More Summer Fun

No, it wasn't cold, she just loves wearing this hat that she borrowed from her friend Sabre.  To add to it, she wanted to make a beard.  She is so funny and goofy.  Love the look!

Playing Ammon Battle Ship.  He got pretty good at it...  watch out!

BBQing with the Strong's.  Had a little pool party get-together.  Trent and Jason playing a little water basketball, the kids swimming and playing with Cooper the dog.  Ammon and Issac playing the golf ball ladder toss...gosh what is it called?  It was fun hanging with their family.

Picture just doesn't do the moment justice...  Gorgeous morning over the valley after a rain storm.  The sun was just breaking through some clouds over the mountains that it his the misty crisp air just right.  Amazing!

Ammon thought it would be fun to try out some of the bows in the drawer.  His hair is getting a little longer, and he wanted to prove it was able to hold bow clips... Too funny!

Youth Conference 2015

Rian and Jarom were able to participate in the Stake youth conference.  It was a hot week, but they did great and had fun.  This was Jarom's first Youth Conference.

 The first day, Thursday, they had them playing ice breaker games and a devotional.  But on, Friday, they were put to work doing service.  They broke into groups.  The neighborhood had a walkway that was overgrown and unusable.  So our ward, and a few other of the youth got to work and cleared it out.

They sent them home to get cleaned up and dress up for a missionary opportunity, teaching families in the ward.  With the stake so big, they were assigned to their ward buildings for lunch.  I was happy to help out.

Bishop Robbins and other leaders with Jarom and other youth from our ward.

Next they were paired up into companionships and prepared lessons to teach.

Next morning, Saturday, they were sent off to different trails to hike and be in nature and have a devotional.

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Then they all came back and had water games, but they were tired and I let them rest that afternoon.  They had gotten cleaned up and had a stake dance outside.  This is the only picture I had gotten.  It's Jarom and Josh.

Althought they were exhausted by the end, I think they had a great time.  Memories.

Youth Conference

Youth Conference was on a Stake level this year.  This is Jarom's first year he could go.  They had classes and fun things to do.  Also they did a service project to clean up some neighbor trails.

After the service project they went home and cleaned up into their church clothes and came back for a lunch at each of their church buildings.  I was happy to help and be apart of this fun time.

After lunch, they went around the wards teaching families just as missionaries do.  It was neat to see my young missionaries, Jarom and Rian.

Another day they took groups of kids up the Timpanookie Trail, about 3 miles.

Finally the last day they had water games then ended with a dance.

  

Swim Team

First swim meet.  This first picture is of the swimmers warming up.  Seeing Raegan on the start block getting ready to go made amazing energy course through my body.  I was so proud of her trying something new, and it took me back to my childhood.  All the fun memories and goals, its so great to be apart of a team but also building individual goals at the same time.   I decided to be an officiator at the meets.  I'm a stroke/turn judge.  I also had a little practice as a start judge.  Yeah, I'm going to enjoy this...hope she does too.

Starting Off The Summer

First day of swim team with Lehi Legacy Recreation Center.  She was so excited and ready to do her best.  I'm so proud of her and all her hard work.

Neighbors had their pool up and ready.  It had gotten hot so fast, it was a nice for Ammon to go over and play and cool off.

broke out the water balloons

This is my little buddy.  He just loves to take care of me.  He made pasta, all by himself, and wanted to share.  He made me lunch.  It's nice when someone wants to do things for you. <3

With Lehi baseball, Ammon was determined to practice.  Since Trent is his coach, we had access to all the balls and bats.  We went to the park and practiced running bases, throwing, catches, and getting people (me) out.  I love doing that with him.

at the park was a cool water feature they had just put in

Ready for the first game.  Lining up, adjusting the hat...          Up to bat, with dad pitching...(different day)

Our neighbors, the Vincent's, invited us and a few other families over for smores.  Beautiful nights...

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)