Summer...Please Don't Leave!

Oh how I am going to miss Summer.  This one has been pretty fun.  We have been able to get a lot in, despite school and work!  I don't have pics of our camping, but we have this AWESOME spot at the top of Guardsmans, where you can literally see about 11 other mountain peaks surrounding you.  It's beautiful, and very secluded.  There is a ski lift up there (we think from Deer Valley) and we sleep on the deck of the Ski Patrol house.  Ya it's pretty sweet..

Anyway.  So I ran a 10k recently.  Let me back up.  The race was on July 24th and I was sitting in church on July 19th.. I turn to Jake out of no where, and I say "I think I want to run that 10k on Friday."  He said go for it.  I haven't been running as much as I use to for many reasons (one being I lost a ton of weight in December & still don't know why so I decided to take it easy).  I decided I better start training, I only had 4 days to do it! Haha so I ran a 5 mile and a 4 mile that week to train and there you have it:

Stretching before the big race.  It began at the U and ended at Liberty Park.  It began at 6 so it was still dark when Jake and I got there.  I have never worn shorts before to run and bought these for the race so I could be "free" (Jake's explanation).  I must say it was nice!

All ready to go! Don't mind my 5:45 am 'look.'

The race went well!  I ran an 8:31 mile, and finished the 6.2 miles in about 52 minutes.  I loved the course, it was awesome!! Towards the end, we ran past all the parade people lined up to watch the parade, so they were cheering us on and spraying water.  I didn't get sprayed but I did grab a water cup from a guy and I think I SPILLED 98percent of it down my frontside.. so that felt good! (have you tried to drink from a cup while running!?)  

The last mile felt like eternity and I was honestly praying to not have to walk or slow down.  OH and since there were so many people out waiting for the parade, some were COOKING breakfast and as I passed them I felt like I was going to throw up...the smell of bacon, pancakes, and eggs while you are absolutely exerting yourself is NOT pleasant.  And among the cheering, someone yelled "go faster!" to the runners and I wanted to punch them! haha not really but honestly, I was pushing so hard, and that was the last thing I wanted to hear.

There were 2800 runners in this 10k so it was pretty busy at the finish line, but SOOOO fun!

Here I am just about to finish!  Jake practiced on a few people before me so he could get a good pic, but sometimes the camera just won't cooperate! I laugh when I see this pic because it looks like he tried to get pink-shirt lady and red-shirt guy...GO THEM!! 

This is how I felt after the race: mixed with happiness of course!

I was telling my "fans" something shocking...too bad I can't remember.

My mom, sister, and their friends came out to greet me at the finish line, I was SOOOO happy to see them.  I kept searching the sidelines towards the end to try to find them and Jake.

In all these pics I was trying not to touch anyone...as I was dripping wet!! gross.

And my sweetheart hubby, who woke up at 4:50 on his day off to get me to the starting line on time, AND to greet me at the end!! I LOVE HIM!! I don't know why I am so 'slouchy' in these pics..oh well.

Home, showered, and happy I did it!!!

Ok next thing:  We recently went up to Snowbird to ride the tram and eat dinner with our friends.  It was a PERFECT night.  It is so fun to get out and do different things! Thanks for the idea Kings!!

This is Alex, aka 'Lil Al.'  He is Brad and Carly's little boy.  He is adorable, and LOVED the tram ride.  As soon as we started going up the mountain, he would say "ooooo, 000000"...so funny.

When we got to the top, Jake jumped off a cliff!  Nope he loves his wife and wants to stick around (phew!) and decided to only jump really high so it 'looked' like he was jumping off :-) Don't ask me what the ninja-pose is all about.
The group!
I am afraid of heights and I wasn't so sure about this whole 'tram' thing...


So breathtaking!

haha I didn't mean to post this..it was my poor attempt of getting his 'jumping' picture.



Ashley is due Aug 12 and we all are getting VERY excited to see that little girl!!! Ashley is trooper, she HIKED up to our camping spot carrying things in both arms...no complaints.

