First Day of Many Days of School

Sawyer started pre-school.  He was so excited.  He gets so sad when he asks where someone is and I tell him they are at school.  " I want to go to school mom".  I hope he continues to enjoy going to school and learning new things.  He said he loved going to school and he had fun playing with the kids.  He loves Ms. Carma, she is amazing with the little kiddos. 

Where is the Trail????

In preparation of hunting season Travis found an area of the mountain he wanted to scout out and put up some hunting cameras.  "We can just hike right into it Laraine" he said, "It won't be that bad", he promised.  " "just over that hill" he said.  Boy, were we in for a little adventure.  

We started off by driving up this crazy road/4-wheeler trail,  more of a trail if you ask me and we were driving our Suburban.  I am sure people were looking at us like we were crazy. We finally got to our destination once we had been scrambled in the car from all of the jostling. We loaded up the kids, and the trail cameras and were off.  The beginning of the trail was rough because it is an old 4-wheeler trail that they had dug massive holes in to deter ATV's.  The holes were full of water and cow dung, which was fun to dodge.  The hike for the first part wasn't too bad.  It was gorgeous and a gradual up hill but nothing I couldn't handle.  When we got to our first big hill I thought "I run a lot, heck, I just did a half marathon,  I got this."  There is a saying that says something like "A hiker makes a good runner, but a good runner does not make you a good hiker."  I was humbled going up that big hill.  My heart was pounding out of my chest.  I had a brief though, well I guess if I did of a heart attack this is a lovely place to die.  Just bury me here. 

We eventually made it to the top and looked at the area Travis wanted to put his cameras.  The area looked like prime deer country, the only problem.  Between us and the area was massive amounts of scrub oak, otherwise known as torture and lots of swearing. Due to the amount of oak we couldn't tell how steep the terrain actually was, but we soon found out on our way down the mountain.  

Travis walked in front of me in case I fell he could stop me, but let's face it if I fell into him we would all fall.  We wouldn't go too far though because we would get tangled in the branches of that awful scrub brush.  Fortunately, we didn't end up falling but we both had scrapes all up our arms and at one point Travis was holding a branch for me and it slipped.  The branch hit me right on the bridge of my nose.  I may have shed of few tears, that is just what happens when you get hit on the nose though. We made it about half way there and I was seriously contemplating laying down and calling in the helicopters.  This was not a small hike like I was promised, anymore.  The map lied to Travis.  The ups and down were so intense. Eventually the kids were hungry so we stopped for snacks and sent Travis to see how far we needed to go. 

This is where we wanted to go back as you can see it was still down a hill and up another hill. The picture does not do it justice

When Travis returned he decided we were not going to go where he thought he wanted to go, Thank the Good Lord!!! We could turn around, oh but all that up hill.  Seriously, shoot me now.  We started out and it wasn't that bad.  We found some places to put the cameras up and I started to head back while Travis put the last camera up.  The hike up the mountain was intense but we had found an area that wasn't as infested with scrub oak. Again, my heart was pounding out of my chest and I was sucking massive amounts of air. Travis was not too far behind me and he was looking similar to how I felt.  We eventually made it too the top with not much time to spare.  When we got to the top we saw a huge storm rolling in.  We had to high tail it down the trail which with a baby on your back is not very easy.  The last 500 yards of the trail the heavens broke open and the thunder and lightening were giving up quite a show right over our heads.  To say I was a bit anxious is an understatement. We made it back safely and had lunch in the back of the Suburban while we waited out the floods. 

HAHAHAHA, we stole your chips mom! 

Stop Mom, Stop! 

When we got home we had to work in the garden to prepare it for our next adventure of going to Chicago!!!! As you can see Jaylee got her fill of dirt for the day while helping dig potatoes. 

Beaver Mountains

Over Labor Day weekend we wanted to have a pretty chill vacation.  We planned to go hike on a trail that we knew from our Forest Service days, however, when we got to the destination it had started to rain, it was windy, and still in the shadow of the mountain.  Therefore, it was way too cold for the kids.  Heck, it was too cold for me.  We decided we would take our picnic else where so we turned around and headed up over Kimberly.  It was a really fun drive, I forgot how pretty the north end of the Tushars are.  We ended up back in Marysvale at Tugg's for some soft serve ice cream, a well deserved treat. We drove the back way to Monroe and ate our picnic at our house.  Not exactly what we had planned but we still enjoyed being with each other. 

On Sunday we headed over to Beaver for Yardley Family dinner since Mariah was in charge of it. WE had it at the park which was a great idea so the kids could play but the weather wanted to be difficult.  That is the best part about being a kid though, you don't care if you get wet. It was fun to be at the dinner.  It has been a long time since we have been to Fast Sunday dinner.  I love that my family still has that tradition. 

