End Of A School Year, Beginning Of My Journey

Last day of School!!  The kids were so excited to finish the year and begin the summer of chillin'!  It also meant I need to get ready for my triathlon adventure.  Right when school got out, I took off for southern Utah.  Hurricane, Utah for the Sand Hollow Triathlon.  Tarin wanted to join me in my journey.  Luckily, my brother Tony wanted to participate in the Duathlon in that event, so I had someone else to share it with.  I love my brother.  He's amazing, because although he's been an avid athlete in the past, he wasn't really in shape to do this.  I was glad he chose to "get back on that horse" for me.  It was nice to share the experience...and someone to take pictures of me for a change...its my only evidence for me to shine.  Thank you Tony for driving all that way to do this.

Before actually leaving town, we stopped by to say good bye to Trent at work, and he had gotten me a "swag bag" of goodies.  It was really cool.  Wish I had gotten a picture of it.  Full of awesome stuff.  Thank you Trent!

Road tripping with my girl

Met up with Tony and drove around the coarse

It was so pretty out by the reservoir.

Went to Saint George, a few miles away, and hit the Mongolian BBQ with Tony and Tarin.  Love that stuff!

Next morning, it was time to get ready.  Marker on the arm and leg.  Bib number was 328 and on my leg it said S for Sprint and my age.  Transition area was ready!

Now, there is something to understand.  I had never worn a wet suit in my life!  This was a whole new experience for me.  This was tight and constricting, but it was "recommended" at this lake.  So I did it.  Later, I found out in the water, I panicked.  This was very difficult for me and I freaked.  I grew up in the water and had much swim team experience, I'd like to classify myself as a proficient swimmer for sure.  Let's just say, NOW,  I know what it feels like to 'drown' or be in the act of drowning, or what goes through ones head when drowning.  I seriously freaked out!  It was the difference in buoyancy and how it constricted me all the way up to my neck that scared me.  The swim wasn't very good.  I swam on my back and unzipped and did all I could to make it through.  I wasn't going to give up...but I was close.  I didn't want all that work to go to waste...I was determined to finish!

Ready, Get Set...

Go Tony!  All set to go!  His event was a bit after mine, so he was able to catch me before I took off.  I'm so excited. 

Despite some personal set backs, I did complete the race.  It was a great day and an event to remember.  Thank you again Tony for all of your support!  Tarin stayed in the hotel, but she had a great time too.

I noticed they had a kid triathlon, and I was so impressed I hope to get my own kids involved.

My time print out, and my participation medal.

With the event over, and we came from separate directions, we all decided to head home.  Tony had a long drive back to Mesa and well...may as well get home too.  It was only about 4 hours away, so we were back by 4pm or so.  The neighbors had an end of the school year bash going on, so Tarin was glad to make that with the rest of the family.  A great day. :o)

Friends In Town

This was such a treat.  Melissa Coe and her two daughters, Abby and Kenzie were in town.  They had flown in for Abby to tour Utah State University up in Logan.  Abby is only a Junior, but what a good idea to help them set their sights during their Senior year.  We took the afternoon to hike up Bells Canyon Reservoir in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  It rained a little, but cleared up nicely.  It was so great to see my friends from Georgia.  Love and miss them so much!

Piano Recitals

Always a treat to hear Rian play and express her wonderful talent.  She is amazing and has learned so much.  

Technically, Rae's recital was the next Saturday after my Triathlon, but I decided to combine this post. 

Rae and Trinity

Raegan and her teacher, Shannon Ipson.

Memorial Day Hike To Diamond Fork

For Memorial Day weekend, we went up Spanish Fork Canyon to Diamond Fork Canyon to hike to the hot springs.  It was a beautiful day... But everyone else in the area had the same idea, it was completely pack of people.  Dah, I should have known.  I don't remember it being so long, so the kids were expecting something a bit shorter and I felt bad that it was longer when they complained.  I went with my friend a month earlier but I guess when I was distracted in conversation, the hike didn't seem as long.  It was still beautiful and nice to be together.  I think they still had fun, except, the hot springs were over flowing with people so we didn't get to get in.  Also we had to get back to BBQ with Troy and Kristin.  That was great too.

