Why Tri? Because I Can

Today was an awesome day. Lala, Sarah (Lauren's sister-in-law), and I did a tri today. In January I was going to register for the Woman of Steel Tri when Lala called me and asked if I would do the relay with her. I was wanting to do it on my own but knowing that she sinks and not swim I agreed. I did the swim, Lala the bike, and then Sarah ran. I was so excited! We were number 613.

Standing next to the pool and waiting. They had us line up according to our times. I was soooo nervous, (but I didn't get sick YEAH!). It was so cold and I didn't want to take off my shorts. I haven't been in just a bathing suit in public in years. I wasn't about to take them off for the race. I pretty much wear swim shorts even to train. They are my comfort.

The line was getting longer and bigger and I was getting further back from the front. They divided you up according to the time you could swim. I timed myself two times and swam it in 7min 10sec. I was so proud so I figured I would start at the 7min marker. It was nuts. The first swimmer started and then every 12 seconds the next swimmer would jump in and go.

I am the one with arms up and trying to get excited. Get rid of the nerves and get ready. Plus I wanted to make sure that Caleb, Lala, and Sarah were watching me.

I'm the one in the pink cap. Can you find me?

Good, 'cause neith can I.

Be prepared you will need sunglasses for the next shot. Gotta love those Coil legs and skin. All white!!! Thanks Caleb for that great shot.

Oh, and look. My comfort is gone. I actually went without shorts and the swim was better; even though the pool was a sauna. Next time I hope they cool it down.

GO LALA!!! I am so proud of you and I am taking 20 minutes off your time. Thanks for inviting me to come and play. I had a blast.

Sarah is so dang cute! She was such a trooper for coming and running. I think she had as much fun as I did. She did awesome. And she is dang cute. Oh wait did I say that already. (Can't say it enough.)

We posed one last time at the end. All said and done it was a great day.

Caleb thanks for being the camerman, cheerleader, and host. I stayed at Lala's because you need to register the night before, and I didn't want to drive early that morning, since the race was about an hour and a half away from home. Thanks also for giving up your bed for me. Lala thanks for the encouragement. Sarah thanks for helping our team accomplish another goal. Thanks D for taking the girls for me. They absolutely loved it. Mom and Dad thanks for taking the boys. Chris thanks for all the nights you stayed home and put the kids to bed so I could go swim. Wish you could have been there.

PS Next year Lauren I am going to buy you biking shorts that we can inflate in the rear so that you float and not sink. HAHA!

Sleep Hannah Sleep

Couple of weeks ago I watched my niece Hannah. Her little brother Ben had to have surgery and Nikki asked if I could help her out. Hannah played all day long and didn't stop. Chris got home at about the time I was starting dinner. He tried to help with Hannah but she didn't want anything to do with him. So anytime he went into a room she was in Hannah would leave. At about 4:30 I started making dinner and she joined me in the kitchen because Chris was in the family room. Well he came into the kitchen to munch and so she left. She was standing by the couch and watching tv with Abs. But she was wary to sit because of Chris. I kept checking on her and as I put the dinner in the oven I noticed she wasn't moving much. Wondering if she was asleep this is what I found. I couldn't resist taking the pics. She plays with her hair when she is tired and that is how she puts herself to sleep. She finally closed her eyes and slept for a few.

On a sidenote: Ben is doing great and you can't even tell he had surgery on his eyes. They look so good. He is such an angel; and so is Hannah.

Conference Breakfast

Every conference weekend we get together for Dad's famous waffles. It was our turn to host this past conference. The kids absolutely gobbled up the breakfast.

Caleb was so good to step up and help feed kids. I don't even know if he got to eat much. Every time he turned around the kids were asking him for more food or drinks. He has been a great addition to the family. Lala thanks for taking his keys back to him. Happy Anniversary!

Life sure does slow down for waffles.

Jake and Mom were on bacon duty. Thanks you two. It was perfect, crunch and greasy just the way the fam likes it.

Lala was so excited to ride the scooter. She had been waiting all morning for the girls to get off so she could have a turn. I think I know what Santa can bring Lala next Christmas.

It was a beautiful day. I love hosting. Now that I have the room I plan on many more occasions like these. Thank you Dad for the wonderful food. Mom thank you for making sure we have great memories for the children. Rest of the clan thank you for coming all the way up to be with us. I love you all very much.

Some more Swimming

We went to surf-n-swim again. This time with Mike, Erin, and their girls. It was so much fun. Thanks Mike for being a good sport and letting the girls come and play.

Emry absolutely loved the water. She is a little water bug. The best part was when she first got there she was afraid of the mosaic tiles in the bottom of the pool. By the end of the evening she was having fun looking at all the creatures.

The kids loved playing with Emry. They were always checking on her.

Millie was such a sport. She is so dang cute.

Do I have to cry?

