Ragnar Wasatch Back 2014….

I was lucky enough to hop on a Ragnar team again this year.  I was a little nervous at first but really trained hard, and it paid off!  I drove down to UT by myself and took Carlee and Tessa, they were fun little travel partners.  I got there a couple of days before the race so that we could spend time with Grandpa and Grandma and so that I could get them settled while I was doing Ragnar.  The day before the race we had a team breakfast at someones house where we got to meet everyone and the other ladies in Van 2.  We also got our matching shirts and headbands.  The ladies in my van, Van 1, we really nice and I was excited to race with them.  We decorated our van a little bit, made some plans and that was that.

I had plans to meet D down at Farmington Station with our girls for sushi lunch and shopping.  The girls loved seeing Sammie and had so much fun hanging out.  Lunch was fabulous, Tessa loved their white rice.  After that we went back to KayLee's house and spent the rest of the evening with her.  I had to get all of my race things together because I was leaving at an obscene time of night/morning so that we could be to Logan by 4:45 a.m.

That morning Lauren and I drove to Holly's house, she was our team captain.  We all loaded up together in her Burb and headed to Logan.  We made it there in time, and right as we were about to go to gear check, Holly realized she had forgotten her back of stuff, including her running shoes!  Luckily she had an amazing husband who woke up and brought it to her!

The race started right on time and our first runner went on her way.  It was pretty typical Ragnar from that point on.  We had great exchanges and I feel like everyone had a pretty good run.  In fact I think most of the girls in our Van rocked their runs!  Everyone was well trained.  I was so impressed with everyone.  We had some rain, which started on my first run, but it was okay.  It helped me to stay cool and maintain a pace that I was happy with.  The exchange after my run was pretty intense and covered in mud, cars were sliding all over the place, it made me nervous for the people who hadn't even started racing yet, it could have been really dangerous.  When our van was done with each of our legs we had a awesome place to rest.  Audra who was in our Van lived in Heber so we went to her house for beds and food.  She had so many things prepared it was amazing, the food was better than what I would normally eat!!

The best thing about Ragnar this year was being able to do it with Lauren.  Lauren and I have always wanted to do this together and we finally did.  It was so fun to see her in her element, she is an amazing runner.  Lauren has such an encouraging personality like I do and there were times when I was so bogged down on a run and then I would hear her cheering for me and telling me I was doing a great job etc., and it helped.  Lauren has been doing that for me for years, being one of my greatest supporters and it just mean so much to me.  I am grateful for her and for her influence in my life.  LOVE YOU LA LA!  Until the next Rag….

A girl and her dog….

Our family is sooooo lucky to have found our dog Molly.  She truly is the best dog ever, just so great with the kids.  Marin loves her so much and often will just be laying on her, singing to her, or covering her with blankets.  I couldn't resist the photos this morning when I saw them out on the deck together, both soaking in the early morning warmth and rays of the sun.  These pics show Marin exactly for who she is as a happy 3 year old girl who loves her dog and baby dolls.

If you fall, get back up….Porter did.

It was Helena's annual Governor's Cup Marathon, Half, 10k, and 5k this weekend.  Andy was doing the full marathon, his 2nd for the year, and Porter wanted to do the 5k.  So with Andy's amazing speedy legs, he was able to finish fast enough so that I could do the 5k with Porter.  I was already super proud of Porter for even wanting to try the 5k, but had no idea that I could be even more proud at the end of the race.  We were about 10 min into the super crowded race when Porter tripped, fell, and did a  body roll.  There were so many people, but we managed to get over to the side of the road.  Porter's knee was already bleeding and beginning to drip down his leg.  I didn't really say much to him except asking if he was okay.  I asked what he wanted to do, continue the race, or just be done.  He said he wanted to finish, so we did.  He started out hobbling along, but then started to get back into the groove of running.  Even with his major injury, and time on the side of the road assessing the injury, Porter managed to finish the race in 33 min.  I just cannot say enough how proud I was and am of him.  I loved running towards the finish line into the shoot and seeing Andy and the girls there, cheering us on, and pointing out to Andy his knee, showing Andy that he still pushed on!  It makes me so excited for Porter and doing more races with my kiddos as they get older.

Last Day of School Festivities….

It is so crazy to think that the kids have finished another year of school!  I have said it before and I'll say it again….the year flew by!!!

