Solar Eclipse

 Last week we were able to see the solar eclipse!

Some people that were really dedicated drove up to Idaho to see it in 100% totality...which sounded pretty cool!  However, we stayed put in our town where the eclipse was around 95% totality (don't quote me on that, I can't remember exactly!).  

We decided to check the girls out of school for lunch to picnic in the park because most schools kept the kids inside in fear that they would look directly at the sun.  I really wanted my kids to be a part of this cool event!!  And we weren't the only ones!  Classes were pretty deserted at lunch time!!

Morgan with our trusty paper plate projector!

11:34 was the peak of the eclipse.

These pictures don't show how cool the lighting actually was and the shadows were pretty trippy!

And it got so much cooler, so much if fact that I was wishing I had a sweater!

So weird!

By 12:30 it was all over.

And then it was back to school for the kids...which they weren't that trilled about.

Old stomping grounds.

 Our old house has had a renter in it for the last 6 years!  Pretty good run for our first tenet!

It's now empty and getting ready to be rented again...hopefully soon.

Last week my dad and I were able to paint the front bay window and trim around the front door and garage.  And this week I finished up a few things with the painting and started some yard work.  I also discovered a major plumbing issue and I'm pretty sure we will be needing a new bathroom floor.  But that's another story for another time.

Rory came with me one day this week to work on the house.  I brought her bike and she happily rode up down the sidewalk while I painted.  I promised her I would take her to the swings when I finished.

 This house (if you remember) is right beside the river path and just a short distance down the path is a tree swing.  I've spent numerous hours at this tree swing when Haley and Morgan were little.  And the river path was my go to for exercise...so many walks were had on that path!

It was so nostalgic bringing Rory to the very spots I took Haley and Morgan.  Although, now a tire swing has been added and several picnic tables!

 So many feelings being there again...I know it's only been 6 years...but that time of my life was so incredibly new to me.  I had just moved away from my hometown, away from my family and I was a brand new mom.  It was so many things...it was a very scary, stressful, lonely and frustrating time of my life.  But also, so very wonderful and exciting!  I think every woman will remember the first few years of being a new mom, there is really nothing that compares to it.  

 I told Rory all about taking Haley and Morgan on this very path, and how in looked in every season.  I told her how parts of the path used to look (because some of it has changed).  

 I took her picture in spots that I remembered taking pictures of Haley and Morgan.

So of course I had to hunt down some old photos of the older girls on the path from back in the day.

It's been a rough few days...dealing with house stuff (rental and our own).  But this day with Rory walking on the path that I know and love...and seeing so many familiar faces in the hood stop by and say hello, brought me so much joy.  

Some things...like my memories in this neighborhood, will forever be a part of me. 

Fourth of July Weekend

The Friday before fourth of July we took the girls to see Gail Halvorsen, aka, the Candy Bomber fly over Orem.  He was a pilot during the Berlin Airlift and became famous for dropping candy out of his plane from little parachutes for the German children waiting below.  Because there were many planes flying in one after another, he would wiggle the wings of his plane so the children could recognize his plane from the others and get ready to catch the candy.  He's now in his 90's and has done many candy drops throughout the years all over the country and this was going to be his last candy drop right here in Orem!  So I was pretty excited to take the girls!  However, so was the entire state of Utah!!  It was so crowded, and hot and crowded...did I mention it was crowded!!  I'm pretty sure the city of Orem was NOT prepared for that many people to be there.  But we hung in there and saw him!  

 He flew over three times and on the third fly over the candy dropped.  Needless to say most kids walked away empty handed.  As soon as it was over we were out of there...have I mentioned I hate crowds?

 On fourth of July we spent the morning and part of the afternoon at the reservoir.  

I beginning to really enjoy that place!

That evening we had a BBQ at our house.  My uncle was in town so he was able to join us.  And then we walked with our neighbors over to the school grounds to watch the stadium fireworks.  This was the first year I actually bought some little fireworks for the girls while we waited for the stadium ones.  Nothing to crazy, just some sparklers and flowers...but it was a hit with the kids.

Sunday we headed up to Sundace for the afternoon for a little lift ride.

The kids were beat.

These late nights are catching up to them.

This week the girls are back in swim and Ryan is in CA for sales meetings.  I don't know about you, but this summer seems to be flying by.  I wish it would slow down!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

As you may already know, my parents own a home a block or so from where I live (they only live there part time)...my brother, Jeff, currently lives in it while he goes to school.  Anyway, my mom has a craft room in the basement where she stores tons and tons of old photos.  It is a treasure trove of memories!  So every so often we'll poke around and find some real good ones.

So, in light of Mother's Day I have a couple to share.

Mom and I at Collegiate Track Nationals in Dominguez, CA, (1998 I think).  

She's most likely giving some encouragement before my race...or telling me how rad I look.

 And isn't this a sweet...mom with little Jeffy boy.

Gosh, I don't even know what year this would be.

I love these pictures!

My mom is patient, kind and always so supportive...I'd be lost without her!

Love you!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary to us!!

15 years today!!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Today Ryan and I celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary!!

This is our engagement photo...look how young we look!  This picture was taken in Lake Arrowhead the summer we got married...1999.  I was 21 and Ryan was 22.

This was the start of a grand adventure together!

I love you Ryan!

We'll be celebrating by going to the Weekly Race Series tonight...we're such romantics!

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.

Weekend Review

Friday I was able to stop in and have a much needed visit with a friend from my old neighborhood.  It was wonderful to catch up!  I let too much time go since the last time I saw her...I don't want to do that again!  And oh, how the memories flooded back as soon as I drove into the neighborhood!  When we moved from CA 9 years ago this was our first introduction to Utah and we had no idea what we were getting into, but those neighbors welcomed us with open arms.  I knew every single person that lived on our street and always felt I could go to any of them for anything...always!  Except for "Grumpy"...he's the only exception. 

I drove past our old house, and although we still own it, I miss it.  Such good memories there.

Haley and Morgan in 2009.

Saturday morning I went for my first ride of the year...a mountain bike ride no less.  We may be buying a new bike for me from a friend so I was trying it out.  It's pretty nice, and considering my ability level it's probably too nice for me!  But I do like it!  However, I was a bit discouraged as I am so slow!  I think an 80 year old women walked past me like I was standing still!  Okay...I made that part up...but seriously, I was slow.  I had to walk up some steep pitches too...it was sad.  So considering that, I felt like a poser riding such a fancy schmancy bike.  But whatever.

The top tube...unfortunately, no matter how much that was staring me in the face, I still had to walk in places.

Sunday we churched it up and then had a really nice dinner at my brother's house.

It was fun to get together with everyone!

In other news Rory has been extra clingy to me these last few days...and to be honest it's kinda wearing me down.  She did not sleep well last night and I was up most the night with her.  I slept in the spare room with her pretty much laying on my face the entire night.  Good times.  I'm pretty much running on fumes today as I'm pretty worn out.  Ryan leaves tomorrow for CO, so here's to hoping I'll be able to manage the rest of the week okay.

I'll leave you with this little video of Piper.  

With the iphone she can watch herself as I'm recording...I think it tripped her out.  

Happy Monday.