Weekly Race Series: Soldier Hollow

Last night we loaded the family up to Soldier Hollow for this weeks mountain bike race.  This time it was the biathlon where we ride and shoot...just like in the skiing biathlon.  Jeffy joined us and we had such a good time! 

I'm not sure how I feel about this photo.  Jeffy looks great, but I kinda look like a guy.  Where are my boobs?!  Oh wait, that's right...they deflated after I finished nursing Rory.  *sigh*  I miss them.

I have to hand it to Ryan...he wasn't feeling all that great (a little stomach bug going around our house) but he still managed to dig deep and chase the kids around while I raced!  What a guy!

Unfortunately, I won't be able to race next week because Ryan will be in Quebec for work.  But I may still go with kids and cheer on Jeff anyway.  I love this series!

Happy Weekend ya'll!

Memorial Day

We spent Memorial Day at Camp Floyd.  We had been there recently before, but this time they had a Civil War reenactment going on.  It was the last day my folks were in town so it was fun to be able to spend the day with them!  

They let the kids do a little reenactment complete with jackets, hats, and guns.  Haley and Morgan were a little reluctant to participate (Haley thought it was too boyish and really didn't like dressing up like a soldier)...but they gave it a go looking a little awkward being completely out of their element!

Morgan (with the bonnet), looking somewhat happy in the beginning.

 Haley, on the far left, wondering if the gun she's holding is real (it's not, of course) completely oblivious to the directions the leader is saying.

 "PREPARE TO FIRE!!!!"  Morgan (far right) is starting to have second thoughts on her decision to participate.  I can tell she wants out and I motion her to come to me.

The look on her face as she says, "Mom, I don't want to do this!!"

Sweet little Morgan.

Haley sticks it out...although, she pretty much had no idea what she was doing.  I'm sure she was day dreaming about puppies or something the entire time. 

Funny how boys (most boys) just go nuts over this kind of thing!  My girls...not so much.

They are a little different from me when I was little.  I was around guns growing up...my dad hunted...my brothers hunt now.  We visited the range often shooting targets and cans when we went to the mountains. And I'll occasionally do some skeet shooting (although it's been many years since the last time I went).  I was gifted my first gun when I was 12...still own it to this day.  And it's a little known fact that I'm a lifetime member of the NRA.  You probably didn't see that one coming, huh?  It's true.  It was a membership given to me from my grandfather.  

Anyway, my girls have absolutely NO interest in guns...but, I'm fine with that.

In other news...today is the last day of school!  Wow...can't believe it's already Summer!

Best Weekend Ever

So we had been planning a little weekend getaway for a couple of months...a little post sealing celebration for Ryan and I.  Second honeymoon?  Yes, please!  My little brother, Jeffy, scored us a deal on a suite at Sundance and my folks watched our kids (well...mostly my mom, lets face it).  So a BIG huge thanks to them!

So Saturday evening, feeling like two young kids playing hooky, we grabbed some Cafe Rio and drove up the mountain!  It's been well over a year (I was pregnant with Rory) since our last getaway, so I don't take these outings for granted!!

Our cozy room.  Does Ryan look a bit mischievous in this picture???

We just so happened to be there on the same night as the full moon lift ride.  Perfect timing!  We'll have to take the kids back for the next one...they would love it!!

We had a wood burning fireplace too!  Sure didn't pass that up!!

The next morning we hit up brunch and pretty much put everyone else there to shame.  Seriously, I think our waiter was a bit surprised to how much we put away.  Yeah...we killed it!  

After we completely stuffed ourselves, we peeked into the Spa to say hello to Jeffy who was working.  He set us up with some tea and let us chill on the patio.  There's something about being able to have uninterrupted conversations or just sit in complete silence.  It's wonderful.

And before we headed back down the mountain we took advantage of our lift passes and hit up some mountain biking for a bit.  Good fun!  Except for that part when I totally biffed it directly under the lift in front of everyone...that wasn't so cool.  

And that was that.  We headed back home feeling refreshed!!  It was a perfect weekend...just perfect!!

Disco Party

Haley had sequins all over the front of her shirt creating quite the "disco ball" in the foyer.

A little disco party before school.

I'm feeling much better today.  It's a good thing too because I have a lot to catch up on!  Although I'm not sure how much I'll be able to do...I still have that post sick feeling.  I think Piper has already watched way too much TV this morning.  But, some days are just like that...we can't be super mom everyday.

