not?! Never say never. Who knows what else I will come up with!!? Todd and my family made it a really special day for me...thanks everyone! Todd made a cake for me that said "Over the Hill". Ha ha, funny Todd. You are still WAY older than me!!!