Indian Bay Adventure Race

In June we took a road trip with my brother Jeff's family and Brian's sister Melanie to Duchesne, Utah, to do an "adventure race."

 We stopped at the Cabelas in Lehi, Utah, on our way.

 Paisley, Eva, and Ely playing in the sand.

 We camped out at Starvation State Park. It was beautiful and we were right by the water.

 Eva and Paisley always have a great time together!

 Kierra tried out the hammock.

 Me, Brian, Kierra, and Jeff all did the race. It was a 5k with about 10 different obstacles (terrain, carrying a sand bag up a hill and back down, carrying a tire up a hill, crossing the water on a rope, catching a goldfish, running out into the bay, jumping over a fire, throwing a spear, and a few others). It was really a fun race, and the money went towards a good cause (helping cancer patients who have to travel to Salt Lake for treatments). Thanks for inviting us, Jeff!!

 We convinced Kierra at the very last minute to do the race with and she did awesome!! (I hope you made your dad pay up!!) It was also Kierra's birthday that day.

 I just love Brian so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were glad Aunt Melanie got to come with us, too!! Thanks, Mel.

Minnetonka Cave

In May we went with a bunch of my relatives to the Minnetonka Cave, near Bear Lake. It was a really neat cave...lots of steps but everybody made it just fine.

 

 Mom & Dad

 Eva & Paisley

 Brian & Lindsay

 Ely absolutely loved exploring the cave and wanted to go get down and walk by himself as much as he could. He tuckered himself out!

 We also went to see the Soda Springs geyser, went to my cousin's place in Niter for dinner, and then went to soak in the hot pools in Lava Hot Springs. It was a busy day but so much fun!!

This is Eva at her dance recital. She did very good and was so cute in her costumes. Thanks to everybody who came and sat through the REALLY long recital!!

Tommy Vaughn's Marathon & More

Last Saturday was the Tommy Vaughn's Marathon & More in Blackfoot. McKenzie ran the 5k, Brian and Marcy ran the half marathon, and I ran the full marathon. We had great weather and it was a fun day! The marathon was long, and some parts had a pretty strong head wind, but I made it!! And, I even did two minutes better than the marathon I did last year!! Awesome!!

 I'm so glad everyone else decided to run, too. It's so great to have family there for these things.

 The races started and ended at Veteran's Memorial Park in Blackfoot.

 McKenzie after her awesome 5k. Her best time yet!!

 Marcy and Brian after the half marathon. Technically, a half marathon is 13.1 miles, but there was a mishap with the course and it ended up being about 13.9 miles! So proud of both of you!!

 Eva and Ely had fun playing at the park waiting for us (mostly me) to finish.

 Me after my marathon. So happy to see that finish line! Awesome!! It took me 4 hours and 56 minutes. I'm not super fast, but I'm pretty proud of being able to run for that long anyway!

Afterward we went to visit our good friend Carol Sagers. What a wonderful lady! Funny thing, I actually ran past her house while on my marathon!

Catch up with pictures...

I haven't posted in over a month, so here a some pictures of what we have been doing.

Brian and his Grandpa Bingham.

On Easter Sunday we were at Brian's grandparent's house for lunch. They have lots of animals and they had two goats that week that had triplets!!! Eva got to hold one.

 My Dad just got a John Deere lawn mower! It's awesome! I volunteered to be the first to mow the lawn, of course. Halfway through McKenzie said she wanted a turn, so I had to share.

My Dad and Ely on the tractor.  

 

 Brian got a whole bunch of berry bushes for free from the Pheasant's Forever banquet, so we planted them down below my dad's house in the pasture. Brian is hoping they will grow well and invite even more deer and pheasants to come around!

Brian had a Dietetics conference in Sun Valley, so of course I went along. It was fun and very pretty! Thanks for my parents and McKenzie for watching the kids while we were gone.

 I even found a John Deere tractor in Sun Valley, so I had to get a picture.

 Sophie, Paisley, and Eva at Paisley's "Tangled" birthday party.

 This is Eva in one of her dance costumes. Doesn't she look so cute?!! She has fun in dance, I think mostly because she gets to go play with a dozen other girls her age!

 Brian built the kids a little play house in the backyard and it turned out great! They love it.  

 I just love this picture of Ely and Duchess!!

Mataya and Ely just watching a movie on the iPad.

Day Trip to Jackson Hole

On the last Saturday in March we went on a little trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I know I've been there a few times, but the only thing I remember from going there with my family when I was a kid were the elk antler arches.

We wanted to go see the elk on the refuge there. We went on the wagon ride and got to see lots of elk up close. It was really neat and the weather was beautiful!! Before the ride we went to lunch at a really good pizza place...but I can't remember the name of it. After the ride we walked around Jackson Hole for a bit. I got a huge slice of bread at Great Harvest and everybody else got ice cream cones at another store. It was so much fun!!

We were so glad Aunt Marcy wanted to go with us! She made it even more fun, like usual!!Eva was glad she got to see the horses up close. She LOVES horses.

Our family in front of the elk antler arch.

Eva, Lindsay, Marcy, and Ely at the arch.

Marcy and Eva with Einstein.

Didn't take long for them to fall asleep on the way home!

Ely became good friends with Aunt Marcy while she visited.

I love my family!!

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family. They make me so happy! Brian is working hard in school and just got accepted into ISU's Dietetics program. Hooray!!

Eva is so smart and growing up way too fast. She loves to play, make us laugh, and have snacks!

Ely is so much fun! He is full of energy and keeps us on our toes. He loves fruit, but other than that is a pretty picky eater.

We were able to find homes for all of Duchess' puppies. They were fun, but I think one dog at a time is all we need!

Cute kids..again

Eva all wrapped up. Ely loves this little couch at the babysitter's house.