Top of Utah Marathon Sept.18, 2010

So about 4 months ago Tiff and I decided to sign up and train for a full marathon, we figured if Oprah can do it so can we right? So we spent our entire summer waking up at 5:00 four times a week to run , needless to say that by race time we actually wanted to throw up at the thought of running! So anyways our very supportive little families loaded up on Friday and headed to Logan. Saturday morning Tiff and I woke up at 4:20 and caught the bus up to the starting line, it was so freezing cold up the canyon, but it was so beautiful! The first time we got to see our families was at mile 19 and Morgan and Danny had taken them to buy poster board and helped them make signs for us! As soon as we saw them we burst into tears and ran to them hugging and kissing them, we saw them one other time, and it was just the push we needed to finish! When I saw that finish line it I became so overwhelmed I just started crying even before I crossed.....It was such an amazing feeling to know I had finished especially after training so hard! Our amazing husbands where there waiting for us with the kids, there is no way we would have been able to do this without them, they put up with so much all summer watching the kids so we could go out and train, and then taking care of them while we ran the race...... I Love You Babe.... you are the best! Mom wasn't able to go with us so she made each of us a cute little bag that had a picture of my dad in it, a pretzel (representing carbs) one of my dad's bracelet's and a note from her! I know Dad would have been there to watch us and cheer us on, but I am positive he was there in spirit, pushing us when we needed him! It was such a neat experience, and I am so happy I was able to do it! Thanks Tiff for making me stick with it, and Thanks Morg for being such a supportive hubby! I love you guys!

First day of school

Ashton and Mrs. Perez

Picking Ashton up after his first day!

Ali and Mrs Biggs

Can't forget about little Gray!

Ali started 4th grade and Ashton is in Kindergarten this year. I cannot believe my kids are getting so big..... the fact that next year will be Ali's last year in elementary school, and that Ashton will go to school all day and even eat lunch there, is more than I can stand! I did pretty good this year when we dropped Ali off, she does really well at school and she loves it, plus it is our 4th year of dropping her off, but taking Ashton was a different story..... both mom and I were a mess before we even got out of the car! Just seeing him with his little book bag on , and how little he looked at his desk, trying to be so brave, made it really hard not to grab him up and take him home! He just kept looking up at me with those beautiful big eyes and doing his little smile, shrug thing he does when he is trying not to cry..... it was to much! I wish I could freeze time right now I want to keep my kids exactly the way they are right now forever!

Dad's Birthday

(The last time we ever went to Red Canyon with Dad '07)

My dad turned 53 on Aug. 16 this year, and so for his birthday we all went to his favorite place..... Red Canyon Lodge, for dinner. Mom brought dad's favorite cake, (chocolate with white frosting) and a balloon for each of us to send to heaven....the kids absolutely love to send balloons to Papa! There is not a day that goes by that we don't miss him terribly, and either laugh or cry when we talk about him! He definitely left a huge hole in our family that will never be filled...... We love and miss you so much Dad, life will never be the same without you here with us!

Memorial Day......

So this is my dad's headstone, it has been a long, and very stressful two year process for my mom to get it here, but it was worth it, It is absolutely beautiful. She put so much time stress and thought into designing it just right for him, and she did an amazing job! I am sure Dad is so proud of her and of it!

I turned around and Asht was sitting there looking at "Papa's" picture. I would give a million dollars to know what was going through his little head at that moment.

Mom loves this statue, the bird in flight is my dad, and the other one is her!

Gray loved the flag Nama brought with her!

Papa's little buddies

Ali and Mammy picking flowers to take to the cemetary!

This was Mammy's baby sister

Mimi and Papa's grave

Lately at our house......

I haven't updated for awhile so I thought I would post some of the things we have been up to recently! Ashton has started t-ball..... so stinking cute! He absolutely loves it, and takes it very seriously! When a ball is hit, (it doesn't matter where on the field the ball goes) he is right there to try and get it! I can just imagine my dad cheering " Go A.B. Go" he always said he couldn't wait to teach Asht how to play, I wish he so badly he was here to do just that!

Ali decided that she is no longer going to wear shorts unless I let her shave her legs, so since I just bought all of her summer clothes, and I am sick of listening her beg...... we shaved her legs tonight for the first time! Tiff and Nama came over for the big event! We had fun teaching her how to shave, and she loved how soft her legs felt! My baby girl is growing up way to fast! ( I am holding strong on her not piercing her ears for a few more years!)