Wasatch Back Baby!

Queen's of Sole ready to start the race in Logan, Utah.

Angie, Sara, Marcae, Lori, Bonnie and Annie Queens of Sole Van 1

Coming in from my 1st run...man was it HOT!

I did get to see my hubby on the course a few times. Our teams ran neck and neck...but he was in his team's 2nd van.

It was so stinkin' cold waiting at the finish line in the rain.

At the finish line...Queens' of Sole finished in 29 hours! I think we did awesome!

Team Photo

Don't our calves look awesome?

Michelle, me, and Annie....Michelle is in our ward and was our team captain. Annie and I loved running together!







Well I've been waiting a few days for Nate to get his pictures from the Wasatch Back...but I decided not to wait anymore, so we'll have 2 seperate posts about our fun race last weekend. Both Nate and I ran in the Wasatch Back Relay. It is a 188 mile 12-person relay from Logan to Park City. It involves high mountain passes, harsh conditions and NO SLEEP! You may think we're crazy, but it was a ton of fun. I was on an all womans team (aka: Womans Sub-Masters...which means we were all over 30) called the "Queens of Sole". And Nate was on a mixed team (men and women) called "There is no 'I' in Teim". This is a race where there are 2 vans with 6 runners each, and each runner runs 3 different legs. While the other van is running, this is where you 'rest'. My first run was 5.1 miles in the heat of the day. Running in the sun is something that I hadn't ever done...but will definately prepare for next year. My second run, 4.2 miles, started at about 11:30 that night, and was wonderful. It was such an endorphine rush to be running through the back roads of Cache Valley next to the farmers field, and only have my head lamp for light. After our 2nd legs, we went to North Summit High School and slept. It was wall to wall bodies of tired runners, but believe it or not, the 2 hours of sleep really did help with our 3rd run. We started running at 7:30 am again, and my 3rd run was 3.8 miles....and about 3 miles of that was down hill. Pretty harsh on my knees, but they are recovering nicely I think. I had 9 road kills on that run (road kills: aka...people that I passed while running, which surprised me..because we were all running down hill), and felt like I was flying down that hill. I had a little rain, but it felt good of course. After that our van had to wait a few hours for the 2nd van to finish their 3rd legs, and then we could all cross the finish line together. We killed time by going to Cafe Rio and having lunch. And can I just say that after living on trail mix, Gatorade, fruit and power bars for the last 30 hours....that Cafe Rio salad never tasted so good. Queens of Sole came in 4th in the woman's sub-masters and 16th out of 81-all-woman's teams. I am definately going to run in this race again...no sleep and all!

Jace-ism

Right before school got out, Jace, Hannah and I were walking into PG Rec Center for morning aerobics. Since it isn't that busy of a parking lot, I let Jace either run ahead of me or walk behind me. Well that day he was lagging a bit, but still close enough that I could hear his footsteps. When he say's, "Mom, I'm on you." I turned around to see him walking on my shadow. So I let out a fake, "Ouch! Jace that hurts...stop...Stop!" He just looked up and gave me that devilish grin. And now it is a little game whenever we are walking somewhere for him to walk on my shadow, and for me to pretend that it hurts. (Although in the past 2 weeks, there hasn't been a whole lot of opportunity with all the rain.) But it beats dragging him along and making him hold my hand while walking in a parking lot!
(The picture of Jace is just one from the other morning. I let Jace make his own toast, since the other kids get to. But there is about an inch thick layer of butter on that toast. I let him take just one bite before I scraped off his future heart attack!)

Valentine's Weekend

Mario Cart on the Wii was a huge hit...and when Nate and I needed a break from remodeling we would come and steal the wheels and race each other.

Poor Hannah was 'neglected' by everyone. See it's the middle of the day and she was still in her jammies. But she didn't whine too much as long as she was dry and fed.

Valentine's day cookies...oh so yummy!




So this past Valentine's we kind of forgot to celebrate. It was actually the weekend that we decided to rip out our Master Bathroom (see previous post) and start the remodel. This meant that we had to make it up to our kids and find something to occupy their time. Nate had always wanted to buy Mario Cart for the Wii with a wheel for each of them. This was the perfect Valentines present, because it kept the kids occupied and out of our hair. Since we weren't working on the bathroom on Sunday, we made an effort to at least make some Valentine's cookies and let the kids help frost and make their own. This is something we do every year, which is a favorite of everyone's.

