Kids Triathlon

In an earlier post I mentioned how I am always trying to convince others to do a triathlon. Well, I was able to convince all three of my girls to train for and race in the Rancho Seco Kids Triathlon on August 28. Unfortunately, Courtney got sick and was unable to do the race. Katelyn and Kylie did complete the race with mixed reviews. Kylie thought it was terrific. Katelyn did not have a good experience. We had to rush her to the start and she ended up not being able to breathe after the swim. She wanted to quit after the swim, but I encouraged her to do the bike. Once she completed the bike, she almost refused to do the one mile run. I told her I would walk with her. I basically forced her through it, but she crossed the finish line and got her finishers medal. Katelyn said she would not be opposed to doing another triathlon and hope for a better experience. Kylie can't wait to do another one. Kylie before her 50 meter swim.

Katelyn after her 150 meter swim.

Kylie running to the transition area after the swim.

Kylie loving it one the four mile bike ride.

Kylie stopping for water before heading out for the one mile run.

Kylie showing off her finishers medal.

Katelyn reluctantly crossing the finish line. We are so proud of you girls for completing your first triathlon!

Star Wars Party

My kids always look forward to their birthday parties. Sometimes they even start talking about them six months in advance. We've done lots of different themes - swim party, luau, train, slumber party, High School Musical, girly girl, etc. I usually feel pretty comfortable with the theme. I try to decorate and plan activities to go with the theme. Well, when Cameron insisted that he have a Star Wars party I felt stumped. I don't really know that much about Star Wars - that's Lloyd's thing. I haven't watched the movies and don't know the lingo. Sure, I know who the main character are - Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Yoda, and Princess Leia, but that's about it. There was no changing Cameron's mind about the Star Wars theme so I knew I would have to do some research for this party. Thank goodness for the internet! There were tons of ideas for Star Wars birthday parties. I also went to wikipedia to make sure I had all the correct terms like light saber (I thought it was lifesaver!), Jedi, Padawan, Jedi Knight, the Force, etc. Looking back on it, I had a lot of fun planning this party for Cameron, and Cameron absolutely loved it!

Here's all the supplies we used for a successful party: Star Wars party goods from Party City including a Darth Vader pinata, Jedi training badges for all the boys, Star Wars coloring sheets, a Star Wars Trouble game and matching game, lots of Star Wars toys, Star Wars Bingo game purchased online (the photos were great), light sabers made from foam pipe insulation and different tape (bought at Home Depot), Pop Rocks for game winners, and cupcakes with Star Wars pencil sharpeners on top.

As the boys arrived they had fun playing with all the Star Wars toys. A friend was kind enough to let me borrow some.

We also played a game called "Help Restore Order to the Galaxy." Each boy was either on the Empire team or the Rebellion team. They earned points for their team by placing their sticking on asteroids with different point values.

Princess Leia (Katelyn) came to help out at the party. We had asteroid pizza, light saber bread sticks, and Yoda soda for lunch.
Then the boys did their Jedi training and prepared for any attacks.
Sure enough, Darth Vader (Lloyd) showed up and kidnapped Princess Leia. Each of the boys individually fought Darth Vader, using the skills they had learned from the Jedi training.
In the end, all the boys attacked Darth Vader and the Jedis prevailed!

It was a great party for our six-year old Star Wars enthusiast and all his friends.

My Utah Get Away

On August 18 I was able to take a trip to Utah all by myself. Lloyd went to Utah last November so now it was my turn. I was thrilled to be able to catch up with old friends and spend a day at BYU education week. Since I was only there for three and a half days I didn't want to spread myself too thin so I just focused on being able to see my two close friends, Laura and Kim. I was totally surprised and excited when I learned I was on the same flight to Utah as our good friend, Scott Wyckoff. We visited the whole flight and then I was able to visit with Rebekah Wyckoff when she picked us up from the airport. I was thrilled to see the Wyckoff family and there new home in Holladay. Here's a picture of me and Rebekah. A visit with her was a treat I had not expected!

On Thursday I spent the day with my very dear friend, Laura Reese. We have known each other since we were teenagers and were roommates in college. Laura and I both love to talk and I wasn't surprised that when I spent the night we stayed up until 4 am talking. Laura has so many talents and I love hearing about all her new endeavors. She is a great mom to four children, including two identical twin girls. She regularly volunteers at the hospital helping mothers with high-risk pregnancies. She is also very talented at blogging, decorating, fashion, computer/technology. She is always teaching me something new. She was the one who encouraged me to start this blog over three years ago! Laura loves to dress her children in the latest styles and she makes sure to always get a bargain. Then she turns around and resells the clothes on ebay; sometimes she sells them for buy than she paid. She also loves to read and is always the one I ask when I need a good book club pick. I will forever be grateful to Laura for the love and support she showed me during the Fall of 1994. I was a newlywed and Lloyd was gone in the Navy. Laura was taking a semester off from school. We were both lonely and really needed a friend. We went almost every day together talking, shopping, watching movies, and being friends. Laura was there for me during a very challenging time and I will never forget her kindness.While I was visiting Laura I was able to go on a six mile run around her home in Sandy. I thought it would be great training for my Half Ironman. I had the challenge of running the hills and running at a higher altitude. It was a great run! Laura was kind enough to take me to two Utah-only stores, Lime Ricki swimwear and Down East Outfitters. I've ordered online before, but it was great to go to the actual store! Then Laura and I met her two sisters and mother for dinner. Laura's sister, Holly was also my roommate at BYU. In fact, Holly and I were roommates my entire time at BYU. I also love Laura's mom and her sweet nature. It was wonderful to see the Alldredge girls.
The next day I spent with my close friend Kim Matz. Kim and I have known each other since we were six and have been best friends since we were 13. She is always there for me no matter what. She listens, encourages, offers advice, and truly loves me. I am so grateful for her friendship; it truly means the world to me. The last time Kim and I saw each other was November 2006 so we were so glad to be reunited. Kim has lots of talents too. She loves to read and watch movies; she was the first one to tell me about the Twilight series. Kim also loves to bake and decorate cakes. She made a cake for me to enjoy while I was there! I am so proud of Kim because she recently lost over 60 pounds and she is meticulous about keeping it off. We spent Friday at BYU education week. We were able to hear some hear some good speakers like John Byetheway, Merrilee Boyack, and Marvin Goldstein. The talks were fun and inspirational, but the best part was being with Kim. The other best part was the BYU mint brownies. They were amazing! It's a good thing they didn't have those when I was at BYU.

