Marathon Day

In every sense of the word.The morning started off by participating in the To Bone and Back relay marathon. It was a neat experience. I got to meet some fun new ladies since I originally knew only a couple from our 8 man team. Stacey ran leg 2 and then ran beside me for encouragement on leg 4. She's such a tough chick. It was more of a challenge than I anticipated but something I was glad to be a part of. Moral of the story: I definitely need to add some more hills to my running regimen. As soon as I finished running, we had to leave so I could shower at my sister in law's house and get ready to attend a wedding luncheon in Rexburg.
After the lunch, we went to the Spray Park and killed time until the reception. It was a busy place on account of the warm weather. There is also a carousel to ride. Brother got too cold too fast, but sissy is a trooper.

By the time the reception rolled around, we were completely exhausted. It was a long day!

Mighty Fishermen

Brent, Hudson, Mitch, and Grandpa went fishing down on the river at a farm we're running this year. They hit the jackpot. Brent said he never had time to cast a line because everyone else kept him too busy getting fish off the hook and more bait on. On top of the awesome fishing, they saw a bald eagle, and hay brokers kept calling Brent and out bidding each other.

Yes siree, it was the kind of day the Brent deserves and finally got.

You can see Hudson being hysterical in the background. Apparently the flailing fish was too much for him and he went and sat in the pickup.

Proudly displaying their catch.

We had a fish fry and grilled up some darn tasty trout. It was complete with a spinach salad and fresh strawberry pie straight out of the garden. You don't eat any fresher than that.

Cape

A super hero must always be ready.

He must have a fast horse.
Gloves.
Hat.
And Cape.
But that doesn't mean a super hero can't get tired.

I made Hudson a cape today. His adventures have officially started.

We Be Jammin

Disclaimer: This is not a paid endorsement.

I thought I might let you all in on one of my little secrets. If you find yourself making jams, fresh salsa, or dicing more onions than you'd care to, I've got the perfect tool for you.

The Kitchen Plus 2000.

I usually steer clear of As Seen on TV items, but I received this as a gift. At first I made fun of it and planned on sending it to DI. But one day I decided to give it a whirl and that's when I was sold. You can make fresh salsas in seconds and chop strawberries with a few turns of the handle. I've only used the triple blade for chopping applications, but it's awesome. So if you want a true time saver for canning prep, you've got to get yourself one.

That's my testimonial.

The end.

Smorgasbord of Fun

Mitch took this picture of us.
This summer thing has taken it's toll on the kids and they both took long naps yesterday. Really long naps at the same time, so it was a good day. I finally finished washing all our windows, inside and out. You can see streaks from the squeegee still so I don't know if they qualify as clean, but it's a job that's done now. I also finished putting the border around my picnic quilt so it might get finished in time to be used this summer.

Mitch, the kids' cousin, has been staying with Grandma for a week. Hudson can not get enough of playing with that kid. We had him over the other night for a weenie roast and sleep out. He's a good helper too. Whenever you ask him to help he'll say, "Yeah, sure."We've been trying to keep the yard and garden watered and weeded. Our garden is finally starting to make some headway. Our strawberries are on, so we've been picking and jamming. Yesterday I ate some of our mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette and it tasted gourmet.

We have been enjoying playing in the water, eating icecream, going on 4 wheeler rides to deliver water and treats to the guys. Summer is so fun.

Oh, and I've been keeping up on my training. I run in my first race on Saturday.

Just A Phone Call Away

So what do you do when you're popping popcorn Sunday night and your air pop popcorn popper refuses to put the pop in the popcorn? You pick up the phone and call my Dad, air pop popper advocate and popper extraodinaire.

He immediately began trouble shooting "I'm pretty sure it's a wire, they come loose. Take off the bottom and check for a loose wire."

"They're all connected."

"Okay, um. (trying to calm himself down and think logically) Oh I know. Occasionally they over heat and just need to cool down. Put it in the freezer, that'll cool it right down."

After blowing on the thermostat and hearing it click, I plug it in and wonder of wonder, it begins to work.

