lately.

Well, it's been pretty much been the normal working and school these past two weeks. I am very grateful that I have a job right now but am still in search for one since this temporary one ends this month-makes me nervous thinking about no income coming in! Just pray that something opens and I can find a job and get hired!

 We went up to the cabin at Bear Lake to watch conference and relax. Conference was great as you all know-I'm spiritually uplifted and full of gratitude!

Driving through Logan canyon right now is beautiful! So many colors, I love the bright yellows and reds mixed in of course with the greens and oranges. That kind of stuff just makes me smile! And pictures just can't show you as well! Just a couple I took but missed the real good stuff! As Jesse said some things just have to stay as memories..then I had to remind him I don't have much of a memory-I have to take pictures to remember things..even if just to remind me that it was even more beautiful!

Jesse was able to go duck hunting Monday morning with his friend Zac! He had a great time even though no ducks were brought home to eat...I wasn't quite sure about eating one he killed yet though anyways ha! Maybe next time!

26.2

Saturday September 17th I ran my first marathon-26.2 miles

Top of Utah Marathon in Logan, Utah.

I was way excited and nervous to run a marathon. We have been training all summer for it but I had never ran that far before and you just never know what can happen and how you will feel during the race. We met at a park in the early morning and drove a bus up Blacksmith Fork Canyon with a bunch of other crazy people who decide to run a marathon.

My Mom, sister Courtney, and I started running it together for the first few miles.

At about mile 7 I left them because I was feeling good and found my pace and rhythm and had to go with it. I was running about 8:30 pace and was enjoying the beautiful canyon. It started sprinkling rain but I thought it was great to run in. At about mile 11 for me it starts POURING rain. It couldn't let bother me, I literally laughed out loud. Everyone was soaking wet running down this canyon. And at about mile 14 it started hailing on us. But I was still smiling! :)

Around mile 15 is when I could start feeling the lactic acid building up in my legs but it didn't start effecting me until a little after mile 18-then I could really start feeling it. Mile 20 is when it definitely started getting harder for me. Once my legs tighten up its so hard for me to run. 

Jesse, Christopher, and Max barely pulled up as I was running past.

I saw the 4:00 hour pacer guy about 100 yards away from me and I wanted to try to catch him and stay with him-I never thought I would be even close to him! But I got slower while he stayed at his steady pace..it wasn't going to happen but I didn't care what time I got I was going to be proud of myself for just finishing.

Around mile 22 it was a pleasant surprise to see my sister Candace running up the street. I hate to admit it but I got a little teary eyed because it was just when I needed someone to help me keep going. She kept me going for the next mile or 2 until I told her to go find Courtney and my Mom. Thankfully I had this sweet lady running next to me who was very enthusiastic and cheered me on. Those last miles were definitely the hardest and I just wanted to walk the rest of the way because every step my muscles were tightening up more and more. Once again this sweet lady would not let me give up she kept cheering me "don't give up", "you got this!" "keep going, we are almost there!" "you got this girl!" The last mile of the race was for sure longer than the first mile..that 0.2 of a mile is a long stretch. I told myself I wanted to smile and look happy for the picture at the end that I knew Jesse was going to take of me..which is laughable to me now because I was just focused on finishing and hoping my legs did not give out on me as a was huffing and puffing. But Wow it felt so good as a crossed that finished line at a time of 4:04. I did it!

Our cute poster our Fans made ( Jesse Christopher and Max)

Enjoying our after marathon treats.

Our friends running the race as well!

 We did it! After all those mornings of waking up early and going on runs with my mom-I finally ran a marathon! Big Thanks to my Mom..I definitely could not have done it without her..I am going to miss running with her in the mornings. And a Thanks to my sister Courtney who originally signed up for the marathon and convinced us to do it with her.
Jesse has been a great support with my training, running the race, and the after marathon soreness. He is my personal massager-especially for my sore feet. Now we will start exercising together again..hopefully! :)

Logan

Logan has been treating us well!

First weekend we were here my sister Candace came for her BYU cross country race. We were able to spend the day with her, my mom, Courtney and Christopher and Max. 

After her race Candace went running with me (what a champ), we went out to lunch all together-which they messed up my order but it ended up being a good thing and we got free fried ice cream out of it-it was delicious! :) made my day! ha

After my mom, candace, courtney and I spend all afternoon canning salsa.

