Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

Some people are crazy about running.  Others are just crazy!  I found myself in the second category on Thanksgiving morning as Candice, Camille and I stood out in the cold at the beginning of a 5K turkey trot race in 0 degree temperature.

By the time we were finished with the race, we were semi-warmed up and sweating.  Then the cold really set in!  

There was a children's dash at the end of the race.

3-year-old Kels participated with a little help from Aunt Camille.

Miss Em, in the red hat, gave it her all!

Mr. Cy, lead the pack in his age group and won a $10.00 gift certificate!

Later that day, after a hot bath to warm up the old bones, we had a wonderful dinner with the family! 

 I have so much to be grateful for!  

Wasatch Woman Love Your Body

It's time for another race with some of my daughters.  The last race I participated in was in March.  I must love these cool weather races!  The difference between this race and the one in March is; I have actually been preparing for this one!  I've done more running these past several weeks, and I've become friends with this organization:

and have lost almost 10 pounds. I have participated in 5K races before but for some reason, the extra K is playing with my mind!  Wasatch Woman said it's a 6K instead of a 5K  because we're running through the gardens at Thanksgiving Point and they want us to enjoy the gardens.  I'm not sure I'll be taking time to enjoy the beauty of the gardens while I'm sucking air and wondering when my right knee and left lung will explode!

If I don't do as well in this race as I'm hoping to, I have a couple of things to fall back on that could be to blame: 

1. I got my flu shot today.  I could be sick with flu-like symptoms.

2.  Tonight, while washing dishes by hand because our dishwasher is a piece of garbage, a glass broke and cut the dickens out of my hand.  I'm sure that could affect my running.

OK, I think I've got myself covered.  However, one of my daughters has pulled ligaments in her foot and was advised to wrap her foot and walk instead of run.  If she goes across the finish line before I do, I'll need to find a few more excuses.

For my marathon runner friends - just ignore this post.

Family Prayer and Doug the Dog

Years ago, when we lived in Boise and most of the kids were home, a Black Lab found us, adopted us and stayed with us for a few days.  He was a wonderful dog and we named him, "Doug".  Since we didn't know who his owners were, we treated him as though he was our dog until the rightful owners could be found.  It was Christmas time and my son, Dan, flew home from Utah.  I went to the airport to pick him up and allowed Doug to accompany me in the van.   Imagine Dan's surprise when he opened the sliding door of the 12-passenger-van to find a big dog waiting to greet him!

That night we knelt for family prayer.  It was my turn to pray and the kids knew they might as well get comfortable because my prayers last more than 30 seconds!  Doug sidled next to me and sat, looking at everyone.  The prayer was going well.  Christmas is a season to be thankful, especially when your kids come home, so I was expressing my gratitude when I heard a loud sigh and felt Doug slump to the floor as though he was exhausted.  Needless to say, the prayer ended abruptly because we were all laughing. 

(google image)

Since that night, the kids have learned how to display their feelings if they feel the prayer is going too long.  It's not as funny when they do it.

The New Mr. & Mrs.

Jordan and Chelsey got married on Friday the 13th! 

Most people would avoid that day but these two aren't superstitious...not at all!  Excuse me while I throw some salt over my shoulder.

Brothers as body guards are a must on this questionable day! 

Let's back up a bit. We had a long, wonderful day that started with a wedding luncheon.  It was catered by Connie's Cupboard and Crew!  (Me and my fam)  The menu was: green salad with dressing, lasagna, green beans, fruit medley, desserts, and rolls.

What we lacked in food, we made up for in entertainment.

My beautiful daughter-in-law, Rachael sang, "The Very Thought of You". She has the voice of an angel.

The L2G, (Langston 2nd Generation) performed a Mindy Gledhill song. What they lacked in talent, they made up for in cuteness.  You can see their fun and "not quite ready for prime time" performance here

Off to the Timpanogos Temple for the wedding.  After the sealing, we had pictures taken in front of the temple; in the sun, the hot sun, blasting our eyelids and making us blind!

