Moab

Last weekend we headed down to Moab for the Canyonlands Half Marathon. This was our first time to this area and we absolutely loved it!!

Ethan had SO MUCH FUN!
So did Ellie.




A restaurant we ate at. We were drawn in by the name.




As always the kids did fabulous. It's so great to experience new things with them. I treasure these times because it seems to be going by just too darn fast.


The race itself was awesome. It was well organized, had beautiful scenery, a fun atmosphere and decent weather. although it was NOT my best time and despite the STRONG headwind the entire way I felt pretty good and was not totally exhausted by the end. Definitely made my list of favorites and I hope to run it again next year.

Arches National Park

While in Moab we spent a lot of time hiking and sight seeing at Arches National Park.


On our first evening the weather was perfect and we got a glimpse of the full moon. It was a beautiful sight and we tried to get a good picture, but the camera just couldn't quite capture the moment.



"Windows"




While hiking around this area it was very WINDY
. . . . . especially up inside the window.






The day after this picture was taken Ethan was working on earning his junior ranger badge. One of the requirements for getting his badge was to participate in a Park Ranger program. Well during this little program the Ranger informed him that one of the things he could do to help keep the park beautiful is to NOT write his name on rocks in the park. As Ethan was listening he had the guiltiest look on his face (almost like he was about to cry). I thought for sure he was going to break down and confess to writing on rocks.



Ethan loved all of the climbing opportunities.










Ethan noticed this rock formation and named it the camel. The day we remembered to take a picture we noticed a couple of rock climbers at the top.


Saturday we made the short hike to Delicate Arch View Point then decided the next morning before heading out we wanted to make the longer hike all the way there.


It was about a 3 mile hike round trip mostly up hill on the way there.


Right around the corner from the Arch.
Ethan's enthused expression is from being nagged by his mom about being too close to the edge. I had this horrible vision of one of my kids falling off the high, steep, edge.



We each took a turn venturing out to the arch.


I was too paranoid to allow Ellie that opportunity.

First Race of the Season

On Saturday we all dressed up in what green gear we could find and participated in the Shamrock Shuffle. Kelly tackled the 5K and the kids and I took the 1 milers by storm.


Ethan and Ellie at start



Ethan is quite competative and gets pretty serious at the race. Although he denies it, he's obviously nervous at the beginning. With a lot of determination he ran his mile in 7 minutes and 17 seconds. Now that he is seven he was placed in a higher bracket of 7-13 year olds and earned a 6th place ribbon. We were sure to point out to him that he was placed with a bunch of 4th and 5th graders and he was actually the first 7 year old to cross the finish.


Ellie was in the first stroller to finish! She was funny, when we were at the start she whined "want to run, want to run" however once we started she enjoyed the ride.