Happy Birthday!

 This year for Christian's birthday we had all of our Texas friends write him notes on or in a balloon so he could still have friends even after we'd moved to help him celebrate.  It was wonderful reading your notes!  Thank you all!

 My favorite balloon said, "Happy B-day Christian!  I will miss Tyson, Austin, and Shannon.  Love, Bane"--That was our adorable next door neighbor boy!  We also got a balloon from their cat, Annie who promised she didn't mean to poop in our yard.  It made me laugh so hard!

 I was grateful for everyone's help in helping Christian feel happy for his birthday!

Happy Birthday Babe!  I love you more than 100 balloons :)  You really are the kindest, gentlest, hottest, most wonderful husband in the world.  I love you!  Happy Birthday!

Island Park

 The day after we got to Montana, we turned around and headed for Island Park, Idaho for the Francis Family reunion.  It was a blast!

There were baby Bison and the oldies were rubbing off their winter fur.  It was fun to see them again!

We got to meet Caitlin, Matt's fiancee and I am so excited she's marrying into the family!  She is so fun and makes all of the kids feel like her favorite.  They really compliment each other well and I'm excited for them to be married!  Wohoo!

Heidi and Darcy are the best sister-in-laws and have always made me feel loved.  They both were without husbands for the more part of the trip and maintained their sanity!  How they do it?  I have no idea!

Greg and Christian.  I look up to my father-in-law very much.

Sandy read books to the kids as we awaited Old Faithful's blast.  She is so prepared and loving.  I hope I can be more like her someday.

We roasted marshmellows and Tyson thought it was awesome!  He would roast them and let me eat them since they were too sticky!  I thought that was a perfect plan!

Here's a taste of the cousins :)

Austin and Clara were ADORABLE together!  Clara is so precise and smart and was so nice to Austin.  I think they will be good friends :)

One day we were able to 'go off the beaten path' so to speak with one of Greg's friends who used to be a ranger in the park.  It was my favorite experience of the trip!

We went on a hike and just saw hot pots, and geysers and HUGE mud pots which were just out in the middle of nowhere!  Hyrum nearly jumped in and I really thought how hard it would be to jump in after him.  I'm glad he didn't jump!

It started to rain and everyone had to grab a kid and book it to the car.  It was a crazy time!  For some reason it reminded me of what it may have been like for the pioneers...but a lot more fun!

Isn't that amazing?

Here we are booking it for the cars!  It was crazy since we were supposed to only step where the guide had stepped so as not to fall through the earth.  We fell a little bit behind taking pictures :)

I was glad I'd brought towels in case we went hot potting!

I regretted not listening to the prompting to grab a blanket :)

We made it out alive!!  I think we would've been good pioneers :)

The last day we tried to take a picture of all of the grandkids....good luck with that one!

Aubrey and Hyrum (the two cousins closest in age to Tyson)

On our way home we stopped at Big Springs.  It's the 'big spring' that forms the Snake river.  It is beautiful and crystal clear...and cold!

 Brielle liked making handprints on Christian's shirt!  She thought this was hilarious!

Then we went over to the other side to feed the huge fish that live here!  The night before we saw three Moose and a baby.  It was really neat!

Hyrum being nice to Austin.

Feeding the....Sea gulls?  They and the mosquitos were everywhere!

Isn't is beautiful?  You could almost call it Montana :)

I ran a marathon

So my amazing friend Nichole Blair roped me into running 26.2 miles the day after my baby brother's wedding. It was crazy.  I'm glad I did it because I'll never have to do it again :)  Nichole and I had trained together for the past four months.  I ran 10 miles with her one day and she said, "See, you could run a marathon!  Sign up for the same one as me!"  10 and 26 are a little bit different!  