I forgot to mention yesterday how grateful I am that Ryan has a job that's pretty darn flexible.  He was able to look after the kids while I basically slept all day.  

Now, Ryan better stay healthy!  We have some pretty fun weekend plans for just the two of us!

I can't wait!

Sick

Today I'm sick.

Fever, chills, achy body, yucky stomach...I feel terrible.

I've missed yet another mountain bike race tonight...that makes two in a row now.

I'm so bummed.

Here's to a better tomorrow.

Haley, the brave.

Last week Haley auditioned with her fellow third graders to perform in the school talent show.  She sang "Billy Boy".  And what do you know, she was chosen for the school wide talent show!!  She was thrilled, as were we!  So this morning we made our way to the school to see her perform.  

All smiles before she went up.

Now, let me just say, Haley is NOTHING like I was when it comes to getting up in front of people.  I would have probably fainted in fear the minute they handed me the microphone.  There is NO WAY I would have ever done something like this when I was kid!!  So I'm especially proud of her.  She has no fear when it comes to performing in front of others.  I truly admire that.

She didn't have any accompany music...it was just her and a microphone in front of all those people.  And she did a darn good job too!

After the show was over and Haley went back to class we walked the halls to look at all the art displays.  As we walked passed the boys bathroom we heard a boy in there singing Billy Boy.  Gotta love it.

For Time and all Eternity

So, I know everyone is on pins and needles waiting to find out if anyone launched in the sealing room.  Well, I'm happy to tell you that NO ONE got sick this weekend!  Everything went just as planned...I sure am glad we didn't decide to cancel!  

It was a beautiful experience and just wonderful weekend! I had family and friends that joined us...some that I hadn't seen in years!  And to see our four girls come into the sealing room dressed in white brought tears to my eyes!  We all agreed they looked like angles!  And kneeling at the alter, holding hands with the ones I hold most precious in my life filled me with so much joy and happiness!  It was truly special.

The weather was a bit rainy.  However, just as we came out the rain stopped just long enough for us to snap a few pictures!  

This was our attempt to get a picture of the girls.  It didn't work out so well.  And just so you know, Piper is NOT trying to strangle Rory, I think she wanted to face her toward the camera.  But I suppose we'll never know for sure.

After pictures we had a fabulous lunch at our house.  I loved having my house bursting at the seams with people and food!  

Thank you to everyone who shared the weekend with us...we felt so loved!

Guess what...

...my little Piper is sick.

Piper at the school carnival a couple of weeks ago.

Yep, Rory gifted Piper the same stomach bug she had last week.  And guess what else.  Our big day for us to be sealed as a family in the Provo Temple is Saturday...that's three days away.  Family is coming...the countdown is on.  I'm a total stress case right now.  We thought of cancelling in fear that someone will wake up Saturday morning sick, but then there are family members already making the trek here today!  So, we're pressing forward.  I'm not sure why my family has the worst luck when it comes to illness.  And why my family has to deal with the stomach flu twice within 6 months.  I mean, come on!!  Give me a break!

So, here's to a speedy recovery for my little Piper and for everyone else to stay healthy!  I really would hate for someone to barf in the sealing room.

Sundance Sundays

Yay!  It's that time of year again that we get to do our Sundance Sundays!

And Mother's Day was a great day to kick it off!

We don't do much...we may get a treat or suckers, but mainly it's just fun for the girls to run all around.  And it gives Ryan and I chance to sit back, relax and watch our kids get out all their energy...what's not to love?   But this year will be especially fun because we can still use our lift passes!  So we can all (little ones are free) take the lift up during the Summer!  Can't wait!

My mom and I on Mother's Day.

5K and sick kid.

Haley and Morgan's school held their annual 5 K fun run Friday morning.  This year I ran it with Morgan and Ryan ran with Haley.  I was so impressed with them both!!  Haley ran the entire thing without stopping once!  And Morgan did such a super job...she was all smiles the whole way!

I'm so proud of them!!

The weather has been warming up these past few days...feels a bit like summer!

