LOTOJA- A Family Affair

Last weekend our family 'competed' in the Logan to Jackson  bike race. We had a blast. Between the 6 of us that participated we had 3 teams. My team included my dad, my brother Randy, and myself. The other teams had Robb, Trish, and 3 other non-family members. While my other brother Ryan rode with our 'adopted' brother Bobby. Here is the play by play:

 This is the start of the race. Our wave was one of the first groups out of Logan at 5:48 AM. This leg included Bobby, Dad, and Robb.

 Here is one of the transitions in Montpelier ID. Everyone is waiting for their rider to come in.

 Here is dad and I doing the 'non hills' part from Alpine to Jackson Hole. Dad and I ended up doing a lot of the pulling through this canyon. Kind old dad would come up on a rider and say, "good job" they would reply  something like, "oh man i'm dying" then dad would say "hop on we'll pull you". That great idea was only so great until we got tired.

 After the race we were all tired and hot. The freezing stream was perfect! Our groups times were 10:58, 11:09, and 11:13! Yeah us!

Here is a picture of our support group. They made sure we had everything from grapes, tires and water, to butt butter! Our age range is from 21 months to 86 years! In fact Grandma was so proud of us all, she wore her LOTOJA t-shirt to church with her skirt! What a great tradition, sign us up for next year!!

Baby #2!

 After a LONG 3 months we are happy to report that we are expecting Baby #2! Hoorah!. ETA March 2012!

    We can't wait for you to join our adventure little baby!

Kauai!

Last weekend we had a fabulous time in Kauai with Mitch's company. If Mitch met 110% of his sales goals then he would receive an all expense paid trip to Kauai! It was AMAZING! My brother Robb works for the same company and also met his goals so we were able to enjoy a fun week with them!  We lived like Queens and Kings for a week! We went boogie boarding (and you know, I JUST LOVE THAT!), we swam with giant turtles, went on a helicopter tour, snorkeled, went to the spa, paddle boarded, sea kayaked, hiked and of course laid on the beach!

    SIDE NOTE: Prior to leaving on the trip Robb and I decided we would get a spray tan because we are both shockingly white. Robb's looked pretty darn good but initially I looked like a stinking Oompa Lumpa. When I came out of the booth Robb broke out into uncontrollable laughter. Mitch did the same when I got home. Needless to say I don't think I'll ever do that again.

Our Helicopter ride was awesome! Not to mention our pilot flew many of the couples on the Bachelor/bachelorette! He also has flown with Harrison Ford and a whole bunch of interesting people!

We went on the most difficult hike of my life to this beautiful waterfall! When we got there we swam beneath and behind it. It was freezing! I'm glad I did it once but I'm not sure we would do it again. We met this couple in the lobby and they jumped in for the hike. The funny thing is, is that her name is Stacie Kathryn and my name is Kathryn Stacie. Small World!

This is our paddle board we used. Mitch had a hard time balancing because he is so tall, but I have to say I kinda rocked at it. However, I did get pummeled by a wave and lost my sunglasses. Darn it!

Here are Robb and Carlie doing one of the many dares/competitions on the trip. Robb was always good at making up games along the way.

Here is a pic from our helicopter ride of the Napali coast. As you can see we were really roughing it. We actually stayed in this little bay and on the other side of the bay was where the girl on soul surfer got her arm bitten off. That sat really well especially as I watched 'Shark Week' just before we went.

We met a lot of new faces on our trip. We went to a lot of cocktails mingled with a whole bunch of fancy people that I didn't know. I sure was glad I had Carlie to talk to during those events!
   

Of course we drove the ENTIRE island and saw all the sights!
   

We went to this awesome hidden rope swing. This is Robb posing as usual. We all had a great time here and it was free!

Here I am enjoying the sights. Behind me are a bunch of local boys who did crazy tricks off the falls. It was great! Thank you Kauai for the Great Vacation!

My First Tri!

My Sister Trish and I decided to sign up for an all women triathlon at Rock Port Dam. It was a whole lot of fun! Minus the swim aspect. Seriously the water was freezing, not to mention I can't swim in a dang straight line in a lake and i'm pretty sure I swam an extra mile! I admittedly was one of the last people out of the water (I know shameful) then I tripped in the mud in front of the crowd of cheerers (even more shameful) I even heard the crowed in unison go 'ohhhh'.  But I made up for it on the bike and on the run. In fact, my run was the fastest split of any one in the race! I only tell you that to help make myself feel better about being the last one out of the dumb 55 degrees lake. Anyhow, we had a great time! Check out the pics!