We had trained in hot and humid Texas and we usually ran the first 8-10 miles together before we split off and ran our own paces.  Marathon morning, I saw the 4 hour pacer and got greedy.  A fast time for me would have been 4 hours 22 minutes.  I stuck with the pacer and Nichole said, "If you want 4 hours, you'll have to do it on your own!"  So I left her at mile one and ran the first 7 miles at a much faster pace than I should have done!  The pacer said he was banking time so we could go slower on the 3/4 mile hill and add about 10 minutes to our second half and still make it in 4 hours.  He said the first half should feel too easy...it did not feel too easy to me!  I was breathing hard and at a lot higher altitude than I was used to.  This meant I needed more air than usual but was getting less.  I lost the pacer but still passed mile 13 at 2 hours flat.  I felt great but was breathing hard.  At mile 17, I don't know why but suddenly felt like I was ready to cry!  Luckily, three volunteers jumped out and started frantically cheering for me!  I thought, "I can do it!" That kept me going.  At mile 21 my dad was there to take pictures and give me a new water bottle.  I was so glad he was there and ready even though I was ahead of schedule!  He has been my biggest fan and I'm so grateful for him! While training I would call him after my long runs and he even sent me two fancy pairs of socks since my toes had doubled in size from new blisters each Saturday.  He is the sweetest dad!

At mile 23 I was suddenly very dizzy and very tired.  I ended up walking for about a block and I was again ready to cry.  I really thought I was going to have to walk the rest of the way.  My first goal was to finish, my second goal was to finish under 4 hours, my third goal was to finish strong.  The last two goals were not looking so good!  I said a prayer and a great song came on my ipod so I took to running again!  Those last three miles were so hard!  The very last mile and little bit I could see the finish line, so I ran as hard as I could!  I looked over at a store window and I looked like I was going so slow!!  I was reminded of my old roommate's mom who would say as she passed a store window, "Who's that old lady?  Oh!  It's me!"  By mile 25 I was praying no one I knew would see me until the end because I knew if I saw anyone, there was no way I was going to finish!  Somehow, I pushed to the end.  Sheer willpower, God's help, and I have no idea what else got me there!

As I crossed the finish line, I was happy, but again, I had been super dizzy for the last three miles of the race.  Two medics immediately came to my sides and steadied me out of the way of the finish line.  I felt so silly!  I thought, "What a way to finish a race!  I just ran 26 miles and they won't even let me walk 10 feet to the side!"  My dad was there with a creamie and I got some powerade and oranges.  Then I went straight to the finish line to watch Nichole cross.  She did great!  I didn't get to see her after that, but it was so good to see her smiling as she crossed that line!

When you run a marathon, they give you a pretty heavy medal and I was glad!  I could barely hold myself up, but that way, people could know why!

We stood in line for the free 10 minute massages for about an hour and I started feeling very dizzy and very nauseous.  I sat down out of line, barely made it to the table and then enjoyed my massage.  As soon as it was over, I was so dizzy I couldn't walk.  I fell to the ground and puked my guts out!  It was great because then I got a chair and some water!  I sat there for 30 minutes and then was walked to my dad's car.

I was throwing up for the next 5 hours and could not keep anything in me!  My dad pulled over just in time for me to throw up all over the grass.  Immediately after that the sprinklers came on!  I went to my brother's house cold and still dizzy.  I slept for two hours and threw up some more.  I couldn't hold even ice chips down.  Finally Christian took me home and drugged me with anti-nausea medicine.  He would wake me up every hour to give me a sip of water or powerade until midnight.  After that, I ate two chocolate chip cookies and went to sleep.

I still don't know why my body reacted so poorly to the fatigue.  I'd been training for four months, I was completely hydrated, I'd trained up to 21 miles and I was used to running in hot weather.  My only thought is that since I was breathing so hard and yet getting less oxygen, I must have had altitude sickness.  I was chilled, dizzy, nauseous, and barely there.  I was just enough there to feel slightly embarrassed but so tired I couldn't do anything about it.

The next day I was so sore since I hadn't moved really since I finished the race--I didn't even really stretch!  But three days later I could walk down the stairs straight again.  I'm glad I ran it but I think I'll stick with half marathons from now on!  It was an experience I'll draw from again and again--like the time I sang karaoke and couldn't find the pitch to save my life!  I am a more humble person because of it.  Thank you Dad!  Thank you Nichole!  Thank you Christian for watching the kids for hours each Saturday morning for months!  I ran a marathon and finished!

Utah 2012

Disclaimer: This post is somewhat disjointed--but I wanted to remember and thank everyone for everything!  Thank you all so much for your friendship and love!

