Anyone? Anyone?

Does anyone ever read my blog? Or is it just for me to ramble on and post pictures of my family?

Tonight Scott came home with roses for me--just because! I was so thrilled! He said it gets him off the hook for next month, Valentine's Day. He knows I'd rather get them now, for no other reason than he loves me and was thinking about me on an otherwise ordinary day. I'm one lucky girl.

Christmas Traditions

We made it downtown to Temple Square this year to see the lights. It was cold as usual, but not too crowded, which was great. The one thing I will remember is the homeless man we walked past as we walked into Temple Square. Kaitlyn started crying because she was so upset he was there in the cold, with no home and presumably no food. She just couldn't get over it. I told her we'd make blankets and take to the homeless shelter the next week. She just kept asking, "Well, what about that man? What will he do right now?" She was so upset over it Scott finally had to take her back and give him some money. She was okay after that, but it still left an impression on all of us the rest of the evening.


They only light what we call "The Cranberry Tree" every other year, so we were so excited to see it was on "on" year.
Walking down Main Street
Every year, Nana and Bapa have a big family dinner with Santa. Mrs. Clause came too. Santa was amazing in his knowledge of each child. He knew what things they were good at and what things they need to work on a little (like having a good attitude and doing what you are asked the first time). It was, as usual, a fun evening for all.

The kids all slept in Jackson's bed Christmas Eve.

New Christmas jammies!!!

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)