ARCHES

First week of Zack and Belle being out of school and the last week of the twins being off track...we loaded into the truck with the camper in tow and drove down to the southeastern Utah.  Steve found us a great site to camp outside of Moab named Onion Creek.  It was a beautiful area, but one of the best parts was the small stream that flowed behind our site.  As soon as we arrived all the kids were in the water building dams (or darns as Katie called them because she did not want to use the "swear" word).  Then once that began to get old they changed into their swimsuits and had mud fights.  So much laughing, chasing and mudslinging...so much fun to watch my kiddos enjoy each other. The wind was blowing pretty hard that day which prevented us from cooking our dinner over the fire pit. So Steve made our yummy fajita dinner on the stove in the camper and we ate inside too. Luckily the wind died down by sunset and we were able to put up the kids tent, so they would have a place to sleep.

The next day we had yummy sausage and egg muffin and then we drove back into town to start our day in Arches National Park. We decided to make the Delicate Arch hike our first one of the day. It was a little more difficult than both Steve and I had anticipated, but it was well worth it when we got there. The last time (7 years ago) we were there we only went to the viewpoint, so it was neat to actually stand under that iconic arch and get our pictures taken. I did get a nervous with the slant of the ground, but luckily I had Steve to hold my hand and reassure me that I would be ok. We made our return hike back to the truck and played silly “games”. We had a Spanish speaking family behind us and could hear parts of their conversations. So Steve and I would identify a word or two that we recognized and then try to come up with what they could be talking about, the sillier the better.

We found a pleasant spot to have a picnic lunch before going to Double Arch and The Windows. Lots of laughing and giggling went on as we walked from one arch to another. We did a lot of people watching, even made a contest out of trying to spot the tourist that was wear “dress shoes” on the hiking trail. We were disappointed to find most people had proper foot wear on, made it difficult to play our “game”. After visiting the Windows, Steve and the kids ran ahead of me (I am pretty slow when I am on the trail) and just when I started to feel deserted, they popped out from behind a bush, it was actually quite cute. I love my family for the silly things they do.

We even took a moment to recreate one of my favorite pictures from our first trip to Arches. Katie was 4 years old and was so tired from the hiking when we got to the fork on the trail and we were deciding which side to walk down, she laid her head down on Steve's backpack and fell asleep. Se was just as cute at 11 as she was seven years before. Katie wasn't the only one to be “cute”. Becky had decided to THUMB (a G rated version of giving the finger) the people we drove by. Initially it was just suppose to be the rafters, but quickly became anyone we drove by. She was so funny and enjoyed it so much. It cracked me up.

Steve and I even got in on the silliness. Not that it is really silly, but our song: “Then You Can Tell Me Good-Bye” by Neal McCoy came on and we do as we always do, Steve found a spot to pull over and we got out of the truck and began to dance right there in Arches National Park. There were a couple of people that stopped and watched us. I like to think that they thought it was cute and hopefully not that we were crazy. My cute kids even got out my camera and took a couple of pictures. I love the little things we do.

Before leaving the Moab area on Wednesday morning we went into the park one final time and did part of the Devil's Garden hike. There are a few different arches along the trail. We were pleasantly surprised by the one named Pint Tree Arch. It had a great view of the park, the arch itself was quite pretty with the shrubs and trees that were growing around the base. We then walked to Landscape Arch (which our family refers to as Becky's Arch) and took some pictures around there. Steve and the kids left me in the shade to play with my camera and they continued on to Navajo Arch. We were there early enough to beat most of the heat. We went back to our truck and left Arches.

Before beginning the five hour drive back to South Jordan we stopped into Zax Pizza in Moab (a MUST for anyone stopping into Moab) Their beer and cheese soup is delicious and their pizza bar offers a variety of pizza to choose from. If you don't see something you like, tell them and they'll make it for you. I love that the kids are growing up sometimes. There were no Gameboys or videos playing for the entire drive and we just talked, sang and laughed and the whole trip was FUN. It was a great mini vacation. So grateful for all the planning Steve puts into these trips. I am not much of a camper and hiker, but he always makes sure I am comfortable and am able to enjoy the experience, which I end up doing. Looking forward to the next adventure the Webers go on....Stay tuned!!

OGDEN HALF MARATHON, AGAIN



Steve and I after the race.
Pretty tired, but the medal makes it all worth it!!





