Harvest Park Stake 5k

This morning Dean, Braden and I got to run the Harvest Park Stake 5k. The Ft. Herriman stake also joined us for this race. We talked Jordan and Chenelle into running it with us, and their friend Christopher.

Here is Chenelle running toward the finish line. Love that girl's enthusiasm!

Dean, Michelle and Kurt Perry, Braden watching as runners come in.

Chenelle, Jordan and Christopher

President Curtis and his daughter approaching the finish line

Braden and Kurt at the finish line

Tyler Perry finished the race, then ran it again with G in the stroller, and then did another lap with Kurt in the stroller.

G's turn to cross the finish line!

Oops, forgot to snap a picture of us over at the race, but here we when we got home, and before taking a shower, so it counts, right? We all had a good race this morning.

(yes, Dean and Braden are in matching shirts. Not planned, but when they went to get in the car to go over to the race this morning, they had both picked the same shirt to run in. Oh how cute!)

From the race, Dean and Braden decided they needed to ride their bikes to Provo. I had a double bridal shower to attend while they were on their ride, but got a call from Dean saying I needed to head down and pick them up. (tire blow-out) So I headed down to Provo and totally missed the shower, but got back to Riverton just in time for Dean and I to go to a surprise birthday party for a 8 year old kid in our stake that just finished cancer treatments. I think we scared him to death when he came into a room full of people yelling surprise. Next up, Bountiful, where we got to go to a birthday party for my niece Kassidy. Had a blast hanging out with friends and family today, and we almost made it to all the places we were supposed to be.

The Ogden Marathon 2011

Race days are so fun!

This one started at 3:30 am. Dean and Braden were running the full marathon, so they had to be up in Ogden by 5:00 am to catch the bus to the start line. Me, Mike, and Amanda were running the Half, so we got to sleep in an extra 15 minutes! At our start line, there was a live band, barrels full of fire to stand around, and tons of port-a-potties. It's a really fun atmosphere at the start line! Both races started at 7 am.

Caitlyn slept at our house so she could help with Dex. Our neighbor, Michelle Perry, was going up to Ogden to watch her husband finish, and let Caitlyn and Dex ride with them. So we had the Perrys and Caitlyn and Dex cheering us on as we approached the finish line.

The first one to finish was Mike. His goal for this race was just to "not let his 50 year old mother in law beat him". Mike, really, do I look like I'm 50?! At any rate, he beat me, and that's what really matters. Great race Mike!

Next one across the finish line was me. I got a PR (personal record), but not the time I had set as my goal. I was pretty happy with my race. I didn't take any walk breaks, and maybe that was a mistake....next half I'll add those in.

Here comes Amanda. She was way faster than she though she would be. This was her first half marathon, and she did awesome! Tonight at dinner she was already talking about which half she could run next.

Now we had about an hour wait till the first of the full marathoners we were cheering for would start arriving.

The little kids were great. They played with bubbles and sidewalk chalk, and then would go out in the road and cheer the runners on, and then go back to playing with bubbles.

Here comes Tyler!

We thought Dean and Tyler would be running together, but Dean ran into trouble around mile 17 and told Tyler to go on without him. As Tyler ran past us he told us Dean was struggling and would be about 10 minutes behind him. Those were some very long minutes! Waiting at the finish line is really fun, watching people come in, just having finished a half or a full marathon....but when they are later than expected, it's terrible! Wondering if they are ok. Not knowing if they will be finishing, and if they do, what condition they are going to be in...

Finally we see Dean. He has a great big smile on his face. We know he is disappointed because he didn't reach his goal in this race, but hey, he just finished his 7th marathon! Great job Deaner!

Not very far behind Dean was Braden. He hasn't been able to train as much as he would have liked to, and not sure he has adjusted to the altitude here yet. (I guess he had to concentrate on school. Priorities? Whatever.) Braden ran a great race, and was very happy with how his body held up. Not his fastest, but a great run. I think this is #6 for Braden.

Tyler and his sister, they both had a great race.

Dex had had enough. Over 2 hours watching runners was too much for him.

Yay! My whole family.

Caitlyn is awesome! We love it when she is waiting for us at the finish line, she takes such great care of all us stinky, sore, and tired people. Thanks Caitlyn!

When we got in the car, Dex had to call all his friends to tell them the race results.

If you have read previous blog posts, you know that our tradition after long races is to eat at Cafe Rio.

Amanda and Braden

Mike and Caitlyn

Ej and Deaner

Dex was so mad that Caitlyn wouldn't let him touch her!

If we ever get together to take a picture with our cool race shirts on I will add that picture here. Don't hold your breath.

Next month's races: Nestle fun run, and Ragnar's Wasatch Back

Dean, Erika, Mike, Amanda, Braden and Caitlyn are ALL running those! How cool will that be?!

Laundry room makeover

I found this picture of a laundry room makeover that I really liked. You can read more about it if you want here.

So Dean and I got to work. I didn't take any before pictures, because it was the most boring laundry room ever. Dean built this shelf for me, and we painted the ceiling white, and the walls a warm brown. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Now I won't be devastated if someone comes to our house and my laundry room door is open.....it will be on purpose!

(I'm planning on decorating the wreath, and hopefully I can find a large wood window frame that I could replace the picture frame I propped up on the shelf.)

Mother's Day 2011

Mother's day this year started out with attending 2 missionary farewells. (So glad I'm neither of those missionary's moms!) Then it was up to Bountiful to have dinner with my mom and extended family. 4 out of 6 of my siblings were there. (Jeff lives in Kanab, and Krista didn't come) 2 out of 3 of my kids were there. (Braden wasn't here because he lives in Phoenix, but will be home for the summer on Wednesday!)

Four generations: Dorleen, Erika, Dex, and Amanda

Dianna, Dorleen, Erika, and Wayne

Dan, Riley, Greg and Teri

Shelby and Janna

Erika and Dex

Dorleen showing off the vase we gave her.

This vase was made by our neighbors the Perry's.

Trevor standing guard over the dessert

Deena and Rachel teaching Dex to stick out his tongue. Yes, Dex, you are related to some very weird people!

Drew, Kass, and Mike

Jordan, Chenelle, and Dianna

Dean and Dex. Dean is happiest when he is holding Dex, and Dex is happiest when he is holding Dean's ear.

Erika, Deena, the famous Kass ponytail, and Shelby

Kassidy and Shelby

Who knows where this remote is going to end up. It's a fun (?) little game we play whenever Dex is around. Usually ends up in a purse, a drawer, or a garbage can!

Caitlyn! So fun to have her living in Salt Lake! Hopefully this means we will be seeing her a lot more.

Deena and Caitlyn, wanting credit for doing the dishes. (throwing away the paper plates apparently counts)

Then it's on to visit Dean's mom.

She also got a "Perry-made" gift. The Perry's made these cool apples. I think these gave us some serious "brownie points" with our moms!

Erika, Mary, and Dean

We got to visit Grandma Ellis at the same time some of the Learys were there.

By the look on Caitlyn's face, do you think she believes anything I am saying?

Richard and Chris were also there at the same time we were. So fun to visit with family.

Seth and Linda's little boy wanted cookies, but scary Dean was holding the cookie jar. He would take a cookie, but making eye contact was just asking a little too much!

What a fun mothers day!