July 31, 2011

Mountain Running: my new favorite hobby!

My whole life my father has been a major mountain runner! He ran the Wasatch 100 (100 miles through the mountains all by yourself) many times while I was growing up and continues to mountain run almost every day even though he claims he is too old and fat. While I was living in Canada my sisters also got into mountain running. My sister Whitney even trained and ran the Wasatch 100 as well (I know they are all crazy, we need medication).
Right when I moved back my dad and sisters mentioned that they were doing a mountain run relay race and wanted me to do it with them. I was a little hesistant seeing as how I had never run up and down mountains in my life, sure I had hiked and run on the road but never mountain run, but how was I to pass up a fun filled weekend with my dad and sisters, so I said I was in!!!
The relay race consisted of 6 team members who run a total of 140 miles. Besides a little dehydration and car sickness that reminded me way too much of being pregnant, it was one of my favorite races ever. I can't wait until next year.
 Me, Dad, Whit after my dad finished his last leg
Gorgeous views and some of the team members!

Last night my sisters and our friend Emily decided to escape away for a moonlight run up in Brighton, it was the perfect temperature, the most beautiful scenery and good company. The last 1/2 mile it became a torrential downpour on us. I couldn't ask for a better night! 

From the very first training run with my dad and sister Bekah I was hooked. You really can't describe how amazing it is until you do it. The mountins are steep but the views you take in and the smells of nature make it so worth it. I will not claim myself a real mountain runner yet and I will NEVER run the Wasatch 100, but I hope to continue to do much more mountain running, it is my new favorite hobby!

July 28, 2011

Piggies!

My little girl is growing up way too fast!!!

July 24, 2011

Never Ending Party!!!

The great thing about July in Utah is you get two holidays...the 4th of July and the 24th of July(Pioneer Day). In addition to those holidays I have a birthday, Hank has a birthday, and just to name a few more...my mom, cousin Annie, brother Judd, brother in law Jarom, Grandpa, and neice Kate also have birthdays! So to say it has been a non stop party might be an understatment.

This past weekend we celebrated Pioneer Day and it was an absolute blast! We started out Friday evening by going to the Bountiful Parade. This is a parade I grew up going to and being in with my dance company, as a cheerleader and also with my high school drill team. I was so excited to take Blakely to it and didn't know how she would react. To my excitement she LOVED it. She waved her little flag and clapped the whole time. She pointed out the horses and princesses. The only drawback would be the 105 degree weather. Literally we were sweating from every pore. My shirt was soaking wet with sweat ( I know you didn't need to know that).







After the parade we headed to the carnival where we took Blakely on the swings. Every kid was in heaven on the swings...we had to wait in line and the whole time Blakely kept saying my turn my turn. She could hardly wait. So of course I put her on and she screams the whole time. Everyone was laughing like that poor kid!!!
We put B to bed and went to the firework show (a plus of living with your parents, you can put the kid to bed and take off)
Saturday we headed down to my sister Adriens brand new beautiful home for a bbq and their neighborhood fireworks. I thought she meant little fireworks on the ground. To my surprise it was a full blown show set to music and a slideshow. This was Blakely's first firework show so I didn't know if she would freak out but she seemed to love it!!!
 She is girly but loves her balls!
 Who knew my child is obsessed with popcorn
 Adrien and Elle
The girls at fireworks
We finished off the celebration today with a family dinner at the cabin. It was hectic and fun all at the same time!