 This was my 4th time running the 1/2 Marathon in Ogden.

Steve and I got to the "busstops" about 5:00 am.  Steve loaded onto his full marathon bus and I found my half marathon bus and boarded.  I sat around others that were as anxious as myself to begin the 13.1 mile journey back down the canyon.  I had my earbuds in my ears and was already getting "pumped up" by my playlist, but I could still hear the people who sat around me talking.  The discussed times and fuel, but the comments that caught my attention the most was one of the runners saying, "...you know what really impresses me?  The people that walk the half marathon.  That is a LONG time to walk, I'm not sure I could do it..."  I can't even tell you how much it meant to me to hear them essentially be talking about me.  Made me feel pretty good.

The message that kept me going for 4 more miles

The start was not as cold as I had anticipated it to be. It began a little late, but once we got going I began to warm up.  It was a beautiful day to be racing.  It had rained 5 days in a row prior to race day.  Spent the 13.1 miles alternating between walking and jogging.  When I came up to mile 9, I began to remember how hard the race gets for me from that point on.  It was then that I could hear my phone ringing.  I had just received a text message from my daughter, Belle.  It said, "LET'S GO MOM".  I teared up a little.  How did she know I needed that.  It was that message that pushed me the next 4 miles.

Yep, that's me running!!!

Steve passed me after mile 10.  I was still feeling pretty confidant and impressed at how my body was feeling.  Nothing ached or hurt.  Before I knew I was running the last tenth of a mile and could see the finish line that never seemed to get any closer.  I did finally get there and finished the race and got my medal.  Another half marathon done. 

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

Ysabelle was inducted in the National Junior Honor Society last night.  It was quite an accomplishment for my girl.  During her 6th grade year, she had a hard time balancing school work with having a social life.  She opted many times to skip studying or doing homework to hang out with her friends.  When this school year began, which happens to be her 1st year in middle school, she had set a personal goal to make honor roll.  I wasn't sure if she would be able to meet that goal after the bumps she had through 6th grade. Then the first quarter report card came out and sure enough, she had made the honor roll and this continued with the following 2 report cards.  So I was not surprised when she brought home the application to join the National Junior Honor Society.  And we were pleased when we got the letter saying she had been accepted.

 

 The program was quite nice.  The student officers each took a characteristic that exemplifies a member of the NJHS, which included Citizenship, Service, Character, Scholarship, and Leadership.   The principal, Mr. McLeod spoke for a brief time about how impressed he is by the youth that are so willing to give service to their communities.  Then the members of the National Junior Honor Society stood and repeated the pledge:  

"I pledge myself to uphold the high purposes of the South Jordan Middle School National Junior Honor Society to which I have been selected.  I will be true to the principles for which it stands.  I will be loyal to my school and will maintain and encourage high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship."

Then I watched as Belle's name was called and she received her certificate and shook hands with the principal.  I am always the typical proud mama when my kiddos accomplish something.  More proud of their accomplishments, no matter how small or large they maybe, than anything I ever have accomplished myself.

A ROYAL WEDDING

When I was 9 years old, my mom and I got up early and watched Lady Diana Spencer marry Prince Charles.  It was so magical to me.  The beautiful dress, the carriage she rode in, to walk out of the church as a Princess.  It was just a real life fairytale.  Well, as soon as I heard that Prince William had proposed to Kate Middleton I knew I would want to share the experience with my girls, just as my mom had done for me.  I was grateful when mom invited us to her home to watch the festivities at 2 am.  So the girls and I drove down to Ferron on Thursday evening after Belle's softball game.  We slept for 3 hours and woke up and entered the tv room to find crowns for us to wear, tea and pastries.  We wore our nicest pajamas as we watched the hatted women arrive at the church and eventually got to see Prince Charles and the Queen which was quite fun to see.  Then the moment came when we saw Kate in her beautiful dress.  It was breathtaking.  By the time the hour long ceremony was done, the girls were ready to get a little shut eye.  I admit I closed my eyes for a few minutes, but woke up in time to watch as the newly named Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kissed on the balcony to the 500,000 people who had gathered to celebrate the union.  So glad I took the time to share this with my girls.  I listened to some people who are LDS mentioned how sad it was that these two had married for just time...I guess I am just happy to see two people, who are obviously very much in love with each other, make that commitment.  I loved watching the fairytale.  Sometimes its nice to just be taken away in the fairytale...