Finally someone suggested that maybe on the other side of the temple there might be shade!  What do ya know!

Chelsey, the Princess, was a "little girl magnet".  They loved giving her hugs.

Mr. Troy thought he was the keeper of Baby Aly, but alas, she'd had all she could handle!

C8 and Kels were concerned that Troy was sad because Baby Aly didn't enjoy his company.

After comforting everyone, we headed to the reception in the back yard of Grandma's house, where there was some shade...for the shorter people.

I love this picture of my parents talking to their youngest great grandchild.

The food was awesome at the reception.  There were three fountains on the serving tables. One had milk chocolate, another had white chocolate, and the third one had ranch dressing.  I didn't get a picture of the serving tables with my camera, so we'll settle for a hand-full of olives from C8.  The olives were on the ranch dressing table.

Jordan and Chelsey cut the cake and fed it to each other in a nice way!

A toss of the bouquet...

 

...and they're sneaking off to get the car that was hidden in the neighbor's garage.

 

A final pose before leaving for the honeymoon.

Trying to fit in the car with yards and yards of polyester!

She fit!

Congratulations, Jordan and Chelsey! 

Ya done good!

Triple The Fun!

Our 4th of July Weekend was busy and fun!  Hundreds of pictures were taken of family outings, fireworks, hot-air balloons, manicures, pinata breakings, pre-wedding bridal pictures, you name it, it was captured on film!  To avoid picture overload, (snore) this post will only be about 3 special people who all shared the same birthday on Monday!

Emily, Jacob and Keiti

Let's start with Jacob.  He was born 19 years ago and, being the baby of the family, was schooled by his older siblings in fashion sense.

 

It's good to see a young man who will dress nicely for his birthday party!

His post-party fashion is inspired by his brothers; Motel 6 slippers, an XS "wife-beater" and a large weapon completes his ensemble.  Birthday presents and big brothers are fun!

The day Jacob turned 11, his first niece, The Divine Miss Em, was born. His birthday has never been the same, it's been better!  Em had a backyard birhday party earlier in the week with her friends. 

I read that the only reason to have a child's party is so you'll know that other kids are more obnoxious than your own!

Em got her ears pierced on her birthday, thus the hair behind the ears!

Three years ago, Keiti joined the ranks of the best birth day ever!

 

She was born with the ability to sing and dance!  (Takes after her grandma!) Can you tell what movie was/is her favorite?  She does a good job mimicking the tin man during his song.

 

She's a beauty and lots of fun!

Ahhh, birthdays...more fun when they're shared!

A Birthday Greeting!

Tonight I'm reflecting on the past 22 years.  Jordan, aka Jo-Man, aka Jo-Jo, turned 22 today.   We have a video of his birth.  It was discreetly done, with no body parts revealed, except for Jordan's when the doc held him up for me to see my handsome son for the first time!

I recall when I was 7 months pregnant with him.  I was at my 8-year-old's wrestling match, when a woman, whose son was also wrestling, commented on my pregnancy.  She asked if it was my second.  I told her it was my seventh!  With disgust written on her face and in her voice she boldly stated, "SHAME ON YOU!"  Shocked I asked, "why do you say that?"  She stated again, "Shame on You!!  How can you take care of so many kids?"  As I turned to leave, I simply said, "Fine, thanks!"

With 4 older sisters and 2 older brothers, Jordan had many opportunities to be spoiled or abused,  depending on who he was dealing with!  The first time his 16-year-old sister went on a date, Jordan (then 3) stood at the front room window, and said in a loud sing-song voice, "You gots a lovely boyfriend!" 

He's grown up somewhat since then. 

He returned in August from serving an LDS mission to South Africa.

He joined the Army Reserves right after high school.

Going to school, working, being Uncle Jo-Jo to 10 nieces and nephews, and socializing keeps him busy.

There's no shame bringing Jordan into this world. The world needs more men like him!

Happy Birthday, Jo-Man! We love you!

(I hope he shares those peanut M&Ms)