This wednesday is the funeral for Chris' grandpa. Tonight we were talking to the kids about what was going to happen and how they needed to act.

A: "There will be a lot of people there that will be crying. So you need to be prepared for that."
P: "So do I need to fake cry?"

To say the least Amy (Chris' sister) started to laugh so hard I thought she was going to cry.

By the way we are sad for Peggy (Chris' step-mom) but Grandpa Tidwell was 97 years old and lived a very good life and never lived in a nursing home, and he passed away peacefully.

Need to rest

Saturday night our fam went to Olive Garden in Salt Lake City. It is about an hours drive for my family but we went to meet Erin for her Birthday. Plus I love to drive. So Chris had Lukers in the van and was going to stop at the store then go home and I had the two girls. He called me on my cell to tell me that Luke had fallen asleep and he was going straight home. So later that night I tucked the older kids into bed and noticed that Luke was still in his play clothes. Very unusual for that kid. He refuses to go to bed unless he is in jams. So at about 2:17am Luke came and got Chris. This is what happened.

Chris trying to get jams on Luke at around 8:00pm.
L: "Dad I need a rest."
2:17am
L: "Dad I am done resting now. Can you help me get my jammies on brush my teeth and say my prayers?"

Chris the wonderful father he is lets me sleep and he helped Luke get ready for bed.

For FREEEEEEEE....

If you have seen the movie Bedtime Stories you will know the line. I am trying to find activities the kids and I can do for “freeeeeeeee” or really, really cheap. There is so much I want to do before Chris leaves. We accomplished another goal... sort of. We went to a museum, but Chris had to work so he was unable to come. The Utah Museum of Natural History to be exact. The first Monday of every month is free to anyone.


Abigail just loves spiders. Especially when the are about the size of your hand.

They had a toad exhibit at the museum and it was really neat. Frogs from around the world.

Witches brew anyone.

They had a really neat fish tank the kids were able to go into the middle and see all sorts of fish.

What me? I didn't do...

Busted. That smile says I am up to something. Guess what mom? I gave myself a haircut. It was bothering me and I needed to cut it.

Look at the good job I did. See the nice even sides. Doesn't it look good? And guess what? It's not bothering me anymore.

Look at the good job I did in the back. Doesn't it look nice? To say the least he is going to the barber with Chris and fixing the rest.

Abbie decided to play beauty shop with her doll. That is Kit Kittridge from An American Girl. Maybe someday the hair will grow back.

I don't know what was Lukes or Kits hair. But they both got a mild makeover one afternoon. Needless to say Abbie is banned from the scissors for a very long time.

What a Hair Day!!!!

So Mads was brushing her hair and getting ready for school when she came downstairs. I was so proud of how she handled the situation. I couldn't believe my eyes. She was so calm. I sent the other kids to school and worked on her hair. I thought I was going to have to get the scissors and go at it. Let's just say 15 minutes later the brush was out and we were on our way to school.

Erin this one is for you

So a couple of weeks ago we went to Layton Surf-n-Swim. It is a pool that starts out shallow and gradually gets deeper. Then about every 15-20 minutes the pool produces waves. It is so much fun. We got tubes for the kids so they could ride the waves and have fun. Chris and I would sneak up on the kids and grab their feet or legs. Well, not having my glasses and trying to see underwater is not a good combination for me. I saw a pair of legs coming from the bottom of the tube and the swimsuit kinda looked like Prestons. I dived under the water and swam to the legs, grabbed them, and started tickling what I thought was Preston. When I came up I saw that it was a teenage boy and Preston was standing by the side of the pool. Oops! The boy laughed I apologized and he said his mom probably would have done the same thing. Maybe I should get goggles with a prescription. Oh well. At least he had a good laugh.

Swimming

Luke finally gets in the water. Last year at Lake Powell when we were out on the ski boat we had to force him in the water because he was getting to warm sitting in the sun. He was not happy. Now he loves the water and going under. He is ready for swim lessons. Next year we will put him in.

Madison is such a water bug. She loved playing in the deep end on her tube all night long.

Abigail always with a smile

Love Preston's smile.

Look at those handsome Tyler boys.

Amy and Family

Chris' sister Amy flew in from Seattle for a few days. She stayed with us and Nikki. On Saturday we took the family on a fun little hike in Layton. The trail is paved all the way and very pretty. This bridge is about a mile or so into the hike. We had lunch there and played for a few minutes.

Luke wanted his picture taken while he was in the stroller. Abbie kept trying to peek under but didn't quit get the point of getting in front of Amy.

Preston got a little nervous once we found this sign at the beginning of the trail. If you can't read it, it's warning us about the dangers of possibly running into a mountain lion. Oh well, at least I run faster. Preston your lunch meat.

Everyone trying to do a silly face. Hands down Amy you don't need to try. HAHAHA

What a beautiful family. Amy thanks for coming and making memories with the kids. We love you dearly and can't wait to see you in May in Seattle.