Fall Break

October 20-23

So for fall break we were planning on going up to Cody's parents property in Idaho until we were given the opportunity to stay in a condo in California.  This was a no brainer for us for we love it there.  We already have the season passes to the parks and a place to stay now.  It wasn't going to cost us much more than it would have to go to Idaho so we jumped on it.  

We decided to surprise the kids and not tell them until we got there, but we new they would figure out that we would be heading in the opposite direction than Idaho so we told them we changed our minds and were going to St. George.  

Tenlie was so fun the kids were still asleep when we were pulling in so we had to wake them up.  Tenlie was trying to figure things out she looked so lost and then all of a sudden she says mom this isn't St. George cause that's Mickeys house over there then a long pause.  ARE WE IN DISNEYLAND!! They were so excited.

We decided one morning that we would head down to San Diego to Sea World and see all the shows.  We love it there and the kids love the animals. 

Then it was back to Disneyland the happiest place on earth.  We love this time of year there.  With all The Halloween Decorations out and the temperature was absolutely remarkable.  This definitely tops the charts for us.  I think the only thing better would be at Christmas time.

Stetson really is our little adventurist.  This was his very first time on Thunder Mountain Rail Road.  And of course hands up the entire time and giggled the whole way through.

Then it was off to the Haunted Mansion where the decorations couldn't get better than that.  We love it every time you ride it you always see something new. and then of Course Splash mountain.

Over by Toy Story is so fun.  The Charictors are always out roaming around.

We truly have been so blessed to travel and take so many trips as a family.  I now have to say the last minute ones are my favorite.  There is no stress trying to plan it and get things just right.  We were in no hurry and just enjoyed one another.

St. George Marathon

Saturday October 1

So this year I decided it was the year I wanted to accomplish a full Marathon.  I new just getting out of the house and putting the stress out there on the road was going to be a nice stress reliever for me.  I don't know what got into me for I have never had a desire to run 26.2 miles.  I always said only insane people run that far.  I guess I now have to put myself into the insane category.  

I had a lot of fun training for this race, but in the same breath got really burned out in running.  If it wasn't for having my Sister-in-law to train with I don't know if I would have completed it.  I really enjoyed our time out on the road together.  I feel that our relationship grew leaps and bounds during this time.  Not only with her, but with my brother as well.  There is something to be said about having a training partner and now I know why.  

Training was coming along very well I had joined up with Coach Kenna and was taking her Track class.  In this class she has you doing sprint intervals around the track to help you improve your speed.  Then Michelle and I would meet up at the crack of dawn which was anywhere between 4-5am to start our runs.  Thing were going great and I was exceeding my expectations on my speed. then about 3 weeks before the race we decided to head down to St. George and do our last long run on the course.  We were scheduled to run 22 miles that day.  We were right on course with our pace which we wanted to stay between an 8 1/2 minute mile to an 8:45 minute mile.  I was feeling really good energy was great and then mile 9 came and my knee starts having a little pain I kept on pushing thinking it would go away.  Mile 11 comes and I am in a lot of pain at this point.  I told Michelle to go a head for I was going to baby it in I did not want to cause a major injury.  Lets just say the remainder of the miles were pure HELL.  My brother Damon was out on his training bike ride and came up along side me and could tell I was hurting.  Nothing felt good running or walking it was just extreme pain.  He went a head and caught up to Michelle telling her to go get the car and come find me.  I was so frustrated knowing how hard I had been working towards this race and just scared that I wouldn't be able to run it.  Michelle found me at mile 20 and I was so glad to see her.  The rest of the weekend I wasn't able to walk very well.  As soon as I got home I got right into Muscle works which is a Massage center for athletes.  Lets just say I wasn't very excited to go, but knew if I had any chance of running this race I had to see them.  My IT band was extremely tight and they told me they could work it out so I could run, but I have to just go for finish and not push for time.  I was relieved to hear this, but knew I was going to be going through torture in the treatments.    

So let the race begin!

