Bryce Canyon Half Marathon

We did it again this time! Another goal completed, I don't know if this was Jeff's favorite though! We drove up the Bryce Canyon Friday night and met my parents, and Mitch and Cami. We ate dinner at this ribs place, poor choice for all of us! We checked in for the race in Cannonville and were able to check out the course on the way. All down hill a tiny hill right before Tropic and one little one at mile 11. We stayed in Panguitch that night and for once before a race I actually slept all night long and felt ready to go. Jeff on the other hand was up every hour or so in the bathroom-need I say more-dinner didn't sit well with him at all. I was so worried when he told me because he is my running partner we've been able to do all our long runs together. So I said a quick little prayer and we drove to Ruby's Inn for the start. Jeff said he was feeling pretty good at the start so away we went. It was insane seeing all the people running and so motivating. Everyone is so different; size, shape, age, etc... And everyone is so positive!!! I love it!! The first 4 miles are downhill like 8% grade, I was praying for a flat by the end but we were making good time 9 minute miles not too bad. That was until mile 8 I am just in the zone plodding along and starting to feel the miles when all of a sudden I look next to me and Jeff is nowhere to be found, I turn around zigzagging trying to see if I can see where he went and nothing. So I kept on going, hoping he is okay. At mile 11 I was dead but I only had two left the last mile a finally found the strength to sprint, well stride to the finish line and I was so so happy to be done. I turn around just looking for Jeff and about 15 minutes later he finishes and is so so sick. He was sick like that the rest of the day. I honestly don't know how he did it I would have quit and called it good for sure. He was so tough. We finished that is what counts and I don't know how people do marathons but I am sure, though Jeff wouldn't agree yet, that we will do one someday soon! This race was perfect for our first half marathon. We will post pics later, I still need my mom to email me some.

Lake Powell

We have had a busy month! For the fourth of July we were so lucky to be able to go to Lake Powell. The whole family was able to come as well as my parents and my brother Nate. It was so nice to have them there, we needed the extra help with six kids under 2 and one on the way. They helped so much and made our trip even more enjoyable. We left Tuesday night and stayed until Saturday afternoon. The temperature was perfect. I have been dying to go to the Lake, even the channel was open so we were able to get to Warm Creek pretty fast. The water has gone up a ton hopefully this will continue. The only bad part to that was all the weeds and knats that surrounded the boat, we sent to brother in first to clear the weeds out and then we swam over to the rock and just played all day. The kids are all at a good age for the lake, where they understand the rules, at the least the oldest three, and they are all good in their lifejackets. That has been the hardest thing the past few years was keeping them on. Their necks are finally long enough it doesn't choke them now. We were able to get some wakeboarding in, which was the first for us this summer, it was just so cold in May and June we didn't get it in like in past years. We ate good, we played hard and came home rested and a little bit darker than before. Thanks so much mom and dad for coming last minute and helping so much! You guys are great!


I couldn't tell who was drowning and who was swimming!

Our rock! This is where we were most of the trip it was perfect for the kids, swallow enough to be able to touch (Jaxon's fav) and deeper you could swim(Connor's fav)


Nightly bedtime stories! This has been a classic Lake picture since the kids were first born! What great grandparents they have!

Fish Lake

I have been wanting to go to Fish Lake for what seems forever and we finally planned it with my family for our annual camp trip. I was so excited to take the boys and teach them all about camping because that is what I grew up doing. We got there on Sunday night and got camp set up and went exploring, we went up to Johnson Resevoir and saw loads of pelicans and the boys became pros at throwing rocks, I mean all the boys not just 2 and under. On Monday we fished there and got nothing so we went back to Fish Lake to look at the Lodge and stuff. It was so fun to see the old lodge and walk by the lake. On Tuesday we rented this big pontoon boat and it was the best, there is no other way to do it. Jaxon cast that line out all day long. We caught nothing the first two hours and were so bummed. Leave it to me to get the fish though, I started fishing, without a license,oops don't tell, and fish started popping up everywhere around us. I caught one my dad caught one and Jeff caught one on almost every cast! We kept two and we ate them that night, it has been years since I have had fish and it was good, the boys both loved it too. What a surprise that was. We went four-wheeling the rest of the afternoon up by Sheep Valley and it was beautiful. I just love the mountains! Jeff was hoping to see some elk, but not this time. Our campsite was perfect no one else next to us and right on the tree line, we even saw a deer behind our camp. By the way if you camp a lot you absolutely have to get a springbar tent, they are a dream compared to everything else! You can stand up while getting dressed, tons and space and you can put it up and take it down with just one person. Good investment! What a great camp trip. Thanks mom for all the picture taking, what would I do without you!