 Some of my sisters friends did the Triathlon too. Like a good race, everyone received medals!

     My sister Trish and I lookin' all good!

       My biggest fan! Ellie loves to have a ride on Moms bike.

Humbled... Beware....

 I was sitting in Young Women's the other day (yes I'm a leader, no I'm not in there because I can't let go. Or maybe I can't. Who can blame me, it's a great place to be!) The lesson was on trials. The leader teaching was telling us about a guy who used to pray for challenges so he could grow and be humble. I found that a noble thing to do, so I took up the challenge and prayed  for more challenges in my life. Let me just say that PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED! Man, it has been a tough weekend! I'll spare you the soap box of my life but let me just tell you, if you ask for something he will definitely deliver so BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR! Then to put a cherry on top of it all I was sitting at church this week and in Sunday school they read a scripture that said something along the lines of "and MORE BLESSED are they who are not compelled to be humbled by my hand" Meaning 'more blessed are you if you're naturally humble without me having to send wild locusts upon you!' AGH.  The good news of it all is that I have a long way to go. Plus, how boring would life be if I was simply perfect all the time, I know you probably think I am perfect (I could see how you think that) But at times I am a little 'less blessed' and need to be compelled to be humbled. So today I'll say that i'm thankful for all my wild locust's even if I would rather them all be exterminated!

Bear Lake!

This weekend we had a family reunion with the Lifferth clan at Bear Lake. We camped at the KOA and that is my kind of camping! Grass, clean water, a swim pool, showers, toilets, i'll take it! Mitch keeps telling me it's not really camping but I strongly disagree. We had a great time up there. We spent Friday skiing for most of the day until one of those TERRIBLE wind storms kicked up in the afternoon. I think we had sand in everyone of our crevices! On Saturday my brothers, Trish and I climbed the pass on our bikes which made for a spectacular view of the lake. Unfortunately for my running, I am really starting to like biking. It hurts a whole lot less in my opinion.
       Saturday was Mitch's Birthday so our day was determined by his choices. He chose to go hike to Bloomington lake, then spend the rest of the afternoon water skiing at bear lake.  Bloomington was true to form...freezing! In fact because of the long winter the lake was still half way frozen over and we hiked most of the trail through snow! I told Mitch there is no way he would want to jump in the lake (even before he knew it was frozen), he said he would. The whole hike up I kept telling him, Mitch you won't do it, it is going to be absolutely freezing! So when we got there he naturally had to prove me wrong and he "jumped' in the half frozen lake up to his neck! The little Turkey. But much to my satisfaction he screamed like a woman and that made me happy. :)

 Here is a bad picture of Mitch and Robb and Bloomington lake. I just wanted you to see the Glacier that is half covering it. They deserved to be cold for jumping in that!

Here is  Mitch taking Ellie on the Air Chair. Unfortunately I forgot our good camera so we had to take pictures with my dads IPhone. Bummer. Ellie had a great time on the air chair but I think  her real love was the tube. She just about waved her arm off at Grandpa for the ten minutes she was on there.

Mitch and Ellie on the Air chair. Not a great movie but it's good to have it documented.

A New Home....

 ...For Mitch's Elk!!!! We have finally found the perfect place for Mitch's Elk (bless that dead animals heart, we ate him for a year and a half! agh!)  The Cal Ranch Store! It sure beats the garage it used to be in, and it definitely beats the idea of having it in my front room! Mitch's is the one on the far right. He keeps telling me, "look how they had to hang part of the breast off the wall so they could fit it without hitting the ceiling!" Do you think he's proud? ABSOLUTELY! No we did not donate it to them they are just using it as a decor piece for a while. Mitch, naturally, loves having it there because then more people can "enjoy it". Sometimes he makes me laugh out loud. So if you get a chance to stop by the Cal Ranch store in Layton take a moment to enjoy Mitch's 'dead trophy'! :)

Mitch's is on the right, Vals (his brother) is on the left and the king Salmon is my Father in laws.

Of course I had to get a picture with him by it. Just like a proud Mom with her giddy school boy! Love you Hun!