J XC: Boarder Wars

 James raced at Border Wars at a park in Taylorsville. He did great! There were a lot of schools there and it is a great race to prepare for state. He has consistently been 2nd on Lehi varsity.

Sid's Wedding Weekend

 Betsy and I flew to Texas for Sid's wedding. Our flight was delayed a few hours so it messed up our plans Thursday. Originally we were going to make it there to go out for Lydia's birthday but sadly we missed it. 

We ended up landing around 7:30. By the time we got our luggage, rental car and out of the airport it was around 9:00. So Betsy and I went to Torchy's Tacos. It was so good!

We made it to Charlie's around 10:00. It was so fun being there with Charlie, Ali, and Betsy!

We were up late catching up. I was so grateful for Charlie and Angeline letting us stay at their home. Also, Ashlyn and Lydia gave up their rooms so Betsy and I got our own rooms. It was way better than a hotel and fun to all be together!

Friday morning we got to sleep in. Then Betsy, Ali and I drove to a trail in the Balcones. I ran the trail and Betsy and Ali hiked. We met up at the car an hour later. I decided I would run out a half hour and then run back since I didn't really know the trails and area. I was trying to push it and run fast but it was hard. It wasn't too steep but definitely had some good incline. I finally got thirty minutes out and then turned around. I told myself I was going to try to run faster so I could get back in time. I had stopped to take pictures so I was worried I would be gone longer than an hour and Betsy and Ali would be waiting. Right after I turned around and tried to run faster, I tripped on a rock and fell. I haven't fallen on a run ever. It totally caught me off guard and humbled me. I had some road rash but thankfully I wasn't injured worse than that. I carefully ran back and got to the car right after Ali and Betsy. The weather was overcast so that was nice so it wasn't as hot.

That afternoon we drove to a Thai place by Katie's house. It was fun to try but not my most favorite Thai food. They did have really yummy chicken satay. 

Then we went to Katie's to help set up for the dinner. I love spending time with my sisters!

That night we had a fun dinner with Brandon's family. It was nice meeting his mom, dad, and siblings. We enjoyed visiting and eating yummy food. Aunt Wendy and Uncle John came from Dallas. They were so awesome to drive my parents back to their hotel in San Antonio that night after the dinner finished. 

Saturday morning I went running but there are so many dogs in Texas so it was a little nerve wracking! I went pretty early so as I ran out 3 miles I didn't see or hear too many dogs. Then you could tell they all woke up because I saw and heard way more on the way back. It was frightening. All were fenced except one dog jumped over the fence and came toward me. It seemed like a nice dog but it was big and I felt scared still. So after that I ran with a stick. Haha!

We left to San Antonio that morning. Betsy was the driver the whole trip which I was so grateful for! So Betsy, Charlie, and I rode together. We went to the temple ceremony in the San Antonio Temple. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful ceremony. 

We missed Kasey but I'm glad we could get a partial sibling picture.

I'm so grateful my mom and dad felt up for going to the wedding. My mom has recovered well from her Meneire's and Covid episodes. 

After the wedding we went to Fogo De Chao, which is a Brazilian Steakhouse for the wedding luncheon. It was like Tucanos. It was very good and it was a very enjoyable meal.

I'm so happy for Sid and Brandon!

On the way back to Austin I stopped at Buc-ee's to get souvenirs. James, Lynnlee, and Kade got t-shirts. Sienna requested a blanket. Tag was up for anything so I got him a sweet pajama onesie.

This is what Tag got. It's perfect for him and he is going to wear it for his Halloween costume so that's fun too.

Saturday night we hung out at Charlie's one last time. Katie's family came too so that was awesome to see them again! 

Sunday we went to Charlie's ward. It was a later time so we left straight from there to the airport. Our flight was delayed a little but thankfully only a half hour so we still made it home at a good time. I was so excited to see my family and they loved their souvenirs.

James' Juab Invite XC Race

 James ran at the Juab Invite. It is a race he loves because last year he ran JV and took first overall. This year he ran varsity so he didn't win the whole thing but got 7th overall and 2nd place for Lehi Varsity. Lehi won the race so it was an all around great day.

Kade's First XC Race

Kade ran his first XC race at Scera Park in Orem. He is so busy with soccer that he didn't make it to a XC practice before the race so he wasn't really conditioned. He pushed through and finished the race. 

It's fun to see him running cross country! 

The Minis

 Tag and Sienna got in the car to go with me somewhere and were being silly and pretending to drive. Before I know it they will be getting their permits and really driving. Time is really flying and I can't believe they are ten years old!

Labor Day

 We spent Labor Day in Brigham City with the Collier Family for a lunch reunion. We met at a park and had lunch and socialized. It was a fun park with sidewalks around, a skate park, and play ground. It was very hot though so that was the only downside. 

We took Cameron's kids with us so it was fun for Sienna to have London there.

Kade got hurt at the skate park so he was a little frustrated in this picture. Too many kids going all sorts of directions at the skate park and it caused his crash.

Cousin twins...

We had a good time catching up with family!

Win Anyway

I completed my first week of graduate school. It was a roller-coaster ride. One second I was feeling totally fine about everything and then next second I was panicking and overwhelmed. By the end of the week I felt great and on top of things. I know the beginning of every semester is overwhelming no matter what you're studying, how old you are, or whether it's under grad or graduate level. I remember feeling overwhelmed when I did my ASN at Weber as a 19-year-old. It's just the nature of getting used to the professors, class load, flow of homework, reading, and lectures. It will get better after I get the flow. 

This song played on my Pandora every day this week and sometimes multiple times. I felt like it was a message from Heavenly Father saying you got this, you can do it, don't give up. I know this is what I am suppose to be doing right now. I've had so many feelings, signs and direction that I can't deny it. Sometimes when I question it all, feel like I'm not smart enough, or that I can't do it, I just have to remember that the Lord will help me through one day at a time. 

Swiss Days

Swiss Days weekend was a success! I took everyone but James to Midway after school. Lynnlee invited her friends Bailey and Hannah to join us this year. Sienna was so happy to have time with London.

We subscribed to Drawn In and we watch his weekly Come Follow Me videos. They are a great way to do Come Follow Me lessons with kids. My kids were so excited to see him at Swiss Days!

The kids all paired up and so I walked around with my sisters. 

Kade, Drew, Lynnlee and her friends worked in the scone booth that night. They loved it. They all got shirts, hats and a meal ticket. So worth it!

Saturday morning we would normally run the 10k but they didn't have it this year. It's sad because the man who was over the 10k passed away suddenly a month ago. I decided to run the Deer Creek Trail instead. I didn't get to run the whole trail but I went out 4.5 miles and then back for a total of 9 miles. It was a beautiful morning. 

We watched the parade and supported my Dad's band. They sounded great. My cousin Kaylee sang to the music and did a beautiful job. 

James didn't get to help in the scone booth Friday so he went Saturday morning. He got this scone after. It was so massive. It's one scone but basically looks like two. I had to take a picture. 

After the parade everyone had plenty of time to shop, eat and hang out. Lynnlee and her friends shopped til they couldn't anymore. They enjoyed lunch with their meal tickets, shared a scone, and got ice cream from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.