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. 

Sun Valley Idaho

Jeff had a conference in Idaho this summer so we tagged along for some summer fun.

While Jeff had meetings, the kids and I went on a long bike ride along the Salmon River. And of course we stopped for ice cream because you have to do that in new cities. We all went white water rafting the following day which was pretty amazing. Sun Valley is beautiful.

Early June highlights

School is out for summer so a few of the early summer highlights.

The kids are all running track. Aaron runs the 50 and 100 and does long jump and shot put. Kyle runs the mile and does shot put and long jump. Emily runs the mile as well and does shot put and long jump. 


We enjoyed some delicious bibimbap together.


Kyle & Emily have been lifting weights with me this summer. It's been fun seeing them challenge themselves in the weight room and build some strength.

Memorial Day ski

The ski season this year was pretty epic. When you can ski until Memorial Day, that's a great season. Looking forward to the upcoming ski season when Jeff is hopefully cleared to ski again with us. 

Not surprisingly, Aaron fell asleep in the car. 

Emily & Aaron happily skiing

Kyle was very upset for some reason. I don't recall why but I do remember he was beside himself. 

Track season

Kyle & Emily are both running track at school. Kyle is running the mile and Emily 800 and the 800 leg of the medley relay. Both are doing very well and improving on their PRs. Keep up the great work!

That is Kyle 4th from the left as the 4 seed. Small but speedy.

Emily awaiting the baton for her leg.

May sports

A quick catch up on May sports. 

More spring skiing

RSL soccer game

Aaron playing basketball and getting to do the opening tip off. 

April ski and bike day

So after a morning of warm spring skiing with Kyle, I decided I would see how far up Big Cottonwood I could get on my bike. Well, with how stubborn I am, after getting 4 miles of the 12 up the mountain (nevermind the 4 or 6 it took to get to the base from home), I decided I was going to make it to the top. Afterall, the first 6 miles of the climb up Cottonwood seemed to be the steepest and most difficult. Trouble is, it was mid-60s when I left the house, but at the top it was freezing. I was dressed for 60s. On the descent, my arms and fingers went numb. Thankfully there was a little lodge restaurant on the way down. Cheese fries with fry sauce never tasted so good. The fireplace was helpful as well. They didn't have any warmer clothes I could buy, but had a lost and found with someone's discarded fleece that I happily put on to try and get warm. Thankfully I made it home in one piece having made it to the top.

April sports

This April, Kyle is playing lacrosse and Aaron is playing soccer. 

I find this picture quite hilarious because of Aaron's size differential. I realize some of this is perspective of the shot, but he's about a head taller than a lot of the kids. Anyhow, he enjoyed this season of soccer. 

And Kyle played his first round of lacrosse. He enjoyed learning a new sport and played well. His team was all new to lacrosse so they had their work cut out for them this season. It was nice to see Kyle take his athleticism to another sport.