In other news...our little Rory is sick with the harfs.  We have a pretty big event next weekend (our temple sealing!!) so of course something like this had to happen.  This is just how our luck is...if we have anything major coming up, it never fails, a kid will get sick.  So if I wasn't stressed out before (which I have been), now I'm completely stressed!!  I DO NOT want to have to cancel and push back our sealing!!  Too many things are in place now...we have family flying and driving in on Thursday!

Please, PLEASE, I need everyone healthy!!  Someone can get sick Sunday after the sealing is over...heck, they can even get sick Saturday night after the sealing....BUT NOT FRIDAY OR SATURDAY!!!

Say a prayer for us.

Weekly Race Series: Sundance

I'm continuing my quest to being a full fledged mountain biker.  

This week I tackled riding in the mud.  The weather was hit and miss all day, but an hour or so before the race the sun was out and things were looking good.  Unfortunately it didn't last long, as it started to pour rain as soon as we were off the line.  The trail got really slippy fast!  It definitely wasn't what I had in mind!  And at one point I pulled the "There you see her...and then you don't" move by riding along and then quickly losing my balance, unable to clip out of my pedal I fell the long way down the mountain into the trees and disappeared from sight (had there been someone to witness it that is).  I got a massive bruise to my butt/hip to prove it.  But that's all part of it...right?

My chain eventually fell off, and the mud was caked on so bad I could not get that sucker back on!  I ended up having to throw in the towel and coasting back down the mountain.  I wasn't alone, and many people had a mechanical and were forced to end early.

But all in all it was still good fun!

Classic mud butt.

Oh, and in case you were wondering...I got my white kit looking good again.  Thank you oxy clean.

Weekend Review

We had a pretty fun filled weekend.  We kicked it off by going to the girls' school carnival Friday evening.  My mom was able to join me, which was good because Ryan was in St. George working and it's always helpful to have another set of eyes to watch my kids!  Although, once we got there Haley and Morgan took off and we pretty much didn't see them.  Of course until it was time to eat, and then they find their way back to me.  But I love their independence at events like this...it brings back memories to when I was their age at my school carnivals...such fun!  And then that evening Haley and Morgan got to spend the night at grandma's house...this was icing on the cake for them!  Morgan claimed it to be the "best day ever"! 

On Saturday we loaded up the family and headed out of town to watch the Collegiate Nationals in Ogden.  We got to cheer on our Alma Mater as they completely dominated the other teams!  And of course we were able do a lot of reminiscing of our own glory days.    

When we arrived the girls were wearing my old jerseys from when I raced.  They passed by a few guys from Marian and the guys promptly did a double take at the girls and then they all looked at each other, "Those jerseys are so ooooooold!!!"  That made my heart hurt a little...are we really THAT old?  But I suppose when we think about it, it was about 17 years ago when we raced collegiate...those Marian riders were babies when I was racing in those jerseys!!

 The girls kept a sharpie in their back pocket and every Marian rider they saw they got their autograph.  All the riders were so gracious and seemed like such good kids.  I wonder if they get into the same amount of mischief and good ol' tom foolery as we did.

Like I said, Marian completely dominated and it's no surprise that they ended up winning the overall!  I'm so impressed!

Of course I had to dig up some photos from our day.  Oh...what great memories!  

 After the race we grabbed something to eat and a little local pizza place in downtown Ogden.  The girls left their mark on the chalkboard wall they had there.  I'm glad Una made the cut.

Happy May!

 We celebrated May Day yesterday by passing out our traditional flower bouquets to our neighbors.  

Always good fun!

Then we loaded up and headed out to Heber for my very first mountain bike race!

It was very chilly and I was very nervous!!

The location wasn't the greatest for spectating, and there wasn't a whole lot for kids to do.  Oh, and no bathrooms...and  as the picture shows, not a whole lot of suitable bushes either.  

The girls would have been fine (they don't really have too many issues with peeing in the great outdoors), but when a couple of them say they have to take care of different business, then we have a problem!  So after being at the race for about two minutes, we loaded back into the car down the hill to a gas station.  Kids have great timing, don't they?

But anyway, the race was good fun!  I signed up with the beginners and I don't think I did too bad!  Not sure what my final result was as it was FREEZING and we decided not to stick around after.  

This will be a weekly thing, so hopefully I'll get better as time goes on.  Ryan brought up that I've raced track, road, cross and now mountain bike.  I never thought about that...pretty cool...I'm kinda proud of myself.  No, I will not be doing any BMX...sorry folks.