The "First" AF Canyon half, and a "First" for a few!

Saturday was our annual half marathon event. Every year we add a few more runners to our group. However, we really missed our patriarch that got this whole running thing started for us. Boom was out this year due to his hip surgery, but we hope to have him with us "running" next year.

Jordy...This is her third year that she has ran the half marathon. Every year she is more determined and betters herself every time. She has been doing tri-athalons as well. Sure love her!

These two are our "first timers" this year. They both trained really hard this year. We are so proud of them for sticking with it and finishing. Another check mark off their "Bucket List". We hope that they will stick with us and with running so that they can run again next year. Sure love them too!

This spring when we were deciding which half marathon to do this year, we asked Shea and Kyle if they were going to do it with us. Kyle was all over it, but Shea....hmmmm! let's just say she wasn't having anything to do with it. I told her that I would love to have her with us and that I would miss her if she wasn't, but told her if she would committ and stick with her training, that I knew she could do it. I also promised her I wouldn't leave her and that we would finish together. I stuck with my promise. The last 4 miles were rough for her, but I wouldn't let her quit. Most of the last miles I held her hand, and coaxed her along. Now mind you, I am not a great runner, but feel like I am a great Mom and I don't leave my chicks behind. I know she would be upset at herself if she didn't finish or if she didn't give it her all; but she did both and I am so proud of her that she did it. It reminded me of my own Heavenly Father...he doesn't let us quit, he may give us the option of free agency, but He is always with us. For this I am truly grateful. Thanks Shea B for letting me be your Mom and be there every step of the way.

My great friend and running partner finished earlier, but wanted to run in with us because we run together every day. We are a team. She is a great friend and I love her dearly. I thank her for making me want to get up and exercise and for being there for me ALWAYS!!

Kyle finished so much earlier that our fan club had anticipated, that this is the only picture we have of him running. His little bum pat helped Shea B get to the finish line. Haha! loved it! Kyle finished in 1:45. His new nickname "Speedy Gonzales"

Wating for runners to come in....We have a great fan club. Gege is in the front of the pic, and Mandy is in the middle. We are hoping that Mandy will join us next year, and we could even run a later half so Logan could join our group as well.

Kim came in at 2:13. Her cute kids are in the background taking her picture. Way to go Kim!!!

And still waiting....Boom is my biggest fan! The little boys, J and E, came to watch as well as Pop. Thanks for your support everyone. It is so fun to come across the finish line knowing what you have accomplished, but also having those you love most there to share it with you.

Jordy finished in 2:02. So proud of her. She is such a great example of acheiving her goals, making the best of life, and always being happy and making us all smile. Great job!!

The AF Canyon half was a beautiful run. It was awesome as we came out of the canyon, still in the shade, but we could see the sun on the peaks and mountains ahead of us. We truly live in such a beautiful place. I think we take for granted its beauty and don't take advantage of what we really have. I will definitely run this race again. You may have noticed that we all have a dark blue ribbon pinned to our shirts. All the proceeds of this race goes to Cancer Research. The dark blue ribbons signify "Colon Cancer Awareness" We dedicated this race to a great runner that we love, that started it all for us, and that would be so proud of our families accomplishments today. John H. "Buss" Whittaker. Thank you for your example and for your legacy. We love you!

Little League ALL-STARS!!

Easton was chosen to play on the 8 year old All Star team for AF Little League Baseball. He is a great player and of course no matter what is a member of "Mom's All Star Team."

This is the team. They played really hard, and learned alot during the tournament. They only won 1 game, but made new friends and had a great time.

"Dog Pile" after the team picture. Notice Easton on the right of the picture coming full steam ahead to land right on top of the pile. Poor Coach Hartman!

Just before the inning started, Easton was batting first, and having a conversation with the ump.

E had a great tournament with the bat. He hit the ball at every bat, but one where he walked. He only got put out once during the whole tournament. (4 games)

E pitched great this tournament as well. Pop took some great pictures. The next pictures are all part of a pitching sequence. They are very fun! Not so sure I want the pressure of being a pitchers Mom, but if he wants to pitch we are willing to support him, especially because he is a great little pitcher, even for only being 8.

