Day 23

Day 23

 I know I'm only supposed to post one picture each day, but I couldn't decide which one, so I cheated and posted six.

I can't believe we willingly left Phoenix.  We loved the weather there.  It was great the whole time we were there.  The temperature was right around 80 degrees!

 Flying over the Grand Canyon

 Looking over into Tooele valley.

 Flying over Kennecott Copper Mine

Yum!  We get to breath that guck!

Day 22

Day 22

Last day in Phoenix.  It had to be about 80 degrees.  Dean and I went for an awesome bike ride.  Tomorrow morning we will be back in 30 degree weather.  It's been fun hanging out with Braden!

Surprise Marathon 1/28/12

 The start line of the Surprise Marathon.  Yes it was cold!

 Get those watches set....

 This was Jared's first marathon.  He wanted to do it in under 4 hours.  No official time posted yet, but we know it was faster than 3:53.  (it was a chipped race, and he didn't start right at the gun)

 This was Dean's 10th marathon, and Braden's 9th marathon.  Neither of them were trying for a PR (Personal Record), it was just a chance for them to run together.  They are enjoying this way too much!

 The marathon finishers!  Jared (Braden's roommate), Dean, and Braden

 Braden and Jared doing synchronized stretching after the race.

 Cafe Rio, and then hot tubbing after the race.....life is good!

 Yep, had to get a picture of them in their race shirts and finisher medals!

Good job guys!

Day 21

Day 21

Arizona!

Day 20

Day 20

This picture was taken back in August.  While I was waiting for Braden and Dean to finish the marathon today, I got to spend time reading my photography books.  I learned how to convert a photo to black and white, and then add color back in places I wanted to.  Kind of a fun technique. 

Day 19

Day 19

Braden gave us a tour of his school's new campus.  What an amazing building, right in downtown Phoenix.

Day 18

Day 18

I love Lake Powell.....even in January!

Day 17

Day 17

Julie, Jeff, Erika, and Cristian watching Kanab basketball game.

Day 16

Day 16

My niece Camilla recommended these books on photography.  She takes great pictures!  

I was so excited to get the books and start learning, that I may have neglected my husband, housework, packing, and anything else I was supposed to give my attention to today!  Oops!

Day 15

Photo challenge

Day 15

Dean and my dad doing some home repairs for Krista

Day 14

Day 14

 Ok, these aren't great pictures, but they are pretty cool.....

I can watch Braden and Caitlyn online!  It gets updated every few minutes, and I'm able to see their progress as they travel across the US!  They are in Florida now!

Day 13

Day 13's photo

Yummy Pizza!

My sister Janna has this really fun tradition.  Every Saturday she and her family invite someone over for homemade pizza.  Dean and I got the invite today!  She makes individual pizza's for everyone, and if you are lucky enough to get an invite, you get to create your own masterpiece.  

We were having such a fun time visiting with her family, I kind of forgot to take pictures!

Thanks Dan and Janna, that was a great way to spend a Saturday!

Day 12

Day 12

Saying good-bye to Braden.

Braden and Caitlyn are driving a box truck full of cabinets across the United States!  They are headed to Ft. Lauderdale Florida!  They should arrive there Monday sometime.  Tuesday, Caitlyn will fly home to Salt Lake, and Thursday Braden will fly home to Phoenix.  It's been nice to have him here, but time for him to get back to school.....he's half way through!

Day 11

Photo Challenge

Day 11

 Yep, it's thursday, and that means I get to spend time with my friends with special needs.  This is Amber, she is amazing!  When she comes into a room the whole room lights up.  She is one of the happiest people I have ever met.  I love how I feel when I am around her.

Other pictures from tonight:

 We have 17 and 18 year olds come help us with our program.  It is so cool to see how these kids are willing to jump in and help, and really love these people.

 This is Brad.  

He thinks Dean is the best!
Dean didn't have meetings tonight, so he came with me.   Every week Brad finds me and asks if Dean is going to come.  Usually I have to tell him "no", but not tonight!  Dean hung out with Brad and took pictures.  I had to get a picture of the two of them together.  Brad insisted on taking off his glasses for the picture.

Day 10

Day 10

Today's post is the first part of a two part series....

Dean made this awesome shelf for me, and I gathered all the frames and placed them just how I wanted them, but never put photos in the frames.  Hopefully, in a post in the NEAR future, all these frames will have our family pictures in them, rather that the ones they came with!  (and yes, I will take the plastic off the frames too!)

Day 9

Photo Challenge 

Day 9

Dean is all dressed up and ready to get his picture taken.

Today Dean had to go get his picture taken at the Boy Scouts of America offices.

The picture they took will be used at the awards ceremony on March 6.

Day 8

Photo Challenge

Day 8

 Happy Birthday Charity!  For your birthday, you get to be on my blog.....be excited!

Other pics:

Krista invited Dean and me, and my parents over for a birthday dinner for Charity.  Great evening, thanks Krista!

Dean and Dex watching YouTube videos..over, and over, and over again!

Day 7

Day 7

Dex loves talking on the phone.  We started off in different rooms, but he made his way to right in front of me, but we kept the conversation going!

 Runner up photos:

Caitlyn is officially his favorite... when the three of us, Me, Dean and Caitlyn,  Dex was most excited to see Caitlyn!

Dex holding my "gray card" so I could get my white balance correct.

This kid loves Elmo!