H2C

Hood to Coast........here we come! Yesterday Robert and I did our last long run. We took the kids to Clint and Amy's and ran on the green belt down by their house. Wow! What a different run that is than pounding the hot pavement around our neighborhood. It is so beautiful down there by the river. It is shaded and cool. We saw two, large bucks on the river as well. Robert was pretty excited about that. Our 7 mile run went by quickly.

Tonight the team from Boise will meet at our house for dessert and planning for our big trip. We leave Thursday and head to Portland. I am nervous and excited. The run is going to be tough, but fun too. It will be nice to have an adult weekend and time with just Robert, but I know I am going to really miss my kids too. It will be a busy week getting ready to go. Mikkel, Robert's sister is coming to stay and take care of the kids. I am so grateful for her. She is the "fun" aunt and my kids are so excited to have her come.

Here's a video clip of the race we will be doing Friday and Sat.! Watching it will either motivate you to want to run a relay too, or make you think those who do are absolutely insane! I think it's a little bit of both!

http://www.hoodtocoastdocumentary.com/teaser/flash_medium/index.html

Robert and I try to include our kids in our training as much as we can. We take them for runs with us (one of us riding the bike with the trailer attached) or take them to the track with us. They have a lot of fun playing at the track while mom and dad run.

Payton snapping pics. of her nerdy parents.

Here's our water girl. She puts water bottles in her stroller and follows us for nice, water breaks.

Owen, always mimicking dad.

Robert and I were running around the track while the kids were yelling, "Go mom and dad!" It was so cute, but a little embarrassing too!

Of course, Avery sprinted around the track with Steal, her beloved stick horse!

So, 5 more days and it's race time.......Yikes!

Friday's Funny

Check out Owen's face in the last pic. It cracks me up so much that I had to post if for Friday's Funny. I got out of the shower to hear some major ruckus downstairs. I came down to witness the McBride kid's rock band. They were hilarious. Look how intense their faces are. I had to snap some photos. Hey, rock stars......thanks for making me laugh. You make Friday funny!

Transformation

Here is our cute but colorless home.So, we decided it was time to have it painted. Let's just say the process was STRESSFUL! So, I changed my mind a million times and at the last minute came up with a plan for colors I had never seen. They turned out terrible. The pic. below is my house painted diarrhea green. This pic. doesn't do it justice, it was a greenish, yellowy nightmare!I was shocked at how wrong the color was. I didn't know what to do since the entire house was painted. The painters left to return the next morning and finish the job. I stressed all day and didn't sleep but a few hours that night. I called the painter at 6 a.m. and told him I couldn't live with the color.

So, yes, they repainted it. My poor husband was pretty upset with me. He just didn't understand why it mattered. No, it didn't cost us double, but it did cost us more. OUCH!

But, I think the final results were worth it (The pic.'s lighting makes it difficult, but it is a true tan with a lighter trim and dark chocolate porch and gables, black door) . It doesn't look like the houses I saw whose colors I wanted, but I think these subtle, warm colors are just right for our cute, little home. Thanks to all my friends who lent an ear and helped me with suggestions. And a big, fat, "I am sorry!" to Robert who (for the most part) was patient, understanding and willing to let me make costly changes I can now live with! I love you........please forgive me?!

The Secret Life of Bees

I finished my book yesterday. I really enjoyed it. The narrator is a young, fourteen year old girl. She is brave and triumphs through a lot of ills in her past that haunt her daily. She finds love and that makes the difference. We all just need to be loved! The book is being made into a movie, so that will be fun to see in the near future.
I decided to read New Moon next. The is the second book in the Twilight series. I know this series is all the craze, but I didn't love, love the first. Then I heard the second isn't as good, so I didn't think I would read anymore of them. However, I hear that after the second they get really, really good! My bff, Mal is really into them. She is hilarious about it. She's probably sporting a Team Edward shirt right now, wearing plastic vampire teeth in her mouth, and intensely reading her new book as I type. So, I thought it would be fun to get in on the excitement with her!

Please Don't Go!

