Hobble Creek half and Special Needs Carnival

Yes, this picture is of an unused bib and chip for the Hobble Creek Half Marathon....ouch!

Let me explain. This is my favorite race we have run. Hobble Creek is a beautiful half marathon, and claims to be the fastest course in Utah. We have run it the last 2 years. It sells out within an hour of when it opens up. Dean and I both got in, and it fit in perfect with our training for the Top of Utah full Marathon we will be running in 4 weeks. Last week, we got the news that the people that I have worked with for the last several years in Special Needs Mutual would no longer be serving there, and I was the only one that was still in. We had a carnival planned for the same time as the race, the plan was I would just come late. Now things were different, our friends with Special Needs wouldn't know anyone at the carnival when they first arrived, so I no longer had the option of showing up late.

Dean got up at 4 a.m. and drove to Mapleton by himself. He had an awesome race! This was his best time for a half marathon.

He was also one of the first 100 men to finish, so he got this medal.

And he placed 3rd in his age group!

Awesome race Deaner!

Dean even snapped this picture of him for me from his cell phone.

Meanwhile, I got to go to the Carnival!

There was face painting

Rocket building and launching

Pictures with the firemen

New friendships made. The youth group that put on the carnival was amazing. They didn't hesitate to jump in and help out our friends with special needs.

Horse and buggy rides were a hit.

There were also tractor rides.

Oops!

We enjoyed snow-cones and lots of yummy food, "booths" with a fishing pond, bowling, bean bag toss, and other games....

..and hanging out with some of my favorite people!

I had to put this picture in. The lady that helps with our music time had a baby since the last time these people had seen her. They thought seeing and playing with her little three month old baby was one of the best "booths" there! This little baby was loving these awesome people playing with him and making him laugh! It was so cute to watch.