Top of Utah

Yeah!! I finished the ToU marathon. Sometime last spring I signed up to run this marathon. I had decided I was going to do it a while ago but as committing to the training came closer I started having doubts. Running a marathon is a big task with lots of training, I wasn't sure I was up for something so time consuming and I had no one to run with. It is amazing how things seem to work out I signed up and not too far into the training I found someone to train with.

The training was good until 2 weeks before the race, my knee started hurting-ITband issues I suspect, but never went to the dr. Spent two weeks before the race rolling on a foam roller, swimming and trying to run but not very well. I was a little worried about weather or not I could even run but to the starting line I went.

The ToU is crazy because you have to wake up EARLY to catch a bus to get to the top of blacksmith fork canyon, this is even earlier when you calculate in the time change but who sleeps the night before a marathon anyway. Lucky for us it wasn't too cold but about 5 minutes before the race started the rain came in the form of a down pour, again luck was on our side because we were in a tent at the time. Of course this didn't matter because about two miles into the race the rain came again off and on, we even got hail at one point, for the next 18 miles. I am sure if you asked someone who was faster then me if the rain was a problem the may have said no because they were able to out run it but I was not. I am grateful that the rain didn't come with wind, that would have been horrible.

I made it to mile 19 and my knee did not want to work anymore. Lucky for me Joe insisted I take IB profen. Why I did not take this before this point I don't know, my mind was all over the place. I walked for a mile or two until the medicine kicked in then I continued my run(with an occassional walk in there) approach. I finished in 4hours and 38 minutes and I don't know the seconds because it just isn't that important to me.

It is amazing that a person can run 26.2 miles. I am very happy that I was able to finish and my time wasn't so bad all things considered. I was a little disappointed the first few days after finishing because I really wanted to do better then my time before, but I did run 26 miles and 385 yards, make a new friend while training, and see some good friends and family while in Utah. THank you for coming out to support me.

Will I run another one? My immediate answer is no, but maybe if . . . .

Here it is

I am no good at blogging. I sit down to do a post and my mind goes blank so I turn to FB or any other thing that catches my eye.

We are getting excited to have school end! We started school in St Louis August 14th or something like that and we don't end here until June 17th--the longest school year ever.

Part of the reason why I don't blog is that I really don't feel like our life is really that exciting and I haven't downloaded pictures for a long time. I have to soon because the card is full and it is almost summer. I love living closer to family. We were able to go to my cousins wedding. It was so beautiful and fun. They had a photo booth so here are some pictures of our family.

It is so fun to be close enough to spend time with my sisters.

Someone Had a Birthday

Shout HOORAY!. We are so excited to Celebrate A's birthday. She is 10 now. We are so happy she is in our family. She is a great big sister and very helpful.



She ran her first 5k at Thanksgiving and came in 3rd for her age group. She did such a great job.


This was for J's b-day she got all the kids making things with the packing peanuts. They ended up with this--aren't they so cute.


Happy Birthday

We finally finished school!!

It all happened in December. I have been waiting to blog about this for a long time, but when it finally happen so did life so here we are three months later. And now what to say about it? Were done and it feels great.

One of the last things Joe had to do is present his research, so while we were waiting for his turn we were hanging around the clinic. This was his cube. We let the kids be a part of this day because they were not able to come to the actual graduation dinner.


I am not sure how many cases Joe completed but it was a lot (maybe 60). To give you perspective some people only finished 28-30. He did a great job and as one Dr put it is a legend. I am so proud of all that he was able to accomplish and he never complains about doing it all while still keeping up with all his other responsibilities.


He was one of the last ones to present so it went fast. The kids all made it without being too noisy. Then we went to dinner at one of St Louis' famous Hill restaurants to enjoy toasted ravioli.


Okay not the best picture but this is graduation night. They did a dinner and program. It was a fun way to celebrate all Joe's hard work.

Most of his classmates, the older guy is Dr Gus who I am not sure if he works at the school or is just a part of the school at this point. He did a poem for each of them as part of the program.



Joe's parents got to come celebrate and the kids got to spend the night with our dear friends(that I miss SO much).

That was the fun part of being done the next part MOVING. Not so fun.

To Blog or not to blog

Obviously it has been to not blog but lately I have been thinking of starting up again. I am sure there is probably only one or maybe two people who even bother checking anymore. Life has been crazy busy, I, on occasion get to look at other blogs but usually don't have the energy to blog so haven't. NOT ANYMORE.

I am going to start blogging again. I am going to make it private so if you would like to read let me know. For a few reasons. The biggest being safety for my family. We witnessed some high profile crimes while living in St Louis and are currently in hiding or we moved to a smallish town and want it to feel a little big for as long as possible.

I promise to fill you in on all the details for our busy life as much as time allows. So PLEASE keep reading. We have made some great friends in our life adventures and this is the only way that I keep in touch with some so I will try to do better at writing and reading, I just may make a comment on your blog.

Piano Lessons

We go to piano lessons every week. Sometimes #3 gets a little tired of being there. One week I happened to have a camera with me so we decided to take funny face pictures. The joys of being the younger sibling.

Before & After

S wanted her hair cut and I decided to do it because she will not let me do her hair anymore. It turned out really cute and fits her well.