"oh no, don't fall...!!"  hahaha

Hidden Talents

I have to brag about my girls.  These three pictures show Rian's ceramic pieces from 9th grade.  She is so creative and did a fabulous job.  I'm so impressed by these...  I basically had told her I wanted these.  Luckily for mothers day she did give me the blue spiral one.  I'm so extactic!  I love them.  The house I have on a shelf in the front room and the others she has in her room.   Im glad we can share our love for art.

Tarin also was able to make some art piece in 6th grade.  I love these simple pieces.  I have to display them all.  She worked so hard and it shows.  I love her adventure and crafty creativity.  I'm so proud of my kids.

May Is Busy, But Fun

Another crazy month.  Soccer, end of school year events and...just crazy!  Every May will look like this.  But its been great to see all our kids accomplish so much and be shaped into wonderful people.  They grow up so dang fast!  I love them so much!

Soccer, and rainy day... Ammon is in the yellow jacket dribbling.  Poor little Raegan was having a hard time with how cold the rain was.  It was really tough.  She's number 5 in the blue and white striped jersey.  But that day they did win.  She was strong.

Tarin, had cleared up later in the day.  She had a great season too. 

Jarom had a band concert.  He's been first chair in baritone most of the year in Concert Band.  He's really impressed me how great he's magnified his talent of music.

Yes, the cat has missed me.  When I'm substitute teaching or out running errands, she gets lonely and starts bringing out the toys off of Raegan's bed.  I love finding this pillow in the hallway.  I see it as a term of endearment...a sign that I am loved.  I love our cat.  She really has been my little buddy through so much.  Loves me unconditionally.

Love the spring rain showers.  Looking down Grandview road I had to stop and take this pictures.  Looking over Utah Lake toward the mountains, its just so grand.

Attended the Draper Temple.  It was amazing.

Had an impression to get my kids involved in swim team.  I'm a little sad I hadn't thought of this a few years earlier.  It's pretty expensive, but wish I had done it anyway.  I'd love for Jarom to be involved, so I tried to get him to the pool to practice his strokes.  His freestyle looks awesome, and backstroke is great, but it's the timing of breastroke and butterfly that held him up.  Kicking myself I hadn't continued to teach my kids.  Its the same story with Tarin.  I will put her into swim lesson this summer to get her ready for next summer to be on the team.  I hope so.  But this season, since Raegan is young enough, she only needed to know freestyle, backstroke and breastroke.  She was able to tryout for the team with accuracy in these three.  She will learn the butterfly this summer.  And... SHE MADE IT!  She did a great job!  So excited to share my love of swimming.  Next year I do hope to get Tarin, Raegan and Ammon on the team.

Raegan did a powerpoint presentation in class about the Scientific Method.  Thank you Trent for helping her out with this.  Luckily it was a simple year for scientific method, but so glad Trent helped her...I'm so burned out with that stuff...  But she did a great job putting her slides together and presenting.

Award ceremony for 6th grade.  Tarin is in the blue jacket and orange shorts.  This also included student council awards.  She did a great job this year.

Lo-osing Teeth

It finally happened!  With a lot of prodding from Ammon for us to keep working on it, it paid off!  He was extremely happy and couldn't wait to get to school to show it off.  Tooth fairy made her rounds, and sealed the deal.  I love seeing his cute smile with two teeth missing.  He really is a cutie!  I'll miss when they grow back in.

I think this picture he got really close and it made him look really round...hahaha, kind of funny.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was great.  Breakfast was special, spa time with the kids was special (they gave me foot message, hand message and a facial.)  It was a good day.  Tarin made this cute assembly on the wall for me.  For the next few days it was fun to casually take a treat off the wall.  I love my kids.  And Thank you to my wonderful husband for always making this day a good one, even when things were rough.