Upcoming

Time flew this summer and so did we I don't know if we were home for more than a few days all together in a row. It was busy, crazy and totally worth it. This summer the kids and I were able to spend a lot of time with my parents since Jeff had a lot of scout and young men activities going on. It was so fun to see them and be able to do so much. We went to the lake twice this summer and the kids both learned to waterski which was so fun to watch. I couldn't believe Jake got up, he's only three but he was determined and looked so teeny out there behind the jet ski. Jax was tough like always, it took him a little convincing from uncle Jim to actually do it. Now that school is about to start I am kind of torn between happiness and sadness. Happy because it will be nice to be back on a regular schedule again, both the boys are in preschool and I can't wait to see how much they will grow from that, I love the fall and the coolness at night. Sadness because the winters in Cedar are bitter cold, no more swimming and pools and lakes, not as many popsicles. But it will be great. Now that we are settling back into a schedule maybe I can start blogging again, wish I had my camera so I could upload some pics, but alas in hunting season it all Jeff's so he can hopefully get that big one! I have been training for the St. George marathon and as long as my knee holds up it should be great.  We haven't done many races this summer, I don't know where we would have fit them in, but I didn't mind and I don't think Jeff did either. So into Fall we go....

Life

I don't know what it is with this kid, but he cracks me up! He has these two calliks?? I don't know how to spell it, but they go straight into a mowhawk, which I hate, style or no style. This picture is straight out of the tub and boy was it wild! Look at the back of that hair! Needless to say it totally fits his personality sometimes.

I had to post this picture of our IronJeff! My parents sent this to Jeff and it was awesome to go along with how awesome he is. Not only did he do the ironman race but everyday he puts up with me makes him even more of an ironman! I wish so bad we could have had this on race day at the finish it would have been so funny. He was so embarrassed that I hung it on the front door but I love it. Thanks mom and dad for being so thoughtful!

Speaking of my ironman today is fathers day, I am not going to gush too much about my love but there are so many amazing things about him that I just am amazed he is still with me everyday. He is a wonderful dad and wants so much for his boys and there couldn't be a better example of what we want them to grow up to be. He is so thoughtful, that is an understatement, I have never know anyone who still cares and knows about all of his friends, YM's, family, extended family, coworkers, lives! He knows and cares about everyone and all that they are involved in. Man, that doesn't even paint half a good picture of how wonderful he is. He is a handsome one and those eyes just melt me (sorry too gushy) along with his laugh. I love you more and more babe! For daddy's day the boys and I have been secretly hiding and saving all his ironman stuff from the race and we had a window box picture made with all of his stuff. So stoked about this too.

Little Birdie

We were out playing on the tramp last night while we watered the garden and we had another new animal experience. Jeff and I were watering when all of a sudden I look over at the kids on the tramp and Jaxon is catching a baby bird. We have this cute little nest we have been watching in our pine tree. He seriously caught the thing! Jim ran over there as did I and it was having a hard time, it was super windy outside and the poor thing couldn't fly yet. So sad! We figured we had better put him where he goes and I figured it was in the pine tree, so we got the ladder and scared the mama bird out of the nest with a fight and Jim tried to set the baby in there. Naughty little bird it just flew out, so we did it again and it flew out again. Must be the wild child of the bunch I figured. But Jim took a closer look in the nest and the babies were much smaller than this one, no way it could be from the same nest. So the kids had a look at the babies and then we kept the bigger baby. It just so happens that Jax was attached to this nasty old bird cage from the hotel we just refinished in Kanab and I have been meaning to secretly DI the thing. Well, it came in handy yesterday and we put the bird in there so the kids could look at it.

As soon as it was in the cage the kids decided we needed to feed it so we went on a search for worms. I wish I could have gotten a picture of them all lined up digging as fast as they could in the dry dirt. But alas, no worms to be had. After a while, I couldn't stand the thought of the baby dying in our home where the kids could see, so we convinced Jax it needed to go back to its family. It took some convincing but he let it go and followed it for quite a bit to make sure it was in the safest spot. I don't know how the kid does it, but that kid can catch anything!