Porter, Carlee, and Tessa all had a wonderful school year with great teachers.  I am so proud of all of them and their great success, all which couldn't have been possible without their wonderful teachers.  The last few days of school were a blast.  It started with field day, which Andy was able to help with and be in charge of the volleyball game.  The last day ended with a special award assembly for the whole school.  Tessa was awarded the citizenship award for her class and Carlee was on of the top readers in her class, and so was Porter!  It was fun to be there for the assembly because they had no idea, so when their name was called, they had to stand in front of the whole school.

After saying good-bye to the friends and teachers for the summer, we of course had to go get ice cream at the carousel, it's the Coil tradition, and the only way to go out with a bang!  Here's to a great summer!!



Tessa going after the ball in volleyball.

McKelle, Carlee, and Marin chillin' in between sac races. Carlee was such a good sport with her cast.

  McKelle and Carlee.

  Tessa's class and her amazing teacher Mrs. Ralph

 
We love Mrs. Ralph. She was amazing with Tessa this year and made it so special for her.

  Porter with Mrs. Nyland and the rest of the class.

 
Porter so enjoyed being in Mrs. Nyland's class, it was hard for him at times, but she was so interesting to him, full of fun facts.

  Carlee with Mrs. Byrd and class.

  Cutest girls Keinnia, Kelleigh, Carlee, and Isabelle in the back (and Logan)

 
Carlee and Isabelle

 
Carlee and Mrs. Byrd

  Tessa when they called her name for the Citizenship award

 
Carlee when she was called for her award.

 
So Proud

  Waiting for the carousel

 
My Tessa and me. I love this pic because of who I am with, but also who is in the background, they are all so cute!

 
And this girl, she is a trooper, and about to start the summer in a cast. I just love and admire her strength and great attitude.

First family camping trip of 2014….

This past weekend we decided to hit the road in the new camper.  It was only for one night, but that's all we need.  We are all just so happy to be going camping and enjoy the outdoors.  Andy took off Friday in the early afternoon and I waited to come up until the kids were out of school.  The destination was Park Lake and when the kids and I got there, Andy had everything all set up and the Stovall's were already there too!  Time to party!

The kids got on their bikes right away and were all over camp.  Mishel and I got the tin foil dinners ready and the men got the fire going.  We totally lucked out and had the best camping weather.  After we finished dinner the Furihman family showed up and the Guymon family.  It was so fun having all of us there.  The kids just have a blast running around and getting dirty.  Us adults had wonderful, laugh until you cry, conversation about "doing your taxes".  Which those are the moments I love the most, laughing until your cry.  We wrapped up the night pretty late at 11 after having s'mores and more chatting.  The kids were crazy tired, but so happy.

The next morning Porter and Dallin were the first ones up at 5:30 and got a fire going.  People slowly started to emerge from their campers and Mishel and I made a great breakfast.  The day continued with more bike riding, fishing, and the Seamons family came up for lunch.  After lunch we started to pack up and clean up around camp.  We left happy and smelling like a campfire both proof of a successful camping trip!

  Gunner and Jessie

  Hanging out looking for food.

  Reid and Andy having man time.

  Tyson in his happy place.

 
First s'more of the night with a giant marshmallow. Needless to say this was a mess, but oh so fun.

 
Tessa and her s'more

  Marin and Jessie are always up to something. I love this pic of them just having fun.

 
And after, not too bad, just all over.

  Dallin, Carlee, and Kaitlyn at the s'more making station.


 
Kaysie on fire


This is an imprint of Reid's nose after Gunner bumped his s'more stick that had a burning marshmallow on it. It is funny now, but could have been a scary situation.

  Moose is not a fan of camping. Wrapping him in a blanket was the only way he would stop shaking and just relax. Never in my life did I imagine owning a little dog, let alone a dog I had to treat like a baby! But I do and I did.

 
Carlee is so great with the little girls. McKelle and Jessie love her.

Carlee was wearing Andy's headlamp that has a green light. She would shine it at Kaitlyn and then Kaitlyn would make this horrible witch laugh noise…

  Tired Marin

  Hanging out

  Typical Reid

 
A girl and her dog…

 
Tessa and Glory…

 
My Carlee girl that is such a trooper with her darn cast…

  Molly was in heaven the whole time, she loved getting a drink from the lake.