Me and Angie B!
All our little ones...Zach, Molly, Avery, Owen (where's your pants dude?!) Payton and Elle.
Now this girl knows how to take a pic.!
Please don't go! The crying begins......
But, they must....they're out of here! What a cute fam they are!

Angie B. and her family stopped by yesterday. They spent a week on the Oregon coast and were driving through on their way home to South Weber. It was so good to see them. Angie B. is one of my close friends from New Hampshire and USU! Boy have I had some crazy, good times with that girl! I love that when we see each other it is like no time has passed. I only wish they could have stayed longer. Elle, her oldest, was sad to leave. It was really cute. Then after they drove away Payton cried because she had so much fun playing with the kids and didn't want them to leave either! I guess we're going to have to plan a girl's weekend in the near future!

Friday's Funny

Ya, it's Saturday, so my Friday funny post is late. I have had a stressful two days (this is the understatement of the year). We had our house painted. Wow, total saga......I will post pics. and story soon. Anyway, this is a pic. of Avery that makes me laugh, and boy did I need a laugh today! We are at the Hales family reunion and the kids are all playing on the toys in the park. There are some water fountains they are running through as well. After running through the fountains and becoming drinched, Avery's shorts were so heavy and uncomfortable that she took them off. Yes, just took them off, threw them down somewhere, played on the toys, walked around, and embarrassed the crap out of her mother! I was snapping pics. of the grand kids playing so well together and there was Avery walking towards me, nonchalant, sucking on a sucker without a care in the world. Yes, she is pant less, but hey, at four, I guess she hasn't had the horrifying dream where she is walking around in public shirtless, or pant less for that matter. Of course, when I first saw her, I was shocked. What kind of a mother am I? I didn't even notice my child has been playing probably for an hour without pants. Then I just had to shake my head and laugh. So, Avery J, you silly girl, you make Friday funny!

Lemonade Stand

The kids have been asking to do a lemonade stand for days. It seemed like work to me, so my answer was always, "Maybe tomorrow!" Well, tomorrow came and they asked again. Since they were having friends over to play I decided today was the day. I didn't really want them to do a lemonade stand because I thought it would be too much work. What a bad mom am I, huh? Well, it turned out simple! The kids made the signs, set up the table, retrieved the cups and ice, and were all ready to go before I had the lemonade made! I had to laugh at the 150 cups they had set out!Everyone was happy with their job. Kyle and Kate were the money takers. Avery placed the ice in the cup, and Payton did the pouring. Owen just sat there drinking the profits!The first customers arrived...boy was I glad. I hated to see them sitting there with no takers!I don't know if they were just being really nice (of course they were), but they said it was the best, darn, lemonade they'd had!
It was so stinking hot outside that they had to cool off in the pool.
But, don't worry, they ran back and forth to their little stand. Here's a drive through customer in the red Durango. Oh, and dad stopped by and bought a cool glass too! Do you think he was offered one for free.....not a chance!
Back to the pool.....Ahhh, summer........Good times!!

Cherokee Legend

My Nana sent me this story via email today. I enjoyed reading it and thought I would share. My Nana is in her 80's and more computer literate than most of us. She always sends me uplifting, God is love, type emails. She has always been a spiritual example in my life even though she does not share my faith. It's kind of funny because her name is Emma Smith and she lives in SLC, Utah, but no, she isn't Mormon! My Nana is a beautiful lady. I wish I had a pic. of her to share. She always looks so nice and put together with her blouses and clean, crisply ironed slacks, matching jewelry, etc. She not only takes good care of herself but of her home and things too. When we go to visit she makes such an effort to make sure your stay is exceptional. She gets out the fancy dishes, sets the table so nice, and cooks the most delicious meals. I love my Nana and am grateful for the things she has taught me.

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage?His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is aMAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience because each lad must come into manhood on his own. The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him.Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man! Finally,after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

Bear Lake

We spent the last few days in beautiful Bear Lake. The McBride clan was lucky enough to stay at Jen's parent's cabin right on the golf course. They let us use their boat and jet skis too. We had a ball tubing, wake boarding, and swimming in the warm, aqua water. Our days were spent relaxing, reading on the beach, riding motorcycles, swimming, staying up late watching movies, singing along to Josh playing his guitar, driving Jared's remote control car, eating delicious meal after meal, enjoying a famous raspberry shake at LeBeau's and of course, screaming across the lake on the boat and jet skis.