Isnt' he tiny! I love it!

This kid has got a knack for making animals feel comfortable, it was howling wind and look at that bird! It didn't even move, like he knew Jax would make it ok. With the other kids it was chirping up a storm and flapping all around.

Bye Bye Birdie

Ogden Excursion

As of late we (well mostly Jeff) has been working his bum off trying to open a new hotel in Kanab. He has been gone a lot and I figured if he was going to be gone again why not trek up to Ogden and see my family since my parents are out of school for the summer. We left on Tuesday morning and except for a few whiny spouts the kids were great. We stopped in Lindon and went to the GREAT pool with Cami and Cooper. It was awesome, seriously if Lindon can have this why can't Cedar City??? Totally outdoor, huge slides, zero entry, lap pool, diving boards, hot tubs, lazy river! We had a blast I didn't want to leave but knew we must if I was going to stay awake the rest of the drive. It is so relaxing to see my family, I miss seeing them so much and it gives me a renewed sense of myself. I also love seeing all the places a grew up, my old street and the memories.

Jax is so good with little kids!

They were so worried about Cooper

I can't get enough of this kid! Couldn't be more heavenly and handsome

The next day was Wednesday and my dad and I got up at his typical 4:45am and headed to the gym, love to exercise and get it all out even if its that early. I saw some old friends while there too which was awesome! After we all got ready to headed to SLC to go to the This Is The Place monument. I never knew there was so much to do there, half a day is not enough. It was for a little bit older of kids but I think the kids enjoyed it. We went to the petting zoo, dipped our own handmade candles, and rode the train.

Jax is in the stripes in the background

Jake lost interest halfway through so Grandpa finished it for him, Jax though was very thourough and followed the ladies instructions exactly.

Then we headed up Emigration Canyon and ate at Ruth's Diner, super good. Don't ask Jake though, he slept through all of lunch on the stage outside by our table. Totally zonked out! We got home late and went on our 90th trip up to the school playground right by the house. Thursday we went and hike 29th street trail and the kids hiked the whole way! They were so good, my dad carried Hunter in the packer and we had a blast. We spotted poison ivy and it reminded me of all the times I hiked and ran this with my parents and they would point it out. The most exciting part however was the squirrel. We were just about done with the hike when Jaxon told us all to shush and be quiet. We all stopped and it was right next to him on the path, he took a step closer and quick as can be grabbed it by the tail and caught it! It was so unexpected I didn't know how to react I just stood there in awe. Who seriously is fast enough to catch a squirrel (must be all the chicken catching he does for Jayme). It curled up and made this creepy noise and bit him and then he dropped it and it just stared up at him like, "Is he going to get me again?" Then it ran away. I wish I could have gotten a picture but I will never forget it and Jax won't stop telling the story!

Hunter was just woken up and stuck in this thing, what a mean mom, but he loved it once we started moving. I love those mountains!

We left early Friday morning to come home so I wouldn't get tired and it was a miracle from heaven that I didn't fall asleep (got to get that thyroid under control!) Loved being there and will miss them until next time

Lucky

I just can't stop thinking about how lucky I am, for lots of things, but in particular for family. Unlike most families who as they grow tend to grow and move further away from one another. The Burgess family is the opposite. When we first were married it was a little overwhelming all the time that was spent with one another, I was amazed and always wondered if it would stay like that, would everyone get along??? It is amazing. Don't get me wrong, we all have different personalities and in the family there is a myriad of opinions. But we do it and we love it. I would never want it any different. The guys all work with there dad and mom, everyone is involved and everyones opinion is assessed and taken into consideration and then decisions are made. You would think initially that it would never work, but it does and so efficiently as well. Some of the things that I love are: my kids are best friends with their cousins, no awkwardness like I only see you once a year, they are best friends! We all help with everyone else's projects, canning, weddings, dinners etc... We are there for one another and you never feel alone like you have to do it on your own. We all work hard together, just this past weekend we were in Kanab trying to open a new hotel and I was amazed as I listened and watched as each took a task and went at it and worked hard. I hope that my children will see the example all of their grandparents, aunts and uncles have set for them and do the same. We play together as well, just today we all went over the Jim and Mari's and just hung out, swam, talked, ate while the kids played and swam. There are so many things I love about being a part of this family I couldn't name them all but I am lucky and so are my children. Sometimes I feel like this is what heaven is all about, helping, talking, and loving you family and I am lucky to have them all in my life!

