Four years ago I set out to run my first marathon which was was the Top of Utah. And now to make a total of 10 marathons in 4 years and running the Top of Utah Marathon four times, this is my last marathon. I have enjoyed running marathons. I have learned many things along the way. But, I have decided that I would like to run half marathons now. They are my favorite anyway. This past marathon was in a down pouring rain storm. Which makes two marathons in the pouring rain. I missed running without my hat!
I enjoyed seeing Greg several times along the route. He is my best supporter! I have two personal pacers in this marathon. Chalisse and Jensen joined me as you can see in the picture and helped me to finish the marathon in another Boston Qualifying time of 3:38:01.
Sadie is our newest addition to our bunny bunch. Andrea is pretty proud of her little bunny. She did a great job showing her at the Box Elder County Fair this year.
For our anniversary this year, my hubby surprised me and signed me up to run the Crandall Canyon Half Marathon. I couldn't have been happier! He probably figured since I made him bike 26.2 miles last year I would mind running a half marathon this year. Well, he was right! He knows that half marathons are my favorite.
July 9th, my daughter Chalisse joined me in running the Hobbler Half Marathon. We both had a great time. It is probably the prettiest half marathon I've ever ran and it was very well organized as well. I couldn't have asked for more. Greg and Jake cheered us on our 13 mile journey down the canyon. We both had PR's that day! I was also able to take 2nd place in my age group with a time of 1:36:04. Chalisse took 4th place in her age group with a time of 1:58:59. This was also her very first half marathon, and she has been cross training in swimming everyday. There is no way I could ever compete with that. Woot! Woot!
Last year just in Davis County alone there were close to 300 kids who were victims of sexual abuse. There are a variety of resources available to deal with the perpetrators, but there's not much out there to help the victims of these crimes. The victims are kids. The NO MORE VICTIMS foundation is a charity organization to help kids who have fallen victim to sexual abuse. They help these kids when no one else can. The proceeds from the Memorial Day Classic event in Syracuse today will directly benefit these kids.
Carson received a really bad break to his elbow on Monday afternoon. The next two days were really tough learning to do everything with the right hand when you are left handed. It looks like swimming lessons and T-ball are CANCELLED for June.
My favorite Easter picture this year, was a random act of kindness from one child to another. During the Easter egg hunt at Honeyville park this year, Carson noticed that his cousin, Kyle, only had one egg in his basket. He took the "Golden Egg" out of his basket and handed it to him. If a golden egg is found you may take it up to the counter and receive a gift in addition to the 5 candy bars that everyone receives no matter the amount of eggs that are collected.
I left the headphones at the hotel, high fived all the kids and blew kisses to the crowd. After all, they make you feel like a movie star.
I told Greg to make sure to get me pictures of the Kenyans and especially Kara Goucher. (She is one of my favorite athletes because she's human and you can relate to her). You can barely see her though. She is the cute one in back protected by the motorcycles.
These are the other Kenyans. Check out their shoes. Adidas, Nike, etc. Pretty fancy! Well, I finished the marathon in 3:54:18. Had a horrible time training for it. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong, so I won't go into details. But I loved the marathon and I am glad that I had the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon.
First, we put tape around the stuff we didn't want to get paint on. 
Then we scratched off any old stickers and put on a coat of primer. 
Here is Chalisse covering the orange cupboards with white primer. 
Greg is applying primer to the edges of the ceiling. Just don't move the ladder. 
Andrea starts to apply the first coat of primer to the door frame. 
Chalisse is now painting the cupboards a light yellow. Her favorite color! 
Carson and Andrea along with Greg attempt to put the first coat on the door. 
I got a little bit carried away with the paint. 
Jensen is finishing up the door. Notice the nice brown wall in the background that is painted. 
Andrea reached another milestone in her life. Yesterday, she was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by her father. Time seems to fly by so fast. My little girl who was once carrying around her yellow blanket and eating baby food is now making covenants with the Lord. 
For many years, Andrea watched Chalisse get up on stage and clog away. She tried many times to escape from our arms and run up on stage to dance with her. It was always her dream to be able to be on stage and dance with her big sister. Well, this past Saturday Chalisse and Andrea clogged a duet together at Thanksgiving Point. They received first place and a high gold for scoring so high. Due to Chalisse's tough swimming schedule she hasn't been able to dance with a team this year. Emily, her awesome teacher from Gotta Dance met with Chalisse and Andrea a couple of Saturdays and then they practiced on their own. We really appreciate Emily for everything she has taught them and for the opportunities she has given them to learn. 
Chalisse swimming the 200 yard freestyle.
Chalisse swimming the 100 yard fly.
Jensen swimming the 100 yard freestyle.
Jensen swimming the 50 yard backstroke.
Jensen swimming the 50 yard fly.
At the beginning of the year, I set some goals (New years resolutions). First, was running five marathons. Second, was obtaining my hunter's safety in hopes of shooting my first deer. Well, I obtained my hunter's safety the week after my 5th marathon and on the last day of of December I shot my deer. My family gets deprivation tags every year for their property since they graze out of our orchards and/or crops all year. This year, I had a tag with my name on it. I'll admit that Jake and Greg wouldn't take a shot at a deer until I got mine. But anyhow I did it. Now I will have food for my family. I kind of like hunting and think that Jake needs to give me his 243 and he can go get another one.
It has been at least 12 years since Greg and I have gone down to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. So when we told the the little kids we were going to see the Christmas lights they said, "huh"!
It was beautiful even in the fog. Of course I love fog, but it messes up the pictures a bit.
