the big 3-0

Yesterday was Scott's birthday - his 30th. I really wanted it to be special and memorable. But since we just barely moved to Utah, don't have a place of our own, and pretty much most of our stuff is in the storage, we opted out for spending it outside. Saturday we grabbed some gear and went snowboarding with some good friends of ours, Eric and Camille (they skied). The weather couldn't have been better. It snowed the night before and it was sunny and warm outside. We had such a great time. Oh, and I have to brag, I went down the black diamond. Ok, so all of us did. But everyone, except for me, has done it before. It was exhilarating. I could barely move the next morning. Scott, on the other hand, wasn't sore at all. You would think it was me who was turning 30. Good grief!

Later that evening we went out to dinner with Scott’s roommate buddies and their families (those who live in Utah). It was so fun to see everybody again. Thanks for coming out. We love you, guys.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Hardy! I love you!

We are...

MOVING.

From sunny and warm Nevada to cold and dreary Utah.

My winter wardrobe consists of 2 sweaters and a ski jacket.

We have no idea where we're going to live. Scott's job is downtown Salt Lake, so I guess we could live anywhere. His job is starting in less than two weeks. We just found out we're moving last week.

Heaven help us.

Snow Canyon Half Marathon

I ran my first half marathon this Saturday. It was down in St. George with gorgeous weather, fantastic route, and great company. I ran it with my friend Mandy. I loved running through the canyon, feeling one with the nature. It was a pretty good course, although a little more hilly than I had expected. My least favorite part was the out-and-back part, on the dirt road, parts of which were sand and entirely uphill. Over two miles of constant uphill. Have you ever tried running on sand? You feel like you're running in place. Regardless of it being my least favorite part, I liked running the -back portion of it, because I could see that there were still loads of people behind me. I had a secret fear of crossing the finish line dead last. I didn't really train for time. My goal was to run the entire thing without stopping till I crossed that finish line. Which I did. But the fear of being last was still there.

It feels great to have done it. There is something great about gaining control over your body, about feeling healthy, and strong, and in shape. It's hard to put a name on it. But it gives you this inward feeling of self-satisfaction.

I look pretty wasted here, approaching mile marker 12. Not sure why that lady behind me is wearing her number on her crotch.

Not my most glamorous picture...

Mandy and I at the end of the race with our medals.

...and, yes, I am REALLY sore today. It's a great feeling :o)

We are off to see the wizard...

Babulya and our little lion

Da boys
Tin Man and his buddies - Scarecrow, Mario, and Luigi

Taking a little brake...it must be hard work carrying those bags full of candy

Another year of great Halloween celebration. I'm off plotting what we're going to be next year.

Family Vacation

Scott was able to take last week off work, so we packed up our bags, borrowed a camper trailer from Scott's uncle, and off we were for our little adventure. We did a little bit of camping in Valley of Fire National Park here in Nevada. Can you legally call it camping when you're sleeping in a camper trailer with a stove, a fridge, a king size bed, and a heater (although, the heater wasn't working)? It was so nice. It was the most luxurious camping I had ever done.

My little bug

It was beautiful out there. Who knew that the desert could be so pretty. Pictures don't do it any justice.

Can't go camping without roasting marshmallows.

Then we were off to Zion's to do some more camping there. It was the most perfect time of the year. The weather was absolutely beautiful and all the leaves were changing on the trees.

Andrew got to ride on Daddy's back for most of our hikes.

We then headed for Gunlock to get cleaned up and hang out with family. The boys decided to go fishing and the girls joined them later that afternoon. It was so much fun. Benjamin caught his first fish.

Andrew got a hold of a can of soda while I wasn't watching.

Gutting the fish

Our harvest

Eating the fish for dinner. Yum!

Work of art...

Benjamin's first drawing that actually has some form and shape to it. He has never really been into drawing until lately. It's fun to see the transition from squiggly mess to recognizable shapes. When we asked him what it was, he said "The one with the big head is me, and the one with the little head is Andrew."

Preschool

Benjamin started preschool this year. He goes twice a week for 2.5 hours. He couldn't wait to go to "school". He was a little dissapointed that he didn't get to ride the yellow school bus, though. Other than that, he absolutely loves it. He carries his backpack around and wants to take it everywhere we go. It's so fun to see his be so excited about school and learning. I'm so proud of him. Just the other day as we were stoped at a stop sign, he asked me what the red sign said. I told him it says "STOP". He goes, "it says (spelling it), S-T-zero-P". I couldn't believe it. Did he just spell it out? Did he learn that in preschool? I have no idea but, apperently, my three-year-old can spell.

All ready for preschool
He was pretty excited

Off he goes...