R&R

RACE and then RELAX 

Last Fall my friend Julie and I had a bout of impulse race sign up.  At the St. George Marathon runners expo we walked by a booth for Utah Valley Marathon.  They advertised a low race registration price and a JACKET!! so together we signed up.  How can you beat a deal right?  Plus it is a course neither of us had run so we thought instant course PR, why not?

Utah Valley Marathon is starts up above Provo and runs down through Provo Canyon into town.  Like most Utah canyon races it's a downhill course (kind of, meaning there are always some up hills thrown in those 26+ miles).

The race started early, 6 am which meant a very early wake up call to get on the bus.  Full moon (or at least close to it) that morning.

Pretty start to the day

Heading to the start line

After coming out of the canyon, the course runs down University drive for 5-6 miles.  It's a gradual downhill, but feels forever.

The finish was in front of the new Provo Temple.  We were trying to get a pic with the angel Moroni in the back ground.

asked for help and still didn't get it.

We had no expectations but to have a fun run on a new course and enjoy.  We had a good finishing time and because we weren't going for any crazy goal time we were still walking normal afterward.  The weather was just about perfect, no wind, didn't get hot until we were almost finished.  Probably not a course I'll run again, but glad I did it.

After the race the family decided to get some relaxation at Seven Peaks in Provo.  

Kids loved the wave pool

For me, this was a great after race activity

Ethan

Dad

Ellie

summer. . .

I recently heard someone (a family therapist) talk about our kids and how fast they grow up (which is no surprise right, we live it everyday as they grow).  She said we have 18 summers with our kids and then talked about ways to make those summers memorable.  As my kids get older they seem to slowly get farther away from me.  What I mean by this is it's no longer hanging out with me all day and me having to entertain them.  They want to go play or "hang out" with their friends.   So, I find that as the # of summers I have with them diminish, the moments we spend together become even more precious.  At this point we have 5 more summers with Ethan (WhAt!?!?) and 10 with Elisabeth.

I also find that I can delight in the moments they have with their friends.

Ellie and one of her best friends Jessi having a lunch and movie day, love their smiles.

A few days a week in June, Ellie and her friend Jessi attended a fun and fitness camp.  One day was swim day at the aquatic center so we had fun in the sun.

Ellie spotted this butterfly in the yard, can you see it?

This was in our morning paper a few weeks ago.  

Love this!!!  This young guy (wink, wink) jogs a few miles everyday jeans and all.  Living proof that running is the best daily supplement.  How can one not be inspired by this

Getting out on the trails

Swimming lessons session 1 for Ellie

Cooper likes to go for walks, but does not last very long before he whines and does everything he can to get picked up.  One of us is a sucker for this cute little guy and gives in way too easy.

We headed up to Bear Lake with my friend Sandy and her grandson for some lake side fun.

Another friend and her family were up at the lake on their boat so they swung by to give us a ride.  Ellie had never been on a ski boat up until now.  She was super nervous to get on the boat and go.  We coerced her, found the "safest" place on the boat and our driver went as slow or as fast as Ellie wanted.  After some hesitation she became more and more comfortable and be the end of the ride she loved it and couldn't wait to go again.

Ethan had a blast driving 

Going from scared to get on to taking the controls and driving.

Riding the tube.  two cute girls and 1 guy  = good odds for a 13 year old boy.

Ethan always provides us some laughs when he falls asleep on a long drive

Little Cooper's first bath

sneaking onto the air mattress with Ellie

Coopers first long drive, he travels like a champ