Soccer Season

Soccer season is in full swing. 5 kids, 5 different teams, lots of practices and games each week. It’s a good thing I love soccer so much since I spend a lot of time watching it. 

It’s also a good thing I have carpools with 3 of my kids. Otherwise today would have been like this:

3:15-James to soccer

5:00-pick up James

5:30-Kade to soccer

6:00-Lynnlee to soccer

6:30-pick up Kade

7:00-Sienna to soccer

7:30-pick up Lynnlee

8:00-pick up Sienna

Thankfully with carpools James and Sienna were taken care of. 

Chewie was my buddy.

Wind or No Wind

It’s always funny when I’m running or biking and it feels SO windy. I’m thinking, wow what’s the mph, this wind is strong?! Then I glance over at a flag and it is not even moving. 

Soccer Golf

I had never heard of soccer golf. James got to play for his friends birthday party Saturday. I’m definitely going to put it on my list of things to try. He had a great time and hopefully it was good practice for long kicks, shots and things like that. James has been playing forward, at least that’s what we called it when I played. He could really use extra practice on his shots and corner kicks. 

Sunday Snapshot

Mother’s Day is usually the only day I get a picture of my kids on Sunday after church. Today I decided to randomly take a picture of them after church for no particular reason.

We have come a long way on Sundays. When Marshall was called to be bishop 3 1/2 years ago it was a battle getting everyone there and getting through sacrament meeting. We always sat by the Walls and the Carter’s who my kids loved. They helped them stay entertained and quiet.

Now they can all get ready themselves, except hair. We don’t have to sit by anyone for help because everyone can reverently sit through sacrament meeting. It feels good to be to this point. 

Legacy Center

We spent the afternoon at the Legacy Center pool. Since I swam this morning I sat this one out but my kids had fun swimming and playing.

Lynnlee and I took a lot of selfies this summer and she made a really fun slideshow with all the pictures. We decided we will keep taking them to add to the slideshow. Now Sienna wants in on the selfie action so it will be fun to make another slideshow.

Girls Night

Lynnlee had girls from her school class over for a girls night. They played games inside and outside. They all seemed to get along and have a good time. I hope this is the first of many more.

We had to get a selfie at the emd of a successful girls night.

Top Golf

Cam and Brooke came to town for some interviews. We went to Top Golf Thursday afternoon. I had to dust of my clubs but I got the top score on one of the games we played. I was pretty happy since it’s been years since I’ve swung a club.

Training: Week 14

I’m so ready for my race! I’m to the point where I just want it to be here. I’m getting a little bored of the Murdock Trail. I completed my last long brick training and now it’s time to taper.

Monday: 30 min bike, 7 mile run

Tuesday: 2 mile swim, 12 mile bike

Wednesday: 20 min bike, 6 mile run

Thursday: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 12.3 mile run

Friday: 3 mile walk

Saturday: 60 min swim, 12.5 mile bike

I did my last long training on Thursday instead of Saturday because we had a lot of soccer games. The swim and bike were the exact lengths of the race and then the run came pretty close to the actual length. There’s no doubt that I will complete the race. There will definitely be pain and discomfort at different points but I will finish. 

Thursday I started the swim at 5:00am at the rec center then got on the bike at 5:50. Started the run at 9:40 and finished at 11:40. It was a hot morning.

I rode the whole Murdock Trail and then rode the Jordan River Trail. I had no idea how tough the Jordan River trail was around the point of the mountain. My quads were so tired. 

Then I rode the Jordan River trail home. There are so many cracks on the trail and it really hurts to ride over them on a road bike. I have to ride the Jordan River Trail every few weeks to remind myself why I don’t ride the Jordan River Trail.

My Fitbit step counter is always really amazingly high on the night of my long day workout. 

Today I checked out the new bridge connector across Timpanogos Highway. I rode to Cabellas and snapped some pictures of the view. I’m so done with the smoky air.

2 more weeks til the Brineman long course!!! I’m so excited!!!

Training: Week 13

It was a tricky week with the smoky air, crazy rain and the Legacy Center closed for cleaning. I remembered it was closed early Tuesday morning when I was headed out the door to go swimming there. Thankfully I remembered before going there. I decided to go for a bike ride instead. The bad part was my headlight battery went dead half way through the ride. It was so dark! I was grateful I made it back home safely.

View from hill training on Friday.

I loved the color of this tree next to Dry Creek Park.

