Labor Day Weekend

Labor day weekend started out okay, we hit the dollar night at the carnival. We only made it on to 2 rides before the fireworks began. But the girls had a blast. We have never done the carnival rides before so they thought it was a huge treat.

We had to race to make it to the fireworks, but we made it just in time.

Lucy oohed, aahed, and clapped after each firework. I think that was her favorite part of the weekend.

Sunday we had a big birthday bash for all the recent birthdays then headed to the band concert.

If you're not from Payson, I don't think you would get into the band concerts. Growing up they were one of my favorite things. Everyone in town goes to the park and listens to a band. It's such a small town thing and simple, but I have so many fun memories of this. I know it sounds so dumb. Matt dreads it, but it's a highlight of the weekend. During the band concert is when it all started turning south. There was a torrential downpour, and there we were with all the kids and we had walked to the park. We tried to huddle under the trees to wait it out, but it was getting worse by the minute. So Matt and I made a run for it, by the time we got home we were drenched.

The Parade was the next morning. Mari had said her prayers and asked that there wouldn't be rain for the parade, so we were hopeful. It was looking good when it started, and the kids were happy. Lucy was waving to everyone and everything.

It started sprinkling about 2 floats into the parade, but the kids were still happy.

Then another wave of torrential downpour came, and everyone started scattering. First we hid under some trees. Poor Lucy was not happy!

When the trees weren't enough cover, we went under someone's carport to wait out the rest of the parade. My sister Steph was in the parade, so we had to wait it out to see her. Mari, Cody and Abby were the only ones who braved the storm out on the street. (They are the pink blob in the middle of the street. . .well, left pink blob)

Finally!! She came on the very last float. It was all worth it in the end. The kids all thought it was so fun even if it was cold, wet, and freezing.

The rest of the day was nice after the rain left. And to top it all off my cute Grandma won 3 first prizes in the pie competition, and $150 bucks. She was so excited. Isn't she cute!?All in all it was a good day. Good food, good company. It can't get better than that!

Hot air balloon

2 anniversaries ago Matt and I bought ourselves a hot air balloon ride. Somehow we forgot about it (I don't know how but we did). We remembered this year and luckily got to use it the day before our voucher expired.

It was the perfect clear day, but very cold!!

It was pretty hilarious, we landed right in the middle of a neighborhood in the street. That is after scraping across the tops of trees and almost landing in some one's front yard.

LINDSAY USAIN BOLT . . .

. . . Except with a little less speed and bit more endurance! I'm a proud hubby today. Don't jump on me just yet; I'm proud of her everyday, and the things she does all day outshine something as trivial as this . . . but Lindsay just ran the Friggin Hobble Creek Half-Marathon!!! She only missed two days of training out of about 3 or 4 months, got up and did early morning runs, learned to take gu, suffered through all my running "tips", and smashed her goal of a 2 hour half by getting a 1:53:03. I was able to run with her and pace her for an 8:38 pace she was able to pretty consistently maintain the whole way. When she first started training, she could barely do a mile (at about a 12:30 pace). Last two miles of the race she made it a point that she was never doing this again . . . then at breakfast at Magelby's she was already talking about her next one. I think she's got the bug.

It was a fun day as Heather, Ryan, and our Nephew Elliott ran the race as well. Heather pulled out a good finish with only running 3 miles maybe a couple/few times a week!! I think Ryan and Elliott both ran the thing backwards and with ease. We then finished the day with some hours at the Payson pool, then the Owlz game with the whole Bliss/Konold clan.

Thanks for being AWESOME Babe!! I'm proud of you! (even though you'll look like a dork walking around for the next couple of days).

Kalai

The other night I went to a Kalai concert with Heather, Ryan and Heidi. It was a small get together in someones backyard, the perfect night.

If you haven't heard of him you should check him out at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuR5nRdSL-c&feature=related.

I think he sounds alot like Ben Harper.

Thanks Heather and Ryan for inviting me!!

My Lucy Bug

Just thought I would share this funny picture.

