Happy Anniversary

It's hard to believe it's been 6 years! Life is grand with this man!

One Amazing Race

Roughly 40 crazy people swam in an open water race last Saturday at Deer Creek. Aaron was one of those crazy guys. He has been training for this since June. There were 4 different competitions: a 1 mile swim, 5k swim, 10k swim, and a 10 mile swim. Aaron did the 5k swim. That's 3.1 miles people! He swam it in 1 hour and 35 minutes. Wowzers! Now, as a side note, Utah has had some CRAZY weather lately and his race day was no exception. It was an overcast, cold, wet, rainy day. The wind picked up, so the water was choppy, making it ever so easy to glide through the waves. :o) The race committee took all the necessary precautions to ensure that this was a safe swim however. Each swimmer had to have a kayaker (thank you Bryce Johnson) and there were at least 3 boat rangers on the water for any emergency, should there be one. Once Aaron finished the race, not 10 minutes later, it down poured and the thunder and lightening moved in. The race was called at that point and they pulled the remaining swimmers out. There were several disappointed competitors. Aaron's boss was actually competing for the 10 mile race, so he was very bummed to say the least. Last year he competed and finished the 10 mile race in just under 5 hours. I can't even fathom being in water for 5 hours let alone swimming for that long. Anyway, it was super fun to watch, (from inside our car since we were freezing!), but more than anything we were so proud of Aaron's great accomplishment. Way to go!!!!

Aaron's little fan club

Seconds before the gun went off

His fearless kayaker- Bryce Johnson

Aaron is the furthest one away in the yellow cap.

Being goofy

On his stretch back to the finish line.

Coming in hard

Finished!

A remarkable little girl

I knew Hannah was no ordinary 3 year old, but I just wasn't certain how above the curve she is. (Am I sounding a little too proud here?) Months ago I showed Hannah how to make her own bed and today, without me asking her, she made her very own bed. Take a look at how good it is.

I want you all to know, I did not help her one little bit.

I was so impressed and told her what a great job I thought she did that she decided to go make Nathan's bed as well.


Now, if I could just teach her how to make my bed I would be made!

Abigail is 8 months

So, on the day Abby turned 7mo. she got her first tooth. Over the next 4 weeks until she would be 8 months old, she got 3 more. Four teeth in 4 weeks. Ouch!

My 1st Triathlon

I've always wanted to compete in a traditional triathlon. (I say traditional because I did a winter tri years ago). Anyway, 2 months ago a friend of mine told me that I should train for a triathlon this year. I really thought there was no way, but she assured me I could do it. I knew I could do the running and the biking, but I am not a good swimmer. However, I just happened to be married to a man that swims and is a dang good swimmer I might add. (stay tuned for his 3 mile open water swim this weekend). Anyway, long story short, I had such a blast competing in this race and really look forward to doing some further races in the future.

For those who care to know the distances of the 3 events:
Running: 5k
Biking: 11.3 miles
Swiming: 1/4 mile

The 24th of July

I'm beginning to love any holiday nomatter when it is or what it is. Everything is so much more fun with children. We escaped to the mountains for Pioneer weekened. For those of you not from Utah, the 24th of July is a state holiday we celebrate to honor our pinoeer ancestors who settled this great state. It was such a blast! We tagged along with 2 of my brothers and one sister. What fun we had! We went to Hunnington Lake, rode the 4-wheelers, swam in the lake (well Aaron did), hiked around, played games, ate smores, watched the kids get dirtier and dirtier. It was great! I'm telling ya, the mountains just call to me my friends. I LOVE to be in them anytime I can.









Aaron swam across the lake and back. My brothers were a little less than pleased I might add. There was a fisherman than followed him. I'm sure he was nervous himself. I must say, that Aaron swam it just fine.

Kill me....Kill me now!

Sorry if that title offends anyone, but those were the words I was saying when I walked in on this..........






I mean, come on! This is only the 3rd, maybe 4th time they have done this in my shower!!!! Honestly, I only left them alone for a few minutes. Long enough for them to make SUCH a mess! I post this because someday I'm quite certain that I will find this funny. And yes, that is a combination of shaving cream and hair conditioner. Grrr!

Abigail is 7 months....and a half!

I've been meaning to post a picture of Abby at 7mo., but time seems to be slipping by me quickly lately. So, what does 7 months bring you ask? Two teeth! Poor girl has been a little cranky lately, not that I blame her. Breaking in teeth is a painful thing. I unfortunately have failed at my attempts to getting a picture of her little beauties, but just know there are two little pearly whites in that sweet little mouth of hers. Oh, some of the things she's doing....babbling like crazy. It's just adorable really. Rolling around, but mainly just onto her tummy and then screams like crazy. Says dada, but I must say she is connected to her mama. This one is certainly attached to me and I just LOVE it!

She says Princess, I say Queen

Hannah had a little birthday party this week. The girls invited were asked to dress in their favorite princess dresses. Well, we don't have any princess dresses, but I forgot that Hannah has this cute dress that looks more like a wedding dress. I think she looks like a little queen.

This NEVER happens

I told Hannah she could have a popsicle if she ate her sandwhich all gone. (That girl LIVES for popsicles). I guess it was just too much to ask and it wore her right out. She rarely gets tired during the day, although I have no idea where she hides all of that energy because I'm literally EXHAUSTED just watching her. She finally pooped out, of all places, on the kitchen counter.

Stewart Falls and a beautiful hike

I just love to be outdoors, but I have to admit that it's challenging with 3 little ones, so it rarely happens. Yesterday, we ventured out with our great neighbors, on a fun little hike behind Sundance. It was so nice to be out and to enjoy the beautiful mountains. Hannah had a ball, and I must add did super well on this hike. She did most of it on her own hiking in, but we had to carry her out as we were rushed on time to get back. She was very disappointed to get in the back pack.

a fuzzy little caterpillar that Hannah calls a "boy treasure". She asked if we could keep it.



Toni and Shaila with Abigail. They are the worlds best neighbors and friends.

Abby was so happy to be in her little pack that I carried her in.
Guess I should mention that Nathan opted to stay and play at home, but that was just as well since I don't know who would have carried him and I don't think he could have walked for very long.

The 4th of July and a little piece of Heaven on Earth

I LOVE celebrating the 4th of July. Warm weather, bbq's, fireworks, watermelon, friends, family, and on and on and on. I just love it! This year was absolutely no exception. We had a little family gathering on the 3rd at Trent's house. From the moment we got there, almost until we left, Hannah and Nathan were playing in Trent's fun blow up pool and water slide. The temp. of the water was just above freezing, but that doesn't seem to bother my children. They certainly did not inherit their thick skin from their mother. I am a complete wimp when it comes to cold water.
We ate yummy food, celebrated Gracie and Robin's birthday and ended the night with great fireworks. The weather was absolutely beautiful.









Then on the 4th we had a neighborhood party of all neighborhood parties. It was such a blast! I cannot say it enough, but we just LOVE where we live. We feel that it is a little heaven on earth. So at our neighborhood 4th of July party we had a dunking machine, big bounce house, laser tag, balloon volleyball, pie eating contest, snow cones, cotton candy, and games with prizes. To end the night we had front row seats of the Thanksgiving Point fireworks and lets just say they were stunning. My children were in heaven with all the fun activities and endless treats.


Lazer Tag










The next day we went to church and the kids were pretty tired after such a fun filled weekend. Nathan couldn't even make it up the stairs after church and this is where we found him.