Last thing:

Last night, Nick and Ashley suggested we go up to the free concert at The Canyons.  Yet another great idea!  It was a blast.  Let me tell you, if you have ever been to a "concert series" in Salt Lake, you know the scene: 

1. Mostly old people 

2. They are dressed very trendy with a mix of designer jeans/shirts; but also a big mix of REI type styles.

3. Music/Bands no one our age is familiar with ('Panjea'?...'Georgia Satellites'?...'The Mother Hips'?)

4. Booze and strange dancing.  Mostly 'bouncing' and waving their arms around.

5. Many people pack a picnic with portable wine holders and collapsable wine glasses.

Though different from what we usually do, the scene is a blast, and it is so fun to just chill on the grass, enjoying old people music, people watching, and good conversation!  We were laughing so hard at the dancing crowd..."lot's of free spirits out here tonight"....

Jake was doing an "ode to the yellow shorts guy"..we were trying to decide what drugs he did before he started dancing!

Umm and then my husband decides to join the crowd!!!! hahaha he was down there by himself, dancing just like the other people. He is in the front of the pic, but behind the white-t shirt lady with glasses.

I couldn't let him be all alone, so I joined him and yes I was bouncing and waving my arms around too.. I got some good pics of the band (Georgia Satellites). The pics are for my dad..he likes them.

Jake...still enjoying himself.
The guy in the black hat was on something too!
I really loved watching all the dancers. They didn't care what people thought, and they were truly giving into the music...I admire that!

Lucas trying to get Jenny to 'bounce.'

It was a fun night and we enjoyed listening to the Whiskey Shooters, no wait, the Georgia Stillwaters....and we hope to go back up to enjoy Gail Cummings..no wait Shannon Elliot...

Time Flys When You're Having....

FUN!! The last month has been incredibly busy, but full of 'good busy' if you will.  Amongst summer classes and work, Jake & I have found time to play...which is most important! I have loaded a ton of pics so I will try to keep the comments brief!

For the 4th, we road tripped up to Bear Lake with his brother Jordan and his girlfriend Loraca.  It was seriously such a blast!  Her family was up there and we hung out with them; Jake and I felt like members of the fam, we had so much fun!  They had this tramp of the deck and the boys played "crack the egg." If you know Jordan and Jake very well, this image of them dueling is just another day in the life of the brothers...

The highlight of our day (at least for me) was the Waverunner we rented for 4 hours.  OH MY those things are awesome!!!! That is one thing I have no fear on (when I am driving).  I had Jake screaming here and there, jumping wakes and stuff!!
I couldn't wait to get out there..

Sadly, my 1st year of teaching is over.  'Tis bittersweet I must say.  The last day of school was so fun though.  For my AM class, the weather was hot and sunny so we played outside, ate popsicles and played with water balloons.  Come PM, it was HAILING and so dark/stormy outside! We had to get creative and play charades...and we did the TOOTY-TA.  If you do not know what the Tooty-Ta is, I highly suggest it.  It is a goofy song that tells you to do funny positions with your body while dancing and singing.  The Tooty-Ta is by far a Kindergartner's favorite song/dance.  
Honestly, I do the Tooty-Ta for partial selfish reasons.  Just think: 

Kindergartners' lack of good balance and muscle control + difficult positions + eyes closed= HILARIOUSLY fun times (and good pics)!!
Bah-hahhaa look at those boys!!! I love them!!
I can't even tell you how much fun these kids are.  I seriously hope I never forget them.
Below is my AM class. What's crazy is that I had 39-41 kids (AM and PM combined) throughout the year, and each one is SOOO unique and has a their own story and background.

A few weeks before the last day of school, we hit the road and Field Tripped it to Wheeler Farm..
It was rainy and muddy, but hey who cares when you're 6 and it's your first field trip!?  The little chicky above in the PONCHO (hahaha) is the one who gives "Ghost Bodies" to people. And her best friend is next to her...the one who "wasn't so sure she liked her 'Ghost Body.'  But dude, get a load of Poncho girl...This picture slightly displays her creativity and fun personality. Who gives a peace sign in pictures these days!!? 