 After we sold our house, we spent one last night with the Blairs.  We thought it would be a game night but we ended up scrubbing the carpets by hand since the carpet cleaners weren't able to make it.  Thank you Nichole for your awesome scrubbing tips and for helping us through that stressful time.  We never could've made it without your friendship over the years!  Thank you! Thank you!  Thank you! Then, we flew to Utah where we were able to stay with my grandparents for the next few days.  Thank you so much!

 We had a wonderful time!  My Grandma went to a lot of work to get the cousins together and put on a beautiful luncheon.  It was so fun!  I told Tyson his cousins were coming over and he said, "No, your cousins are coming over!"  He was right :)

 Grandpa wowed Tyson with paper airplanes and even kicked the ball around for him!

 Here's my Grandpa, who will be 91 in August!  My Grandparents are both amazing!

 During our stay, we were able to see so many people we love and even missed some (sorry Tiana!  I really wanted to see you!)  We went out to see Aunt Cindy and play at the park.  She made cookies since it was Christian's birthday.  She is so thoughtful!

 I love the dirt on this kid's face!

 Thank you Aunt Cindy!  You always make us smile with your cards and love!  You're so wonderful!

 Since we were there for my brother's wedding, we got together for some mini golf.  It was so great to do something all together as a family again!

I think I got last place! After that we went and got our nails done for the wedding. It was really fun! Thanks Mom!

Of course it was great seeing my little sister again. She even helped me change my flat tire since I didn't know how to do it myself. She's amazing!

 Christian's grandparents housed us for the rest of our stay in Utah.  They were so nice to get us a cake for Christian's birthday--especially since they haven't eaten sugar in months!  We wish we could've spent more time with them but just getting to see them each morning and evening was wonderful.  Thank you so much for always making us feel welcome and loved!  We love you!

We also had a baby shower for Laura and Katie--who are both expecting boys soon. I guess the boys made a fort and had a blast! I was on the bed sleeping and puking after my marathon.  Thanks for watching my kids!! My oldest sister, Laura put it on having just had a baby of her own a month prior and her babies had the stomach flu on the way down from Montana. I don't know how she does it but I'm grateful she does! Thanks Laura!

 One day we were able to catch up with my high school best friend Lana and her amazing sister Leslie.  They are so sweet and I hope to be able to be more like them every time I see them!

 One day I was able to go back to BYU campus and visit with my freshman friends Alyssa Roth and Kathryn Pendleton!  It was so much fun!  Alyssa is still her fun loving awesome self and Kathryn is as wonderful as I remember.  Everyone knows her as my perfect roommate.  She helped me so much that first year!  I love both of these girls so much!  TUKI TUKI!!

 Kathryn came with me to the park afterwards so we could let our kids play.  She is awesome!

 Here we are--freshman roommates and now we have kids!!  Life is crazy like that!  I'm so glad we shared those few months together in Taylor hall.  I will always be a better person because of her goodness.  Thank you Kathryn!

 We were so lucky to be treated to dinner by Laurie!  We love her so much and it was so good catching up and getting to see her!  Thank you Laurie!  You are amazing!

Lastly, on our way to Montana, we were able to stop in Kayesville and see Christian's Grandma Sumsion.  She has been sick and when we were leaving she said, "Am I going to see you again in this life, because I sure won't be seeing you in the next!"  I tried to brush it off, but it was sad.  She is such an incredible woman and I loved her from the first conversation I had with her.  She has a way to make you feel loved no matter what.  Thank you Grandma!

 Here's our family outside the temple after the wedding!  Austin wasn't too happy about missing his nap!

 Grandma Kaye came up and was so nice to bring the boys little toy cars to keep them entertained.  Thank you Grandma!

 I love my mom's parents!

 Jake and Sadie are the cutest couple!  They really are perfect for each other!  I have never seen two people more excited to see each other and Sadie is such a serene girl.  Way to go Jake!

 My sister, Alisha came up from Australia to see my brother's wedding.  It was sooo good to see her!  We went shopping together for an entire day and seeing as neither of us like shopping, but still both had a great time, that's saying something!  She is my inspiration for just being 100% honest.  I've been trying to say exactly what I think since talking with her and it's very empowering.  I like finally feeling like I can say what I think without worrying if it will offend someone.  Thanks Eish!  You're awesome!

I was also able to see my College roommate Jamie for lunch and I can't believe I forgot my camera!  Overall, it was a wonderful trip!  Thank you to everyone who made time to see us during our stay!  We love you all!