RedRock Relay!

I got invited to be on an awesome team for the Moab RedRock Relay this year. It's a 70 mile relay run by a team of 6 in one day. The course goes UP the Colorado River, around the La Sal Mountain Range, and back into Moab - INTENSE!

It was one of the best relays I have ever run . . . even though . . .

The first guy on the left in the back (Griff) had food poisoning that morning, the second guy from the left (Braedon) had never run more than 5 miles in his life, Rod (third from the left) had not been training and was there for moral support - not running, I (blue shirt) tore my calf muscle the week prior to the race, the guy on the far back right (Nile) is 62 and tore his meniscus four years ago and had to have surgery to repair it, and the girl on the front left (Nicole) just found out she is pregnant and was exhausted, and Kenny (front right) likes too much Celine Dion.

Odds were not in our favor for a great race day. However . . .

We rocked the RedRock anyway!

We were the mighty Red Rockodile Hunters!

It was hot - but not too, too hot, and the scenery was like no other.

I was the 4th runner, so my beloved husband taped me up good and sent me off running.
My leg climbed 1000 ft. in 5 1/2 miles. After a mile and a half, my calf gave out . . . and my amazing, non-trained husband stepped up and rescued me and the team. Go ahead. Zoom in on the picture above - my face is screaming defeat as I take that blasted wrist band off!

Superman to the rescue - and he even smiled as he finished the last four miles (straight up hill) of my leg!

Nile, Nicole, Me and Griff

One of the many breath-taking views from our run!

I couldn't stand to sit in that car and watch everyone else run - especially knowing that not one of them was any better off than I was that day . . . so being as smart as I am, I had Rod tape me up once more, put a smile on and ran my second leg of the race. 7 miles of rolling hills and pure beauty all around me. I loved every minute of it . . . and paid for every minute of it later!

Rod was the greatest blessing ever to the entire team. He drove, cheered us all on, picked up our slack, and kept everyone of us hydrated and cool throughout the entire day. How many husbands will do that?!

And as if one giant hill wasn't enough, he ran the first part of Nicole's last leg so that she wouldn't have to go up the steep hill in the heat! Rod, you really are amazing!

In spite of all the craziness leading up to the race, we finished in great time - 9 hours and 26 minutes, which meant we had an average pace of 8.o9 minute miles, which put us in 18th place out of 200 teams! We literally rocked the RedRock!

Griff, Nicole, Me, Nile, Braedon, Kenny . . .

And my most favorite team member! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so supportive in all I do . . . and for always being the one to carry me when things get crazy and hard! Love you always and forever!

12 Years!

12 years ago, I married my everything . . .

and I love him more today than ever!

It was a crazy, busy day and we genuinely did not have time to celebrate,
which upset the girls.
So, they celebrated for us!
They got up early and worked together to make this cute sign to put in the window so that everyone would know it was our anniversary.
They told everyone they saw that day that it was an important day - which it was.

Camryn even talked her teacher into letting her make this during class!

The best part about the past twelve years?

Getting to spend every day with my best friend
and sharing our life with these three munchkins!

Happy Anniversary Rod!

Happiness

This is my newest decoration for my house.
It makes me smile every time I look at it!
Thanks Mom!

So behind! So busy! Hoping to catch up soon!
In the meantime, I'm gonna get me some
french fries!

Hope of America

Camryn got to be part of the Hope of America Concert at the Marriott Center on the BYU campus the other night. It was an amazing event to be part of. I had no idea what kind of efforts and talents went into this concert, and expected nothing more than my child in a yellow t-shirt singing songs she had learned at school this year. However, the patriotic messages and overall "spirit" of the concert were deeply moving! (Yes, it made me cry!)

Camryn wanted to honor a dear family friend of ours by inviting him to the concert. He had to make some crazy travel arrangements to be there, but did it out of love for Camryn, and we are so grateful that he did! Phil served in the Air Force years ago as a pilot, and it was extra special to be able to honor his service to our country with such a neat program.

After attending, Phil was so impressed that he did some research and found some interesting facts about the concert. In a "journal" entry, he wrote:
"The Hope of America Concert was performed by fifth-graders from 72 schools in Utah County. This is the largest elementary school performance program in America. It will be beamed by the Armed Forces Network to U.S. military troops world-wide. I cannot even guess the total number of performers but I would conservatively estimate 3,500 students! I have performed in several concerts and so my respect for these young people goes to the “awe” level! They performed several difficult numbers without a single sheet of music in front of them."

I can't wait for next year!
(Even if the traffic is horrendous, and it takes an hour just to get out of the parking lot!)

Phil and Carsyn

Phil let each of the girls take a turn wearing his Legion hat.

All the kids together to form the American Flag

Our favorite guest performers were these darling "grandma dancers!"
They ranged in age from 54-94. They did a great job!

Camryn, Phil, Carsyn and Tyleigh

More Alice in Wonderland

My darling friend took these pictures of the girls during the play!

I am so grateful to have such great pictures of such a fun event!