While We Were Out

While we were down running it up in St. Geezy Kim and Luke (well, mostly Kim) took over The Hoard back at home. My kids are lucky to have such fun babysitters. The weekend started with a little pitch matching. Love Andrew belting it in the back.

Then Gladiator was invented. Such a fun game. Even for adults. Anyone else remember watching the real Gladiators every Saturday morning growing up?

 

They also took the kids sledding. Seriously best babysitters ever.

 

And even woke up early to take the boys to their soccer game.

 

 

And the girls got a cartoon watching partner.

 

 

And they got to gorge themselves at the all you can eat buffet at Pizza Pie Cafe.

 

 

I'd say the kids love when mom and dad are gone and Luke and Kim are in charge.

Thanks guys!!!!

St. George Half

We traveled down south to participate in the St. George Half. Brad was good enough to pic up everyone's packets. Love having so many runners in the family now.

 

 Upon getting ready for the race we all ended up matching. The boys were the Men in Black and us girls were The Green Team.

 

 

We got there a little early and wasted time by taking some pics.

 

And then the race started. It always feels so good when you can finally start.

 

I brought my phone with me so we snagged some pics along the way.

 

 And one nice girl took this action shot of us. I think the guy in black wanted to join The Green Team.

 

 And my all time favorite picture ever. This is about mile 9 and we needed a little pic me up, so we decided to jump for the camera man. Love everything about it.

 

 

 And finally the finish. Always good to see that coming. And check out Trent's legs. I am lucky to be married to those muscles. As Martha May would say, "The Muscles!"

 

 

Love the feeling of finishing a race.

 

 

 And loved that I got to run every step of the way with these girls. Made the 13.1 miles go much faster.

 

And loved having The Men in Black join us.

 

And the best part? Recooperating in a nice hot tub. Feels sooo good.

 

After we soaked our mucles and ate some lunch I headed out to the desert with the boys to shoot some pop cans. It was a grand time.

 

I also got to spend some time with Grandma Wiggles. Love her and can't wait for her to be able to go home!

 

 And as always I enjoyed some good food and treats. I got the cutest kids meal from Subway with a reusable bag AND a Route 44 vanilla coke from Sonic. Both delicious!



And we finished the weekend off with some great playoff games.

 

 

We had such a fun weekend. The race, the company, the food, the activities, the sleep was all wonderful!

Snow Day at the Cabin

After Brooke's wedding we had the brilliant idea to go to the cabin and spend the weekend. And when I say after the wedding, I mean that night. We travelled through the snow storm, snow packed roads, and into the late hours of the night. We finally got in and settled just before 3 am. It was a long hard trip and I realized I suck at snowmobiling. Lets just say we were all exhausted and ready to call it a day.

 

 The after a short nights sleep the kids were anxious to get out in the snow. They snow shoed around for a bit, but what they really wanted was to ride the snow mobile.  It was their favorite thing.

 

Trent and I snagged a self portrait to prove I was actually there.

 

Then we spent the rest of the time relaxing, playing games, watching movies, and eating. And the kids loved that Jake and Candice were there.They had the greatest time playing with them.

 

And I was sick the entire weekend and couldn't blow my nose fast enough, so I just plugged it up instead.

 

And a miracle of all miracles happened. Aiden took a nap.

 

And Trent and I got to spend some time together. Loved every second of it.

 



And these boys had fun snapping some pics with me.

 

Love this family of mine.

 



And loved spending the weekend with these guys.

 

Brooke's Wedding

It has been a bitter sweet time for us at The Hoard over the past 2 weeks. Our basement dweller packed her bags, cleaned out her closet, and vacated her room of 2 1/2 years. Seriously it was so sad walking into an empty room...

But the sweet part of all this is that she was getting married. It had been months of waiting and finally the day arrived. It was a fabulously wintery day. Brooke was beautiful, Ben was handsome, and their sealing was one of the best I had ever been to. Everything was just perfect.

While we waited for the newly married couple we spent some time taking some photos. All the cousins, except Mason who was still en route.

My cute eternal family.

The little ones anxiously awaiting Brooke and Ben to come out of the temple.

And finally they came. Sorry about the picture. It was the only one I had and no one else has blogged about it yet!

Love that I married into such a close family. These siblings are the best of friends.

Like I said, I love these girls.



And I love this girl. So excited for her next chapter in life and loved the time we got to spend being room mates. She will be missed at The Hoard, but good things are happening for this beauty.

After the wedding every made the treacherous trip to Memory Grove in a horrible snow storm. What shoud have been a short 15 minute drive turned into 1 hour and 15 minute drive. It sure was beautiful though.

Then it was time for Brooke and Ben to leave and.....you know.

Congratulations Brooke and Ben. Here is to an eternity of happiness!

And this whole wedding business reminded me of my wedding and how lucky I am to have found Trent.

I love my life.

Its Great to be Eight!

Aiden and Andrew turned 8 this year, which means they could get baptized. The were excited and nervous at the same. I still can't believe they are 8. Where has the time gone.

 

Of course we had to get a picture in their whites. Love all 3 of these boys.

 

Family shot afterwards. We were having a hard time with cooperation.

 

 Then with just the boys.

 

 

And a 4 generation picture, which is simply amazing. Love it.

 

And a quick one with Josh, who lead the way getting baptized a few months ago.

 

The boys got CTR dog tags from Dodee and Papa and have been wearing them ever since. They love them!

 

And now that they are eight they are also in cub scouts. Holy cow!

Overall it was an amazing experience and so proud of my boys choosing to be baptized. Trent did an awesome job as well. Thanks to all who came to support them!