Crazy Runs in the Family

The Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay was this past weekend.  If you don't know what it is the race is a relay style race consisting of 12 runners- 2 vans of 6 runners- who run 190 miles from Logan to Park City.  It is the most amazing race through some of the most beautiful country in Utah.  This year, well techinically last year because you have to sign up for the race a year in advance, I convinced my cousins and my sisters to run the race with me.  I was signed up to run the 2010 but Sawyer decided to come along in May so running in June was pretty much out of the question so I was not going to let another year pass without doing the relay again.  

This year we had a start time of 5:30 AM.  I was a little bummed when we got assigned this start time because I am so not a morning person but it turned out great.  For the most part our team ran in the day time instead of at night.  When we got to the start line it was freezing, not just cold but super windy.  It honestly felt like it was Feb. instead of June.  Poor Melinda- our runner from California- had to experience Cache Valley weather at an extreme.  She did awesome starting our team out though.  Andrea was our next runner.  She took over in Millville and ran to Hyrum.  I ran from Hyrum to Paradise.  It was an awesome run. When I got to the exchange nobody from my team was there to greet me.  Apparently Vanessa got stuck in a line to the bathroom.  The lines for the bathrooms were insane at the first of the race, they were always slowing us down.  Vanessa ran out to Avon where Mariah climbed the gnarly Avon Pass, 7.5 miles all uphill in the dust.  It was crazy.  We were just glad they had the pass open to be honest.  With all this wet weather that Cache Valley has received we didn't think they would open the pass in time.  Greg got the opportunity to run down the back side of Avon Pass, it is a good thing he likes downhill, it was brutal.  We met up with our other van in Liberty.  Boy were we excited to see them so we could eat and rest a bit.  

We met up with Van 2 again at Snow Basin.  They had some crazy runs.  Way to go Cressa and Kendra.  They had the pleasure of running up Snow Basin road.  They were quite the troopers.  We took over again and headed down into Morgan Valley.  We ran through some towns that I had never heard of.  I think people over there keep their cute little communities a secret to preserve the serene beauty.  We ended in East Canyon State Park with Greg running up a never ending mountain.  We couldn't be more relieved to finish this leg of the race because it means that we got a long break.  We headed over to Coalville to rest.  Poor Van 2 had their hardest/longest legs in the middle of the night.  They did amazing though. My mom had to run 10 miles in the dark on a trail, she twisted her ankle but she finished strong.  She actually got roped into doing the Ragnar on Saturday, June 11, six days before.  We owe her a lot of stepping up in our time of need.  Our runners from Texas did great, Jeff and Nicole.  I know they were nervous because of the elevation and they didn't think they were prepared enough but there were some of our strongest runners.  

Our last leg of the race was a good one for everybody in our van but me.  I had a 7.7 mile run around Jordanelle Res.  It was like 2.5 miles downhill then 5 miles up hill.  It was so intimidating.  At the bottom of the hill you could look to the top and see runners knowing that it really wasn't the end of your run, once you got to that top you turned the corner and ran uphill more.  It was good though.  I felt like I accomplished a great feat at the end.  After I ran my last leg I laid down in the back seat and I was completely gone until we reached Park City.  I was so exhausted.  We had a some team drama while I was asleep.  Poor Cressa got super sick to her stomach and was unable to complete her last leg so Melinda volunteered to run Greg's last leg and Greg ran Cressa's which added about 4 more miles to his run.  

I am so glad I have such an awesome family that would agree to do this race with me.  We had some great support.  Thanks Aunt Anona for driving the Van 2.  I would love to run again with my family.  How about next year????? 

  

I Love Outside

As I have said before Sawyer loves to play outside.  He has discovered the rocks around our house and would pick up and hand each and every one of them to you if you would let him.  He lifts them over his head and even tries to taste test a few of them. He also loves the fences around the houses.  He stands up by them and just laughs, yells, and bangs on them.  He really would live outside if we would let him.

Sawyer doesn't like his knees to touch the concrete.  He does a bear crawl when he is outside.  

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"Oh look what I have, you want it?"

Kisses for Mom- all wet and slobbery 

Yesterday we discovered that laying Sawyer on his back in the grass is not kosher with him.  He rolled up in a little ball and closed his eyes.  He got this look of pure torture on his face.  Poor thing.  Travis and I couldn't stop laughing long enough to get him back up.

Sawyer Turns One!!!

I can't not believe my baby is one year old.  I know where does the time go? hahaha- diapers and feeding and no sleep I am surprised I even remember what day it is anymore.
We were able to celebrate Sawyers birthday down south with the family.  It was fun but stressful but hey he won't remember any of it right?  We had cake and Aggie ice cream.  Sawyer didn't take too well to the cupcake but he really isn't a messy child.  He would put his fingers in the frosting and them reach up with a disgusted look on his face like "please clean this off."  He is such a character.  We love him so much.
Here are some stats of our little guy.  He is 18 lb 4 oz. - like I said little.  Travis was a small baby believe it or not so there is some hope because I was quite the fatty.  He is 28 inches long.  He loves being outside.  All last weekend he would go to the door and point outside, Grandpa would always give in didn't matter the weather outside.  Sawyer loves to eat just about anything.  He loves green beans and cottage cheese.  Cheerios come in a close third along with anything we are eating.  He seriously should weigh a ton he eats so much.  Sawyer loves to be funny.  If you laugh at something he is doing he will continue to try to make you laugh.  He joins in laughing a lot.  He loves to unload things, my cupboards, the drier, my sock drawer, any bag within reach.  He just figured out the light switch and won't let you leave a room without turning it off and on a few times.  He loves bath time and splashing everywhere.  Sawyer loves stuffed animals and real ones too.

