LOTOJA 2013

This year we enjoyed another great LOTOJA bike race. I also convinced Mitch to come and do it with us. It actually did not take too much convincing as he has been looking for a way to get back in shape. The race makes for such a fun day and Mitch and I love being in the car together for long drives. This year we left the kids with Mitch's brother and his wife (Wade and Ashlee) making the car ride a bit more peaceful. Here are some pictures from the race!

 I started the race out for our team as I rode from Logan to Preston. It was really pretty minus the mink and cow farms that left me dry heaving as I rode. I'm a little sensitive in the morning hours these days. *hint, hint

 PHOTO BOMB! Nice Tyler. Dad and Trish rode the same leg and powered over a mountain pass from Montpelier to Afton.

 Mitch and I had the awful opportunity to witness two bad wrecks. The first included a lot of road rash and a split open head. Just as we got those 2 bikers loaded into their car we turned around to see a group of about 8 bikers slam into the same orange barrel from the previous crash. The second crash was much worse as one individual was unconscious. I honestly thought he was going to die.

 We called and ambulance and found some consecrated oil. Mitch and the guys buddy gave him a blessing and not more than 3 minutes later the man became conscious. He was loaded up into an ambulance and taken away. We then had to rush to get Mitch to his leg of the race in time. Mitch decided to write his name on his arm with my phone number as at both crashes the individuals could not remember their names. Luckily,  they had 'road id's' on in case of an accident. We were both pretty shaken up after those wrecks.

 My brother Ryan rode the full 206 miles. Unfortunatly, in Afton he became very sick and started throwing up. With only 80 miles to go he did not want to quit. My dad and brother Randy pulled him for the last bit of the race. Poor Ryan rode with his arms hanging off his bike like this because he was not feeling so good. :( But he did finish!

 Come to find out Mitch is a really good biker. He motored along at 21 miles per hour while climbing a mountain pass. It's annoying how good he is really. With hardly any training he can kill it. The stinker.

We survived! Here is our groups shot!

Pioneer Trek June 2013

Well it's about time I start catching up with all the summer activities that we have done. Starting with the pioneer trek. This summer Mitch and I went on the pioneer trek with our stake as Ma's and Pa's. Initially, I was a little worried about our family, if they would want to be there, etc. etc. but once we got to Moseida, to start our trek, I was much calmer. Our family was really great. At first we had a few wanderer's but it didn't take long before our 'kids' only wanted to be with our family.
    Admittedly, the pioneer trek was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Although i'm in good shape my sticky arms did not prove very helpful by way of pulling. I will also say that squatting in the sage brush with 200 youth walking by was less than charming. Overall we had a great time and made lots of new friends!

 Here we are, VERY dusty and hot but still looking mighty fine!

 Here is our cute little family.

 They had a group of 'mobsters' come after us with guns. looks pretty legit right? Really, this guy was a mean cuss!

 The river crossing. They told us of a lady who was crossing the Sweet water river while holding her 3 year old child. The water swept her down stream and all the people on the river banks were yelling at her to let go of her baby. She didn't let go and eventually made it across with him. I like to think I would do something similar to her.

 It really was terribly dusty. You'll notice in the background they one of our additional trials. The girl with the blindfold on had to walk part of the trail as if she was blind.

 This is a picture of all the men at the top of the hill from the women's pull. I think they added two extra feet of sand for us to pull through (the little stinkers).

Again here are our girls pulling through the women's pull. It really was a wonderful experience and we are grateful for the opportunity we had to go.

Ellie's Philosophy

This is the conversation In the car today.
(Max was crying)
Ellie: Oh Maxie, it's okay are you hungry?
Max: (pauses to listen to big sister)
Ellie: Okay Max, if you're hungry just eat a booger. You can find them in your nose. Just use your finger!
Mom: (giggling) Ellie! Don't tell him that, that's disgusting!
Ellie: Why is it disgusting?
Mom: Because boogers are gross!
Ellie: No Mom, they are not gross.
Mom: Well, if you eat them, they will give you a big stomach ache.
Ellie: Oh, I see. (Pause) So they are like candy.
Mom: Well, I guess. They both can give you a stomach ache... You know, I wouldn't say they are like candy. I would just say they are gross so don't eat them!
Ellie: Oh, okay Mom


Sometimes, I could use a manual for these types of conversations.

Fabulous June!

 Our summer is already going by too fast and it's only June! I can't believe how busy we have been. I just started up a new blog called theearlymorningrunner.blogspot.com. I started it while I was laying in bed, recovering from having my gallbladder removed and now it is thriving! In three weeks we are at 10,000 views! We are now working on getting sponsors etc. So that has been really fun!
   As for the kids, we are still playing, playing, playing. We spend every afternoon playing outside and here are a few pictures to prove it!

 Little Maxwell enjoying a root beer popsicle from the older couple, the Pectols, next door. He is growing quickly. His favorite things include, eating dirt, popsicles, or anything else. He loves climbing on tables and living on the edge (like you see here, he climbs up and sits right on the edge every time.). The little guy is covered in bruises. He adores his big sister and always tries to do what she is doing!

