Sytobo!

The longest bike race in the country is one that begins right here in Utah, (Logan, to be exact) and covers 206 miles to Jackson Hole, WY. It is called Lotoja, a name formed from taking the first two letters of "Logan to Jackon." This post is about my own ride, not even close to those 206 miles, but still an accomplishment for me, regardless. I call it "Sytobo." (Syracuse to Bountiful: 23 miles) (I am seething with creativity, I know...)

Mike's parents had invited us to their home in Bountiful on the 24 of July for dinner, and since our car broke (died, actually) we have been one seat-belt short when taking the entire family anywhere. So I decided that I was going to ride my bike to Bountiful so that the kidders could have the seat-belts, but maybe more, just to prove to myself that I could do it. I was actually excited about it after I presented the idea to Mike and found out that he was behind me 100% and even excited for me. He pumped up my tires, oiled my chain, charged my i-pod, filled my water bottle, and I was on the road at 4 PM with the temperature at a balmy 98 degrees.

I kept to the back roads and enjoyed (almost) every bit of the ride. There were a few spots where it got incredibly hard to keep going (up hill), but I kept telling myself that I could do it, thought of the pioneers (since it was Pioneer Day and all) and kept pedaling.

What a sense of accomplishment and relief as I pulled in to my final destination at about 5:30 PM. I was completely exhausted, but it felt so good to finish and do what I had set out to do. (much unlike laundry at my house...)

A special thanks to:
*Mike, for believing in me, supporting me, and thinking I look sexy in my helmet.
*and to One Republic, Daughtry, and David Cook for the music that kept me going!!! =D

Two Peas in a Pod

Cam and Caleb. My precious boys. Oh, how I love them! I found them like this Sunday after church and thought it was so precious. Caleb was playing "Cars" on the computer and Cam was content to just sit there with him and watch all the cars on the screen. No screaming. No hitting. No trying to steal the mouse away from the other. No throwing the sippy cup at the screen. Just two brothers, one computer, one chair.

I love, love, love this picture. They even look alike from behind. =)

Caleb got a treat for putting his brother to sleep for his nap. ;)I just wanted to add this picture as well. I was out working in the yard and Cam was right there next to me. He sat down in the dirt (which was a bit moist), took off his shoes, and just played. He dug in the dirt, he ate the dirt, he threw the dirt, and wiped it all over his clothes, his hair, and his face. And instead of freaking out about him getting dirty, I just sat there in the dirt with him and enjoyed watching him experience it all.
I have come to cherish these ordinary moments that make life extraordinary.

July Day!

Yes, I am finally getting around to posting my "July Day!" festivity photos (as Emma calls the 4th of July). This is Mike's favorite holiday, and I have to admit that it ranks pretty high up in the list of favorites for myself as well. I know my kids love it also. The day was filled with everything this holiday should be: parades, candy, sparklers, fireworks, backyard BBQs and yes, the matching outfits. I usually make something for all of the kids, but this year I pushed the guilt aside and actually BOUGHT matching shirts from Wal*Mart. (Please pick your jaws up off the floor.) I look forward to these photos probably more than any other photos of the year. (p.s. Yes, I got my hair cut! I love it!) Cam was a little "busy" for this photo-op with more important things on his agenda.



The 4th of July started bright and early for me as I got up early and was on my bike at 5:45 AM headed over to West Point to run the 5K. I decided that I was going to run for Joanna, since I know West Point is really where she wanted to be this day. The cool part was that she was up and running a different 5K at the same time 2000 miles away. And the kick in the pants... she beat my running time by 2 minutes. ;) I blame the altitude. Way to kick asphalt, Sis!!!!




















Cam's favorite forbidden things to do: eat all the sugar he wants and run into the street. So what could be better than actually combining the two and doing them at the same time!?! He was in 2 year old heaven.

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." – Erma Bombeck