This kid can cast farther than I ever imagined he did it all by himself too.

Waiting for the fish to bite

Do they get any cuter

Roasting smores with Uncle Nate

Singing campfire songs you've got to teach them early!

Utah Summer Games

Well I finally did it. Its has taken me a year to accomplish my complet goal and I did. On Sat. Jeff and I did the Summer Games Tri in St. George and there was no wind just sunshine. No cancellations of any part of the triathlon and I was so excited. To update the rest of you who don't know. Last Sept. I did the Kokopelli Tri and it was awful weather torrential rain and wind. They had us swim in white cap waves and cancelled the rest, I was so bummed out. Next, St. George Tri in May, the same white cap waves, loads of Olympic athletes getting hauled in on the rescue boat, so they cancel the swim and we do the bike and run. Which was so fun, and I was thankful not to swim in that water again, but bummed because I still hadn't done all three events in succession. So on Sat. I finally did it. My goal was 1:45 and I did it in 1:42, which isn't fast just so you know I was going for the finish. It was tough but so energizing everyone there is so positive and it is the best atmosphere! So for anyone else who wants to "tri", do it. There is the Kokopelli Tri in Sept. again and I will be there hoping for good St. George weather.

Fathers and Sons

Could you get anymore relaxed!



Camping cousins!

This looks like trouble to me, with Jadyn always telling stories!


How much fun for me!!! J/K Jeff and the boys had a great time at F&S. There was a great lake that the boys would not get out of, but that is why no mom's are invited I suppose and for a lot of other reasons! They just played and ate. Jake came home with Jadyn and Logan, thanks Logan, and Jax, Connor, Jeff and Jim all slept together in the tent what an experience. I will have to say though, I am definitely the camping expert in the fam not Jeff. He calls me in a panic not knowing how to set up the tent just having a cow about it, I explain and they finally figured it out, Jax and Connor had the most important part to the tent and took it. Too funny for me!

We Are Still Alive!!!

Brothers! Our new fav thing to do is ride bikes in the house since its freezing outside!
Easter morning! Three handsome guys I have!
We did it!
Post race pics!
Getting our bikes ready for the race!

I havent blogged forever life has been keeping us busy along with those two little rascals. Easter came and went and now we are finally in May and still praying for warmer weather. I feel like a have been cooped up in the house for half the year already, when its sunny it is sunny and warm its so windy you don't want to go out. Well a lot has been happening, we finally opened the hotel in Kanab which was a blessing and it went well and is doing well. Jeff is finally done with his HIT class, which was a spin class Tues. and Thurs. from 7-10. It was brutal not seeing him from 7am to 10 pm. Jake is now walking and talking even more, he just tries to be like his brother except with his patented scowl. I'll have to get a picture and of it, don't feel bad if he ever gives it to you he was born with it no joke! Jeff and I just did the St. George Triathlon, lets just say I am bad luck! I have been wanting to do a sprint tri for a year now, last Sept. I got to swim but the cancelled it because of lightning and rain. This year they cancelled the swim because it was dangerous but they let us bike and run. So if you add them all together I have done a tri just not in succession. We are trying again this summer. It was super fun though. Its exciting with everyones energy and the transitions from bike to run are awesome. Its intense. I was able to finish the bike and run in 1hr. 24 min. and Jeff did it in 1hr. 19 min. There is a lot of room for improvement but we love it. Its fun to exercise with a goal in mind so I am recurting all of you! Life is busy but always fun. Oh Jaxon is potty trained we were successful and he is starting to even just go by himself and we don't even wear pull ups at night! He didn't want to so I went with it. Thanks for all the advice! He keeps me busy and is so sweet. I love this age when they just say the cutest things like yesterday, "that was so fun I can't even believe it!" Too cute. I wish a had a tape recorder out all day! Here are so pics of the past few months!

Potty Training 101

So today was our big day! No more diapers! I have been debating this for months now afraid Jaxon would go anti on me and never go in the toilet. I've heard so many horror stories. But we did it and only two accidents so far, both were while I was putting Jake to sleep. He has gone in the toilet both poo and pee for months now but always wants a diaper on. He is such a busy body who wants to stop play to pee anyhow. So we will see how things go. We taught a doll how to go first and he was really into it. I just can't believe how fast he has to go. When he says I have to pee he means right this second or else! I would appreciate any tips on maintaining our no diapers situation! Wish us luck, two in diapers is the worst!