Baseball season is my favorite time of year. I get a bit intense, but I guess its just the passion I have for the game. Easton is great little player, thanks to the time he has spent playing ball in the fron yard with his 2 brothers. We look forward to lots of baseball and are so proud of Easton

AF River and Marina Flooding

2011 Run off was quite amazing, especially at the AF Harbor. No boats or cars had access to the marina for a few weeks. We had to go to the Lindon or Provo Harbors to launch. Boomer and I decided to take the Jeep and sneak past the "Do Not Enter" signs. It was pretty fascinating, but we were glad we were in the Jeep. I haven't ever seen the river so full, especially to over flowing. I haven't ever seen the marina at the AF harbor full to the brim, and it definitely was that day.

The gates to the harbor....notice the water on the road
The marina at AF Harbor
Usually there is a 10 foot+ walkout by that cylinder when you get out of the harbor and into the lake.
The Lindon side of the lake
I think you could say the lake was full
The road to the marina
A wash out
The river was running pretty dang fast


This is the road as well

The river coming on to the road
One of the bridges like this one had been washed out
You can't tell where the road starts or where the river ends.

So glad that we went and saw what it was like. Glad for the technology to take pictures on our phones, because I don't know if we will ever see this again. (At least not for a while)

Easton's 1st Swim Meet

Easton decided that he wanted to do swim team, because his brothers are swimmers. He tried out for the Hilltop Aquatics Swim TEam in American Fork. Jensen teased him and told him it was a race. Not funny! He swam so hard and tried to swim so fast that he threw up on the side of the pool. He didn't make HAST because there were so many that tried out, but did make "The Flying Fish" swim team that practices at our neighbors pool. He loves it and has improved so much this year so far.

At the meet, Easton's coach McKay King drew a fish on his shoulder. I said "Easton don't you know that your body is a temple and we shouldn't write on it." He told me he had told Mckay that but that he said "I need to see which swimmer you are." Easton really thought it was sooo cool.

His first event was the 25 backstroke. He did really great but was DQ'd because of something illegal he did in his stroke. He really loved it, and we didn't tell him he was disqualified.

His next event was the 50 freestyle. Before the race he told Gege "I am going to win this race." This picture was right before his 50 free race.

He dove in great. He wasn't even nervous. However, he had been working with his coaches to dive with his feet together. Here, he looks pretty good but.......

.....here at entry his feel are totally apart. On the right side, its hard to see his foot because its at the same angle as the ladies leg that is sitting there.

This is the 50 free, so down and back the length of the pool.

He said he was going to win, and he did. He beat all of the other 7 and 8 year olds in the 50 free. He could see that he was close to another swimmer at the end and he just swam really hard.

He was in lane #1. This picture was taken before the other swimmers were even finished. Way to go E!! He also competed in the 25 free at the end of the meet and his time was 35.40.

We are so blessed to have a temple so close....

This week, our achievement day girls had an activity at the Temple. It was a beautiful day and I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of the Mount Timpanogas temple. For many years, I took for granted the temple that we have so close. I am ashamed to say that I didn't go as much as I should have. I now look back and wish I had been more faithful in going regularly and feel that I have missed out on so many blessings. There is a definite peace that comes to our lives when we attend regularly.

Boomer and the kids have been going every Friday since Shea was 18. That's 6 years. One day it hit me....."If the rest of my family can make the temple a priority, then why can't I". So in September of 2010, I decided it was about time that I became a regular. It has been an amazing ride and I feel such regret that I haven't made the temple a priority before now.

My parents have gone with me as well, and it has made our relationship so much stronger. I wouldn't trade this time with them for anything. I am grateful for their example, their support, and all that they do for me. Besides Boom and the kids, they are my biggest fans. We have had some amazing experiences and confirmations together as we have shared time in the temple.

I am truly grateful for the temple, for the covenants that I have made there. We are so blessed to have a temple just 5 minutes away and many others close as well. I am grateful for the protection that I feel we as a family has because of the time we spend in the temple.

Our temple is so beautiful and the grounds are so peaceful....we are so blessed.

Love this one of the Angel Moroni, especially with the deep blue sky in the background.

Families are Forever! Its gives me such comfort to know that even though we aren't perfect, we can keep trying to become better. We learn from our mistakes and move forward. Heavenly Father has blessed us with a way to get back to him and the temple can be a Liahona in our lives to guide us back to the Father.