Memorial Day

Now that ironman is over we have found ourselves enjoying life a little more and relaxing a lot more. For memorial weekend we went and stayed in St. George. We had a BBQ with the Thomas family, went swimming at the Fairfield and boy was it nice to actually see the sunshine and feel warm. On Saturday Becky and I went on an eight mile run and I couldn't have done it without her, it was actually so much fun to talk and get my exercise at the same time. Jeff and Ryan then went for a bike ride and then we all headed up to the Burgess Ranch.

They have a fishing pond there and all sorts of fun things to do. The kids rode the zip line and played on the swing set. Then we went fishing! Jax has been dying to catch a fish and was sorely disappointed when he didn't a few weekends ago at Newcastle Reservior.

This time did not disappoint, he caught two big ones and Jake reeled one in as well. I forgot how much I enjoy fishing, even the worms don't bother me. It must have been all those camping and backpacking trips we went on as kids. You always had to bait your own hook at Bear River, thanks dad for teaching me. We then roasted marshmallows, starburst and just hung out. They had a paddle boat which was fun for the kids. Monday we did the flower thing and then planted the garden.

Ironman Continued

Well here we go! as I started lap 2 of the Bike I kept looking behind me hoping and knowing that Nick and Kyle had to be close. I headed out towards Ivin's knowing full well what was ahead of me. The few times that I had done the loop twice had been humbling and I knew I was going to need all the energy I could muster for the run. The Ivin's aid station was nice because I saw Matt Hamlin a longtime friend. He made sure I had some gatorade and was doing okay. Leaving Ivin's I headed out to the highway and started to mentally prepare myself for the climbs that were ahead. Since the first lap I had grouped the ride into 6 parts in my mind and I had completed 3 of the 6 (gunlock hill(2), Ranch Hill (2) Wall (2)) I took it easy out through the Indian Reservation and made it to Gunlock 4/6 without any trouble. My speed however had decreased considerably from the first lap. Just before the town of Gunlock I heard the sound i'd been waiting almost 90 miles to hear. Kyle and Nick had arrived. It was nice to see them and ride with them for a little while. We made a pit stop just out of Gunlock ( First bathroom break of the day for me) after the short stop we rode together for a few more minutes and I could tell I was going to have an important decision to make. Whether or not to keep up with them or just go at my own pace. We got to the Ranch hill  (5/6) and they pulled away and I decided that I couldn't chase them and risk blowing up out of Veyo as I have done numerous times chasing those two. So I kept to my own pace watching them ride off into the sunset (well not quite) Later that night I would regret not pushing it up the last hill and hanging with them... The wall the second round was harder then the first. Lasse was in the same spot right at the top to offer encouragement and advised me to make sure and get some food in me so that I would be ready for the run. The climb out of veyo wasn't as bad as I thought it might have been. I was a little discouraged when I showed up to the aid station that previously had the special needs bike bags to find they were no longer available. I wasn't sure if they would be but i could have gone for a little snack. The rest of the ride into town was uneventful the wind had changed so top speed dropped down to the mid 30's 36 I think I saw. but it was a nice little break all the down hill from Dameron Valley into St. George. I didn't realize how tired I was until I had to turn onto snow canyon parkway for the third time that day only to do a little loop and climb back onto Bluff before the home stretch to T2. As I headed into T2 my watch told me that I had done basically what I thought I would do i was going to be off the bike in just under 8 hours. I had wanted to be out of T2 by 4:30 and was going to make it. Although it wasn't my best time on that course it was right were I thought I would be.