How fun does this look?

Jaxon found this mud puddle....

We saw this stop sign in Alton, Utah....how cool is that?

West Rim Hike in Zion

Dean and I decided to do the West Rim hike in Zions. It was a 10 mile hike with a 2400 ft climb in elevation. The trail takes you up to this anticlimactic spring, but the views were amazing! The ending elevation 6720.






Dean had his "super hero" watch, so every 100 ft climb he would let me know what elevation we were at, and how much further we had to climb.

Jenson B-B-Q

Julie and kids came up to Salt Lake, and where ever the Jensons are, it's a party! We ate, the kids played in the yard and watched movies, and we all got a chance to talk to Grandma and Grandpa (serving a mission in Columbia).

It was too noisy in the family room, so we had the computer set up in Dean's office so everyone could talk, and hear Grandma and Grandpa

Provo City Half Marathon and 5k

This morning we ran in the Provo Half Marathon and 5k. It was freezing cold and snowing when we left our house this morning at 7am. By race time, I think the temp was up to 32 degrees, but with the wind, it didn't feel that warm! Barrak, (Braden's room mate) Braden and Dean all ran the half. Each of their goals was to beat their last times on a half. We still don't have their official times, but it appears that each of them beat their old records. Great runs guys. I wanted to get a personal best on the 5k. I was a little bummed about my time.....okay a lot bummed about my time. I felt like I gave it my best effort, and was really surprised when my time didn't reflect that. I did place 1st in my age bracket, so trying not to be a poor sport, I tried to act like this was a great race. I came home and mapped the route, and it was longer than a 5k! I really did get a good time! I feel so much better, I thought it felt like I had a good run.... I was right! Dean and Braden are at the Priesthood session of General Conference, so I don't have anybody to tell, except this silly blog. Anyway, good job Barrak, Braden, Dean,...and me!

Guess what bib number Braden had! He just wanted to let those people that he passed know what had just zoomed past them!


Just for the record, Braden passed this guy in the white shirt just as they passed his family! Braden looks like he really enjoyed that!

Dean cut 8 minutes off his last half marathon time!

Braden and Barrak have been running together all year. They both had an awesome race. Barrak was the one the did the lovely number on Braden's hair...thanks a lot Barrak.



Notice the fake smile on my face. I have to admit, I was really disappointed with my time....that is until now, now I'm excited! I need to retake this photo!


Greg and Teri were so kind to let us soak in their hot tub after our race, now that's the way to finish a great morning.

This is right before Braden shaved his number off before he went to Priesthood Meeting.

Bad News....

A-Team is an "ambassador" like program at Utah State. The students who make A-team, get paid for their time recruiting and orienting the incoming freshman. They take a class, go on retreats, and many more activities. Caitlyn tried out for A-team, which, if I understand it correctly, had an interview process, along with having to submit a resume. She got word a couple months ago she made it, and she was so excited! She went to the retreat up at Bear Lake, and was really excited about the people she was going to get to work with for the next year.

Well, this morning I got a call from Utah State's A-team, telling me that they have not been able to contact Caitlyn, and they had terminated her from A-team effective immediately. I was her emergeny contact person, and so they were hoping that I could get in touch with her. She wasn't answering her cell phone, or responding to their e-mails. Because of confidentiality they couldn't tell me the details, but they said they had verified that she had violated the code of conduct. I was so sad for Caitlyn. I got the name of the person, and an 800 number to have Caitlyn call her back. Now I had to give Caitlyn the bad news. I was sick to my stomach. I sent her a text message to call me. Right after I sent that message, the lady from A-team called back and admitted that she was really Cailtyn's friend Erica! (Erica is on A-team with Caitlyn. She was an SBO with Caitlyn. I should have recognized her voice!!!) I hate April Fools day! I totally swallowed this one hook, line and sinker!

In this photo, Erica (back when I liked her), Amanda, and Caitlyn.