It's a good thing Courtney and Christopher live up here. We have been able to spend a good amount of time together so far..and they keep us from sitting home and doing nothing. 

We had a little BBQ together for Labor day.

 

Sadie Hawkin's Dance??

yummy food!

I get to spend more time with this cute little guy!

and this cute guy too!

Courtney had been wanting a snowie all summer so we had to go enjoy one for her!

We also wanted to go camping again before the weather gets too cold. We headed up Blacksmith Fork Canyon and found a nice camping area. Smore's and tin foil breakfast then went on a nice hike. It was a great one night get-a-way.

Back to School

Back to School, back to school...to prove to dad that I'm not a fool.

Jesse is back to school after a year and a half break.

He is in the MBA program at Utah State. Which is pretty intense because they squeeze it all in 10 months. He is back to studying...ALOT! (which I must say I am not missing AT ALL right now...sure am glad that I am done with school..) 

We have completely switched roles with school and work.

He made it through his first week with a bunch of homework everyday.

Sure am proud of him! :)

I can do hard things.

If you have ever been to Pineview Lake before, you will know what I will be talking about.

There is a hill..no it is a mountain..that you have to drive over from Morgan to get there.

When I was younger, we used to go boating there quite often I always loved going over those rolling hills and seeing the beautiful view of the lake on the other side. But this last time I went over that MOUNTAIN I can't say I enjoyed it as much..I don't even think I really recognized the lake was there

Some crazy lady had the idea of running over that mountain and back!

Which would make that run close to 20 miles...

The same crazy lady that made me have the thought that I needed to run a marathon.

Yes that crazy lady would be my mom.

But I must say she is one that reminds me that I can do hard things.

(She is amazing..she has ran this crazy route many times..and has ran many marathons.)

Sometimes hard things are not the most enjoyable.

I wish I could tell you I enjoyed running up hill for 5 miles before getting the slightest break of straight or down hill. I wish I could say that I would want to do it again because it made me feel good.

It was hard! I am sore!

While running...well I have to admit I had to walk quite a bit as well..

I just thought why am I doing this? Every part of my body is hurting.

But then I just had to tell my self I can do hard things. 

Maybe I can't do them very well but I was doing it.

But the run was beautiful...and hopefully it will help me for the big day. 18 days. wow!

Chocolate Cake

While we were in Lake Powell Bill Cosby's comedy skit about chocolate cake was brought up.

Dad is great...give us chocolate cake!

We would randomly just say it..and yes it of course made me want chocolate cake.

That sunday after getting home, we were at my moms house and I decided to make chocolate cake! Easy and pretty simple AND great! :)

When it comes to desserts for us we sure do love them!

 (we just never have enough left overs to have for breakfast...)

I am trying to tell myself that we will start eating a little better now that we will be back to a more regular schedule of school and work (and hopefully we really will)..but you always have to have a little dessert every now and then.

Here is the video if you don't know what I was talking about. A little long but enjoyable! :)

Work then Play...

Work then play....then work.

Wow..its been a busy past few weeks!

We are officially moved out from our Kaysville apartment. I must say it did us well for the first year and so of being married. We loved living so close to both of our parents. :) Our stuff is now up in Logan waiting for us in our new place...the last couple weeks we have been doing the whole living in the parent's basement so we could finish the last 2 weeks of working at our jobs down here..good thing they love us! I must say though I am pretty surprised with how much crap we accumulated...it took a while to pack it and figure out where to put it all.

 Once we were all moved out we went right into packing and moving Brooklyn and Chris (Jesse's sister) into their new home they built out in North Salt Lake. And Megan and Dallin (Jesse's other sister) followed right after moving into their old place. Now hopefully no more packing and moving till we move which will be within a year...but it should be easier then.

So between working a lot and moving a lot-a nice trip down to Lake Powell was just the thing we all have been counting down to! :) Oh how I LOVE Lake Powell..definitely one of my favorite places!

Playin in the sand..

The Lonesome Dove

I tried slalom skiing for the first time..and I enjoyed it! 

Got up on my first try but it makes your arms tired quite fast.

Lots of card playing and relaxing

little William

Fishin in the mornin

boatin in the afternoon

Goodbye Lake Powell for now...hope to see you again soon! :)

Now we have to enjoy this last week until school starts for Jesse and I start giving Flu shots--back to workin hard. Is summer really to an end?