at it again

I decided not to do the Share a Smile triathlon this year but still wanted to sign my kids up. When I signed them up, I knew that if I went to watch my kids I would regret not doing it. Therefore, I signed up as well. But I didn't want the stress of feeling obligated to do certain workouts to train so I decided that since I was already biking and running, I would just keep doing what I was already doing because I wanted to and because I enjoyed it, not because I had to.
Ryan had a workshop at his studio all month so he wasn't able to come and help with the kids so then I considered not having the kids do it so that I could. But my mom and sister to the rescue, they photographed, helped with transitions and my mom hung out with them until I was done. They saved my butt!
I felt strong in the swim and swam with ease except I get a little anxiety when someone is behind me, regardless of how far back they are. The start is staggered so they start someone every 10 seconds which leaves plenty of space. Just something psychological that I need to get over. The swim was 400 yards (7:58), the bike was 12 miles and I rode so hard, I felt like I was going to puke (37:30). The run was 3.25 and it took me a while to kick it into gear (28:35 slow for me). The tri that I did in May, I didn't practice my transitions and my first one took me almost 5 minutes, this time I did practice and went over it mentally a few times. I know this sounds silly but when you look up the results you can see how you ranked in the swim, bike, run, overall and the transitions. Considering how long I took in the last tri, I was happy to see my first transition time was the fastest overall for the woman. I know it's silly, maybe you have to try it to understand ;) My total time was 1:17:06


seeing them stand at the edge of the pool made my heart proud.
watching them jump in and swim their heart out made my heart melt, I loved it.

transition
"yeah, we're tough"

SWIM (in the green cap)
BIKE
RUN

this is my buddy Lisa and all activities friend. She beat me by a minute, argh. just kidding. Did I mention that the medal around my neck is a 3rd place medal!? YES! I kind of set a goal/thought it would be cool to place in a race this season and I actually did it! That was pretty exciting.

First day of school

I recall a post I did about not wanting summer to end, well I changed my mind. We were all ready for a little change and I am looking forward to a season change as well, I love Fall.

This year, Cloe is in 4th grade. I still have to think about that when I say it because it doesn't sound right, it can't be.

Brody is in 3rd grade

and Abbey is in 1st grade. This year she isn't going to the Charter school. Our plan is to move to France and we came across a school with a French immersion program that starts with 1st grade so she is going there. 20 minutes away might I add. Luckily luckily luckily, there is a boy nearby that is also going to the same school for French and we can carpool! I'm really excited for her and this opportunity that she has, I just wish the older 2 could've had it as well. They will just have to do it the hard way.

and as you can imagine, the non uniform part is pretty exciting for her.

Brody's Baptism

Brody was baptized on August 13th. I thought since Cloe had already been baptized, this one would be less exciting. Not so. I have decided that I love my kids baptisms. They are so sweet and special and I love the blessings they receive. He has wanted a suit or a long time and I told him that he could get one for his baptizm. He looked very handsome and knew it. A lot of family came and my dad gave a talk. He seemed like a different person, not the Brody I am used to. He was reverent and mature :)


at his bishop interview



his new set of scriptures from G'ma and G'pa Brown

celebrating the pioneers

Mapleton puts on quite the Pioneer day celebration. The 3 older kids were in the parade with our ward and Charlotte and I thoroughly enjoyed it from the side lines, especially the marching band. Later that night we went to the park for the helicopter ball drop, a concert and then fireworks. It was really a time for the kids to run wild with friends until way past bed time. This was all on Saturday and then on Monday we went to the Spanish Fork

parade. I know, 2 parades in one weekend, shoot me in the head. To make it worse, SF wouldn't let them throw candy this year, that is the best part of the parade.

Can you spot Cloe and Abbey? just barely.

spanish fork parade

small fruit does not go a long way

my neighbor has 2 apricot trees that they don't harvest so I asked if they wouldn't mind if I picked some. Of course it was fine, so my mom and I loaded up buckets of apricots. They were so delicious fresh off the tree and I had some grand ideas for these here apricots, minus canning, not in the mood yet for canning. I made fruit leather, dehydrated, freezer jam and then just froze the rest in baggies for later use. It seemed like they never ended but then I didn't end up with a lot of leather and dehydrated fruit considering the amount it required. At our new house we have a grape vine, cherry tree, pear tree and my neighbors apricot tree which is all a first for me, but I'm liking it :)

Birthday Boy

Brody is 8, which in the LDS religion is a big birthday. He not only gets to attend scouts now but he is also old enough to be baptized a member of the church. His birthday was pretty low key because of the celbration we were also going to have for his baptizm. The day before his birthday, he returned home from his special "8 year old trip" with Grandma and Grandpa Brown. They went up to a dude ranch in Wyoming and did all sorts of boy stuff. Brody absolutly loved it!! For his b-day, he had his cousin, Gavin spend the night and we went to seven peaks and dinner at his favorite mexican restaurant, Maria Bonita's.

Brody has a strong personality and a good sense of humor. He can cause me grief (often) but he has a very tender heart and is a hard worker.

hittin' the trails.

This summer I have really gotten into trail running. I love it. I first started when I signed up for a race the begining of July and about died. It was so incredibly hard, all I could think was "trail runners are crazy!" The first 2 miles were incline and I didn't warm up, so besides starting out uphill on uneven trail my muscles were tight. But it was also so gorgeous and addicting. There was a part of the race that opened up into a single track trail with a meadow and Mt. Timp in the background, gorgeous. but quickly focused my eyes back on the ground so I didn't trip. Once I felt warmed up and the trail evened out and descended it was amazing. One morning I went for an early trail run on a new trail. The sun was just rising and it was so peaceful and everything was so fresh so I thought this would make a great activity for the kids, to take a hike. walking, not running of course.



and I got these little sweeties for my birthday. Some girlie trail running shoes. My road shoes lack traction and I have taken a spill because of it.

"copper me mine"

Way back in July, there was a week at the Kenecott Copper Mine that had a promotional free entry. I had never been there and neither had the kids so we made the long journey out west. Charlotte was excited to finally ride in a bus, they shuttled us up there, and it was cool to see and learn so much about the mine, how copper is used and to see the huge trucks with huge tires. It was a pretty hot day and the kids were less than thrilled to pose for a picture.



But for some reason my kids think it is called Copper me Mine, not Kennecott Copper Mine.