Utah Museum of Natural History

In April when I had to go up to SLC to pick up mine and Nate's 1/2 marathon gear, I decided to take the kids with me and we would make a day of it. We went to the Utah Museum of Natural History on UofU campus, this was the first time for any of us. Since I hadn't ever been there, I didn't know what to expect. But it is a lot like the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point, only on a smaller scale. (And since we have been there many times, it was nice to go to a smaller museum, since I was handling 5 kids on my own.) We had a great time, and the highlight was the Frog Exhibit. They had an actual Frog Wrangler there, that talked to the kids about all different types of frogs. Still the most interesting thing are all the dinosaur bones that they have on display. I think that will always be my favorite too!

Glow the Play

At Grovecrest Elementary every year the 2nd grade does the same play. So even though we saw this play 2 years ago when Brady was in 2nd grade, we were able to see Zack this year. It is a fun, short play, that has some really cute songs. And since it is the same play every year, all the kids in the school know all of the songs. Zack was a firefly in the play, which he was excited for because he didn't have any speaking parts. But the highlight of the play is that they have a song that includes turning out the lights and all the kids turning on their flashlights, and since the parent's performance is the last one, the kids get to keep their flashlights. They really do know what appeases to 2nd graders.

Hot Chicks!

Hannah didn't dare touch the chicks...she would just giggle and run away! (Probably a good thing though!)




Our friends the Menlove's hatched baby chicks for their grandpa this past spring. They invited us down to see the new additions. These baby chick were just a couple of hours old, but had completely dried out. It was fun to see how cute and fluffy they were and all the fun and different colors of the baby chicks. I would love to have chickens one day (just for the fresh eggs), but we need Pleasant Grove to change their city ordinaces before that happens.

Rachel Kindergarten Graduation

Rachel and Mrs. McAllister

We Did It! Class of 2021

In awe of the Diploma! ;-)


Rachel receiving her diploma...notice how tall she is compared to the boy behind her...poor girl!







Rachel officially graduated from Grovecrest Elementary Kindergarten on May 22, 2009. She was so excited for this day, it was fun to hear her try and practice her graduation songs without letting me hear them. If I asked, "Rachel, what is that you're singing?" She would furrow her brow and and say, "Mom it's a surprise for Graduation." There were quite a few friends in our neighborhood that were there too. Autumn Redd, Ali Robinson, Sage Floyd, Weston Clark, and Toby Reid. Even though they graduated on the 22nd, they still held school the following week with lots of fun activities like a dance festival, field day, a fun run, and an awards assembly. At the awards assembly on Thursday the 28th, Rachel was one of two kindergarteners that received the Perfect Attendance Award. I honestly couldn't believe that she had been there everyday. She was so excited to come home and show me her certificate. I told her to remember what a good feeling it was to get an award, so that next year when she is in 1st grade, she will have something to motivate her to go to school, even on those hard days. (Believe me we had a few of those in kindergarten, but somehow made it there every day...maybe I should get an award for pushing her out the front door when the bus is in front of our house...just kidding.) We're so proud of Rachel and glad that she had such a wonderful kindergarten year, we will miss Mrs. McAllister, but can't wait to see who the new teacher will be.

Zack's Birthday

Zack got breakfast in bed on his birthday....sorry bad lighting, I forgot to turn on the flash.

Zack getting ready to blow out his birthday candles.

Rachel, Mitchell, Johnny, Caleb and Jordan being sworn in as Deputy Marshalls.

Jaxon, Parker, Zack and Trevor being sworn in as Deputy Marshalls.

Making marshmallow guns....all the kids were very excited to have their own. Thank goodness we have Nate's woodshop with all the right tools to build whatever we want. Plus it was a great place to hide while we waited for Zack to arrive.

Zack was really excited to have his party on his actual birthday!