After dinner we headed over the mountain to Circleville to spend some time with my Grandparents.  We stayed overnight because on Monday we planned a grand adventure. We set out on Monday to drive the loop from Marysvale across the mountains down to Junction again. If you haven't caught the theme of Labor Day it was spend as much time in the mountains as possible.  We headed out just before lunch because the rains come in the afternoon and make driving not very much fun.  We stopped by Tuggs and grabbed some more ice cream.  The drive up the mountain was a lot more steep than I remember.  I used to drive that road like it was nothing.  I have gotten soft in my old age. The views from the top were amazing.  Grandma had never been on the road before.  The trip lasted a lot longer than expected but we had fun chatting and looking at the amazing beauty of the Beaver Mountains. 

When Mom is Gone

My sisters and I try to go to a Tuachan play every year.  It doesn't always happen but this year the stars aligned and most of us were able to go.  We got to go see Mary Poppins, which was amazing.  I wouldn't expect anything else though from Tuachan.  It was fun to get out with the girls and go out to dinner and do a little shopping.  It has been a long time since we had a day out. 

While I was gone though Dad took really good care of the kids.  It looks like they had a great time, which they usually do with Dad.  Apparently, he is going to be the fun parent. I think we all knew that before though, hahaha.  

Double Trouble

These two keep us on our toes at all times.  We finally started getting some amazing vine ripened tomatoes and when we brought them in Jaylee was so excited.  That is until she took a bite of one of them.  Yep she is like her mom.  She didn't like it but cook them and yum. 

Sawyer was hungry so he grabbed the canister of oatmeal.  We told him you have to cook it first but he didn't care, he just dove right in.  Which then lead to Jaylee trying some.  Which then turned into oatmeal all over the floor.  The life of having two kids.  

Eugene To Utah

Julie came home from her mission, August 13.  My half marathon was the weekend before so we went down to help Katie get things ready for her return.  Well let me rephrase that, Travis helped while I slept in Tammy's cool basement with Jaylee, Hey, I was tired Jack. 

Julie was able to fly into Cedar City so we didn't have to drive up to Salt Lake, and fortunately she flew in at a decent time since she was state-side unlike Krista who flew in at like midnight.  It was fun having Julie on a mission in my old stomping grounds out in Northern California and Southern Oregon.  She even ran into some people we knew. 

We went to the Sizzler afterwards to eat, apparently it is tradition. It was fun there were quite a few people that came to the air port and out to eat.  Life was hectic before she got home  since school started like two weeks after but we are all glad she is back. 

The Outlaw Half Marathon

Back in June when we ran the Ragnar our team mates, Mickell and Crystal, told us they were in charge of the Beaver Outlaw Half Marathon and we should do it.  I thought yeah right.  Nod your head and smile right.  After doing the Bryce Canyon Half I decided why not.  I just did one Half I can do another I am in great shape.  I convinced Krista to run it with me but she got called out on Fire two days before, bummer but a girl has to make money right?  

I was a little nervous about the course because I have driven the road it is on a million times and it ain't going to be an easy breezy down hill canyon run.  No sir, this course has a lot of ups and downs.  Nothing too extreme just ups and downs. 

The night before the race we headed over to Mariah's house to settle in and relax, hahahaha, with 5 kids running around yeah right.  Mariah took me up to pick up my packet-which were full of great swag.  We learned there were going to be just over 30 in the race.  Again my nerves got going again thinking, I am going to be all by myself the whole race- not that I would get lost just nobody to focus on to try to catch or stay ahead of.  I am a big fan of running with a LOT of people.  I feel like the adreline from everybody else helps me along. 

The starting line was great.  People were so friendly and it was fun since I knew lots of people. The volunteers were awesome.  I think the race had more volunteers than runners, which made it amazing.  They were really helpful.  We all lined and were off.  The first part was really weird.  We did not have a rabbit of sorts to lead the way for everybody.  I just kept with my pace and soon I was leading the race.  I started to get nervous because at the starting line there were lots of fit men, retired marines, and other military men, where were they.  I wasn't even going that fast just an 8 min mile.  I lead the race for about the first 2 miles then I twisted my ankle.  At the time I didn't think too much of it. A couple of people passed me but I was still doing well.  It wasn't until about mile 7 that I started to really slow down.  Apparently, I wasn't in as good as shape as I thought I was in, or maybe it was the two huge hills I just climbed. The race directors did a great job of having and aid station every 2 miles.  That was awesome. Around mile 8 or 9 Travis came around with the kids.  They had finally woke up.  They were both excited to see them and I was excited to see my little family.  Around mile 10 my ankle and calf was really starting to bother me, so again I kept going as fast as my body would let but it was pretty slow.  I ran with a new running friend, Shelly.  She was hurting too so we just kept up with each other and talked for 1.5 miles.  It was around this time that I ran into the best aid station with Karma and Amy.  They cheered for me, did tricks for me, and rehydrated me.  They were just what I needed.  

I finished the half in 2 hours and 5 min.  A lot slower than I thought.  It leaves room for improvement next year though.  I would highly recommend this race to anybody, not just because it is in Beaver, but the course is gorgeous, the people were great, the swag was fun, it was just a great race.