These baby pigs were so cute, I think one of the favorites among my kids. Perhaps they could relate to the babies?
Sleigh ride around the farm.
I shared my seat on the bus with these two crazies! (above)

Tyson's wedding: (sorry that pic is sideways...I can't fix it!)

Tyson got married to a way cool girl, Abby, on July 9th. Jake and I attended their sealing at the Draper Temple, which was AMAZING!  Tyson's waterworks could have watered a small garden! It was sweet!

Our friend Travis was 'graciously' waiting for us OUTSIDE the temple as we all walked out...Turns out you have to keep your temple recommend from expiring; they won't let you in even 9 days past the expiration date... go figure :-)... Even if you ARE a close friend! Poor Trav....Anyways I had the best picture of Abby's expression when Travis was telling her about how he couldn't go in but some random guy blocked most of the pic...so this one above will have to suffice! You can tell Travis and Tyson are laughing about his little mishap.
A while ago..maybe Memorial Day?...Jake and I went for a walk around Silver Lake and came upon 2 moose! We were daring enough to get this close.  But no closer. 

It's been a great summer so far, and I wish I had more pics of other fun things we've done!  Now it's off to girl's camp for me!!

When Tragedy Strikes

Yes it is tragic.  I know it is pathetic.  But still, tragic....So I have class every Monday night this summer semester from 5-9pm.  WHICH means I have to miss this:

For THIS:

 Yup.  Thank goodness for TiVo. And sweet husbands who have it turned on for me as I arrive home, just in time to see the intense "coming up next week."  

This morning at work, questions twirl through my head: "What happened last night?"  "Is Tanner weirdo still there?"  "I am so glad Dave is gone, and I hope he doesn't come back with revenge or something."  "Will 'Jill' find true love?"  Aaahh the joys of dramatic, possibly scripted romance.  I love every minute of it.

oh SICK!

I just thought I should share this awesome experience:

Today I was helping a student tie his sweatshirt around his waist and what to my surprise...I feel something gooey on my finger.  Any guesses???

A big GREEN BOOGER! "oh sick oh sick oh sick" I said under my breath, as I hurried to the sink to scald my hands in hot water and soap.  Then I slathered on hand sanitizer.

Oh and did I mention I am sick again, for the 7th time this year?  I WONDER WHY.

The culprit is this oh so adorable one in the green shirt.  Ya the one that says "You Can't Spell Awesome Without ME."  I freaking love this kid to death, he seriously so amazing and so cute.  I will miss him!!

Two Years Ago...

Well, two years and almost a month ago, we sealed the deal!  I cannot believe we have been married over 2 years.  It honestly has gone by sooo fast.  I feel old!! But I am the happiest I have ever been, and I don't know how I got so lucky marrying Jake.  It all just kind of fell into place!  I have never matched so well with someone, we seriously get into our own world all the time.  I can't even put into words how JOYOUS it makes me feel to know I will spend ETERNITY with my best friend!

To celebrate, we have a tradition of re-creating our special day.  We go to the Salt Lake Temple to do sealings, then go eat at Macaroni Grill downtown (that's where we had our family dinner after getting married).

Here was our day:

We started off by seeing "Earth," a nature film by Disney.  Amazing footage, sad ending (hence my sad face).
Oh and did I mention it was raining that morning, like it was on our wedding day!?
Walking to the Temple.  I tried to make it look like I was balancing the angel Moroni on my finger...but we were in such a hurry we had one shot, and it didn't look so good! Oh well..

