Lights at Temple Square

We went to see the lights at Temple Square. I love the lights they are always so pretty!

Gretchen, Easton, and Kinslee

Dad and mom

Legacy Midnight Half Marathon

On Friday night Marissa and I ran in the Legacy Midnight Half.

Here we are before we started.

On the bus to the starting line.

Right before we started.

The race started at 10pm so my phones camera didn't take the best pictures in the dark.  

We did really good we ran until about mile 9, that is where we both hit a wall. I didn't train very good and I needed new shoes so I was in a ton of pain. I hurt my knee somehow.  We had a good time and I decided I never want to do a marathon but I want to do another half and get a better time.  

Here is a picture of my cool flashing medal!

Camping

We went camping with Chads family this last weekend.  The kids had a blast playing in the river.

                                              We all tried our hand at fishing

                                              Chad loved the fishing.

                                              Easton caught a fish.

                                               I even reeled in a small fish.

                                          Kinslee loved taking Ryder on walks

                                           We went on lots of four wheeler rides.

                                                   Uncle Wally and Kinslee

                                                            Gretchen

                                              Easton and Grandpa

  We had lots of fun playing with our cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and Grandma and Grandpa.

FIre Pit

We had a fire pit this weekend and Easton wanted to take some pictures.

33

I turned thirty-three this year. Chad gave me an iPad mini and my kids gave me a cute red case. The morning of my birthday my kids brought me breakfast in bed. I had a good birthday my sister took me to lunch and then was able to go play dodgeball. Friday morning my friend Marissa took me to breakfast. Then on Tuesday I went to lunch with my Aunt and some cousins. I felt very loved.

Dodge Ball

I figured I should put this on my blog so that I have a record of it in my life, not that Chad will ever let me forget because he thinks it is pretty funny.  I play on a competition dodge ball team.  I am horrible but it is still pretty fun. We actually have only won one game and I think that was by forfeit.  Our last game is this Thursday and I am sort of sad.  I hope that I will be able to do it again. 

Gretchen's Christmas Dance Recital

Gretchen has been dancing for two years, and this year she was so excited for her dance recital. 

Here is a picture of Gretchen in front of the tree before we left for the show.

Noelle is Gretchen's student teacher this year and Gretchen loves having Noelle in her class each week. It is fun being able to see Charly, Noelle, and Kendall dance also.

Our whole family, Kinslee was surprisingly pretty good, she almost wasn't invited because she is loud and wont sit very long. 

Gretchen did so good, we are so proud of her!

Cancun

A few months back some friends invited us to go to Cancun with them.  At first I thought there was no way we could go, but we decided to make it work and go to Cancun the Saturday after thanksgiving.  We got to Cancun late Saturday night.  Sunday we didn't do much.  We sat on the beach and read.

 I loved looking out at the white sand and the beautiful blue water. 

On Monday we went to some ruins, Chad and I were very excited to see these ancient ruins.  The first one we went to was the Coba ruins.  We were able to hike to the top. 

 We made it to the top. 

We all made it. 

Chad, Kent, Tessa, James, John,

Colle, Mary, Jamie 

 Here is a picture of me in front after we hiked back down. 

After we left Coba we went to a cenote and did some snorkeling.  It was my first time snorkeling and I was a little nervous.  It was way cool.  Some of the fish were tiny and I thought maybe I was in a fish tank.

 After snorkeling

 I have no idea what Chad was doing but I love it!

We kept taking pictures of the boys jumping off hoping to get an awesome action shot in the air.  Unfortunately

 I got this and

 this

 The girls opted for a still shot. 

Mary, Jamie, Tessa, and Colle

 Jaime, Mary, Colle, Tessa

After we left the cenote we went to the Tulum ruins.  These ruins are on the cliffs along the coast.  They were so pretty.  Chad and I could have walked around in here for awhile. 

 This is a picture of the boys on wake boards. 

 One night at dinner.

On Thursday we went to a cool place and went snorkeling in the ocean.  We saw lots of fish, turtles, and a sting ray. 

 Chad coming in from snorkeling. 

 Chad and James in there snorkeling stuff

 On Friday I finally got to do the one thing I really really wanted to do.  We went parasailing.  I have wanted to go parasailing forever but thought I never would get the chance. 

here we are before we left.  They took us out to the boat on a jet ski.  The jet ski ride to and from the boat was Chad's favorite part he loved it.  I enjoyed it also.

 We don't have the best picture because we were pretty far out in the ocean.  I loved it, I am so glad I got to do it. 

 Here we are walking on our last night on the beach.

We had and awesome time and I loved being able to spend some time with friends and also able to get some time with just chad and I in such a beautiful place. 

7 years

It has been 7 years today since my mom died.  A lot of things have happened in those 7 years.  I don't think a day has gone by that I haven't thought about my mom.  Lately especially I have really missed my mom.  Some days it is so hard for me that my kids never got to know her.  I have so many questions I wish I could ask her.  I wish I could see her interact with my kids.  I know none of that can happen but some days it just hurts knowing it can't.   

I am so incredibly grateful for my mom and the testimony she had.  Growing up and knowing how much she loved the Lord and the gospel was an incredible example to me that made me want to have that same love and knowledge.  I am grateful for all the lessons she taught me. I Love and miss her so much and know that I will be able to see her again. 

Our Life lately

What we have been up to lately.

 Gretchen is ready for some BYU football!

 We went to a stake picnic and Kinslee challenged her dad in this pioneer game.

 Kinslee is having a hard time that Easton and Gretchen get to go to school everyday.  She found her own backpack and thought if she brought it I would drop her off also.

I decided it was time for a change and chopped off my hair and highlighted it.  I love it and everyone is giving me huge compliments.