Sawyer is such a great baby.  I really don't have too many complaints.  He is a good sleeper, eater and is just so stinking cute it is hard to not like him.  We are so grateful our little family was blessed with such a sweet spirit.

We told Sawyer to blow the candle out.  Sam decided Sawyer was taking too long and blew it out.  

We all said "Sam No"  this sent Sawyer into hysterics.  

Sawyer turns one!!

Yep I am spoiled. 

Cupcakes again.  This time he liked it a bit more. 

The Three Amigos- Yes Sawyer has discovered his nose.  Silly child. 

Sam had a hard time waiting for Sawyer to open his presents.  He kept saying "I help" 

Cattle Round Up

Memorial Day, oh how I love that weekend.  Spring is usually in full bloom and we get to spend time with family reflecting on those who have passed before us.  We tell stories and learn of our relations while putting flowers on graves in the cemetery. It is a lot of fun.  The most fun part of the weekend is our annual Branding/Cattle Round-Up.  The whole Smith Family gathers together to push the cows to the East corals then the rodeo begins.  Colby and Rowdy rope the calves while Travis, Jared, and Ammon flip the calves.  I am a wuss so I just give shots or brand if necessary.  This year though Jordan and Uncle Todd were our branders.  I was almost replaced by my 8 year old nephew with giving shots.  Mariah and Vanessa are our castrators- so don't get on their bad sides hahaha. Just kidding.  They are a lot better with blood than I am.  It is a lot of fun, especially when the boys get a wild calf and they are jumping all around.  Poor Travis had quite the dance with a huge calf but Travis prevailed and we got the calf done.  Travis also in the midst of the wrestling calves lost his leatherman knife.  We all looked and looked and looked.  We could not find it but by a miracle a calf moved some dirt around and there is was buried.  Thank the heavens above.  Travis would be lost without his knife.
Pushing the cows back down the pasture turned into quite the rodeo too.  They certainly have a mind of their own.  The cows saw a hole in the fence and away they went into a field.  It was funny to see us all scurrying around trying to head them off.
After the branding is all finished we head back to Grandmas for an awesome feast of BBQ hamburgers.   My mouth is watering just thinking of them.  Grandma and my mom were hard at work watching little kids and fixing food while we wrestled with the cows.  Sometimes, I would take the cows over the food and kids.  The BBQ was a bit windy this year but it was still awesome.  I was so happy I got to be down there this year instead of being in the hospital.  We really missed Krista and Dakota but hopefully they will get to join us next year.

Happy Anniversary

I know it is cliche but I would like to take a little minute to mention that I am married to the most amazing husband in the world. (Cheesy right).  Travis is such a supportive husband and so caring.  He is such a great father as well.  I could not have asked for a better guy.  I know I am not the easiest person to live with and Travis does it every day with a smile on his face.  I love him so much and look forward to many, many more years together.

Well, now down to the details of our 4 year- yep I can't believe it myself that is has been 4 years- anniversary.  My mom so graciously volunteered to watch Sawyer for Travis and I so we could do something fun for our anniversary.  We decided to head down to the BIG city of Salt Lake.  We stayed at the Anniversary Inn. There are two in the area.  When we arrived in SLC I realized I had forgotten which one I had made reservations at.  I was just so excited to be getting out of the house this small detail slipped my mind.  We had to call to see which one we were at, I felt like such an idiot.  After checking in we decided we were starving.  Being in the big city there were so many choices for restaurants, we decided to go for seafood at the Market Street Grill.  It was delicious. 

On Thursday, the day of our anniversary, we went to the Salt Lake Temple, then to the Church History Museum.  It was a great day.  I am so glad we got to spend the day together and I am so grateful for my awesome Mom for watching my child who is often difficult ;).  

Sawyer The Destroyer

Sawyer the Destroyer gets on the war path a lot these days.  I found him in my drawers the other day.  I was trying to clean the house for some company but just as fast I as I was cleaning Sawyer was "un-cleaning" the place.  I don't believe these pictures show that he actually pulled the drawer completely out after he completely unpacked the entire thing.  He got so upset that I was packing the clothes back up, how can you be upset when he has such a cute face? 

Look I can DRIVE!

Travis is such a gem!! I have been wanting to run hills to train for the Ragnar.  I only get to run them about once a week, usually Saturdays. Since we live in the flattest part of the valley, I have to seek them out.  Crazy I know, who wants to run hills? Travis had a genius idea.  If I brought him lunch then he would watch Sawyer while I went and ran the Bonneville Lake Shore Trail.  While I was away Travis decided to start driving lessons for Sawyer.  You can never start too soon.....right?