CHEESE Face

Hannah has been doing her "Cheese face" when taking pictures.  It is adorable.  
Here are some of the pictures:

30K = 18.6 miles

So I am set to run the Ogden Marathon in May.  I have never trained for a marathon outside of St. George, and that race is in the fall.  Needless to say I have not been good at running this winter.  I am my own worse motivator when I have to go out and run by myself.  I am running the marathon with my brother Coleman and we have done a few 10 miles, but I am no where ready for the Ogden marathon.

I wanted to do a 1/2 marathon before the race but couldn't commit to one.  I found a 30K up in Eden Utah which is above Ogden and some of the course runs the marathon course.  I figured 18+ miles was better than a 13.1 1/2 marathon so we signed up.  

It was a pretty day--cool but nice.  Cole and I picked up his friend Tiffany who was training for a 50 miler (seriously..who wants to run 50 miles??)  The course was and out and back (BOO) but you didn't run the same road back so it wasn't bad.  I felt good running, I ran the first 6 miles in 58 mins, but after that..it went down hill.  If you left doubt in your head, it will destroy your running.  I just couldn't get out of my head and really struggled.  I was hoping to come in around 3:15 and I did-- But it was hard.  I kept having a hard time taking a deep breath and I realized later it was because of the altitude.  I have never run higher than SLC before.  I did something I have NEVER done before.  As I was approaching the end of the race (we finished the same place we started) I turned on the road we started and saw the finish line just head.  It was when I got to the end of the road that I realized the girl that was in front of me was now behind me..I never passed her.  I actually was suppose to keep running down the road and turn down the NEXT road and run around a bend and then the finish line should be right in front of me.  I took a short cut!!  So I did the right thing, I ran up the road everyone was coming down and when I got to the end, I turned around and THEN ran down the road to end.  I think I skipped out on a few steps of the race,  I was sooo embarrassed for missing the sign that showed you that you should go straight.  Oh well... I finished. 

It was hard, but I am glad I did run this race.  We got some nice stuff from this race.  A medal, shirt and a nice water bottle.  All for the entry fee of $30!!  Plus we ran some of the Ogden course.  Priceless

Me, Cole and Tiffany at the starting line

Always have a spare key

We recently bought an iPad mini.  Mostly for me, but also for Hannah to use-games and movies.  I think I have created a monster with this iPad.  I put Mary Poppins on the iPad and one day I put Hannah on my bed, and nestled her into the pillows and let her watch Mary Poppins so I could get in the shower.  She now thinks that EVERYDAY she gets to sit on my bed and watch "paappns" and will get on my bed and nestle into my pillows.  Its cute but I question if I have created a bad habit.


Hannah watching Mary Poppins.  She looks pretty comfortable!

With the house on the market I took advantage of her watching Mary Poppins and started to clean up the house (since we had a showing later that day).  I ran downstairs and went outside to pick up dog poo.  I remember opening the door and turning the lock (I have to lock the doors because Hannah knows how to open them and go outside).  So as I picking up poo, the door was not shut all the way and the wind opened up the door and the dog got out.  I was mad he was in my way and put him back in the house and made sure the door was locked.  I quickly picked up his poo and ran it to the dumpster and went to go in the house...it was locked.  My heart sunk!  I ran to the front door and it was locked.  I checked the car door (we have a garage opener inside the car) and it was locked.  I realized immediately that I locked the door without realizing it.  I went into PANIC mode .I just happened to have my phone in my pocket (thank the stars above).  I called my mom since she had a spare key.  She didn't answer.  I called my dad who said my mom was at the gym and she had the key and he had no car.  I called my Realtor since the lock box was right there with my spare.  We have him our only spare!!  Why didn't I get another spare to hide outside???  I opened the windows to my room before I went outside and I can hear Mary Poppins playing so I know Hannah is still safe.  I call Stu.  He is in Vegas and can't do anything, but I had to call him. I decided  that even if my mom called me back and left to bring me a key she was still 20 min away.  So..I called a lock smith.  It was $85 to get them to come out, but it was worth it.  They arrived 7 min later and he got my door opened, I ran upstairs to check on Hannah.  She was in the same spot I left her 15 min before.  I asked her if she was watching Mary Poppins she looked up barely and said 'yeah'.  Guess she wasn't phased at all.  
We made 2 spares that day and hide them where only we can get to them...just in case this happens every again!

The bill for getting into my house

Salt Lake Marathon-Volunteer

So my running buddy Liz and I decided to volunteer for the Salt Lake Marathon and to get a look from the 'other side'.  I have always wanted to, and this just seemed like the right time to do so.

