Mulberry Street

Let's see.  I guess I'll start in the beginning and lay out the trip chronologically, because that's how I like to organize things... Thursday we flew to UT (and I should note how fantastic the kids were during our flight).  We spent the remainder of the day getting our gear and food together for the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay.  Audrey made us a fabulous lasagne dinner and we tried to go to bed early. Friday and Saturday Eric and I ran the Wasatch Back.  I really do love running with him and sharing in these experiences together.  Saturday was our eleventh wedding anniversary.  We shared a kiss and some good chocolate in the van.  Good times.  (In hindsight, perhaps we should have visited with family first, then ran the relay.  Starting our trip with a major sleep deficit was a bad idea.) Sunday we recovered.  We spent Father's Day with Grandpa Barry, Uncle Jared, Eric and Uncle Rod.  We were lucky to s...

Eric and I had the opportunity to run the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay in Utah this year.  I didn't realize that running the original Ragnar was on my bucket list, but it was.  When Ali asked if I might join her team, I jumped at the chance to fly west and try my legs out at elevation.  I think it's safe to say, however, that I can't run at an elevation higher than 2,000 feet without feeling the effects.  My first leg went great, but, my second and third legs were hard and I walked.  I admit it.  I walked during a running race.  I had to - Wasatch Back with it's dry-cotton-mouth-air, altitude and mountain passes broke me.  I am officially a sea-level resident and I'm okay with that. We had a great time running on team Wii Not Fit and made some great new friends.  It's amazing what spending hours together in a van can do for a relationship, gratefully we suffered the positive side effects.  We finished running the ...

While traveling to Utah and Idaho Genevieve learned some new things, some exciting things, some practical things, and even some disappointing things. It reminds Eric and me that there are lessons to be learned all the time. Genevieve learned... ...that you CAN bake goodies three times in one week as long as someone facilitates. ...that flying is ten times more fun when you have your own suitcase. We learned that we need to allow more time for Genevieve's slow pace. ...that waiting until it "warms up" outside may never happen so you have to grin and bear the cold wind to play outside. ...to hoard toys (when related to princesses). ...that uncles have energy when Daddy doesn't. ...to strut her stuff in heels. ...to climb hay bales (with a little help from Grandpa). ...that naps are necessary when you play with twenty-four different cousins. ...to make snow angels. ...to eat snow. ...how to rip open presents. ...how to hold a parakeet. ...there are A LOT of temples...

Despite all our complaints about the weather and traveling, we still had a great time in UT. Thanks to Audrey for putting us up and putting up with us. Thanks to Rod for getting us out for the race and showing us a good time. The fast approaching snow storm The rental bike Eric thinks he needs to replace his current mountain bike. Alisha & Genevieve enduring the cold wind with as much clothing on as possible. You can never have too many family shots