Our only regrets were that we didn't have enough time to do all we wanted. We could have easily spent a week in Bear Lake. And, it just went by too fast. We love getting together with Robert's family. There are so many of them, that there is never a dull moment. Someone recently asked me how I felt about my in-laws. I told them that on a scale from 1-10, I give them a 9.5. Come on, no body's perfect! But, honestly, I enjoy and love them and am grateful for their friendships.

So, I developed a big, fat cold sore on my bottom lip. I am sure it was from getting sunburned Thursday. We were all so anxious to spend time on the beach and boat that we stayed at the lake for over 7 hours! Yes, we were fried! Robert looks Spanish, Kristen and Josh received terrible burns on their legs, and Mikkel's lips swelled up like Jessica Simpson's! But, hey it was all worth it!

Now the drive home was another story. What should have been a 5 hour drive took us 9 1/2. I will save all the adventurous details, but boy were we happy to drive into Boise! We arrived about 9 p.m and hadn't eaten. Our neighbors were at our house watering our flowers for us. Then they asked if we had eaten. Since we hadn't, they brought over the most delicious home-made soup and pasta salad. How nice was that? I was so grateful. It tasted so much better than the cold cereal we would have eaten!

So, another trip down....just one more this summer. That's right.....Hood to Coast.......here we come!

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Lilli Lou, Hales Reunion, and Park City too!

Mondays are Lilli Lou days. We get to watch Uncle Clint and Aunt Amy's adorable little one. The kids have so much fun doting over her. She really is the sweetest, cutest little thing.

Clint turned 30 on Sunday. Amy had us all over for dinner. It is hard to believe my little brother is now 30! Clint has always been so much fun to be around. He has a lot of energy and an enthusiasm for life. We love you, Clint!

We are headed for Bear Lake tomorrow for Robert's family reunion. It made me think that I never posted about my Hales' reunion we attended earlier this month. This was the first time we had a Hales' gathering in years and years. It was actually a huge event at Weber State where Elder Hales was a guest speaker. We met up with closer relatives at a park in Ogden before the big event at the university.

It wouldn't be a Hales' reunion without a foot race!

The kids had a ball playing games and eating corn on the cob!
I didn't even know they played tug-a-war. I must have been off chatting. I would have loved to have been in on that action! Here's the cousins.
Here's my dad, his siblings and cousins.
We had such a nice time visiting, looking through old photo albums, eating (of course!), playing games, learning about our ancestors, and just being together! I love my family and am so grateful for all of them.

We snuck up to Park City after the reunion. It is one of my favorite places. You step out of the car and can smell the mountains. It is so beautiful.We walked around main street, had some dinner, and just enjoyed the scenery.The next morning we went to main street again. It was happening! There were booths everywhere with incredible food and hand made jewelry, etc. It was a hot one, but we cooled off with yummy drinks. Each of us picked out one of these hand-made, leather bracelets. They were awesome. She fitted them there right to your wrist.Afterwards we went up to ride the slides. Avery, Payton and I did the coaster. It was a blast! If you go to Park City, you have to do it! The price was high, so we only rode it once. I wish we could have gone, again and again!Owen and Robert did the Alpine slide. It was a little milder, and at both their scaredy cat levels! Just kidding. My boys are both a little hesitant when it comes to heights though! It seems the girls in this family are more the thrill seekers!

I found a coffee shop named, Kristi's! I never see anything with my exact name spelling!

Avery and Owen rode the Carousel. This is Avery's favorite thing! She is riding a horse...go figure!

Payton chose to do the trampoline. She tried real hard to do a back flip, but didn't quite make it over. She had fun anyway jumping high in the air!

And can you believe we didn't have time to do any shopping at the outlets? I was bummed. I was also bummed that the trip was so last minute and quick that I didn't get to see my good friends who live in Utah. I didn't even have time to call. So, I am sorry I missed you! Robert kept saying, " This is killing you that you can't go see your friends isn't it?!" Yes, it was! Some of my favorite people live in Utah!