July 30-31:2 Day Journey

So much happened over the 2-1/2 weeks we were gone to Utah, my head spins at starting this post and how to break it all up.

How it all began: I've been homesick for the past couple of months wanting to see my family and friends in Utah. It wasn't until we were planning our Race weekend and John's parents flight plans that being able to go all came together. Theywanted to go down to Steven & Silvia's little girl Leslie's baby blessing the 1st weekend of August. I wanted to go to Utah to visit my family and Friends and so we collaborated and they drove the van while I manned the children and we both were awarded with a trip to Utah.

We left Thursday morning by a 8:15- only 15 minutes later than planned, not too shabby for me and overall the kids did really well in the car. Going down it was pry a total of 15 hours in the car. There were snacks and movies, books on tape, dolls and writing activities to keep the girls entertained. For Tate...anything I could think of: food, movies, balls, games of Peek-a-boo and naps.

This is always my favorite time of traveling...naptime.

We stopped in Boise overnight for a quick visit to see Aunt Audrey & Uncle James and the kids.

We pulled into Ogden around 3ish on Friday and said a teary 'See you on Sunday' to Grandma & Grandpa Payne. I'm glad Grandma & Grandpa Harris were only 15 minutes away with the tears the girl shed.

Tate was quite the gentleman-helping me bring the luggage in. He did attempt the Larger luggage, but found this to be more his size.

=

Reward

That Night I had a Girls or I guess a Mom's Night Out With Shelly & Laura where we found a good spot on the lawn to watch Lady Antebellum and swoon & Dance to Tim McGraw. Good company, good music, good views. What's not to like? Ok maybe that was all an understatement to the screaming i did. It was a GREAT Concert!

The cherry on top was being able to see my long lost friend Kelly Davis who happened to be there as well.

More to come...

Home Renovation update

Ask and you shall receive-Mom this one's for you. ;)

While in Utah John was home busy finishing the kitchen. He put up crown molding, base molding, finished the island, the rest of the cupboard fronts, shelving, and the new kitchen light above the sink. He mentioned several times how much he loved being able to leave a project...tools and all and when he came back everything was just how he'd left it.

He not only finished the kitchen, he finished the molding in the bathrooms.

He also finished the door fronts for our carport entryway.

The list continues...he fixed the stairs (no more creaking), he fixed cracks in the walls and painted the upstairs stair and hallway, rehung all the doors so they easily open and latch closed.

This is the transfer into the bathroom-It's been a BIG Crack for 6 years.

Thanks Honey I love my newly almost completely finished house. :)

Daddy's Day Out

John Surprised the family by announcing he'd taken Tuesday off work...and he wanted to take the kids out, without me. I wasn't sure I'd heard right, it's something I've only dreamed of coming out of his mouth for the last 3 years.

Come Tuesday morning I'm not sure who was more excited, the kids or I? We made lunches, got them dressed and then Daddy and kids happily piled into the van and went....

Blueberry picking

At one point Tate pulled the branch to his mouth and started eating berries right off it.

They also went to Les Gove Park in Auburn for lunch and to play in the water.

The kids had a great day with Dad!

And what did Mom do? Spa? Shopping? Nothing? Nope I took a shower and worked on the computer and cleaned without child interruption. It was nothing short of a little piece of heaven.

Ragnar 2010: One More Hill To Go

John and I were invited to Run on an all couples team for the Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage Race through Washington this year. Skagit, Deception, Fidalgo, Whidbey. Unusual names, killer places to run. 187 miles of stunning Washington scenery. Starting in the seaside town of Blaine, then head south through farm country and along the coast, ultimately crossing over Deception Pass. The race (and your stamina) wraps up on the southern tip of Whidbey Island. (that was taken from the Ragnar Website) Our Team Name: One More Hill to Go. There were some funny names, some great costumes all of which were great entertainment. Everyone was cheering everyone on-it was fantastic.

There were 2 vans, 3 couples in each van-we were in the 2nd van starting around 2 pm in Bellingham. John started us off and in good form raising the bar for the rest of us...despite the hot weather.

Off & Runnin-Van #2: John, Mel, Travis, Holly, Carrie & Jim

This was a hard run for me, not prepared for the 85 degree weather we were running in. I handed off to Travis who made his Race Running Debut. What a trooper!

James to his wife Carrie-A true couple pass off

Carrie Ran through some beautiful Farm Country, As we stopped and waited you could hear the wind blowing through the wheat fields.

Passing back off to Ron of Van #1

We finished our first round around 5:30ish- we drove on to La Connor to Shower, find food and get a couple of hours sleep before beginning our 2nd legs which started around 11 pm. John had a hard run, 8 miles of big hills, but again he ran really well-impressing everyone with his time. I did a 4 mile run that I thoroughly enjoyed, despite the 2 am time.

We finished our 2nd legs around 5:30 am. Time to shower, eat and rest, again.

Van #1 showed up at 9 am and John was off again. It was a beautiful run, still hilly, but along the waterfront.

Holly is an amazing runner-she injured her IT band during her 2nd leg and still ran her 3rd leg-strong.

Another great leg for me-mostly in the shade but felt like I was running through the Mountains, and finished along the shoreline. Gorgeous!

We were required to hold these flags while crossing the street. James was waiting to give water to his wife. It was her and our teams last leg to the finish line.

Van #1

Peter & Stephanie Erickson

Ron & Macy Sorenson

The Deckers'

Van #2

Jim and Carrie

Holly & Travis Baird

Race Results:

Team: 197 One More Hill to Go

Category Place 18

Pace 10:36

Total Time: 32:00:23

Category: Mixed Sub Masters

Start Time: 7:00 AM

Runner	1st Leg	2nd Leg	3rd Leg	Total
1-Ron	6.2 miles | Hard	4.4 miles|Moderate	7.8 miles|Very Hard	18.4 miles
2-Bonnie	6.2 miles | Hard	3.5 miles | Easy	3.1 miles | Easy	12.8 miles
3-Steph	8.2 miles | Very Hard	3.5 miles | Easy	2.8 miles | Easy	14.5 miles
4-Macy	4.1 miles | Easy	4.1 miles | Easy	2.9 miles | Easy	11.1 miles
5-Decker	5.9 miles|Moderate	3.4 miles | Easy	6.5 miles | Hard	15.8 miles
6-Pete	5.9 miles|Moderate	5.6 miles | Moderate	5.5 miles | Hard	17 miles
7-John	5.8 miles|Hard (2 pm) 42 min	8.7 miles|V.Hard (11:14 pm) 63 min	6.3 miles | Hard (9:42 am) 45 min	20.8 miles
8-Holly	3.4 miles|Moderate	7.8 miles|Very Hard	6.3 miles | Hard	17.5 miles
9-Mel	6.1 miles|Hard 3 pm 54 min	4.2 miles|Mod (2:07 am) 37 min	6.8 miles|Very Hard (11:27 am) 60 min	17.1 miles
10-Travis	3.1 miles | Easy	2.7 miles | Easy	3.7miles|Moderate	9.5 miles
11-Jim	6.8 miles | Hard	6.3 miles|Very Hard	4.3 miles|Moderate	17.4miles
12-Carrie	7.0 miles | Hard	5.4 miles|Moderate	4.6 miles | Hard	17 miles