September 2012

Sept. 3 - Jake emailed Jyson a lesson idea for Family Home Evening. He put 10 quarters on the table between a picture of Christ and his cell phone. First they were pointing to the phone and then you had to move only 3 coins so the pyramid pointed to Christ. Or something like that. It was cute. I'd like to say that we continued to have FHE every week after that, but that just has not been one of our strong points. I guess that's the beauty of the gospel. You just do your best and you can start over everyday.

After the lesson, we played Jyson's all-time favorite FHE game - cut the flour and dive for the nickel. We each took a turn "losing."

Sept. 8 - We took our good friend Teresa to dinner for her birthday. Texas Roadhouse. YUM!

Sept. 16 - Jake sent us a package with a family that lives in Orem and Japan. Check out those great slippers. There were some tasty candies as well.

Sept. 29 - This was a big day for Jyson. He measured just slightly above where Jake was at the same age. I'm pretty sure Jyson's growing streak will end sooner (or shorter) than Jake's, but for today Jyson was feeling good.

August 2012

Aug. 1 - Who wouldn't want this helper in your kitchen? Armed and ready to chop onions.

Aug. 11 - Lindon Days Parade, John in the Honor Guard

Aug. 13 - We went to Mesquite to visit G'ma. She is an amazing lady!

That night we went to see Aladdin at the Tuacahn. It's all about the 3D glasses.

Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 - Labor Day Weekend. I took Jyson up to Idaho to go rafting with the Lloyd family. John wasn't able to come. I love the look on Bob's face. He loved it.

Jyson & Zack getting ready for the water fights that would come...in great quantity.

The Lloyd gang. It was a fun weekend!

End of July events

July 22 - John was called as the 1st counselor in the bishopric in our ward. Here he is in his new suit off to a meeting...

One night I went over to help the bishopric with some technology. John is the youngest member of the bishopric. Our sweet Bishop (in the suit) has had to learn a lot fast. :)

July 24th - Happy Pioneer Day to us!

We hiked to Stewart Falls with John's sister, Julie and her son Zack. It was a perfect day for a hike.

July 26 - John and I went to see Wicked in Salt Lake. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it!!

Desperado Dual - July 21

John signed up to ride a century in Panguitch. This is a small town in Utah slightly northwest of Cedar City. It just so happens that my dear friend & college roommate Debbie has family connections in Panguitch - it's where her parents are from and where her grandparents' house is. We all rode down together. It took a couple of minutes for the kids to warm up, but then they didn't want to be apart. 

We stopped at the local joint for dinner.

The house in the background is Debbie's grandparent's house. Right across the street is the high school track, which kept the kids entertained for hours.

Eventually we walked over to the finish line to wait for John. He texted me and said he had a flat tire but was fixing it. Then he texted and said it blew again & he didn't have another spare so he was walking the last 5 miles in with his bike. The kids were anxious to see him, so we started walking in his direction. They walked the last half mile with him.

Poor guy. He had been doing great until the tires, but he still finished.

We went to get something to eat after the race. While we were finishing it started pouring down rain. Of course the kids couldn't resist... Debbie is a meteorologist for Channel 2 news in Salt Lake, so she sent this picture to her fellow meteorologist to show on the air. The kids thought that was cool.

It was a fun trip. We'll definitely repeat that next summer.

July 8 - Birthday Girls

July 8 is my niece Morgan's birthday. This year she turned 21. July 8 is also the birthday of my niece Madison, born on Morgan's 13th birthday, which was 9 days before I married John. Cool huh.

Cute sisters! Madi got baptized on her birthday and then we had a b-day party after.

We got to meet Aaron's girlfriend Nicole. I really like her. Could she be the one???

4 generations. (Madi couldn't wait to get out of her dress & back into her blue shirt/shorts.)

3 generations - I'll take it. Aren't my mom & grandma beautiful?!

I love being an aunt. It's what kept me going during the MANY single years. Still love it!

Fourth of July & Fireworks

We spent the 4th of July at the Lloyd's house. John's youngest brother Nate (& several others) put on their own fireworks display.

Sister-in-law Sarah handed out glow-sticks to the kids. John couldn't resist a few.

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free...Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.

River Rampage Triathlon - June 29

River Rampage (verb. to rush about wildly) was definitely an appropriate name for this course.

Here we are heading to the course. Aaron, John, & I did the Olympic distance. Julie did the Sprint distance - it was her first tri.

Setting up my transition area.

John at his transition area (talking trash with his friend Steve).

John & I were literally in the last 10 people out of the water. It was awful. The river was so low we had to walk/crawl parts of it. Everyone was scraping feet, knees, etc. John pulled away from me at the end and beat me in.

I think the 3 people behind me were the last 3 out of the water. I was so happy to get out!

John had a fantastic bike ride and strong run to make up for his swim.

Me, on the other hand...well, that was the worst event I've ever participated in. Seriously. I should have done the Sprint with Julie. It was 90+ degrees and I don't do well in heat. That could be one excuse. Really, I just wasn't physically prepared. BUT, I completed the course.

I didn't walk. Yes, most of the people had finished and were heading home while I was still running, but I did what I set out to do - complete an Olympic triathlon. Another medal around my neck. :)

There's nothing better than seeing those two faces at the finish line!

Until next summer...

Viva La Familia!

Ragnar - Wasatch Back - June 15 & 16, 2012

John & I had a great time running Ragnar with our friends Brandon & Debbie last year, but we didn't know anyone else on the team. We decided to put together our own team this year with as many family members as possible. We named the team "Viva La Familia" (Long Live the Family). John's family came through with 8 other members (his 2 brothers, sister, brother-in-law, 2 nephews, niece, & cousin). I could only talk my nephew Zach into coming with me so I had to recruit my BFF Natalie. I asked my brother Marc to design our team jerseys and here is the fantastic finished product. We loved wearing them!

John & I decided to run in separate vans because no one else (except Zach) had run Ragnar before. John was in Van 1 with Stephen, Tiffany, Larry, Julie, & Travis.

I ran in Van 2 with Ryan, Aaron, Nate, Natalie, & Zach.

It was so fun hanging out with Nat for 36 hours straight. We are bosom buddies and I enjoyed every minute with her. Here we are with smiles and clean hair & bodies, ready to run.

After Van 1 had run their first "legs" we hooked up while Natalie took off as our first runner. We decorated our vans complete with sombreros and fiesta banners. :)

Here am I running my legs off...

We met up with Van 1 again at the night exchange. Here's John getting ready to run his night leg.

Ryan and John properly attired for the night runs. Little did I know that would be the last "normal" photo of John.

The next photo of John was this one, sent to me on my phone by Julie. After John ran his leg, he got into the van and drank a protein drink - the same kind he had been drinking for several years. We have no idea what caused the reaction, but John started swelling up and having a hard time breathing. It got worse so they called for an ambulance to take him to the nearest hospital.

Notice the time - 1:04 a.m. They gave him a shot of epinephrine, benadryl, and a steroid. Once he felt better, his van came and picked him up and he was back to business...with some slightly puffy features.

He's a tough man! After he ran all his 3 legs, he came and ran my last leg with me.

Finally, after 30+ hours we crossed the finish line together. What a great experience.

More of John's family and Jyson came to meet us at the finish line. We were happy to see them.

The week after Ragnar we signed up for next year - Viva La Familia Dos!