Shout Out...

Here's a b-day shout out to my good friend, Kerri! Isn't she so fine at 29?! Oh, boy am I envious that she is still in her 20's! You bet I will give her serious grief on her birthday next year!
She hit the town with her man to celebrate, but we had them over afterwards for a little dessert. She had some mighty big help blowing out her candles and making her birthday wish.

You know, I don't have a sister. You would think I have longed for one, but honestly, I never have. Those of you who have a sister are probably thinking I am really missing out. Maybe I am. All I know is that I have always attributed the "no need for a sister" to the fact that I have truly been blessed with such good friends all throughout my life. Sure, Bob is my best friend (best friend with benefits.....best kind...), but I am telling ya, "I don't know what I would do without my LADY friends!" So, thanks Kerri, and all my dear girlfriends, who continue to feel my sister void, gratify and enrich my life.......every day.

Me loves ya!

It's that time again

This is going to sound ridiculous, but running has changed my life. Three years ago I was going through a really rough time. I flew to Vegas and then drove with my best friend since second grade, to St. George to watch my two good friends run their first marathon. This experience was life altering for me.

If you have never been to a race or a finish line, you must. There is something emotionally moving to see people give their all, sacrifice, push themselves to new limits, and at the end of the line be greeted by their loved ones shouting their names and cheering with devotion! I was shedding tears of joy for people I didn't even know.

Then Mal and Angie crossed and I can't even tell you how proud I was of my friends. I was grateful to them for inviting me to participate in one of their greatest moments. I knew then, this was something I wanted to be a part of.

So, Mal gave me a running schedule. I took one look at it and thought, "Ya, must be kidding me!" I took it to Becky and begged her to do it along with me. She was in! Little did I know that their crazy, fun friend Sid was a professional runner and would give us training schedules, tips, encouragement, and all the advice we would need to become beginner runners. We picked a 1/2 marathon race, signed up, and it was on!

As I started the journey, new things happened. I started to feel better physically. I started to feel better emotionally. I was pushing myself in new ways and enjoying the freedom and serenity I felt while out pounding the pavement on my own.

However, it didn't take long before Robert started running along side of me, and the time we spent together training was therapeutic for our marriage. I felt we became a lot closer, working towards the same goal, and enjoying our time together. We ran our first 1/2 marathon side by side and crossed the finish line hand in hand. Ya, that sounds really corny and is something I NEVER thought we would do. But, as corny as it was....it is a memory I'll never forget.

Since then we have entered our kids into a few races. Pay and I have run a few together.

and we, as a family, have spent evenings at the track. While Robert and I train, the kids play, bring us water, cheer us on, and have become our biggest fans.

Now, we are not winning any races or setting any times to be desired. I doubt we ever will, and we are o.k. with that. But, hey, we are RUNNING. We are closer as a family, have become closer to friends who have joined us, and are enjoying the fun times shared with family and friends at races of all sorts (triathlons, relay races, half marathons, mile races, etc.)So, here's to you....RUNNING, a sport I never thought I would get into. You've changed my life for the better. I hope to get brave soon and try the full marathon. This might just be my year. Who knows?!
As for now, Ogden's half marathon training schedule started Monday.....and I am up for the challenge!

Changes Round' Here...

BIG CHANGES!

We said good-bye to 3M ESPE on Friday. That's right, Robert took a new job with Sun Shine, as Avery calls it. Really it is Henry Schein Dental, but she is close. This was a very sad day, to say the least. 3M is an incredible company with outstanding products and people. Robert has thoroughly enjoyed his 5 years with them and has NO complaints. This was a tough decision for him, one he struggled with a bit. So, why is he leaving......????

Henry Schein is a great company too. He looks forward to working with a fantastic group of people. He feels the nature of this sales job better fits his personality. He is ready for change and up for the challenge!

All these things are true.......BUT

......Who are we kidding?

NO TRAVEL- POTENTIAL TO MAKE MORE MONEY

We're In!

Pay's Special Day...

Pay was baptised last Sat. I am getting teary eyed just writing about it (who am I kidding, ya all know I'm crying!) You know how sometimes things just turn out right? Well, from my perspective, the day couldn't have been any better. We spent the morning getting the house ready for a dinner afterwards. It was fun to work together decorating, making cookies, and seeing Payton so excited. No kidding, she was beaming all day long.

After getting the fam spruced up, and spending over an hour curling every inch of Pay's long locks, we headed to the church. Avery is looking a bit sad in this fam. photo....because she was. To put it mildly......she was feeling a bit left out because her sister was getting so much attention!

It was so comforting to see our family and close friends there to support Payton on her special day. As I looked around the room I couldn't help but to feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives, both our families, and our dear friends......love em all, I really do.

When Pay entered the font, Bob became emotional. He's not going to like that I am writing this. But, it was sweet. He kept squeezing her shoulders and kissed her on her forehead. I knew it was hard for him because his heart was full and the love he has for Pay is BIG!

Her confirmation was beautiful and as she sat quietly, all in white, with her head bowed, I snuck a little peek of her sweet face. She was smiling slightly and I had one of those moments when I couldn't believe I was actually this kid's mother. I was her example and the one she looked up to, when in reality, that special little girl had been just that to me. She has changed my life for the better in more ways than she'll ever know.

We all congregated to our house afterwards. Robert's friend prepared delicious Polynesian food that was out of this world. No joke, the food was amazing. Although I was worried that we wouldn't have room in our home for all our friends and family to move around comfortably, it seemed we had plenty of space. The kids ran around playing well together and the adults ate, hung out, and chatted away.

It was one of those nights I didn't want to end. But, too soon, it did and as I lay in my bed pondering the days events....I smiled....knowing this day would bring a lot of happy memories. It was then I recognized, once again, that peaceful feeling and basked in the joy the gospel has brought to my life.

All the Logan Ladies......All the Logan Ladies

Put your hands up.....dance and get down!

Two more days until we UNITE!

I best be getting my bags packed!

Uh- Oh!

The kids were supposed to be asleep. I heard someone prancing around upstairs. I went up to check and found Miss Avery strutting around my room in this......

If this is any indication of her future........

We are in BIG TROUBLE!

Woo Hoo

She made it!

Pay tried out for the part of the witch in her second grade school play, Hansel and Gretel.

She ran home from school ecstatic with, "Some really good news, mom!"

So, you'll hear a lot of screechy, creepy, heckling practicing around here in the next short while.

"Nibble, nibble mouskin.....whose nibbling on my housekin......ahhhh haaaa haaaa haaa haaaa!!!"

All to herself...

Pay had her dad all to herself Sat. night. She was so excited when we told her she was spending one on one time with her good ole dad. She could hardly wait for Saturday. She had her outfit, where she wanted to go and what she wanted to do....planned for days! They spent the evening having dinner, playing games at Game World, and enjoying ice-cream afterwards. (No, the matching outfits were not intended, but hey, I thought they looked pretty snazzy!)

Pay, I know how important it is that you spend quality time with your dad. I hope you'll always know how much he loves you and how special you are. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see you build your relationship with him, and know that you love and adore him too.

Because....believe me, no one knows more than your mama, how important a special dad is in a girl's life!


I love you......MOM

I HOPE

THEY'LL REMEMBER

HOW MUCH FUN

THEY HAD TOGETHER!