Mantua Dam Race July 2012

We had a great time running the Mantua Dam Race together as a family.

It was a first time race for all of us. I have biked and ran around the Dam multiple times.

It was a fun, five mile course. Clear up until the morning of the race, starting line actually, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Do my best or hang with the family and make it more a social run?

Not long after the gun went off I decided I should make a go of it. I decided to make my goal to come in under 45 minutes, under a 9 minute mile pace. Turns out it was more difficult mentally running it "by myself", without my usual running buddies and without my ipod to spur me on. It was a mental drag at times for sure. Ethan and Ally did it essentially with no training, hello youth!, by run/walking it with their cousins. 

All in all we had with us:

My Dad and Fran,

Sarah, Tyler and Austin,

Ryan, Jen, Shaylen, Sawyer, and Cole,

Me, Ethan and Ally

(not pictured) Kent, Lisa and Jace Skidmore

I was pleased to come in at 44:25 with an 8:53 average pace, sixth place for women 30-34 out of about 35 women. Not too shabby.

Ethan came in at 1:03

Ally came in at 1:12

It was a great morning followed up with a great day with family up at Bear Lake's beach.

Can't wait for next year.

Photo Shoot Sunday: Mantua.......Again

Wordless Wednesday: NO!

Swinging Rocks!

While we were camping in Mantua, the kids found an amazing rope swing over in the other part of the campground. They frequented it often. When our time in our campsite was done and we were all loaded to head home we drove over there as a family and had one last swing. It's an awesome swing site. It is under a huge canopy of trees with a huge open area for the swing to go. You can go in circles, or twist and twirl or just go back and forth, it's awesome. In order to get on the swing you have to climb these big trees that are down, then you can either jump off or have someone push you really hard to get going. Here are some of the photo highlights of our last swing.

Ethan mid-story of his latest swinging experience. Remember the phrase, "A picture is worth a thousand words"? I think this applies. Crazy, cute kid.

Photo Shoot Sunday: Mantua Part Two

This Photo Shoot Sunday I bring to you another photo shoot from our Mantua camping trip. These photos were taken on our last morning there. We had so much fun.

Nine

(the next Vanna White, showing off her bike while camping in Mantua)

Today my Lally-Girl turns nine. Nine! I can hardly stand it. Where does the time go? It seems like last night was the first time I held her in my arms. In nine more years she will be preparing to take off and leave me behind, I am not ready for that. If it feels like only yesterday she was born, it definitely feels like she will be leaving tomorrow. Time moves too quickly for my liking.

Anyhow, I love her tons. She is such a fun daughter and friend to have around. She is full of spunk, kindness and love and our family would be lost without her. Happy Birthday Ladybug!

Favorite Color: red, purple, and pink

Favorite Food: pizza, and strawberries

Favorite TV Show: Hannah Montana, She-Ra Princess of Power, Punky Brewster, Little House on the Prairie

Favorite Song: A Child's Prayer

Favorite Thing To Do: play with my friends, and our new kittens, play the wii, and ride my bike

Favorite Movie: I don't really have a favorite movie, I like all movies. Well, except boy movies.

Favorite Book: Pinkalicious

Wordless Wednesday: "That's Gisgusting!'

(august 2010)

Photo Shoot Sunday: Mantua

This weekend we went camping in Mantua, it was so much fun! So for Photo Shoot Sunday I thought I would share one of the many photo shoots I put the family through. These were taken our first evening at camp. Keep a watchful eye out for more of our camping craziness to come your way this week.

(august 2010)