Lucy had this bug on her face, and didn't even realize it was there. Well, it is Lucy the critter lover, so maybe she knew all along.

Boston here we come!

We're coming, but not until April.

Matt ran his 3rd marathon of the year! He ran the Deseret News Marathon in Salt Lake on the 24th of July. He took 18th place out of 600 people! He also accomplished 2 of his goals.

1. He got a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon. I am so excited for him. He has worked really hard to get this. And I am really excited for myself; I have never been there, so I am really looking forward to seeing the sites. I also love to watch these races, it gets me all pumped up for just a second, then I realize it's kind of hard to run (I'm working at it though).

2. He really wanted to break 3 hours, and he did by 35 seconds. He finished in 2 hours 59 minutes and 25 seconds. I was really nervous when the time got to 2:58, and I hadn't seen him yet. I was thinking "well he's not going to make it, but I'm sure he'll qualify." Then he came running around the corner just in time. It was really exciting.

Matt I think you're awesome!!

Thanks for the trip to Boston next year!!

More San Diego

Sorry, there's more I can't get enough. The first night we were in San Diego we went to a Padres game. We sat in the outfield where it was all sand and toys. The girls played all night while we watched the game. It was a great.

The next day was Matt's cousins wedding. The night was perfect and Mari had a blast meeting a ton of new cousins.

They had the wedding at a golf course that was really beautiful.

The kids couldn't get enough of the dance floor. I think we danced till 11 or later.

We haven't been to San Diego in the summer for a couple of years so we had to hit the beach a couple of times.

We flew kites and lounged in the sand.

This picture of Mari cracks me up. She said she felt like Curious George when the kite takes him away up in the sky. She's so small she really almost flew away. I had to grab her while she skidded across the sand.

Lucy was covered from head to toe in sand. You can't see but she had a string cheese in her hand that had been dropped in the sand about 10 times. I could not get it away from her, so she had a nice snack of cheese and sand, Yum!

Tuesdays are our Balboa park and Rubios day. Free museums and $1 fish tacos, you can't beat that.

The girls favorite was the Merry Go Round. I even grabbed the gold ring and won them and free ride.

Matt and my favorite part, the fish tacos!

Another exciting day we went to Del Mar Fair. We spent most the time petting the animals, Mari and Lucy couldn't get enough.

We even got to watch a little bit of Motocross. It was pretty cool. Lucy could not stop clapping, she loved it.

Matt even got to get away and do a day hike with his Dad.

Was that overload or what. While I was posting this I realized we did alot, maybe that's why it flew by. There's even still more, but I won't bore you. I feel bad we had alot of fun with our friends Mark, Heather and their family, but we didn't get any pictures. Thanks for the birthday party, dinner, Michael Jackson night, day at the park, and pool party.

4th of July in San Diego

Well, we're home after 10 great days in San Diego, and I am having major withdrawals. I don't know why life just seems so laid back there. Maybe it was because we were on vacation. Sometimes I could really see myself living there. Don't tell my Mom she wouldn't be happy. Anyway, you are going to get sick of my San Diego posts, but there was so much fun stuff going on I have to share.

The 4th of July was probably my favorite day. In the morning I ran a 10K, my first race ever! I was really nervous, I don't know why, it's just running. But it went really well, I ran faster and farther than I ever have in my whole life. I have to say though I was really happy when I was done. That was the best part, to have it over with. I don't think I enjoy running as much as Matt, but I am glad I did it.

This is the starting line, if you can zoom in on the speedo gang. They were pretty hilarious, they didn't last long though. I passed them before 1 mile was over and they were all walking.

This is the start of the race, when I was happy to be running.

After the race we went back to Matt's parents and spent the day relaxing in the pool.

Later that night we met up with Matt's cousins for a BBQ on the beach. It was such a pretty night. The girls had a blast in the water looking for crabs and shells. We weren't sure we would be able to see the fireworks with all the fog, but it cleared out just in time.

Our little family under the pier.

Mari really surprised me, she loved the waves. She was in the water till it got dark. Lulu of course loved the crabs. She tried to pick them up, but thankfully never got one.

