Monster Mash!

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Fall is here!

We spent the last couple of weekends at the cabin in Midway. Two weekends ago, the colors were AMAZING! I don't think I've ever seen leaves that vibrant. It was the most beautiful day and we spent pretty much any daylight playing outside. Last weekend the colors were slightly muted, but still brilliant. I took the kids to two different spots to take their pictures. The first place we went is the commemorative bridge that's along the bike/walking path between Midway and Heber. The second place we stopped was this great old red barn in Midway. I'm surprised at how well most of the pictures turned out. I did have to take Jackson back later on for another shoot because I'm not good at taking pictures of him without getting a reflection on his glasses. It was a good sign of what Jackson as a teenager will be like. He was so irritated with me that I was taking him back. It was the biggest, "Oh, Mommmmm...get over it!" moment. I had to chuckle. He's still bugging me that I took seven (only!) more pictures when I told him I would only take three. Oh well. I'm the mom. Isn't it my job to bug him?

September Races

Jackson competed in his first triathalon ON HIS 10TH BIRTHDAY, no less. He smoked 'em, especially on the bike leg. He came in 8th in his age division (9-14)...not bad!! I think he really enjoyed it. It was well organized and fun to watch all the kids compete.

Last Saturday I ran a marathon relay with four of my friends. It was such a fun morning! The weather was perfect, although it got a little hot by the end. I was glad I was third. The chill was gone from the early morning, but not nearly as warm as the last leg of the race. Thanks to Jeanette, Karen, Stephanie and Raphael! We really were the Hot Holladay Mamas! Can't wait to do it again next year! Maybe we really can attack the Wasatch Back next summer! As long as I don't get Ragnar at 2 a.m, I'm in for it. In any case, if this race had been a Boston qualifier, we'd be in. Too bad that one isn't a relay!

Gateway Fountains

Kaitlyn and Luke were driving me NUTS yesterday! "Mom!" "Mom!" "Mom!" "Mom, can I..." "Mom, will you get me..." "Mom will you do..." "Mom" "Mom" "Mom"!!!!! BAH!!!! I had to get out and do something with them so we went downtown to The Gateway to play in the fountains. Actually, I planned on riding the Frontrunner train, but halfway downtown changed my mind. That's why they didn't have swimsuits or towels to get wet with. They still loved it. The fountains are so fun because you never know which ones are going to go off. They also had fun music playing. Every hour there is a sychronized "explosion" choreographed to the 2002 Olympic theme. I've seen it so many times and still think it's spectacular! Our own local version of the Bellagio fountain show in Vegas.

We did it--and lived to tell!

Saturday was an eventful day at our house. I got up at 3:45 a.m. (I think that's still considered the middle of the night) and headed to Utah County to run the Provo River Half Marathon. It was AMAZING!!! We ran down the canyon along the paved trail next to the river. Wow! Bridal Veil Falls were huge that close. After a summer of training, it was probably my best run and I felt great. Okay, so I was a little sore, but not more than I expected. Scott did the ULCER ride around Utah Lake. He planned on going only 60 miles, but once he got there, decided to go for the whole 111--way to go babe! It was a fun day, and yes, I got a massage today--a very deserving one! :o)

San Diego 2009

We just got back from San Diego and I really think we brought back half the beach, given how much sand dropped out of our bags onto my laundry floor! Despite the souvenier, we had a great time. The weather was perfect, except for one day at the beach when it was a little cloudy. This is where we spent most of our time--playing in the really big waves, digging in the sand and soaking up the rays. We also got to spend a lot of time with Papa and Linda, which we loved. Of course, the food isn't half bad at their house either--thanks Linda! And thanks Papa for the golf games. Scott and Jackson loved playing with you! We spent our last day at Legoland. It was really fun this year, given Luke was tall enough to go on all the rides but one, so we could all go together! He and Kaitlyn were a little wary about going on the dragon roller coaster, but once on it, their little hands went straight up in the air the whole ride. Again, our favorite part was Miniland, with all the recreations. We will forever be amazed and impressed at the detail! It was a fun day, and of course we couldn't leave without some Granny's apple fries. For those of you who have been to Legoland, you know these are not to be missed!

Summer

Okay, so I haven't been the best at posting ANYTHING since April. It certainly doesn't mean we haven't done anything. We've been to Lake Powell in June and just got back from San Diego, both fabulous trips. I have nearly 600 pictures between the two, so I'll give you only the highlights. Although, I think the entire trips were "highlights", so it's hard to whittle them down.

My garden is also growing. I got a ton of peas and enough raspberries for FOUR batches of jam--yum! I also have TWO ears of corn. Wow, I know. But consider, I have only three good short rows and I'm told you need at least a quarter acre to grow corn. I didn't think I'd get anything but some stocks to decorate the porch with come Halloween. There are also lots of tomatoes which I'm planning on stewing, making into sauce and then freezing. We should have at least half a dozen big pumpkins too. Yea!

I've only got a week left until my first half marathon. I've been pretty anal about my training schedule, so I hope it pays off. Tomorrow I'm running 11.5 miles, the longest I've ever gone. Last weekend I ran 10 and felt really good afterwards. That's the goal. Not to bonk all next weekend after the race. If I can finish and feel good and beat my three hours worth of music on my iPod, it will be a success.