Another highlight of Education Week was reuniting with my favorite speaker from my teen years, Brad Wilcox. I loved this guy as a teenager - I mean really loved him. Most teenagers love rock stars or movie stars, but my idol was Brad Wilcox. I love his enthusiasm for life, his honesty, his teaching techniques, and his love. In over 20 years, Brad is still just as amazing. He is so popular I had to wait a long time to get this photo, but it was worth it!

On Saturday Kim and I had a Girls Day Out. We went and got facials at the Beauty College. I love facials; it's the ultimate form of relaxation. Then I got to go to another Utah favorite, Cafe Rio! This was my first time at a Cafe Rio restaurant. I've eaten the food before when my friend Ashleigh has made it. This food is the best - my mouth is watering just looking at this picture. Everything tasted just as good as when Ashleigh has made it, but the Cafe Rio tortillas were so much better. I can't wait to go to Utah again and go to Cafe Rio. After lunch Kim and I went to see "Knight and Day" at the movies. Then we had a barbecue with Kim's family. They have a great backyard. That evening Kim and I had a mint Oreo milkshake for dessert - so yummy!

The next day I got to go to church with Kim and her family. I was curious to visit her Young Womens since I am also serving in Young Womens in my ward. I love these pictures of me and Kim. I put the photo below in a frame on my dresser and I love seeing it every day. I loved doing tons of fun things with Kim, but the best part was just talking and being with her. We can talk for hours and hours. I love her so much. Being with her for just a couple days was such a gift. I am so glad I was able to take this trip.

Back to School

Back to School time is always a bittersweet time for me. I am sad because it means the fun and lazy days of summer are over. It is also exciting because their are lots of new things for the kids to experience - a new class, new teachers, new friends, and new opportunities for growth. This year all five of the kids are in school since Conner is starting preschool for the first time. It's a bit crazy with five kids at four different schools! Thank goodness for car pools, responsible kids, and understanding teachers. So here are all five of my cuties on the first days of school. I can't believe Courtney is a sophomore - only two more years in high school! I hate that my kids are growing up so fast. I am trying to savor these years! CONNER

St. Paul's Preschool

Ms. Kim

Three Year Old Class

KYLIE

Orchard Elementary

Ms. Byars

Fourth Grade

and

CAMERON

Orchard Elementary
Ms. Nelson

Kindergarten

KATELYN

Savage Middle School

Seventh Grade

COURTNEY

Enochs High School

Tenth Grade

Rancho Seco Triathlon

Since I have gained a new love for triathlons, I am always trying to convince others how fun they are. I can't understand why others don't think doing a triathlon is one of the best things in the world. I try to remind myself that we all have different interests and people don't want to hear me talk about triathlons for hours (because I could talk about them for hours if you give me the chance). Anyway, I was able to convince five of my friends to do a triathlon with me on August 7. It was a sprint triathlon at Rancho Seco. I am proud of each of my friends for taking on the challenge and successfully completing the triathlon. Cindy even got third place in her age category and she had to walk the entire run portion because of a sore hamstring. Cindy is totally amazing on the bike.

Here's me with Tami, Cindy, and Ann before the race.

We're showing our stuff!

Lloyd got these pictures of me on the bike and run. I don't think I'll ever be able to convince Lloyd to do a triathlon, mostly because of the swim. I think he prefers being my cheerleader and photographer. I really pushed myself on the bike this time. I was able to get my fastest time at the Rancho Seco sprint distance. My goal was under 1:45 and I came in at 1:44:32. I was thrilled to have reached my goal! I love the high I feel after doing a race; it's the best feeling in the world. I think I keep doing triathlons because I am addicted to that feeling!
I am so lucky to have the most supportive husband. He supports me and cheers me on not only on race day, but also during all the training that leads up to the race!

Courtney's Birthday Celebration

This year for Courtney's birthday we went to the water slides instead of doing a traditional birthday party. She chose her best friend, Kelly, to come along. Since Kylie and I both have birthdays coming up we decided to go too. It was perfect because a lot of the slides are for two or four people so we always had a partner. This was my second time going to Golfland Sunsplash. It's a great water park with lots of different slides. We love the "toilet bowl" slides and our favorite is The Vortex. The Vortex is a four-story drop into a eight-foot pool; it's such adrenaline rush! Going on water slides is actually one of my most favorite things in the world. I love them more than any ride at an amusement park. I love them so much I even have dreams about them! These water slides are right next to In-N-Out Burger so we had the perfect spot for lunch. All four of us really had a blast!
Here's Courtney and Kelly on the "Bermuda Triangle" river

Kylie and me at the wave pool. She was a great partner on the slides!