Okay so I'm a little late on putting this post on, but better late than never! On April 8th, Zack turned the magic 8. So since it was his Golden Birthday (turning 8 on the 8th), I wanted to throw him a surprise party. It took a lot more planning on my part, but was well worth it. (Surprise Video included.) I wanted to do some sort of science experiment party, but found something much cooler to do with all those 8 year old little boys. MARSHMALLOW GUNS! I found out how to make marshmallow guns on YouTube and away we went. All the supplies were at Home Depot (besides the mini-marshmallows). And it was WAY CHEAP, about $2 per gun. But it gave the kids something to make and then they took the guns home as their party favor. I had them sworn in as Deputy 'Marsh'-alls. And they had a ball in their marshmallow war. I told my other kids that they would get a surprise party on their 'Golden Birthdays' too. (I have a few years to plan those Brady's birthday is February 22, Rachel is December 27th, Jace is September 30th, and Hannah is December 31st) I wonder if they'll want to have marshmallow guns on their Golden Birthdays? Hahaha.

Brady's Home Run!

Brady now plays for the Yankees!

He has had to learn to hustle, or not let the ball get past him, now that he plays catcher.

Brady up to bat....this is from his very first game.






This year is the first year that Brady is actually playing little league, (in years past he has just played coach pitch). He is on the Yankees, and I think that it is quite an eye opener for him. Especially when you get some of those little league pitchers that throw bullets across home plate. He mostly plays catcher, now that he has learned to hustle, on the defense. Last night was a very exciting game, not only for Brady but for the whole team. It was the last inning, the Yank's were up to bat but were down by 2, and there were 2 outs with one runner on 2nd. Brady was up to bat next, and HITS A HOME RUN! He first made it to second base, but since the other team was trying to get the first runner out he booked it on to 3rd, and then they over threw the ball trying to get Brady out, which then he stole home. I'll never forget the look on his face as he took off for home....a little terrified. But he slid into home and TIED UP THE GAME. The next batter struck out, but that was okay, we had our chance to pull ahead. The next inning the other team scored 4 runs, which the Yankees answered to and tied it up again. (This tie was also made possible by a home run.) Another inning, another chance. Again they scored 4 runs, but the Yankees stepped it up and also scored 4 runs before the 3rd out. They called the game a tie after that, since in rec leagues there is a time schedule and we were almost an hour past. I was very proud of Brady, and was texting Nate the whole time on the status of his game. (Nate wasn't able to make it since he had his own double header softball games.) Brady was chosen to receive the 'game ball' since he hit a home run, but also because he had a lot of outs at home plate. He was also very excited to receive his free soda from the concessions .... whenever you make a home run you get a free drink ... quite important to 10 year old boys!

Pine Wood Derby

You can kind of see Caleb between Brett and Nate 'helping' with his car. Brady was also in on the action! I tried to catch them red handed, but those pictures are reserved for later black-mail dates.

They are really proud of their cars.

Brady, with Zack and Rachel in the backgound, cheering on his car.

This is the heat where Zack's car took first...he was so excited.

One of my favorite pictures of the night: Jace, Zack, Josh and Jacob waiting for the cars to come down.







This past week was our Pine Wood Derby. And I am pleased to announced that with the wonderful help of their father, Brady and Zack took 2nd and 3rd place in the Derby. Flashbacks of the movie Down and Derby enter my mind, but in defense of my hubby, he did let the boys help cut out, design, and paint the actual car. There were rumors floating around our ward that our shop had been turned into an All-Night Pine Wood Derby Car Factory. Because our good friend Brett Clayson came over numurous times to work on his son, Caleb's, car. (FYI....Caleb took 1st Place.) When I asked Brett how much time he spent on Caleb's car, he estimated about 30 hours.... seriously! Nate didn't spend quite that much time, and he also had to work on 2 cars. Most of his time was spent working on the tires and axel's, in years past he hasn't done much besides just stick them in and add a little graphite. Plus Brady's friend Mitchell came up 4 days before the race and asked for help on his car, which Nate willingly helped him with. (FYI...There really is a Pine Wood Derby 'Bible' out there, which was referred to many times.) But the boys had a great time, and were really into the race and watching their cars smoke all the rest....even Caleb's a couple of times. Nate and Brett got quite a lot of slack at the race from all the other dads, but in the end they were giving out pointers for next year. I'm proud of all my boys, but very glad that it is all over!

5 Year Anniversay

Nate just after getting the Halo on.

This isn't the last bike Nate will ever own....just the last time he'll ride on the road. From here on out it is dirt bikes only!

This is the windshield where Nate's head hit.