The forecast called for rain!  I have run a marathon in the rain..and it SUCKED.  I was not looking forward to standing in the rain, but then I realized that someone needs to be out there to help this runners and I did make a commitment  so Liz and left early and arrived at our aid station.  We choose ahead of time mile marker 11 (half) marker 24 (full).  I had friend running the 1/2 and friends running the full so I wanted a station where I could see them all.  We arrived at the station and realized that we were set up under the overpass!!  WHOOO HOOO.  I was so pumped that we were not going to be in the rain!!  It was cold and as we watched the runners coming in I could see the look on their faces that I had when I ran my race in the cold.  You are just miserable. 

The first wave was mostly the 1/2 marathoners.  I didn't seen any of my friends during the half and was sad I couldn't give them hugs to warm them up.  So I focused on the full marathon runners and looked for my friends.  First one I saw was my old co-worker.  It was his 1st marathon and I could see the pain on his face, I ran up to him, hugged him and told him he was amazing and that in 15 min it would be over.  His family was at the end and it would all be over.  I was trying to hard not to cry because I KNEW the torment he was going through.  I sent him off and saw him running, which made me happy because he was walking when I met up with him.  A few minutes later I saw my other friend. I opened my arms and she ran right into them.  She told me how miserable she was and how hard this was.  I kissed his forehead and told her "I know, but keep going, you are almost done".  I told her I loved her and  I sent her on her way and tears started to streamed down my face.  

I was so proud of EVERYONE that ran the race.  It was just a few days after the attacks at the Boston Marathon so I was so happy to be part of helping to make these runners have a better race.  It was fun to see the 1st runners down to the last runners.  All shapes and sizes, they were out there running a race..in the rain!

20 Months Old

With the craziness of our trip to California and the funeral we were a little late in getting Hannah's pictures taken for her 20 month "birthday".  It might seem strange to keep doing this since she is getting older, but I am so glad I did.  Its a joy to go back and see how she has grown and the things she learned.

Here is what Hannah has been up to:

*Likes keys and try's to find places to put them   She will put them in screws and try to turn and 'open' it
*Loves Mary Poppins
*Loves to swing on the swing set
*Will dance and swing her hips when you clap with the beat of the music
*Loves pickles and will try to have one for breakfast
*Says "giggle, giggle, giggle".  She will do this and she runs from one room to the next
*Started to scream at the top of her lungs
*Likes to lie down on the floor or the bed
*Will put her finger to her mouth and say "shhh"
*Likes to hold my hand while we are driving in the car
*Feels the need to close doors if they are open
*Doesn't like to have her shoes on in the car
*Walks on her tip toes
*Will remind us to say prayer at dinner time. Sometimes we have to say them a few times

Nicknames:
*"Squeaker" because she got these shoes that squeak when she walks in them
*Giggle Monster.  Her dad calls her that because she says 'giggle, giggle giggle'

What a great man

I have never had to deal with the loss of a loved one.  Everyone I know is alive and well.  My grandpa was diagnosed with stomach cancer 6 months ago.  Went through radiation that helped but the cancer spread and with a more aggressive approach to chemo the next round, which ended up not helping and he passed away.  He was 83 so he lived a LONG great life, but when I think about all the things he will miss out on, it makes me sad.  I know he is still around so he will get to see what is going on, but...do they have Mexican food (his favorite) in heaven?  Does he crave it still?  Silly trivial things run through my mind. 

I was torn on whether to go see him before he left his moral body.  I am glad I did go.  Although he didn't make much sense and was mumbling under his breath, there were glimpses of my grandpa that would come out.  Like when I was leaving he said to me "if you are lucky, I will let you buy me breakfast in the morning". SOOO grandpa to say something like that.  

The funeral was nice.  It was cold and rainy day for a funeral, especially for St. George.  Since we never went home, Hannah and I had to buy some clothes for the funeral.  I bought her a sundress thinking it was going to be warm.  It wasn't..it was cold.  But of course we were inside most of the time.  The service was awesome and to hear the remarks of my family about my grandpa still bring tears to my eyes.  He was a great man.

The grave site service was amazing.  When we came out of the church the rain was coming down.  We didn't have any umbrellas so I was prepared to spend most of my time under the tent they have.  As soon as we arrived at the site, the rain stopped and the sun came out.  It was AMAZING.  My grandfather was  retired military so they gave him the 21 gun salute.  That was really neat.  