Monday: 15 min bike, 6 mile run + 2 miles with James for his training

Tuesday: 60 min bike ride, 2 mile speed run

Wednesday: 30 min bike, 6 mile run

Thursday: 45 min bike, 6 mile run

Friday: 3 mile walk, 7 mile hill run

Saturday: 1.2 mile open water swim, 2 hour bike

Saturday’s training was exciting! I finally got to practice an open water swim with my new wet suit. It went really well! I went to Manila Pond. Marshall and Kade went out on the kayaks for support. I started off swimming really fast but not realizing I was. I was so out of breath when I got to the middle of the pond that I had to stop a minute and catch my breath. I paced better after that and the rest of the swim went well.

I also had a pink bouy for extra safety. I won’t be able to use it for the race but nice to have for practice swimming.

I went for a bike ride from the pond. I got stung by a bee about five miles into the ride. It flew right into my neck! So crazy and annoying to have stinging the rest of the day.

Also making the ride adventurous were the two storms I rode through. I was still wet from the swim and the storms weren’t too bad. It made training more exciting!

First Day of School

Jameson-8th grade

Lynnlee-6th grade-Mrs. Howard

Kade-4th grade-Mrs. Bean

Taggart-2nd grade-Mrs. Byer

Sienna-2nd grade-Mrs. Byer

Everyone woke up bright and early. They were excited! The boys got new Under Armour shorts and tees to support Uncle Kasey. 

Lynnlee and her best friend Hannah.

James had practice right after school. First day of school pic soccer style…

Training: Week 12

This week was intense! Especially today. Gotta hit those long distances so I’m ready. Less than a month until race day!!! 

I was so happy the smoky air cleared out at the beginning of the week!

Monday: 30 min bike, 6 mile run

Tuesday: 2 mile swim, 60 min bike

Wednesday: 3 mile walk, 7 mile hill run

Thursday: 1.5 mile swim, 40 mile bike

Friday: 3 mile walk, 6 mile run

Saturday: 1.2 mile swim, 48 mile bike, 12.69 mile run

My swim went well. No complaints. Jumped in the pool at 5:00.

Started the bike at 5:45. My feet kept going numb after 15 miles. I had originally planned on biking 52 or 54 but the numbness was driving me crazy and none of the tricks worked to help get blood flow back. The only think that worked was stopping and getting off. Since I didn’t want to do that every 5 miles I just ended early. I did ride to Bridal Veil from my house so that was a pretty great destination.

I’m not sure what time I started the run but James came with and ran 3 because he is training for the Swiss Days 10k. Then he ran home and I ran 9.5 more. To the Saratoga Springs temple and back.

View of Utah Lake and Timp on the way home.

I love the “high” from each portion…I get so excited when I finish the swim, and the bike and during the last few miles of the run I’m super stoked and excited.

I finished running about 11:10. 6 hours of training is so crazy! It makes marathon training seem like a walk in the park. Speaking of walking, I found out that Olympic speed walkers can walk faster than my fastest running pace!

Anywho, I always take a really good nap after these really long trainings. (After I’ve eaten a really big breakfast)

Only 3 more Saturdays left of training!!!

Jameson’s 13th Birthday

It was an exciting week for Jameson. He turned 13! It was his golden birthday on Friday the 13th! He has been looking forward to this since last birthday. He talked about it a lot leading up to it because he was just so excited! He had his friend party at Fat Cats on Wednesday. Bowling, arcade, and mini golf kept them all busy for a few hours.

He wanted homemade Oreo cookies for his “birthday cake.” 

Friday we woke him up before Marshall went to work so he could open his presents. He requested egg toast for breakfast. 

He went out for sushi for lunch with Marshall.

I took his favorite sports drink, Body Armor to the end of practice. His team sang to him and he was all embarrassed.

Lynnlee made cookie cups for his actual birthday and put 13 candles on it 🤣 It was quite the flame.

It’s been a great year for James. He has excelled at the French horn, he loves soccer, is excited for cross country season, loves reading and is in a book club with his cousins, will eat anything, has his IBS managed pretty well, always positive and happy, and loves spending time with his friends. 

Last Week of Summer

We packed in the fun for the last week of summer. 

Monday: Jump Around Utah

Tuesday: Dinosaur Museum

Wednesday we went to Fat Cats for James’s friend birthday party. That will be a separate post.

Thursday: Lehi splash pad. No pictures. 

Kade got to go with his friend to Kanarra Falls that day. He loved it! Playing in water, floating sticks down the river, and exploring, perfect for him!

Friday we went to Splash Summit. Lynnlee was brave and went on Sky Breaker and Free Fall for her first time.