Dexter Michael Francis is here....well, in Virginia!

Meet Dexter Michael Francis! Born 3-10-10. 8 lbs 2 oz. Best looking baby I've ever seen! He's flexing already, what a stud!

3-6-2010 Lake to Lake Relay

This is our team for the lake to lake relay race: Dan, Braden, Julie, Dean and Erika. It was great! 50 miles of beautiful scenery from Gunlock Reservoir to Sand Hollow Reservoir. Each of us got to run two sections of about 5 miles each. We all exceeded our expectations and we finished in just under 7 hours.

Dan powering up old Highway 91

Julie gleefully running into Ivins, Utah

Some form of contact was required to make the exchange - so Julie and Braden settled on a chest bump.

We were allowed to give aid to our runner along the way - water, sunglasses, etc.

Braden finished the fastest leg of our whole race by passing another team just before the exchange.

Braden bringing water to Dean as he enters Bloomington.

Erika was the first to finish her second and final leg.

Julie running up the Washington Dam Hill and into a stiff headwind - is she still smiling?

Erika's smile is real because she is finished. Dean's is fake because he still has another run to go.

Braden collecting a special award (a dorky hat) for completing the most difficult leg of the relay

Braden delivering much needed water at mile 48

At the finish line!

100 years of scouting

In February, the Boy Scouts of America turned 100 years old. Along with that we enjoyed several celebrations. Our district had a nice dinner, and handed out awards to various scout leaders. Here is Dean receiving the Top Talon award, along with other members of our stake.

Last week we were able to attend the 100 years of scouting Gala at the Salt Palace. We enjoyed a really nice dinner and some great speakers. The highlight for me was seeing Amanda's mission president, Adrian Ochoa and his lovely wife, and getting to brag about having Amanda's baby due soon. They really love her and were so excited to hear the great news. (President Ochoa is now serving as a counselor in the general young men presidency)

15 miles

So this week's long run was to be 15 miles. We liked the route Dean made for the 1/2 marathon so we started up Yellow Fork Canyon at the trailhead but this time we ended up at 106th South and the Jordan River. This route took us past our house at mile 8.24 - good place for an aid station...

Here comes Deaner!

He downed the grapefruit juice, and was off to finish the rest of the run.

Then it was EJ's turn...

Dean dropped me off at the trailhead, and then had 1/2 peanut butter sandwich for me at mile 8, and then rode his bike to catch up with me at mile 11, and gave me water. Now that's service!
Dean ran on Wednesday, and I ran it today (Friday). We do it this way just in case one of us starts having any issues, the other can come to the rescue. Trying to get these long runs in is a little tricky, working around weather, Dean's work appointments, and other races we are running. Next weekend's run will be the relay race in southern Utah.

Dam 2 Dam 2-20-10

Today we ran the Dam 2 Dam race around Sand Hollow Reservoir. It was so dang cold!

Ej had her worst race ever, but makes it easier for next race to be an improvement, right? 3 minutes slower than her last 5 mile race, 8th in her age division....ouch. This run "kicked her trash"! Some random guy gave her this bag because he didn't want to have to carry it on the airplane home.

This wasn't Dean's best race either, but it was good enough to give him a 1st place in his age division. Not as fast as his last 5 mile race. After talking about what might have been our problem this race, it could have been that we gave blood and ran a 1/2 marathon earlier this week, ran on gravel instead of asphalt, had a wicked head wind, or all of the above. It was still fun to have run it.

...and then there's Julie. I guess chasing after those 7 kids really pays off. She won 1st in her age division, and 5th overall! She just keeps getting better and better! It is really fun to have her run these races with us! Great job Julie!!!

No race post would be complete without showing off our new race shirts.