You will be missed grandpa.  I know we will meet again and I know you will still watch out for us, but knowing I wont see and get to speak to you for years to come, does sadden my soul.  

 Officers that waited till my grandpa was moved to his final resting spot

These same officers folded the flag and gave it to my grandma after the 21 gun salute

I learned that day that yellow was my grandpa's favorite color.  I never knew that before

 21 gun salute officers waiting till it was their turn

It looks cold and dreary, but really the sun came out to shine down on us and the rain stopped. 

California

Stu was in California for 2 weeks for training, so we decided a month ago that Hannah and I would fly out for the weekend and spend the weekend with Stu. We decided to go to San Diego Zoo and just be together as a family.

The day before we left for California my grandpa took a turn for the worst so I packed up the car with Hannah, Cole and Cannon and we drove down to St. George to say goodbye to my grandpa.  We arrived at 7PM and turned around and left at 10AM the next morning so Hannah and I could make our flight later that evening.  What a whirlwind!  We arrived in California tired and sick of traveling.  Hannah was a JEM on the plane (people even commented on how great she was) and she was such a trooper.

Since Stu had to have training on Friday, Hannah and I occupied ourselves with exploring the hotel.  We also went outside to smell the flowers.  

The next day we woke up and drove the 2 hours to San Diego to go to the zoo.  Mind you I was expecting HOT sunny weather.  Instead we got cold and damp.  I was not as prepared for this weather and we were all in shorts, and sandals.  Everyone else  was in pants and coats.  It was terrible cold, but it was chilly.  Hannah had a BLAST at the zoo.  So did Stu.  He had never been.  Thankfully Hannah napped all the way to the hotel. 

My grandpa passed away Friday April 12.  The funeral was set for Tuesday April 16.  Since Hannah and I were flying into Salt Lake Monday night, we didn't have enough time to travel to St. George.  So we changed our flight to Vegas and picked up my sister who flew in from North Carolina and we drove up to St. George Monday night.  Hannah has been so far off her sleeping schedule and she was again...a trooper and did great on the plane ride and in the car to St. George.  I hope she is always such a good traveler.


Hannah with her backpack on ready to board the flight to Long Beach


ALWAYS take time to smell the roses


She is ready for the zoo


There was this gorilla that was running around in its cage and suddenly stopped in front of Hannah with his back to her and started to brush his hair (like he was shampooing his hair).  She giggled and giggled by this.


The family at the zoo


The Monday we left, Stu had training again so we were stuck in the hotel.  We decided to go for a walk.  It started to drizzle, then rain.  We both got soaked


On our plane ride to Vegas

Number 1

Stu, Coleman and I decided to run the Challenge Nation Scavenger Hunt today.  Stu and I ran it last year and had a blast.  You are given clues and you have to run around downtown SLC and do what the clue tell you to do.  Come back to the starting point and have your pictures look over and then you find out your placement.  Last year Stu and I came in 5th.  This year...we came in FIRST.  That's right!  FIRST PLACE.  I have NEVER won a race in my LIFE.  And with that 1st place finish came $300 and an automatic entry into the Championship race in Las Vegas. 

Here some pictures and the clues we had to do around downtown.  Keep in mind it was during conference weekend and most people dressed up, so you can imagine the scene it created downtown.


CLUE:  "Under the largest map of the Western Hemisphere in SLC (attached to its 2nd tallest building) you'll find a simple, round stone pedestal, that once you step on it, forms the perfect photo platform for your team to take a triumphant photo in front of SLC's best-know backdrop."

 CLUE: "Are you ready to test your coordination and friend-making skills?  Find ANY theater in SLC and act out a scene from any Oscar winning film or Tony winning play-but here's the catch-you have to it with another Challenge team! "
We acted out the movie- Titanic

CLUE: "This 'colorful' transit network officially launches on Monday with an initial 10 stations that you many have noticed popping up around downtown. Your mission is to find the specific station that's within 40 yards of where all SLC streets are measured from.  Gather round the one item docked there and snap a photo with the Temple in the background!"

AND here we are at the finish line!  NUMBER 1....NUMBER 1!!!

Overall we had a great day.  We actually were in second place but there was a team that got one of the clues wrong and had to go back.  They ended up coming in 3rd and got only $50 to split with about 6 on their team. 
 I guess I can cross this off my bucket list.  Coming in 1st in a race.  FINALLY...I didn't need a PR to come in #1, just some great team mates and an iPhone that gave us great directions!