Thursday, September 3, 2009

27 Years, Baby!! (yesterday)

Another one under our belt!  Yippee for us!!   It seems impossible that 27 years have gone by.  They plastered our little honda civic and we didn't have change to go to a car wash!  Kind of how our first many years were...but we wouldn't go back and change any of it!  What a ride.  Many more mountains to climb than we had planned on, but the vistas have been spectacular and the family that has come within our union is the greatest blessing in our lives.  We are very blessed.  We are hoping for many more miles of road ahead of us - certain there will be some bumps, but also very sure there will be scenes we could never dreamed would be so beautiful and fulfilling.  Here is to the year ahead of us - CHEERS! 
Let's keep the seat belt on, eh??



The day we moved to Boise leaving all family and 
familiarity behind us. 
Life together has been great!

Marathon Runners Inspire!


"You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming."
Frank Shorter

"To describe the agony of a marathon to someone who's never run it is like trying to explain color to someone who was born blind."
Jerome Drayton

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."
Jesse Owens

We can't all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by."
Will Rogers

"Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible."
Doug Larson

"We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon."
Emil Zatopek

"The woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep."
Robert Frost


On the same day as the Cache Valley Century, our valley also hosted the Top of Utah Half Marathon.  (and Top of Utah Marathon in September)  
Marathons are great - they are more than great, they are inspiring to the core!!  The quote that best matches me at this minute would have to be that of Will Rogers.  The others I ponder and think hard about and wonder what I should and could be doing to become a stronger person.  I am surrounded by many who inspire me in so many ways.  The best immediate and extended family anyone could ever hope to acquire.  We have friends who are like family that teach and nurture and carry us when  
we can't walk on our own.  

Life is good and life is hard.  
Mark tells us that those two things make joy.  
We have joy in every day if we look for it.

My sister-in-law, Lisa, and my sister-in-law Lisa (that's right.) and her husband - my brother, Scott  (whew) are ready to catch the bus to the top of Blacksmith Fork Canyon.  It's early, dark and chilly.  They have goals and are ready to do it!  
We love them and are so proud of them.




Lisa met a new friend - runners do that, you know.  
Runners help each other out.  
It's just the way it is.
Running teaches us many things in many ways.  
Even if we aren't a runner (me)... yet.



Greg is watching those who followed him. 
He is a good friend of Brady.



Scott & Lisa are nearly finished.  
I wonder what their quotes would be....



Liam raided the runner's snack table.  
He didn't waste a droplet of the sweet goodness.



Julia Barrett.  A gifted woman.  Strong, humble, clever. A writer, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a wife, and auntie, a new widow... a friend and inspiration to more people than she may ever know.  We love Julia!  She has run dozens of marathons and will most likely has dozens left to run.  When I am 78 I want to be just like her.  
I better start running!

Congratulations on another feather in your cap!









It was a good day.
Thank you for teaching us and letting us share in your triumphs!

Cache Valley Century '09

The long awaited day finally arrived.  On August 29th, Mark got to spend the day doing one of his favorite things ~ riding his bike with family & friends around one of the most beautiful valley's on earth.  He was in heaven.  Brady had just returned from Russia the day before,
jet-lagged but with a big smile on his face and Russian "holy water" in his flask!  The boys happily drank to "a sweet day on the road and much luck in their adventure"!  What a great day it was.  No flats, no crashes - just a good long ride around the valley. 










Lindsey & Camber drove out to Mendon so Liam could cheer for his daddy.  As you can see from this photo is he very happy to have him back in his sight again.



  

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Fourteen Days With Liam


We had an amazing gift in August. . .fourteen delightful days 
with our beautiful grandson, Liam.
He got to stay with us while his Daddy & Mommy took an amazing trip to Russia.  





This little man is growing up at lightening speed! 
He is a character full of a never-ending
supply of energy and curiosity.  
He is loving and sweet.  
He is practically perfect in every way.



At our house you can't say good-bye - it's always 
"see ya later!"
Otherwise, the puddles around here would be a flood zone.

We crammed a whole lot of fun into those 14 days
and took many, many photos ...

Liam got to visit with his great grandparents down in the lovely town of Pleasant Grove. 
Papa Neil has three horses that he bonded with instantly and made sure they were never lacking for a apple to crunch on.  He seemed to wonder what exactly he should do once he got up on the horse. 


It's the little things that are simply joyful.



He calls us Nana and Papa.
We love it.





Logan's tiny little zoo was a huge hit!


Throwing berries in the water in our backyard was 
like taking a trek in the woods.  
He could have fished for hours with a stick 
or chased chipmunks for days.





He made two sets of great grandparents very, very happy!







We spent a morning at First Dam feeding the ducks 
 and driving Papa's boat around.
The ducks weren't so sure they liked the last part!





Every inch of this little guy is remarkable. We could watch his antics forever.




We love you, Liam!  
See ya later...alligator!