CERAMICS

 While visiting my parents in Ferron, mom decided to take the kiddos to Emery to a little ceramic shop (it is one of the ONLY businesses in this whole town).  The girlies picked out the figurine that to paint.  Katie chose a cute little elephant, Becky a family of wolves and Belle a sweet little fairy.  The girls really seemed to enjoy being creative.  The tried a little dry brushing to help make the details in the figurines stand out.

 

 It was pretty quiet while the girls did the painting...lots of tongues sticking out as they concentrated on each stroke.  The final products are quite good for little girls having painted them.

SALT LAKE MARATHON

 Our "race" season began this weekend.  Steve and I both participated in the Salt Lake Half Marathon with our friends Dayna and Ryan.  It was a great day for a race.  The start line was not as cold as we had anticipated.  The men took their place towards the front of the large mass that were gathering at the start.  Dayna joined me towards the rear.  It is always a little exciting as you stand there the few minutes before you actually start.  There is a palpable energy.  They counted down and then the airhorn was blown, and then...we waited a few more minutes before we actually started as we made our way, slowly, to that start.

 I enjoyed my running playlist in one ear as Dayna chatted with me in the other.  We alternated jogging with walking (much more walking than jogging).  By mile 9 Dayna was ready to run a little more and my hip was not having any of that, so she went a head.  Luckily it was then that my running angel (Steve) appeared.  He had finished his race with a time of 1:23, wrapped his knee that has been giving him trouble and made his way back up the course to me.  I had him by my side as I finished the course...3:44...not wonderful by any stretch of the imagination, but I really don't care.  I am proud of my accomplishment.  I would love to be a "real runner" some day, but not sure I have it in me.   At least I am out there doing something, something I would have never thought I would do in my life...

13

Last weekend we celebrated Ysabelle's 13th Birthday. 

I still can't get over it...she is a teenager.  I remember that little baby that laid in the bassinet while in the hospital and I looked in at her and wondered what she would be like as she matured.  Would we be friends, would she be athletic or a cheerleader, would Steve have to scare the boys away from this beautiful girl?

And now I know...she is a beautiful young woman.  She is very independant, but has moments that she needs her mom and dad for support still.  She is very smart and can do anything that she puts her mind to.  She can be very nurturing to little ones and compassionate to those who need help.  She can dance and play sports.  She is a natural on the piano and has a beautiful voice when she sings.  She just seems to be a natural at anything she tries.  She is going therough the typical preteen/teenage angst that so many of us have gone through.  I hope she will continue through these upcoming years with few heartbreaks and tears.

I love that girl, my baby girl...

Welcome to your teenage years, Bell-E-Button!!!

TEPANYAKI

 Took Katie to Tepanyaki last night to celebrate her completing the "no sugar" bet for 1 YEAR!!!

She was tickled to have a "seafood feast".  She enjoyed shrimp, salmon and scallops.  But I think the thing she enjoyed the most was the show we watched as our food was cooked up.  We both were able to catch the shrimp!!

THE STATE is in SESSION

This week I went to the Utah State Capitol with Becky and Katie's 5th Grade classes.  Last year I did chaperone the field trip that took us on a tour of the capitol building, but "nothing" was going on.  We pretty much had the entire building to ourselves as we toured the different rooms.  That was not the case this time.  The state congress was in session and there were people EVERYWHERE.  We were able to go to the Governor's office which was neat.  Of course we did not get to see meet Governor Herbert, which had disappointed Becky.  We sat in on the House of Representatives for a few minutes.  They were discussing the budget for the state and then the representative from South Jordan, Merlynn Newbold, acknowledged our presence in the gallery.  Which excited the kids.  We were not allowed into the gallery for the Senate.  Mike Lee was addressing the Senate and the doors were locked, BUMMER!!

 Before I knew it we were loading back on the school bus to return to the elementary school. I was a little disappointed...yes, I am little my inner geek out...I could have sat in there for hours.  I would love to listen how bills are discussed and voted on.   

 On the way back to the school, Katie, Becky and I played around with my camera and took some fun pictures.  I enjoy all my kiddos so much and glad I have these opportunities to do these activities with them.