We started out to the buses at 4:30 that morning.  I thought I would be extremely nervous due to it being my first one.  The morning was really nice and warm which I was a little concerned that the temperatures would rise quickly.  We choose to just chill in the Port a potty lines and wait.  About a half an hour before the race began we drank our energy drink went to drop off our cloths in the drop trailer and then one last potty break.  To our surprise the race started 15 minutes early. So needless to say no last potty break.  We hurried up to the start line and began our journey down the road for 26.2 miles.  I was a little hesitant in the beginning not wanting to over push my knee and be miserable the remainder of the time.  I passed the 9 mile mark where my knee started hurting last time and so far so good.  By mile 10 my energy drink had caught up to me an I needed a stop.  I never stop during races, but this time it was so painful I had to.  I was worried about stopping that my knee would tighten up on me.  So far so good I was back on the road and still in good shape.  About mile 20 my knee started to tighten up and I kind of started to panic.  Mile 23 comes and all I can think is you can do anything for a 5k.  I believe this was the longest 5k I have ever done.  The good thing was it was in town so you had large crowds cheering you on.  By mile 24 it has started to get warm and the sun was beating down on you.  I felt a tap on my arm and I look to my side and see my Brother Damon.  He had met up with his wife Michelle at mile 13 and helped pace her in.  Once he left her he came back to check on me.  At this point my leg did not want to move I was really concentrating on getting it to move he said I looked good, but I felt like I was dragging my right leg.  It was sure nice to see someone to help coach me in.  He grabbed extra cold towels and squeezed them over my head and around my neck to help cool me off.  We turned the last corner and you could see the finish line.  I tell you that last .2 really is not that far, but after already going 26 it felt like it was forever long.  I was really hoping to come in around 4hrs with my knee or a little under, but my official time was
Time: 4:06:42
Overall Place: 2330/5700
Female age division 30-34 162/783

The kids were so excited watching and patiently waiting they had made some cute signs for me and it was extremely emotional to see them at the finish line.

It was really nice having my brother by my side coming in.

I have to say thank you to my amazing family on letting me take the time to train for this.  I know it may not have been easy with mom being so tired and physical drained. 

Soccer

So this Fall we signed Stetson up for Soccer and he found his niche.  He was in love with it.  He was always kicking a ball around.  He was really good and caught on to the object really fast.  Normally at this age its just a huge cluster of kids kicking each other.  Not Stetson and his cousin Crew they were a little aggressive.  Lets just say once they got the ball watch out here they go.  He looked forward to every game and so did his parents and grandparents.  He was so fun to watch we never wanted to miss. 

First day of Pre-School

Tuesday September 6

This little guy was so stinking excited about starting school.  Now that Tenlie has started First grade and Stetson is home all day by himself he has been very board.  The last 2 weeks have been very long.  This year he will be attending the pre-school of Eaglecrest Elementary.  He will be attending 4 days a week and he can hardly wait.

So before School they line up outside until the teacher comes out and gets them.

Its been so hard to see my baby growing up so fast.  He wants to be as big as his sister so for him to attend school just makes it one thing closer.

Dirty Dash Boise

Saturday August 27

So my sister had called and convinced me into coming up to run the Dirty Dash with her and my brother-in-law Tony.  I had been wanting to run one of these and the timing never worked out for me.  It was Cody's birthday weekend,but he really likes it up there so I didn't have to do much to convince him on going  up.  As you can see we started out really clean.

The kids were so excited for this.  As you can see Stetson already had his game face on. 

One of the first obstacles we came up on was the tires.

Then there were several walls we had to climb with mud awaiting us on the other side.

This had to be the favorite obstacle of all.  This was the biggest slip'n slide I've ever seen.

Then the PIG PEN!!!  This was a blast.  The time you get to get as dirty as you would like and no one to stop you. 

I have to say you found dirt in places you would never think of. 

The kids races were last and they were so excited to get started.  Stetson was all over it.

When it came to the pig pen Stetson was so excited to cannon ball into it. 

As you can see it didn't take the kids long to get in and get dirty!  Stetson was diving under and covered from head to toe.  Tenlie was swimming the back stroke and crawling on her stomach. 

They were having the time of their life until it was time to get out of the mud.  Once they were out Stetson realized he couldn't see due to the mud. 

I have to say it was a really fun day muddy and all.