Here is Miss Ellie. Jumping on the tramp with my shoes on. She is full of giggles and lately, way too much sass. She is earning pom poms when she has good behavior. We are still trying to get her to get through church without crying in primary. For some reason, with the move, church is a frightening place. Thus, the reward system. She is working to earn beads to make a necklace. She is also Max's second mother. :)

 Today we saw some people riding their horse and buggy down the street. So we put El out the sun roof and she loved feeling the wind in her hair. Horses are the best thing about living in Farmington.

 Did I say the horses were the best thing? I meant the pool. This pool is part of our HOA and we are for sure getting our money worth. We go jump in for an hour, they swim their little hearts out, then they fall asleep for 2 hours. It's a good trade off. We absolutely love it. Of course, Ethan our good buddy is great fun to have around too.

 This is how we get to the pool. The Wagon limo. Again, Max is trying to CLIMB out.

 I had to throw this picture in. Max eating sand. Obviously, I need to feed him more at lunch. However, I will tell you that I learned in my graduate program that the mouth has the most sensory receptors next to anywhere in or on the body. Thus, kids explore everything with their mouth because it provides such fabulous feedback. You learn something new everyday!

Ellie, the little dancer!

 Ellie had her first tap/ballet recital. She did really great, at least in her parents eyes. :) She may have not known all the moves, she may have spent more time waving at us rather than dancing, she may have been turned around backwards while everyone was facing forward, but at least she could shake it!  :)

You'll notice here how everyone is walking off the stage and she was still there enjoying the hurrah cheers of "good job Ellie!".  Mitch said, "she may not have been the most talented, but she was definitely the funniest and that's what I love!" And it's true, the guy next to me (who I did not know), was laughing hysterically at her silliness. I finally elbowed him and said, "Hey, that's my daughter." Except, I was giggling too. She is such a ham!

Here is Ellie and her cousin Elise. They took dance together this year and had a great time. Her friends Lanie and Jaycie were also in her class.

Here is the rest of the cheering section. They even brought her a rose to boot! Poor Ethan, too many dancers in his life! :) Great Job Ellie, we sure love you!

One In A Million

I've been down and out with this whole gallbladder thing, so Mitch has really had to step up and play Mister Mom. Some days have been a little more stressful for him (and me) than others, but today he seemed to really be having a great time with the kiddos. We just got the kiddos a sandbox so Ellie and Max spent 3 hours today getting covered in, and eating sand. Mitch did projects while they played and before I knew it He had the kids in swimsuits and they were out playing in the sprinklers! What a great Dad. I'm pretty lucky to be married to this guy.

 Even Indy loves the sprinklers! Ellie was jumping and giggling so hard it was fun to watch how carefree a child can be. It was simply refreshing to watch. She has never jumped on the tramp in the sprinklers like this, so she thought it was awesome.

Max reaching for the water as it sprinkles down on him. Oooo, I could just kiss him to pieces.
Here are the kids enjoying their very first Root Beer Floats. Obviously, they were a hit. Root beer and ice cream, whats not to love?! We used to have root beer floats at my Grandma Okla's and Grandpa Arts house. Such great memories.

 Here are the two munchkins playing in their 'boat' sandbox. And of course the boys out mowing the lawn. Maxwell would wave his little hand at me every time he passed by the family room window. Such a fun little guy. Hooray for SUMMER!!!

My man Mitch!

When I met Mitch, I knew he had a lot of great qualities. He was sporadic, spiritual,  happy, ambitious, loving, etc.. But I probably would not ever describe him as compassionate. It's just not one of his strengths. However, I need to give him some credit where credit is due.
   
    I had my gallbladder out yesterday and let's just say when I came out of it, my pain was not under control. I was also a little panicked as we were having a hard time keeping my heart rate up because it hurt to breath. So the machines alarms kept going off. They pump your chest and abdominal area up with air for the surgery, but as a result that air goes into your chest and shoulders making you have chest pains that really hurt. Am I being a little dramatic? Maybe a little, but Ouch! Next time nurses, pump up the perkiset!

    Sweet Mitch sat there and held my hand, told me to hang on for the pain medicine to kick in, and even grimaced with me! He was so great, just as sweet as could be. In fact I even had the nurse take this picture of us (even when I never in 100 years care to have a picture of myself  just after surgery) so I could always remember how awesome and compassionate he was being. I am pretty lucky to have this guy as a best friend.

 Here is to looking forward to a healthy and less painful summer!!!!

WARNING: if you have a weak stomach don't arrow down to the next picture.






I asked the doctor to take a picture of my gallbladder, stones etc. I love anatomy and the amazing human body. Why I didn't become a PA or a nurse is beyond me. I love this stuff.  So this is a picture of my gallbladder cut open and showing the gallstones. May I suggest not getting these. :)