Hanging in Logan

The kids had the whole week off from school during Thanksgiving, so we went to Utah to hang out. It was a wild trip as we jumped back and forth between South Jordan and Smithfield, but we enjoyed ourselves. While up in Logan we went bowling...

...and took the boys out for ice-cream. they were very excited to learn that two scoops on their ice-cream cone actually meant three scoops! They weren't sure how they were going to fit all that ice-cream in their stomachs!

My mom bought a new bike and is anxious for any excuse to take it for a ride. I happily obliged! We rode up Smithfield Canyon and down around the temple. It was a great little ride.

The whole week we actually had time just to hang out. It was nice having time to take a breather.

November moments

Moki loves sitting on blankets. And if that blanket happens to be on a person, even better.

Jeremy had an accident on the way to work one morning. Never fear, it gave he and McKenzie a chance to fix up the Veloster. Not that I'm hoping for more crashes, but memories like this are pretty great too.

A good morning surprise from the boys.

Not the way this girls wanted to spend November. Another injury, more doctor appointments, and more time sitting out from the sport she loves.

Impromptu donut run. Delicious!

Found outside Daxton's classroom. I hope he does it.

The northern lights were actually visable from Colorado! I couldn't believe it. They don't look nearly as vibrant as they did in Iceland, but I was flooded with such positive memories of that trip. I could talk about Iceland forever and never grow tired of it.

Purdue made it to the national rugby championships. Cambrie didn't to play, but we still stalked her on the sidelines. She said it was such a great weekend with her team and she is very motivated now to get playing time.

Ironman recovery = walks by the lakes. Moki was so confused why we were just sitting there, but I thought it was fabulous.

Surprise visit from Jacob over Thanksgiving break. The boys were so happy.

Dandelion doodles during church with my girls.

Westlake Orchestra Concert

Kelton had his first middle school orchestra concert. I was having flashbacks from when the girls first walked out with their giant instruments too. At least Kelton is strong so he can haul that double bass around! Their teacher made the concert so entertaining. They showed us what they have been working on this semester as well as some games they play each class. I was seriously impressed by how good they sounded for being beginners. I never thought I'd say this, but I hope there are more middle school orchestra concerts in our future. Look at that handsome goofball! he looked like he was having so much fun out there.

 

IMAZ

This is it, the last race of the season. It has been a long, rewarding season and I can't think of a better way to end it than at Arizona. Last year this was a break through race for me, and while that came with a certain amount of pressure, I also knew that all I could do was relax, do my best, and enjoy the journey. It was the best way I could have gone into the race mentally and I was ready to savor the weekend.

Pre-race photo shoot with Jeremy.

This is definitely my favorite one of the weekend.

Race prep at the expo. So grateful for this guy who gets me to every start line.

Race morning was so relaxed. The weather was pleasantly warm and I wasn't shivering nearly as much as last year. The water was also supposed to be much warmer so I wasn't worried about freezing there either. I've spent this season trying to make new friends. There is some turnover from race to race, and even from 70.3s to 140.6s. But I am starting to feel more like I belong and less like an interloper. I know that those feelings will come and go, but I am so blessed that I get to line up with these professional women. 

I love this shot that Jeremy captured of the swim start. It somehow captures the calm in the chaos for me.

The swim went just fine. I wasn't crazy fast, but I wasn't super slow either. I swam with a pack somewhat successfully for the first half and I was proud of that growth. Still work to do there though.

Onto the bike I was hoping for a fast day. My watts were low, but my mph were fast. I realized that I was going to ride sub 5:00 for the first time ever and I was so excited about that.

 

I was most nervous about the run because of the collapse I had at Chattanooga. I also had the memory of being so successful here last year and that was a lot of pressure. I felt solid the first lap, started fading on the second, and by the time I started the third I started fading. I needed more hydration and more calories. I faked my way through with some Tylenol and was determined to stay under 3:30. If I could do that then I could go sub 9:30 and that was a target I was willing to suffer for.

