Love

Aaron was helping me write up the grocery list on my phone. He left me another note. Love you Aaron. 

Triathlon

Somehow I came across an ad for a local tri this summer. And since I've been running and swimming, I thought why not. So I signed up on a whim a few days pre-race. Was pretty fun, though a bit torturous with an open water swim since I've really only been doing pool swims and certainly not with a wet suit in a lake at altitude. Nevertheless, I survived and finished middle of the pack. Not my best showing, but I finished and that was what I was going for. And I had the best cheering squad with Emily there as my cheerleader. 

PA / NY trip

We spent some time in the Poconos with family this summer. It was a lot of fun to be together. The kids went to day camp together, the adults worked, we hiked, ate ice cream, saw a bear, and we all had a blast at Hershey Park.

Before we left, we stopped at Katz's deli for some iconic NYC food.

We saw a real, live bear crossing the road one morning before camp. The kids were taking the bus for the first time and two had walked ahead. They came running back shouting "it's not there" - or so I thought they were saying. I replied that they have to go and wait for the bus, that's why we were going ahead of time to get the bus. When I realized they were actually saying "we saw a bear", I sent them back home along with the kids were behind us. Meanwhile, Emily was already at the bus stop, with the bear in between us. Thankfully the bear had no interest in us and just crossed the road. When it crossed and was enough into the woods, I told Emily to run toward me and book it back to the house. All the kids were on adrenaline rush about this crazy encounter. Thankfully it all ended well. But quite a story, that's for sure.

Sleepy Bear

And more in the series of Aaron sleeping.

July summer fun

Summer is cruising by. Lots of fun with the kids between band camp, cross country, track, basketball, sports camps, and more. 

I ran a few trail races up in the mountains. Right before the first race, they sent us a warning about an aggressive bear sighting in the area (i.e., on the trail we were to be running). Like a Utahn, I went in the garage and found our bear spray to bring just in case. That did not stop the race and thankfully there were no bear sightings. Though the race was painful. 1200 feet elevation gain over a mile. 

Park basketball

Swimming and sunning and popsicles 

Happy 13th birthday Kyle & Emily!

Somehow Kyle and Emily are now teenagers. Time has gone by at warp speed. Hard to believe they were little 32 weeker preemies and have come so far. They have forged their own identities and are thriving. Both great runners and active kids, excelling in school and sweet with each other and their brother (most of the time ;-) ). Keep on being the amazing you that you each are, Kyle and Emily. We love you! 

A few days old in this picture

Going to sleep as 12 year olds to wake up as 13 year olds. 

We went to the trampoline park during the day to bounce out some birthday energy. 

Kyle thought he'd pour himself a beer since he's 13 now. :-) He was actually horrified at this because he mistook the beer for a sparkling water. Needless to say he did not drink it and was upset with me for even taking this picture.