Buena Vista Half Marathon

I have wanted to run the Buena Vista Half Marathon for the last 4-5 years, and I finally did it!  I am so glad that I did.  I set a goal at the beginning of this year to run a race.  In the back of my mind I wanted to do another half marathon but I didn't want to put that on paper.  I figured if I wasn't able to do it I could do a 10K, but I did it!  It was a fun weekend with family in a beautiful part of our world.  The kids had a great time.  They were good supporters of me and Jackie and Dallin even decided to run.  We got a cute little cabin with bunk beds and a loft (so the kids were super happy).  After the race we were able to drive around the mountains and enjoy the picturesque scenery.  We also walked around downtown and enjoyed three different parks/playgrounds.  We had no plans, other than the race, so the day was open and free.  In our everyday life we don't have that luxury of free time, so we all really enjoyed just being together and not being rushed. 

 The cabin had a nice group fire pit we used to roast our hotdogs and smores (a great pre-race dinner!)

 The inside and outside of the cabin were both equally fun.  Brea and Alyssa each got their own bunkbed.  They put their toys on one bed and slept of the other.  Jackie and Dallin shared the "awesome" loft.  It took a while to quite down for the night, but that is the fun of being in a cabin.

 We learned a great discipline tool from our friends the Stulls - PUSHUPS.  Pushups are great to calm down an angry child, to help them learn to treat each other nicely, and to build strength at the same time.  Even at fun Beuna Vista and an "awesome" cabin push ups needed to be done.  We had all four of them do 10 push ups at the same time in the little tiny bit of floor space inside the cabin.  I had to get a picture for memory sake.....

 The kids found a fun tree to climb while they were waiting for me to finish my race.  They were such cute little cheerleaders.  Dallin and Jackie both ran into the finish line with me - it made the end even better to have them next to me.

 Jackie and Dallin decided the night before to do the 1mile fun run.  They have never showed much interest in running so I jumped at the mere thought of it.  They did great.  They came in at 8;22 minutes, much faster than their Momma can run.

 The finishers with our metals . It is neat to be able to accomplish hard things.

 Brea wanted to me lifter her up for a picture about 1/2 hour after I finished.  The fact that I had the strength, and with a smile on my face, make me proud of myself.

 The beautiful scenery I ran through.  The first 6 miles were gorgeous.  We ran around a lake and through trees and over rivers.  I loved it.  The trail went up and down pretty big hills, but I really enjoyed it.  Then....the last 7 miles we ran on a straight road with traffic zooming past us and NO trees.  It was just not near as fun.  I had to really push myself to keep running and not stop to walk.  But I did it.  My self talk worked and I was able to finis the race.  My time was 2:22 which made my splits 10:55.  I got under 11 minute miles.  I wasn't really even trying for a certain time.  I wanted to just enjoy the run and not push myself too hard so I didn't take my garmin watch with me.  Now I need to have another goal to keep me active and exercising.

Time Out for Women

I was able to attend Time Out for Women this year with some great friends and family.  My Mom and Sister both flew in to attend and it was so fun to see them and spend time with the.  I am so grateful for the relationship that I have with them.  They are remarkable women and I am fortunate to have them in my family.  I am glad that even though we live far apart we can get together often and stay in close contact.  We got a three way best friends bracelet on this trip and think of them often during the day as I look at the orange and blue bracelet on my wrist.  

 

                                               

 My good friend Eleanor met us up there and I got to sit by her throughout the conference.  She is another amazing women that does so much.  It has been fun to get to know her over the years and spend time with her.  I am sad that they are moving away and will cherish the memories I have had and the things I have learned from her.

 A little bit of fun and silliness on the way up.  Misty rode up with me, which I was grateful for.  It was nice to be able to visit with her, and spend time together.  We picked up my Mom and Elly at the airport and headed to Loveland.  We got a little carried away at Claires, that is a fun store.

Misty was helping with the Time Out for Women so I wasn't able to see her much during the event, but it was nice to ride up and back with her.  I am grateful for my friendship with her and the opportunity I have to learn from her.  I always enjoy spending time and talking to her.  Notice how she has to lean down to get a picture with me...we aren't quite the same  height but I don't mind looking up to her both physically and spiritually.

