Dancing Divas

Best Friends - Ava and Kenedee

These two are an absolute riot to watch each week at dance. Half of the class they work on tap dancing, and the other half is ballet. Whenever there is any sort of a break or song change, you'll catch them either staring at themselves in the side mirror, hugging, holding hands, or giggling about some secret one of them just whispered to the other. They're both very naturally talented and have such a great time! At home, Ava and I work on the moves she's learning, but she always lets me know that I'm doing it ALL wrong, and that SHE is the dancer. I'm already getting excited for their Spring recital. They are learning a dance to "Splish, Splash", and it's SO cute!

First Day of School

My little man is in first grade!! I was worried all summer about how he was going to adjust to being at school ALL day, but he absolutely loves it. His teacher this year is Mrs. Campbell, and he really likes her. He especially loves recess and eating school lunch. Cael is such a smart boy, and is already starting to read. He works hard on his homework each night, and won't give up on something until he totally feels comfortable that he knows it. He still blows me a kiss everyday before he walks through the school doors, which I love! It was by far harder for me to have Cael start full time school than it was for him, it just makes me sad that he is away from me for the majority of the day now. I'm jealous that his teacher gets to see more of him than I do during the week. It's crazy how the days fly by...once he gets home, it's time for homework, dinner, baths, and then bedtime. Time is just slipping by me. I wish I could freeze it.

Ava started her dance class at Esprit De Corps, and she looks forward to it every week. Hardly ever will you catch her not wearing a dance costume or swimsuit. She's figured out how to get on my computer, turn on iTunes, and blast her favorite Lady Gaga song. She really is a natural. I decided to keep her home with me this year, and just do one year of pre-school next year. Will and I love having her around too much!

Labor Day Weekend

Orem Owlz Game
Cael, Leah, and Ava.


Eating @ The Mayan

Dinosaur Museum

Young Women Camp 2009

For YW camp this year we took the girls up to my parent's cabin, located in the Fairview mountains. One of the highlights was going to the Manti Temple to do baptisms.




I know...they were kind of spoiled. It's a far cry from what I actually had to experience up at Camp Mia Shalom, when I was a youth. But, other than the electricity, kitchen, bathrooms, and warm place to sleep, it's just like we were full on camping. :)


We really had some great Priesthood leaders up there with us helping out. Bro. Orton taught us all how to make some yummy dutch oven meals. And I loved having Andy come up for the Dinner with the Bishopric.

30 girls + a long hike in the rain = 60 VERY MUDDY shoes!



Our "great and spacious building" that the girls had to pass on the Faith Walk.

24th of July Weekend

Spanish Fork City parade and fair

Provo Canyon
We spent the weekend with my family. The kids especially loved riding rides at the fair, and having lunch up Provo Canyon.

My TOTALLY AWESOME team! (Everyone except my uncle Bryan. The finish line doesn't even excite him anymore, so he ditched out.)

Coming through the finish line. Patrick finished up for our team. He was our fastest, strongest runner. It was so fun to see him round the bend into the venue park. None of us even cared that it was POURING rain at that point. It felt SO GOOD to be done!


"Do you think he needs some water guys? Nah, just keep driving. He looks fine." :)

We loved seeing these blue signs!

Grupo, Monchy, Fernando, and Carlos. Don't ask. These nicknames stuck the whole race, and are still sticking!! I was so nervous in this picture, because I was only a few runners away from my VERY DIFFICULT run through Avon Pass.





Standing by Lake Jordanelle at sunrise...just before we all finished our last legs. It was so beautiful! We were lucky to have been able to stay at my uncle's cabin in Oakley, instead of in the car or the high school gym, like most of the runners had to do (even though we did only get like 2 hours of sleep).

Trying to keep warm...at 3:00 in the morning! I was so glad I got to spend this time with Al before she moved. She's been one of my best friends for the past 6 years, and BOY am I going to miss her!

Melissa, Avery, and Jesse

Our good friend, Jesse, had been training along with us the past few months. It was fun to see him and his amazing team, who ran in honor of Stephanie Nielson (or Nie, the plane crash survivor).

This race was one of the hardest, yet most rewarding races I've done. It was so fun to be among so many people who share my same passion, and I loved all of the new friends I was able to make too. It's amazing the appreciation you have for your other teammates when you are all working towards the same goal. At the finish line, when the other half of our team was coming back from their super hard mountain climbs, we were there to welcome them in. It felt so amazing to be able to run through the finish line all together, because we'd all worked equally as hard to get there. I was holding back the tears. :)