Las Vegas Ragnar

So, I am finally getting around to posting about our RAGNAR experience. I knew it would take me awhile to write this post, so many things to say, so many emotions... In October, Blake and I ran in the Las Vegas Ragnar relay together. Two days, a team of 12, two vans (suburban and truck in our case) lots of water, good running shoes, no showers, good music and no sleep. Does it get better than that? It was our 8th anniversary weekend. And what better way to spend your anniversary than with 4 other people in a suburban for 2 days? We had the BEST team ever. TEAM BONK! We ran with our good friends the Jensen's and the Jensen family and a few of their friends. Our van consisted of "Non Jensen" runners. We had Blake, Myself, Amy, Kim, Chris, and Cameron. We called our van the "Mugbloods". Because we aren't of Jensen Decent. :) The race was such an incredible experience. I can honestly say I experienced just about every emotion. It was such an incredible feeling to set a goal, train for it and then go out and do it. Our van was so encouraging and so supportive. We started at Lake Mead and ended very close to downtown Las Vegas. It was hot, and dry, and at times I felt so discouraged, and just when I was ready to stop and walk, my team would drive by, honking the horn, yelling from the window and cheering me on. We had the best team! I can't say that enough. All 12 runners did an awesome job. We experienced sleep deprivation, thirst, anxiousness and tons and tons of laughter. Sleeping on mole hills at a truck stop near a freeway entrance has never been so much fun! :) I'm pretty sure I cried about 10 times, out of joy, pain, pride and just being touched by everyone's kindness and support to each other. At one point, one of our runners, Larry got injured and was unable to even put weight on his leg, I was amazed at how everyone was willing to help out. Brad (Trent's dad) and Trent ran his last two legs for him...making their total distance longer than anticipated. At the end of the race, our team carried Larry through the finish line, (once again, causing more tears). This was an incredible experience for Blake and I to do together. If you would have told me 8 years ago that this is how we would have spent our 8th anniversary, I would have laughed. I was not a runner...but I am proud to say that now, I AM A RUNNER. Running is my time to think, to escape and to just listen to my own thoughts. I am so grateful to Blake for training with me (early saturday morning runs) for encouraging me in all that I do... (sorry to get sappy)...for believing in me and cheering me on in all of life's journey's. I am so lucky to have you in my life. You are my best friend. We have been through a lot together, I know that you will always be there for me. You make my life so much better and so happy just because you are in it. Happy 8th Anniversary! I loved being a part of this race, and look forward to doing more of them. Thanks to the Jensen's for all of their planning and letting us join their team. Trent was an awesome team captain, and kept us super organized. It was a blast! Go Team Bonk!

Thankful turkeys

Tonight for fhe, blake had the cute idea to make ” thankful turkeys” out of our handprints. Halle loved coloring on her turkey.   We would ask her what she was thankful for...basically we said all the words she knows...like mommy, daddy, cheese, harvey, ” pops” which is cereal, juice juice etc.  we truly have so much to be grateful for.  for wonderful family and friends...so live in this free country, and to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.  We hope that you all have a wonderful november and a memorable thanksgiving. 

Hires big h

So with the snow outside...there wasn't  a lot of yard work to be done. So we decided to run errands in salt lake...after all of our errands were done I  was craving hires big h..so we took halle there for her first time. She LOVES root beer.  We Couldn't get it in her fast enough.   She ate all of her grilled cheese and pickle spear.this girl loves pickles.  She loves anything sour or tart.  She doesn't get that from me.  I think she takes after her aunt jaclyn, who also loves sour things.  Anyway. Hires was  a fun little outing not to mention delish!

Happy "Halle-Ween"

This was Halle's second Halloween, and she had so much fun. She LOVED being in her cozy pumpkin costume and wouldn't let me take it off for nap time. ( I think she liked how padded it was. Super soft and comfy) The day was crazy and busy, but it was great. We started out by visiting Blake at his office at lunch time. His office did a Costume parade for all the little kiddos. It was so fun to see all the cute costumes. Halle LOVED walking around her daddy's office and visiting everyone who worked there. (She is our social butterfly, always talking to everyone) She loved picking out the little candy and putting it in her pumpkin bucket. Blake's only complaint was that Halle picked all the lame candy. Smarties, starbursts and nerds. Don't get me wrong, we love those too, but how about a butterfinger or 100 grand every now and then?
Later in the afternoon we went to our neighborhood "Trunk or Treat" and got more candy. Halle didn't really care too much for the candy there. She just wanted to play in the leaves. It was super cute to see her running around in her little costume.
Later that night, we went trick or treating up our street. We only went to a few homes, but She figured out how it worked pretty quickly. She would take a little candy and then put it in her bucket, then she would say " two?" and grab a second candy. She is a smarty pants. Blake and I had more fun on this Halloween than I think we have ever had. Watching Halle enjoy the holidays has made them more enjoyable and exciting for us too.