I wanted to smile as I entered that finish chute, but I was worried about Leslie behind me, about fainting as I crossed, about not believing that I was seeing my time correctly, and about just feeling exhausted. I need to work on that finish line smile.

I love that he was there to cheer me on!

I did it! 18th place and feeling pretty good about that. Just 1:30 faster and I would have crossed the line with legend Meredith Kessler. I still can't believe I'm on course with these ladies. It was a crazy race with a lot of retiring pros: Meredith Kessler, Dede Griesbauer, Mel McQuaid, Simone Dailey, and Jodie Stimpson.

Swim 59:49, Bike 4:57:34, Run 3:26:56, Overall 9:27:21

When I finished I was just so cold. I put on every layer I had and was finally comfortable. Time to keep those cozy clothes on and enjoy the off season.

Primary Program giggles

Daxton was not excited about the Primary Program this year. Maybe it's because Kelton is no longer with him. Perhaps it's because he doesn't really like being the center of attention. Regardless he had to get up there with the rest of the kids and sing. At the beginning of the program he as a despondent grump. He claimed a spot in the corner and decided to suffer through it. 

His siblings did their best to get him to cheer up. It worked. 

As the program went on, one of the other girls realized that Daxton kept claiming the corner spot and decided to beat him to it. He looked so shocked as she stood there in his spot. From then on it was a race every time. It may not have been the most reverent of Primary Programs, but it was sure entertaining.

CHSAA 5A State Championships

In a cruel twist of fate, McKenzie didn't get to compete at high school state for the second year in a row. At one of the final practices before the meet, she under-rotated on a vault and broke her tibia and sprained her ATFL. At the time, we were actually afraid it was a torn Achilles and that would have been a death sentence for her gymnastics career. It didn't take away the sting of watching her team compete without her though. It was going to be a really tough state competition. Last year they had enough power house seniors that the state championship title was all but guaranteed. This year they were going to need every point. Not having McKenzie's vault or bar score was really going to hurt the team, and she felt that. It was bittersweet watching her team compete. 

We finished third behind Broomfield and Chatfield, which was not where we wanted to be, but that's just what happens sometimes. Next year is her year, I can feel it. Go Stangs!

Dogs jumping out of cars

Moki loves, loves, loves riding in the car. I have always rolled down the window so that he can enjoy the wind in his fur. There have been a couple times at the gas station and at friend's houses, where he is so worried about being left behind that he has jumped out of the window. Not smart, but not a huge problem when the car is stopped. Unfortunately as the two of us were cruising home after a grocery trip, he heard me drive over a pile of leaves in the road. The sudden crinkling noise scared him enough that he thought the only way to save himself was to jump from the Expedition as I'm moving at 30mph! I slammed on my brakes, terrified of what I was going to find as I looked for him on the road. He was stumbling along looking dazed but I couldn't tell how injured. He laid down on the road in a depressed heap. I was so scared. I didn't know how broken he was. I didn't know if there was a chance he might die. I picked up his pitiful form and drove to the vet's. At the vet they couldn't fit me in, but it gave me a chance to set him down and do a simple assessment. I checked for broken bones and open wounds. I didn't see anything externally, but what worried me was that he was slightly convulsing and I couldn't tell if it was from fear or if he had injured his head. I had a strength appointment in Boulder, so now I was stuck. Did I leave him for two hours unsupervised after a concussion, or did I take him to the gym? I opted to take him with me. It's a dog friendly gym, so he was okay, but he sure looked bedraggled. It was incredibly distracting doing my workout while on concussion watch. Ultimately it looked like he was going to be ok, but the whole experience was terrifying. Needless to say, he doesn't get open window privileges for awhile.

Trying to wash off all the road grime. Not an easy task.

Then he immediately rolled in the dirt so I had to start all over again. It was a rough day all around.