Birthday

Children have a way of making you remember what life is all about: lots of fun, living in the moment, laughing, and celebrating BIRTHDAYS! As I've gotten older, birthdays are just another day for me, but for my kids, my birthday is such an exciting day! Saturday was my b day and Rick had to leave early to go to a physical therapy conference, so we didn't have any big plans. I woke up and went for an amazing run in the crisp fall air. When I got home, Lindsie had made me the best breakfast ever!

What a total sweetheart! She spent all morning making me scrambled eggs and ham, toast and my favorite protein shake. My first thought was, Oh I'm going to have to really pretend like I like her cooking, because there is no way it is going to taste good. How could a 10-year-old be a good cook? I took one bite and couldn't believe how good the eggs were. They were seriously the best eggs I've ever had. And, the protein shake was better than when I make it myself. Lindsie always amazes me with her talents. She is already an incredible cook, does hair way better than I can, sews, knits, and loves to babysit. I guess she got all my hidden domestic qualities that never surfaced in my personality! The best part was that she totally cleaned up the whole mess in the kitchen, you couldn't even tell anyone had been in there. I LOVE that girl!

After breakfast, the kids gave me a pile of presents they had been working on for weeks. Lindsie had Mallory and Troy make me things and wrap them up for me. I got lots of love notes, bracelets they had made, an old pink stuffed animal cat, and lots of pictures. It was so much fun and I felt so much love for these little stinkers who were so excited that mom is having a birthday. I love kids perspective on life!

After the exciting morning, Rick came home early from his conference and we headed out to my PARADISE -- Last Chance! There is no place I would rather be. The day was gorgeous, in the 70's, and the water was crystal clear and glass. I had an amazing birthday ski run!

The water is so clear, you can see the bottom of the lake.

I had to add these cute pictures we took at Grammy and Grampy's.

All the cousins! I wish we could freeze them all at this stage in life. I love my family and am so grateful for them!

Liz catching some air.

Did I mention that Liz has gone pro with her wakeboarding talent! I can't beleive I hadn't posted these pictures yet. As Liz flew through the air on her wakeboard, she did the biggest face plant I've ever seen. We thought she had knocked all of her teeth out. She was laughing so hard she couldn't get back in the boat. After weeks and weeks of physical therapy, I am proud to report she has recovered and is looking forward to next years wakeboarding season, OR NOT!

A few more Ragnar pictures

Ragnar Las Vegas

At the finish line of the Ragnar Wasatch Back this year, we couldn't believe we would have to wait a WHOLE year to do this race again. So, we signed up for the Las Vegas Ragnar in October! Yeah, this means we could immediately start training for and looking forward to another Ragnar very soon. This is how much we love these races. It's not just about the running, although I do love the running aspect. I realized that it is about the team work and "hype" in the van with 5 other teammates! I love supporting and cheering on my teammates just as much as I love being the one out there running. It is something only those who have experienced it before can understand.

So, today I am going through withdrawals and can't stop looking at my pictures and thinking about how much fun I had this past weekend with my team. We had an incredible group of people: we laughed and laughed, were so tired we couldn't see straight, and we got 51 overall out of 175 teams. We placed 5th in our division. Not to bad for a bunch of moms and dads.

We stayed in St. George the night before the race, went to dinner at Brick Oven to carbo-load, and got a good night sleep!

We woke up the next morning and got busy decorating our van: We are the Dirty Underwear Gang!

Chris and Brandon made us vinyl stickers to go on the windows. I think this is the best decor job yet. We were really proud of the finished product. We had many people along the way stop and ask to take pictures of our van.

This was hillarious: this guy was dressed up like Lt. Dangle (it's from a tv show). We had to stop him for a picture. He stayed in character the whole time and never even cracked a smile.

Along the way: waiting for our runner to come and give him some water!

This guy, Danny, was great. We had one guy on our team get very sick the night before the race and was in the hospital. Danny is a friend of Jonathan (a guy on our team) and he agreed to come last minute and fill in for us. What a great sport. We loved having him on our team and getting to know him. It looks like he is saying a prayer before his run. He might have been since he hadn't even trained for this race and he was the guy with the most miles on the whole team!

This was Brandon's first Ragnar and he did amazing. He absoultely loved it and I think is now addicted, like the rest of us.

Jonathan just finishing his run as the sun was setting!

Jonathan is a firefighter/EMT: a very nice addition to have on the team just in case! He brought his oxygen tank and all.

Chris giving Brandon a drink during his run.

This was the first time we weren't able to get a hotel to sleep in. We were really out in the middle of nowhere. We had to sleep on the concrete -- very uncomfortable. I really never fell asleep. It makes me appreciate the accomodations we usually have.

Our Van #2: Brandon, Tara, Me, Danny, Jonathan, Chris

Dorky picture: I was just taking off for my 3rd leg.

At the finish line. I was the last runner and crossed the finish line with my team. It ended at Big Rock Hotel/Casino. It was beautiful weather and we couldn't of asked for a better experience. The only problem is that it is over now and I have to wait clear until June for the Wasatch Back.

Two cute little terds!

It has been awhile since Mallory has done anything like shaving her head, which by the way, is not growing back yet. She still has a bald spot the size of a quarter on the back of her head. I laugh inside everytime I brush her hair and see it. It could be worse, I remind myself.

Today I was busy getting ready to go out of town tomorrow. The house was much too quiet to have Mallory and Emery in it. I decided I better go see what the two "terds" were up to. I hear rustling in the bathroom. I can tell they are behind the shower curtain. Do I dare take a peek, or just walk away??? As I pull the shower curtain, there they are looking up at me....

At first, no big deal right? They just got into a little make-up. Then, I discovered it was not just any make-up, it was my PERMANET lipstick, you know the kind that lasts all day and never wears off!
It wasn't enough just to paint their faces like war paint, they also felt the need to smear it all over Mallory's blinds and her wall.

Can I just say that Magic Eraser is my BEST FRIEND! It all came off after lots of scrubbing.

Please tell me that some day I am going to miss these little "terds"