Epic 2011

After months & months, I finally conceded and joined the team Soled Out for the Epic relay. I had four weeks until the race. . .they were getting desperate. Why? Because "it will be fun." And fun it was! I ran with 11 other amazing women, two of which are expecting. We were all from Firth, some more recently than others. I love all of the support and encouragement of the race environment. It's so uplifting and inspiring. You cheer each other on, do your best, and feel such a great sense of accomplishment.

Leg 1: 9.31 miles 5:00 pm 88 degrees
Leg 2: 7.07 miles 4:00 am 34 degrees
Leg 3: 3.31 miles 3:00 pm 84 degrees

Van#2, chock full of hardcore runners. Seriously. . . the grades and legs they ran, I'm in awe. Lucky to be a part of such a great group.Jana scaling a 2 mile mountain.
Hailey, back hill climbing after a two week siesta trying to get her IT band to cooperate.Liz, owner of the biggest smile & fastest 3 miles in the van. "I have an oil f or that." Just like a freight train up two, five mile grades. We re-ranked her legs.Stacey, cutest stride and always smiling. Don't underestimate her size, she's tough.
Kenna, just taking up running. Smoked her toughest, longest and just-so-happened-to-be last leg.Most welcomed view along the beautiful course.
One down. How many more to go?Our "resting spot" in the weeds.Egg sandwich anyone?Running into Jackson Hole resort for the big finish. Stacey had to dress the part.

Soggy Buckaroo

The clouds rolled in and the wind picked up just as the rodeo was getting under way. The show rolled on so we took shelter under some nearby trees and waited for the kids' turn. Dalanie did the ribbon pull and Hudson did the goat roping. After lassoing himself, he finally got the goat caught. Hopefully better luck and better weather for next year.

Ward Campout

When we heard about our 'old ward' having a camp out, we jumped on the bandwagon. It was held at the ranch where we run some of our cattle. The kids spent the majority of their time fishing. Dalanie got to try out her new pole and is quite a good little caster. Hudson came walking into camp with a fish he begged off of another kid. (I still don't understand the sense of accomplishment in that.) He got pretty good at threading grasshoppers onto his hook.It was fun to visit with friends we don't see as often and let the kids and play. Getting the candy cannon ready to fire.

Special Visitors

My best friend, dating back to elementary school, brought her little girl (that just so happened to be born on my birthday one year ago) and stayed with us for a few days. The kids were very excited for Emily's visit. Dalanie prayed for her safe arrival in the days leading up to her visit.

We played in the yard with Hudson's caterpillar, went on a bike ride, and enjoyed our slow-paced simple life. We stayed up late catching up and enjoyed watching our kids play together. We reminisced of years past and discussed current challenges. On the last day, we got massages and enjoyed lunch without kids. It was so fun to have them here. Now I'm longing for a big city marketing job for her husband in Idaho and a cross-country move from D.C.Lydia was a real trooper, she tolerated Hudson locking her up and entire afternoon.
It was fun to pick a bouquet from my yard to put in the guest bedroom for her.

Hoe-Down

A stint of rainy weather left us in the house one night. It seemed odd, since we are usually outside until bedtime. Hudson turned on the piano and had it playing music. It's wasn't long until the kids pulled out props and got dressed up. We danced the night away to the tune of 'She'll be comin' round the mountain,' and 'Mission Impossible.'As long as Ruby has walked, she's carried a stick horse between her legs. Shortly after her first steps Hudson handed her a stick horse.They get really wild and crazy, but it's so fun to watch them be silly together.

Fiesta

A definite perk to the job of working in the Spanish Branch are the fiestas. The food is always awesome. The menu: grilled carne asada & ribs, fresh fruit salad (mangoes, blueberries, pineapple, strawberries, and melons) rice & beans, salsas and pico (complete with cactus and avocados,) and Mexican corn.Ruby was taking rice off of our plates before we even got set down. They are always kind with the heat, making mild salsas for us Gringos. The kids could not get enough of the corn. They put it on a skewer, slather it in butter and mayonesa, coat it in an ethnic parmesan, and sprinkle it with chili powder. Yumm-o.There was a giant slip n' slide that provided lots of entertainment for adults and kids alike. Hudson went up and down that thing so many times. He barely stopped for food. We laughed at the missionary train the Hermano Uribe asssembled.

Some Assembly Required

Several years ago we told my dad we'd like his help building a swing set as our Christmas gift. Turns out when you get my dad and Brent together, they can concoct quite The tower-of-Babel swing set. It has been awhile in the making (and still a lot of work to go.) If we would have only known. . . all the time it would take. We agree a store bought one would have saved us all a lot of hassle, but it wouldn't have gotten us quality time with Grandma and Grandpa either.