Pioneer Day 10K

I sort of have this new obsession with running. I think it has to do with my new running route in South Jordan and how therapeutic it is to journey through the streets of my childhood. Passing through the streets to good old Bingham High or even further to South Jordan Middle School brings back a plethora of memories. And the endorphins and the runner's high that I get from going just 4 or 5 miles is becoming addicting. My cute friend Whitney had to sell her bib for the 24th of July 10K, because HELLO she is almost 8 months pregnant and she decided to follow doctor's orders. (I could only run comfortably up to 6 months of my pregnancy and then the Braxton Hicks started getting too intense, I am impressed she's been running at all!)

So I jumped on the chance to run in Whit's place, with a dear friend of mine who I met in 8th grade.

 

 

Being close friends with Mary all through high school and my college career really changed my life.

Her fitness and nutrition lifestyle greatly impacted me, and I am forever grateful.

Woke up at 4:15 am to feed the babe and leave for SLC by 5.   6:00am races are early!

 It's sort of funny how she still influences me, I am so grateful for this girl and her lifelong friendship. Mare is one of my bestest friends and I just adore her and her quirky sense of humor.

.

 There is never a dull moment with this girl

 Mary got me cruisin down the parade route for our 10K. I averaged an 8:20 mile and finished the race in 51:46, which is pretty fast for me these days. It was nice of Mare to slow down and stay with me (the Crazy normally averages a 7-minute something mile)! Finally for the last mile, I told her to speed up if she wanted to because I'd be sticking at that pace until the end. It sure felt a lot longer than my last 10K, but I beat my time by 6 minutes!

 

 

Trying to find a good place for our pic because we're self-obsessed and love social media, etc. ;)

 

We were both anxious to get back to our favorite little people after the race, and Mary's mom brought them to us in Salt Lake! We ate breakfast at the incredible Grand America Hotel (yes I was totally overdressed in my running gear at such a fancy venue...whoops)

 

And then we watched about 15 minutes of the Days of 47 Parade before we got too hot.

 Mary is currently living in Manhattan with her man (right outside Central Park!) and she totally converted me to her Beco carrier. Amberly doesn't love carriers, but she sure loved this one. It was super comfortable and she didn't even mind being too hot in it! See, that Mary still influences me. Now I'll probably have to buy a Beco.

 

 

It's been so refreshing having Mary in town this week. We love seeing Cora and Amberly together.

Future roommates. They better love each other!

 

 

 

Sure love ya Mare Bear. Jon and I are seriously considering an NYC 2015 trip.



Remembering Lydia

Amberly has a cousin on her Daddy's side of the family.

She would have turned two years old last Saturday.

And we have not forgotten.

Families are Forever

As if she knew exactly why we were there,

Amberly pointed to that phrase completely on her own.

 

Life is full of heartache and sorrow.

Pain unimaginable.

 

But because of the gospel of Jesus Christ,

I believe in

hope,

healing

and the promise of light dawning in the morning.

 

I believe in miracles,

and I pray for them every day.

 

We love you Lydia, and we have not forgotten how special you are.

Camping at Easley

 I would say Amberly's first camping trip was a huge success. We always have my Mom's family reunions up at Easley campground near Ketchum Idaho, and this year it was over the 4th of July weekend. I might have whined once or twice about missing my husband during the five days we were away, but the bar will be over with soon and then we'll get to play with that guy again! (How old am I? I was homesick for the guy within ten minutes of arriving to the campground. I'm such a wuss.)

 

Amberly meeting my cousin Diana. Di wouldn't let her go: "I'm not good at sharing babies."

Too cute.

 

In Anthony and Sarah's ginormous tent

 

Amberly and Aliya's "cage fight" - Aliya won.

 

Pinata time. Yes it's a family tradition and no I am not Latin American. It's just a family tradition that the kids love!

 

Even Miss Amberly got a whack at it...sorta

 

Okay she actually got scared and starting to cry at all the faces looking at her at once...too much to handle! It was so funny.

 

My sad girl.

 

Aliya passed out on Sarah. The moments she didn't have dirt caked on her face were rare indeed. Oh the life of a toddler...and those days are right around the corner for me! Bring it on.

 

Zach and Keira chilling in Grandma's fancy camping chair.

 

David and Em.

 

Aliya loved sharing this chair but Amberly wasn't so sure...

 

I had to get creative with Amberly's naps. She despises being too hot so it was kind of tricky at times. Lying her down in her stroller and taking a walk normally puts her to sleep, so it all worked out. The highlights of our trip were swimming, our lip syncing contest, and my morning jogs each day. There were plenty of hands to fight over who got to hold the baby while I went running, so that ws nice. I am proud of my girl for going on her first camping trip, and I was so excited to come home to my husband!