The totalled out PT Cruiser. (My kids and I now call these cars...PT Losers!)




As some of you may or may not know today is the 5 year anniversary of Nate's motorcycle accident. (I am going to write down the days' events for journaling purposes...so bear with me.) I'll never forget that morning standing in the garage in Saratoga Springs in our pj's, with Brady (5), Zack (3), and Rachel (18 months.) We wished our daddy farewell on his first ride to work on his new motorcycle. (Later Nate told me that just before we came out to say goodbye, he had knelt down and said a prayer wondering which road he should take to work, Lehi Main street (the busier road), or the back roads...he chose the back roads, which I guess was the right choice ;-) Just a little while later, while feeding the kids some pancakes for breakfast and writing down my grocery shopping list, I received a phone call. On the other end was a Lehi Police officer, telling me that Nate had just been in a head on collision and was being taken to AF Hospital. But Nate was conscious and was able to give the officer our phone number. I asked him where it happened, and he told me, but also said to go straight to the hospital, since I probably wouldn't make it to the crash site before Nate left. I rushed the kids into the van, and drove as fast as I could. I asked Brady to say a prayer as we passed Albertson's, and I will always remember the faith of that little boy and his little prayer. I had called my sister, Chalise, just before I left and asked her if I could drop off my kids, since they live right by the hospital. She and Kyle rushed out with her 3 oldest and grabbed my kids. Walking into the ER, I didn't know what to expect to see. Honestly I was expecting the worst, like a mangled unrecognizable face. There was some blood, but not anything I couldn't handle. Nate was scared, but so was I. Nate went in for an x-ray, and they found that vetrebre C-1, C-2, and C-3 were all crushed. (These are the vetrebre that hold the brain stem and spinal cord.) Nate had the same injury as Christopher Reeve, but his vetrebre didn't go out of alignment, they were just compressed with 9 fractures between the 3 of them. But the Dr's said that they weren't equipped to handle this type of injury, so they needed to send him to Utah Valley or LDS Hospital, but more than likely he would end up at LDS because he needed a neurosurgeon. So he was life flighted to LDS hospital, instead of an ambulance transport, because they didn't want to run the risk of his vetrebre moving and Nate becoming paralyzed. That wasn't very fun standing off to the side on the grass with Nate's mom, watching the helicopter take off. My mom came and got me at the hospital and we sped up to LDS hospital, and met Nate in the ER. His mom, and Kelly and Aimee were already there waiting for the latest word. After many hours he was assessed and put into a halo at about 10:30 that night. The Dr said that people are in halo's from 6 months to a year depending on how they heal. Nate was awake during the procedure of the Dr's drilling into his skull in 4 different spots. He also had a cracked left rib, tore his ACL in his right knee, broke this left wrist, and had plenty of road rash. He was transferred to ICU, for the first 2 days there. What a great relief it was when I first walked in ICU and saw one of our good friends, Wes Adams, who was a medical student at the time at the UofU, and doing some type of internship in ICU. I'll never forget Wes' face when I led him to Nate's room and started to tell him what happened. But he sure was a fountain of knowledge and was able to explain all sorts of medical terminology to us during our stay. Nate had a ton of visitors for the 4 days that he spent in the hospital. After 4 days they gave him to okay to go home, which was a little scarey for both of us. We didn't quite know how or where he was going to sleep. At home it was a bit of an adjustment, but we managed. The kids sure liked having their dad home. There were many times we would sit in the lounge chairs and just watch them play on the slip and slide, or run around outside. After about a week at home, Nate's boss called and told me to either take away Nate's pager, or he was going to confiscate it himself. (Nate was trying to work a little from home, which didn't sit well with anyone at work.) We had so many people bless our lives during that time, I'm sure I didn't get the chance to thank everyone appropriately. But they sure were in our prayers, because we were so humbled and in utter awe of the outpouring of love for our family. Nate was in the halo for 3 months. I credit his quick recovery to his great health and all of his basketball playing. (Plus I was a wonderful nurse who slept on the couch beside his lazy-boy recliner downstairs, so that I could help him during the night...even for potty breaks.) He doesn't have full movement in his neck, and sometimes people will ask if he has a stiff neck when he turns, but for all that he went through we are so very thankful to have him here with us today.