It was so nice doing sealings, I love remembering when we did it for ourselves, and remembering the promises Jake and I have made to each other, & the promises/blessings in store for us from the Lord.
At dinner, Jake drew a picture of "us" on the table cover, doing something to "2" candles for our "2" year anniversary...Maybe we are blowing them out??  It looks like we have spaghetti arms haha!
Sometimes our camera takes funky pictures when we turn the flash off. So weird.
A nice man took our picture standing outside the restaurant.  After dinner, we walked around downtown..
And we ran into my old work.  It is so weird to think I use to be a producer!  Fun job, but terribly ugly hours!  The interesting thing about the news industry is that the ones who make the most money (the anchors) once started in a position like mine, and put in all those terrible hours too (not to mention also moved around the country every 1-2 years).  But I still don't think their jobs are ideal.  They have to work weekends, holidays, and either super early or super late everyday.
We are looking through Channel 2's windows (behind the anchor desk)...I am pointing to my old desk.
My sister happened to be playing in a concert that night at the Gallivan Center, so we stopped by to say hello!

It was a great night, and to top it off we went to Yogurt Stop, which most of you know I am grossly obsessed with.  It's kind of gross how much I love that place.  Thank you for reading about our day....peace out suckas!

Jake's Crash

Well my worst fear (and probably Jake's!) happened this past Saturday. Jake flew head first over his handle bars on a bike ride. I was peacefully reading on our couch, and had actually drifted off, when my phone rang at about 4:30. I see that it's Jake, and knowing I wouldn't be expecting him home from his ride until 7-7:30, I was preparing myself for bad news...as I always do when he calls me while out riding. It was him, which was good (it's worse to get a call from one of his friends on the ride with him...because that means Jake can't talk). He just said "I freaking crashed." My heart stopped and my breath was taken...I just asked him if he was ok (he sounded fine, just really unhappy). He said yes he was fine, just had some road rash. The conversation went on, and it turns out he was ok, and was even able to walk his bike back to the car, and he would be home in a little bit.


He took the bike to the shop, and finally got home where I was able to clean him up a bit...(and take some pictures). I felt weird taking pictures but I figured he would want to remember this in a while.


Apparently, he had only gone .4 miles (huge disappointment)! He was riding along, up by the U, and had one hand off the handle bars. His head was turned, as he talked to Lucas. Suddenly, his handle bars tweeked (he probably ran over something small...have you seen road bike tires? They are soooo skinny!)....so his handle bars tweeked to one side, making them perpendicular to the bike...therefore sending Jake over the handle bars, crashing head first onto pure asphalt. He did the infamous tuck-and-roll-to-one-side move which he had done quite often during his skateboarding years. Upon retelling the account later that night at dinner, Brad said Jake didn't even really slide too much. He just flew threw the air and landed pretty hard on the road. BUT WAIT, it's not over! The next thing that happened is personally my favorite part: Immediately after Jake lands on the asphalt, Lucas proceeds to RUN HIM OVER!! haha my poor husband! Despite the gash Lucas' bike left on my husband's back, I would have paid money to see this whole incident, the climax undoubtedly being the "run over." Who gets ran over by a road bike!?


Needless to say, Jake turned out ok. He has become one of those stories of "my helmet saved my life" and I am truly truly truly grateful he wears his helmet, and that it did its job that day. Otherwise, I would not be sitting here typing this post and my dear husband would not be having a normal day at work. He is super sore (still) and his road rash is gross, big, and there is an unusual shade of yellow puss seeping from it day and night. I think if I were him I would rather shoot myself than take a shower! Or wear a shirt!! Haha I would be walking around shirtless and really greasy...that's a nice image.


Anyways, a repaired bike+new helmet+resolve to keep both hands on handle bar= back in the saddle this weekend, or asap! "Any one up for Big Cottonwood?" I can hear him saying it now.


We are guessing Lucas' quick release did the trick on Jake's back.
Nevermind his biker's tan, but the road rash goes all down his arm, hip, and to the knee.
All in all, I think the low severity of his wounds make up for what could have happened to his head!
The 2nd Love of His Life. He was SICK to tell his dad about the crash...considering his dad spent 3-grand on this bike some TEN years ago...

A Trip Down Memory Lane!!