I am so glad that I went.  It was uplifting and motivating.  Here are some of my favorite quotes from the weekend: Justin Cash (quoting Elder Uchtdorf) - ":take the normal/ordinary daily moments and create something beautiful and helpful."  He was a talented musician and sang a touching song about his wife called, "God only made one of you".  He talked about the pain of losing a loved one and that is ok to feel pain.
John Bytheway is so fun to listen to.  He makes everything he says so exciting.  He posed the question (which many teenagers ask him) - How do you get a personality?  His answer, You experience life with all its ups and downs.
Mary Ellen Edmunds, she is hilarious yet still spiritual.  "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness".  Compliments = verbal sunshine  "Be the reason someone else smiles today".  "Keep shinning all day long.  You never know when someone else might be in the dark and need your light."
Mercy River are 3 Mothers/Friends that have the gift of music.  They sang a beautiful song about - God made you the Mother of your children because they need You mothering.
Kris Belcher is simply amazing.  She is blind but has such a great attitude.  I was so impressed with her.  "Difference between limitations and limits.  Find your  limitations and BLOW PAST your limits."
The theme of the conference was 'Inevitable Light'  and they emphasized the importance of realizing your gifts so that you can let your light shine for others.  I am surrounded by so many vibrant lights, they show me the way to go and give of their light to help me.  I am so grateful to have the gospel in my life and hope that if/when it is needed I will be able to shine my light for others.

Dallins 9th Birthday

 Happy 9th Birthday to a super boy.  He planned out his awesome ninja birthday party, including an obstacle course (with some help from Dad and his sisters), a pinata, and handmade ninja weapons.

We had 9 boys, plus his sisters, so it was lots of fun with lots of kids.  They made headbands with their ninja name printed on them, then headed out for the obstacle course.

 We tried to get a picture of all of them together, this is the best we got.  These nerf weapons were Dallins creations.  He saw some that his Grandpa Ricks made and really wanted to make his own.  Grandpa showed him while we were in Idaho, then he came home and made a ton more.  He spent hours cutting and glueing the pieces together.  He sold a bunch at the Boyscout Fundraiser and then made more so that every boy at his party would have one.  They sure enjoyed them, and amazingly nobody got hurt!

The Koller bros, too cute to pass up a photo.

 This crazy kid spent his time during the party pulling weeks!  We kept trying to persuade him to come play but he politly said, "No thanks, I would rather pull weeds".  We gave him a soda pop for his effort and he was thrilled.  We typically don't have soda in our house but Jeff just bought some machines that were full of it (and it wasn't even expired) so he brought home a bunch and I was more than happy to get it gone.

Waiting in line for the pinata.  His pinata was a tough one this year.  Jeff and him took a box, filled it with candy, and then wrapped it in camo wrapping paper.   We let the boys (and girls) hit it without a blindfold and they hit hard.  It took a couple rounds before it broke, but I think they liked it better that way, taking full power swings at that box.

Time for the Cake, just in case the candy and soda pop wasn't enough sugar for them.....it only happens once a year.  I just noticed there is a lot of Blue in this picture.

Dallin got some money for his birthday and bought a rocket with it.  Jeff and him tried to shoot it off in a field, but it didn't go.  After a quick trip back to the store and a new starter, up it went....and parachuted down.  He was pretty excited to see it go so high and enjoy that with his Dad.

 Meanwhile...the girls enjoyed the flowers and rainbow playing all sorts of games together, until the mosquitoes chased them to the car.

Daddy Daughter Date!

 Our modern day pioneers.  Jeff and Jackie were privileged to attend a Stake Daddy/Daughter date.  They dressed in ancestral clothing and had a fun date together.

 Jackie danced the night away with her Daddy.  She is one lucky girl to have such a great Dad.

Fun times!

Color Fun Run

 Jackie and I did a Color Fun Run with a group of friends in August.  Jackie was glad to have Grace there to go with.  They stuck together.

 We got pretty colorful, it was kind of a different kind of race but really fun.

 Our victory jump at the end!

 Our families came to support us and of course got colored as well.  The kids loved it.

 This picture turned out blurry, but is a good depiction of our crazy lives right now.  The same day Jackie and I ran there was a Father/Daughter date at the church.  Jeff brought Jackie home right after the race, she showered and got pretty super fast.  When I walked in the door they were all ready to go, so I got a quick pic with my handsome hubby.  He didn't want me to touch him for some reason.  Fun day!

 Color everywhere!

 This picture shows how the color went flying, see all the color in the background it got on everything and eveywhwere.

We made it.  The race actually turned out to be longer than we anticipated (we all went the wrong way and ran a few miles farther than we were supposed to).  It turned out to be a great life lesson, but we were all really thirsty and hot.  We got back to the main course and were so happy to have water, until we realized it was warm water.  It makes for a memorable experience and we were all happy that we were able to complete it and got lots of color all of us.

I thought this picture was great - go Gena with your jumping jack! 

These friends make me so happy.  It was fun to run together and to accomplish it together!