Dad, you're amazing.

Freeze Warming

I remember waking to the cool summer breeze blowing through every single, wide open window in our house when I was younger. I remember shivering at the breakfast table and complaining to my Dad that it was too cold. He always gave the same response after taking in a big breath of fresh air, "feels good, doesn't it?"

Now that I have my own home and pay my own power bills, I find myself trying to capture every bit of cool morning air before it warms up. Lately I've heard Hudson in his room, but he will not get up and out of bed no matter the coaxing. He stays huddled under his covers and says "I've got to "worm" up first."

I chuckle within myself and think. . . "feels good, doesn't it?"

Could It Be

Here at our house, we're beginning to believe that we are actually going to have summer.
On Saturday we went down to the river bottoms for a weenie roast with Westerns. Hudson loved throwing rocks in the river, eating hot dogs, and savoring s'mores. He kept asking where the "camping house" was. You can imagine his disappointment when we told him it was time to go home.

We enjoyed the beautiful weather and celebrated Father's Day outside with plenty of good food.

Yesterday the kids + Mitch and I went to the school for lunch, to the library, and rounded out our day by playing in the water at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Purple Tomatoes

It's been unseasonably cool. Okay, downright cold. Not only are my lips purple, but my tomatoes are turning purple as well. Don't despair if you've found your little seedlings in the same predicament, warmer weather will cure it--along with my cabin fever and lack of the summertime blues.

Now if only I can find some warmer weather. . . The forecast seems to be of little help.

Eating It

Our family Touch had been missing for a few weeks since I sent it in the tractor with Hudson. Surely lost and destroyed in some cornfield, somewhere.

My husband stood as the accused, irresponsible party.

After scouring every tractor on the place to no avail, he returned a discouraged hombre.

"Is there even a 1% chance it got put somewhere? I thought I sent it home in the lunch box."

"Hardly," I scoffed.

So I went to looking and low and behold, I found the missing iPod. It was found in an unnamed location where only I would have put it. I emerged, tail between my legs, with the no longer missing iPod.

I was served up a big helping of humble pie.

Higher Ground

Far too often during the past few weeks Brother has been caught red handed with a cookie. He thinks he's being sneaky, but as a mom I can see past his stealth. First of all, the pushing of a chair into the cupboard never sounds suspicious. Not to mention the rattling wrappers, a slamming cupboard door, hop down from the chair, and lighting quick steps back to the couch. Call me Sherlock, but I'm on to him.

That is why all treats and otherwise sweet and tempting goodies are making their way to higher ground. From now on it will take a small step ladder for him to reach the goods.

But treats aren't the only thing around here moving upwards. Sissy was cheered on by her Dad as she ascended 7 stairs. Only a dad would offer such encouragement. I quickly snatched her up and moved her back to level ground. Stairs can be so mean to little, unstable bodies.

Muddin'

Chopping triticale. Rose exit. May 30th.

If you ever decide to take an 18 wheeler muddin', make sure you've got a bigger pull tractor.

Committed

I have my training schedule and I'm committing to run the Top Of Utah Half Marathon.

There, I said it. I'm actually going to do it.

Now all you other noncommittal people, go on, commit. Let's run!

What Do You Use?

A notoriously nosy lady approached me a few weeks ago to ask what I've been using to get such a beautiful tan?

My reply, "yard work." Maybe not the answer she was looking for, but the truth.

And since I'm the sole grounds keeper of my yard and the two adjacent yards, there's plenty of yard to go around.

A few of my favorite tools lately have been a shovel, bowhead rake, and RoundUp (RoundUp will always be my favorite.)I've been putting in a big flower bed behind our house as well as leveling out our backyard. --Takes me back to the days on the USU grounds crew and lots of raking. Now only if I could find a pickup game of Ultimate Frisbee.-- The funnest part of the entire project has been dividing perennials from my old yard and stocking my new flower bed entirely from it. That's not to say I'm not looking for any other plants. If you have some prolific perennials you wouldn't mind sharing, drop me a line.

So what have you been using for your gorgeous tan?