Extended & Very Busy Weekend

One of the hardest parts of being a step-mom is not getting to see your kids regularly, so having Jyson with us for five full days was a total bonus. We had lots of fun. When I picked him up on Wednesday night, we played at Rock Canyon Park. We ran and played on the big toy and held several contests. Totally entertaining.

John & Jy went to the dentist and did a little bike riding Thursday while I had to teach a class. It was a stormy day and we saw this beautiful rainbow as we left to go bowling.
I love bowling. I'm totally inconsistent at it, but it's fun.
Johnny was the big winner of the night.
Friday we took Jake & Jyson to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House.
Beautiful day. Beautiful temple. Beautiful feelings. Beautiful boys!Saturday, Jyson & I ran a bunch of errands while John worked. That evening we attended a Flag Retirement Ceremony at the Lindon Police Department. John helped an Eagle Scout who had collected over 30 flags to be retired.I know I've said this before, but you gotta love a man in uniform.
One handsome officer!
Jyson loves being able to salute the flag when he's in his Scout uniform.Sunday was a quiet day. Jake came back and hung out with us for the day. Monday was another hectic day. Jyson & I went on a 10 mile bike ride up to Bridal Veil Falls. He did great!That afternoon we went miniature golfing at Trafalga.
Johnny was the big winner here as well.We finished the night by attending another flag retirement ceremony put on by Provo. Jyson got to help fold flags before they got retired.He got to keep this flag. He was pretty excited about that.
Busy 5 days, but full of fun memories.

Little Red Riding Hood

A few months ago my friend Kelly called to invite me to sign up for a bike ride on June 6 with her and some friends. I took it as a challenge to start exercising again. The Little Red Riding Hood (held near Logan, UT) is a women-only ride to benefit women's cancer research. You can read about it here. It's a 100 mile ride with shorter distances of 15, 30, 45, 65, & 80. My goal was the 65 mile ride. I started attending spin class at the gym and went on several bike rides (ranging from 15 to 50 miles). I didn't train as hard as I could have or wanted to, but I felt ready. John & I decided to stay at a bed & breakfast just outside Logan. It was called the Providence Inn. Very cute place.
We drove up Thursday night and spent Friday hanging out. We stopped by the temple for a photo. (I'm wearing my new LRRH t-shirt.)

John decided I needed a bike rack on my car so we spent a few hours chasing down parts at various sporting goods stores in Logan. We picked a parking lot and John got to work.I "carbed up" at dinner but slept terribly. I think I psyched myself out. Regardless, I was ready to ride. Here I am pre-ride. It was a little cool so I layered up.I did okay the first 30 miles and then I hit a climb. It wasn't steep, but it was steady, and I had to fight the wind. My speed plummeted to 7 or 8 mph. It was killer. I came out of the climb exhausted and headed to the lunch break where John was waiting for me. Poor John - I met him with tears. He was very patient and offered to take me home. I knew I would regret it if I didn't finish what I had come for. I ate lunch and rested and then got back on the road. The last 30 miles went pretty smoothly. John was the SUPER SUPPORT MAN. He met me at all the rest stations and drove by yelling encouragement. I'm really digging the fashion statement below. (It's all about the layers and options.)I was so happy to see the finish line. It ended up being a 62-mile ride. It took me 4 hours, 45 minutes, a few tears, some bananas, some Shot Bloks, lots of Gatorade, and a very sore bum.Yahoo! Finished! I'll definitely ride it again and hopefully 80 or 100 miles next year.

It's the Year to Graduate! (especially if your name starts with "M")

McKelle (my step-daughter), MacKenzi (my niece), & Morgan (my niece) all graduated from high school this year. And they all used the same pose for the their senior picture. All beautiful girls!

These are my two nieces Morgan & MacKenzi in 2002. Cute then, GORGEOUS now. Love them!
I wasn't able to attend their graduations, but I did attend McKelle's.
It was held at the BYU Marriott Center.
Can you find her in the sea of blue?She graduated from Orem High School (hence the gold O).
We're very proud of her.

Jake's girlfriend Hailey also graduated from Orem High. Jake played the drums with the orchestra during graduation.
Handsome boy! Cute couple.After graduation we went to lunch at Bajio's.
Left to right: G'ma Gayle (Nancy's mom), McKelle, Bob & Joy,
John & I, Jake, Nancy (McKelle & Jake's mom)A few days later we had a graduation BBQ for McKelle & Morgan so my parents could celebrate McKelle's graduation. Morgan graduated two days after the BBQ. Cute cousins.John & I are very blessed to have such supportive, incredible families. Love them!

You'll probably see this photo again in a Christmas card.

It was a good day together.

Friends are a blessing!

Less stress, the summer off, incredible people to work with - you want my job, don't you?
End-of-year party at Penny's cabin.
We're fun people! The best part is that I get to keep my same job next year & work with all these great people again (minus Boyce sadly).

August 2001 - first day of school. Buddies for life: Barbie, Natalie, & I. May 2009 - last day of "school" - District Office. Still buddies for life.Pedicure during the last week of school - an 8 year tradition!Natalie's toes, my toes