My girls, the runners.

Saturday April 24, 2010 Jennifer and Kelsey ran in the Hurricane 1/2 Marathon and 5K race. Kelsey had never run before so she decided to run the 5K. Jennifer had run 2, 1/2 marathons and the St. George Marathon so she ran the half. They both did so well!! Kelsey came in 4th place in the woman's group. I'd say that it pretty darn good for a first time. She said that she felt so good. It jazzed her up. I think she may have the running bug now too!
She felt so good in fact that we got in the car to find Jen and cheer her on and when we found her, Kelsey got out and decided to run the remaining way with her. They were running at a good and steady pace. Jen looked pretty tired but we cheered her on at several different points in the race.

Jen came in 9th place in the women's group. She said she was ahead a good deal of the time until she hit the "killer hill" and then she lost some time. She had no idea how hard that hill would be to tackle. She said the ambulance kept driving by and at one point she wanted to get in but I knew she wouldn't. When Jen starts something she will finish it. She loves running the marathons.

The family gathers to congratulate the girls on their accomplishment. I couldn't be prouder of my girls. They did so well. What a good feeling to accomplish something so hard.

Jen looks beat. Her muscles are starting to ache so it's home for a hot soak in the tub with some Epson salts and a good rub down. You both are so amazing to me. I love you tons!

Little People are My Favorite Kind of People

At 7:30 am Carson came bounding into the room, jumped on the bed with tons of kisses and announced that I needed to get up because I was going to school with him!!! I had a bad case of jet lag but I wasn't about to miss that opportunity. It was Friday and that meant "show and tell". When it was Carson's turn he told the class that he brought his Grandma for show and tell and that I had flown on an airplane to see him. I took a bit of a long way around way to see him. When we got home it was time to play. He decided that Grandpa would make a great bucking bull on the trampoline. They had so much fun. When Grandpa declared that he was worn out, he came looking for Grandma. He told me that I wasn't a very good bucking bull. I laughed so hard I couldn't stay up. We did discover that I was good at another game though so it was ok. Carson said "Grandma, I just love it when you come because you always bring me exciting stuff and we play fun things together". I sure love coming too Carson.
Saturday Em, Dallas and the kids came. It is always so fun to have the family together. I am so glad that they came. It was Dallas' 30th birthday so I kept the kids and sent them off to have a birthday lunch and some time alone together. The kids love to see each other and play together. They can't get enough of each other. We jumped on the trampoline, they rode bikes and played with the neighborhood kids. Trevyn was content to climb on the big wheel. He would climb up and stand and be so proud and then he would cry because he couldn't get down. So I'd put him on the lawn and he would crawl back up. We went for a walk in the stroller. He loved that and relaxed so much that he fell asleep. He was so cute. The next time we see him he will probably be walking!! He is growing up so fast.

That night the kids had a hard time settling down. They didn't want to go to sleep for fear they would miss a minute of playing together. When they did finally go to sleep they were snuggled up together. They looked so cute and peaceful. Kyndie was mad because she had to sleep in the room with Grandpa and Grandma. She wants to be right in the middle of it all too. Sometimes it's hard to be the only girl. We had such a good time playing with them. They are all getting so big. I sure wish we could be with them everyday!! I love you kiddos soooooo much!!

Up, Up and Away

Sunday April 18, 2010 I left Flagstaff headed for Phoenix, headed for Atlanta Georgia for a training on Domestic Violence. The flight from Flag to Phoenix was a bit rough but the flight from Phoenix to Atlanta was so nice. We were treated to first class and let me tell you, that is the only way to fly!
We landed in Atlanta at 6:44 pm and faced a 3 hour time difference. We suffered from a good case of jet lag . Our motel was so awesome. Each room had a front room and bedroom, two big screen tvs, microwave and fridge. Just like home. The beds were so comfortable, good thing we were exhaustedl

This was the view of the motel from my 5th floor room. It looked like a jungle. There was a stream there with fish swimming in it. It was very relaxing. We were going to enjoy the next 4 days there.

