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!!