So I was looking through Jake's pics on our computer, and I stumbled upon these! These are all pictures of us when we were first dating, some even before we were an "official" couple.  WOW does time fly.  That was way back in 2005....HOLY COW.
This picture brings back so many memories.  I was still living with my mom and sister in a condo in Holladay (that is our her couch).  My hair was black, blond, and red all at once.  I was taking the DISCUSSIONS.  So many fun things!
This and snowboarding was what Jake use to spend much of his time doing.  Before his mission he LIVED on the slopes, and I think a little after the mish too.  I am not kidding, you should see what he can do.  It is frightening for me to watch, but it's pretty fun.  A good snow boarder makes for a good wakeboarder.
Some of Jake's friends after a nice day out on the lake.  Good guys!!  
Haha these next pics are so funny.  Let me set up the scenerio:

Back in the August of 2005, I had just finished up my internship at Channel 2 News. I was exhausted and sick of working and interning for no money.  I NEEDED to get out.  My EX-boyfriend, whom I had just recently broken up with (in July) and his friends were going to California for 10 days for a Volleyball tournament.  I invited myself. hmm.  I know, weird huh.  I had known these guys and hung out with them everyday for 4 years, so they were all like big brothers.  

So they said 'yes' and there I was, going on a trip to Cali with my ex and his friends?????  Yeah this is where absent-minded, naive, oblivious, classic KIM comes into play for sure.  So I tell Jake what I am doing (we had been hanging out all summer, more towards July/August).  Turns out, the DAY I told him about my 10-day trip to California with my ex and his friends, he had been making a mix CD just for ME.  AND I totally broke his heart.  (OH and PS: I did not know this little fact until..umm about 6 months ago, now that we are married).  Wow what a brat.  But I promise, it was all innocent.

I truthfully assured Jake I was only going because I needed a MUCH DESERVED vacay.  And NOTHING was going to happen between Neil and I...we were most definitely OVER.  But HEL-LO of course it still ripped him apart.  Gosh I am so sorry Jake!! I still feel terrible...

But anyway, the GREATEST part of this story was that it just so happened that Jake, Bill, Jandie, and Tyson were all going to CALIFORNIA for a friend's wedding!! And they would be showing up after I had been there for like 6 days.  So Jandie and Jake (or maybe just Jandie) said: "Hey you should just meet up with us and drive home with us!"   WOW what a wonderful idea, and I was ALL for it, without question.

Hahaha so I tell Neil that I am NOT going home with him and that Jake, Jandie, Bill and Tyson were going to pick me up and that I would be going home with THEM instead.  Neil told me if he had known that was going to happen he wouldn't have let me go with him to Cali in the first place!! He was pretty pissed but still a good sport about the matter. Oh dear, it's just such a funny situation.  

So mid-way through my Cali trip with my ex and his friends...eh hem MY friends too...I beg any one of them (there were like 10) to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE drive me to the airport (our meeting spot) so Jandie and Jake could come get me.  Well Dustin Watts, my hero, had mercy and said he would take me (thank you Dusty Baker!).  Needless to say we journeyed way out to the airport, and he left me on a random sidewalk at the airport for the "trade-off."  Just me and my bags.  And I sat there for a little while, awaiting my new ride and new group of friends (and little did I know, future husband!)  I sat and sat in the hot sun...waiting.  Then, just around the corner I see my white chariot, aka Tyson's car, arriving, full of excited boys and one excited girl (they had been driving all day from Salt Lake).  And off I went, for the 2nd portion of my Cali trip...

Anyway it was a funny situation, and I still laugh about it to this day.  I traveled to Cali with one group and went home with another.  San Diego was a BLAST with Jake and, well, I must say that was the first time we cuddled.. haha..  But we DID NOT kiss.  Man I think I was just really nervous, and he had just had surgery on his mouth so it might not have worked anyway.  But yeah...we even walked on the beach at night...and no kiss....hahahha cracks me up to this day.

Trying to catch some shut eye on the long ride home.

We enjoyed Tyson's attire on that trip.  He also slept in a nightgown.  Yes a full-length night gown.
Haha I think the sun was getting to us!
Me and Jand.  I miss our trips to the beach Jandie!