Rain Rain Go Away

No we aren't enjoying a day at the river, this is actually what the street in front of my house looked like today. The rain has been crazy. At least we are all safe and no harm done.

Halloween Fun

October just flew by...sorry about the sideways pics...don't feel like changing them. Hope everyone's October was good.

I heart power tools!

After weeks of waiting around for Joe to find time to trim the bushes in our yard, yesterday I couldn't stand it anymore and I ventured into the males' sacred territory (the garage) to find the clippers. I had no luck finding them in his piles of tools but did stumble upon an electric hedger. I'm talking a hedger with blades longer than my arms. Hmmm...did I dare? I immediately had visions of the powerful engine being too strong for my X chromosomes and accidentally slicing off one of my limbs. But one glance back at the Texas Rangers creeping over into my neighbors yard had me reaching for an extension cord.
Needless to say, an hour later all my limbs were still attached, my bushes were groomed and my Christmas wish list this year may actually be coming from the pages of the Home Depot ads.

Farewell Summer

Where did the summer go?

I'm not sure, but to sum it up... HOT, BUSY and WONDERFUL! Here's a few highlights:

• A week camping on the beach
• Sea world
• San Diego Zoo
• Backpacking Griffiths peak
• A week at Girls Camp
• Camping trip at Jacobs Lake
• 4th of July in Kanab
• Havasupai
• Train ride through Grand Canyon
• Birthday visit from Aubrie, seeing O
• Rock Climbing at Mt. Charleston
• Witnessing the incredible birth of Ridge Lincoln - I was able to be there to see my amazing sister-in-law have Ridge while my brother, who is deployed to Iraq and couldn't come home for the birth, watched via Skype. Awesome
• Girls Dance Recitals
• Tea parties
• Lots of hot afternoons playing games of Mario Bro's on Wii

and finally, much to my dismay, back to school. Zoey started 2nd and Olivia is a big Kindergartener.

Wasatch Back

I had so much fun running the Wasatch Back last weekend with awesome friends and family. It was the hardest physical thing I have ever done but I loved every minute of it. I ran 3 different legs over 32 hours totaling 15 of the 188 miles our team did.
After 2 red bulls, 3 powerbar chews, a cliff bar and some motrin, my favorite fun was my second leg of 6 miles that started at two in morning. The whole thing was so empowering. I saw alot of teams doing crazy stuff, laughed a ton, enjoyed the amazing scenery of the Utah mountains and worked my body to the bone, then flew home to my lovely family who had decorated the house for my return....couldn't ask for more than that.

This crazy beautiful life

Is May really half over? I keep thinking life will slow down and I'll be able to put more of myself into this blog, or all the ongoing home projects, or the thousands of other things that could and should be done. But so many details make up my life that they fill each day until it overflows and in the end something has to be let go. It is overwhelming and finding a balance that I am comfortable with is essential for me to exist. But I have decided that I wouldn't want it any other way. I have everything I have always wanted for myself: a great husband, beautiful children, a home, the gospel. I get to squeeze in a few minutes everyday to exercise and read good books and snuggle with my kids. I get to serve the young women in my ward and stretch myself in ways I didn't know I could.
I know Mother's Day was a few weeks ago but lately I find myself doing certain things my mom did when I was growing up, things that drove me crazy....like having a purse that is so messy and you can never find anything in it...or singing my kids the same annoying good morning song each day ...and even though I have been a mother for 7 years, I feel like I'm just starting to 'get it'- the whole essense of what it takes to be a mother. And it is crazy and hard and beautiful. I can't help marvel at my own mom and all the details of her life that overflowed each day and all the sacrifices she made. And I think of all the trials that so many are going through and I wanted to say THANK YOU to my mom and all the other women who inspire me through their faith and strength.

March

Olivia turns 5! She is all registered for kindergarten and can't wait.
Zoey turns 7! It was her year for a birthday party and she chose to go to Olivia's Dollhouse tea room and have a tea party with her friends. So cute, and the girls loved it.

And finally Kellen learned to walk. He is nearly 15 months and has taken his sweet time with this. He is still unsteady and still crawls alot but we are so excited he is making progress. (sorry about the annoyingly high mommy voice in the background)
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Red Rock

I did the RedRock half-marathon last weekend, a feat I didn't think was possible. I have always wanted to be a runner but it hasn't come very easy. I have slowly been working on it the past few months and finally was able to accomplish this goal. In the process I have learned to LOVE running. I like how it makes me feel both physically and mentally. I think I do my best thinking while I run. Here are a few pics from the race.This is me about to cross the finish line. Good thing you can't see my face, it would't be a pretty sight. I was on the verge of tears and nausea at this point. You can't really tell from the picture but the finish line is actually on a hill. How mean is that? On the trail
My cousins and uncle that also ran the race.

Erin and Spencer

Up next: Bryce Canyon half-marathon. Any takers?

Darn you Mars Candy Company!

My New Weakness:I have never been tempted by the candy lingering in the checkout aisle....until now. This little pop of chocolate coated coconut goodness is the perfect combination of flavors to bring my perfect self control to its knees. Now everytime I go to the store I see that little green M&M temptress with the hybicus behind her ear staring me down. Darn you Mars Candy Company!
At least it is for a limited time only.

Kellen turns one

My baby turns one! I can't believe it. The past year has been full of trials and blessings but we are truly grateful for Kellen and the spirit he brings to our home. Kellen loves to get praised and even eating his birthday cake he has to take time out to get praised.