Atlanta was so green and pretty. There are a ton of trees, shrubs and flowers. I loved it. Of course they get a lot of rain to make it green so you have to love the rain to live there. It rained one day while we were there. Atlanta is the home of Coca cola which was pretty hard for a Pepsi drinker. I learned the hard way not to ask for Pepsi!! I didn't see a Pepsi the whole time I was there. They must be true to Coke. We went to a french restaurant and at the end of the meal this was the plate we were brought. This is a first for me. Piggs as an after dinner delight. It was pretty funny.

The trip home wasn't as enjoyable. The flight from Atlanta was rough, but on a large airplane it is tolerable. We boarded the plane for Flag with a warning that the trip would be alittle rough and it was. We got to Flag and began the descent. The pilot came on and announced that the airport was under cloud cover and we would be in a holding pattern around the airport to see if the weather would clear. He stated that by law, they had to have 1/2 mile visability. Shortly they powered up and announced that we were headed back to Phoenix. Back through the bumps!! When we landed in Phoenix we had to wait for a shuttle to transport us back to Flag. That was a story in itself, but we finally made it. Gary had to wait for 6 hours for us to arrive. Shortly after arriving we headed for Utah to watch the girls run in a marathon. By the time we got to Utah, I had been up for 23 hours. I haven't done that for a long time and let me just say that the old gray mare ain't what she used to be!!

TIMBER!!!!

Twenty four years ago we moved to St. Johns and into this house. That summer we planted 3 globe willows. I love those trees because they are very full and grow fast. The kids have climbed the trees, slept under them, had picnics under them and enjoyed their shade. Over the years the trees began to die. I think a bug got into them. Finally we decided that they had to go. It was a very sad day for us.

Gary takes the saw and begins taking the trees down. I wanted to stand and cry for the loss of them.

Timber!!

Here it goes. No turning back now. It is done.

The yard looks so plain and lonely. We haven't decided what to do to replace them. It will take a while for the shock of it to settle in. Hopefully we can work on the yard this summer and really make it a beautiful yard.

We found the Easter Bunny!!

Kelsey, Emilee and Dallas and the kids came to spend Easter with us. It is always so fun to have them come and spend time with us. On Friday Grandpa called home to tell us that he thought he saw the Easter Bunny walking around town. So the kids and I jumped in the car to go and check it out and sure enough he was standing on main street, waving as people passed by. We parked the car and rushed to meet him. Westyn and Treyson were excited to see him and get some Easter candy but Kyndie wasn't so excited. She said he was "freaky" and wasn't about to get near him! She finally agreed to a picture only if I promised to stand by her. Trevyn was sound asleep and missed out on all the fun. How fun they are!!

Easter Pagent

Last week-end (March 25) I had a quarterly meeting in Phoenix. I decided to spend the week-end at Kelsey's house. We had a lot of fun, visiting and shopping.

On Thursday night we went to the Easter Pagent at the Mesa Temple. It was so amazing. What a wonderful reminder about what Easter is. It brought home once again the reality of the Savior's birth and resurrection and made me so grateful for that knowledge. Thinking of what our Savior did for each of us is so amazing. To think 0f my sins and him bleeding from every pore for them is overwhelming. What a powerful love he has for each of us. I am so grateful for the knowledge this church brings to me.

A couple of Sunday's ago the lesson in Relief Society was on the creation. We discussed the many worldly teachings about how the world was created. One woman raised her hand and said " The world being created by the Big Bang Theory is about as likely as having an explosion in a printing shop and coming out with a dictionary". When you look at it that way, it really makes things clear. I am so grateful for my membership in the church and for all of the answers it gives to life's hard questions.

On Saturday night, Jaron and Sharla treated Kelsey and I to dinner at Texas Road House. One of my favorite places to eat. It is always so good. Thanks guys. Love you all tons and so enjoy spending time with y0u.

Happy Spring

Happy Spring Everyone!! I know it's a day early but I think we are all ready for Mr. Winter to go into hiding for the next few months. The trees are beginning to bud, the spring flowers are popping up and spring fever is in the air. I am going to Phoenix tomorrow to soak up some of their sunshine, Yippee!! I think everyone's moods will improve when we can see and feel the warmth of the sun on our skin. My white legs are sure looking forward to it. Can't wait to see my kids. I am so homesick for all of you!!