Lucy's new face whenever we say cheese.

The girls watching the fireworks

Nothing better than fireworks on the beach, a first for me. I loved it!!

Lucy the snake charmer

I just found these pics from about a month ago and had to share. I wasn't home at the time or this never would have happened. I would have taken cover in the house until it was gone. Lucy took a liking to this little baby snake. She loved it and carried it all over the back yard. I'm surprised it's still in one piece, she has a death grip. She is our little critter lover, doesn't matter what it is she is loving that thing until they have had enough and run away or are dead. Poor ants and potato bugs don't stand a chance.

First day of Summer!

It's officially the first day of Summer!! It's so nice to actually have it here, and have some good weather. It's been so weird this year. We haven't let the weather stop is though. We have already been busy with Memorial day at a cabin, swimming lessons, birthday parties, Snowbird, museums, baseball games, running through the sprinklers almost everyday, the ice cream man, and neighborhood and family BBQ's. I love summer!! The great thing is there is still more summer to come. We have lots of fun things planned this summer, and I promise to be a better blogger. Have a great summer everyone!!

2 down 4 to go

Matt ran his 2nd Marathon last weekend in Ogden. (Sorry you might get sick of these marathon posts.) We had a really great weekend. We stayed at my Sister's, In-Laws house. They have a really cool place up past Ogden Canyon. We stayed there with my sister and her family. The kids had such a good time together, eating pizza, roasting marshmallows, watching Little Rascals, and staying up way to late.

The next morning we watched Matt pass at the halfway mark, then the girls and I got to the finish line about 2 minutes before he finished. We weren't expecting him for another 15 minutes, so it was a surprise to see him so early. He only has to cut off 10 more minutes to qualify for the Boston Marathon!! It was a great weekend!! Thank you Kari and family for being with us Happy Birthday Sammy!!

Happy Anniversary

Well it's been a couple of weeks, but I had to post about our anniversary. 6 years! Wow, where does the time go. It either feels like its flown by or its been forever. It has been the best 6 years. It has been full of some of the greatest adventures. I love to think back on those times we we were first married and living in the scariest basement apartment. It didn't seem to phase us though we were so happy. Then every year just keeps getting better. Now 2 little girls later it seems like we are the happiest. Don't get me wrong there are hard times too, but at the end of each year it always tops the last. I really did marry my best friend. Thanks Matt for 6 great years!

This year we decided to spend our day together as a family. We went hiking and camping in Moab (one of our favorite places). It was the perfect day, good weather, the kids loved hiking around. We went back to camp, the girls loved the camp fire and the smores. Then it came to the camping part, lets say it wasn't so good. Lucy is the type of baby that doesn't fall asleep in your arms. She has to be in her own crib. So after Matt walked around the fire about 500 times she finally fell asleep. We head to the tent for a good nights rest. Then, Mari who was just getting over strep started snoring louder than any adult I have ever heard. We tried everything to get her to stop, but nothing worked. After an hour or so we finally stuffed our ears with toilet paper. Matt leaned over and while laughing says Happy Anniversary! It was pretty hilarious, but it doesn't end there. At 2 a.m. Lucy wakes up and walks circles around the inside of the tent for 2 hours. I finally couldn't take it anymore and drove around till she fell asleep, and we slept in the car. The next morning we were to exhausted to hike so we had a relaxing day at the city park. It turned out to be a memorable trip, one we'll think back on and laugh. I think next year we'll plan something for just the 2 of us.

Girls Weekend!!

It's that time again.

Every year the girls get one weekend to ourselves.

We eat ourselves sick, and laugh more than I think is possible.

My sisters and me at the condo.

We had a patio that opened up right to the pool. It was so beautiful!

My cousin Amanda and Aunt Cindy joined us this year. I think it might have been the best one we've had yet. Every morning we took a walk, and soaked in the sun. But I have to say most of the time was spent shopping and eating. At night we felt like we couldn't waste a minute with each other, so we would be up until early the next morning still talking. We did manage to sleep a little, but not much.

Thanks everybody for making my weekend!! I love you guys!!!