A long trip home

It seems like every post is a catch-up post for me. I just don't spend much time blogging, but I want to keep it up without the time committment. So I will do a series of posts this week to try to get back into the groove.

I braved the drive to northern California with the kids to spend mother's day weekend with my fantastic mother. Rod had to stay here for work. It took us 10.5 hrs. to get there and we managed to only make 1 stop - - which amounts to torturefor all of us! It was so fun to be home with my mom and dad and to spend time with my sister and her cute little boy. I have to say that the highlight was being able to talk as a family on the phone with my brother who is currently serving a mission in Uruguay. He has less than a year to go and we are just thrilled that he is doing so well.

Here are a few highlights from the trip:

Spending time with grandpa

Having fun playing outside




Playing with cousin Wesley



Making it into grandpa's "No cavity club"


Playing in an alumni softball game - I struck out, hit a pop fly and made some grounding errors, but it sure was a lot of fun!




And enjoying the snow - I can't believe we were cuddled up next to the fire in the middle of a storm in May! The kids sure loved seeing snow though!


A shot of the snow-covered mountains behind my parents' house

My sister the super athlete

Twice I had the privilege of running the St. George marathon with my sister Amy. Well I guess I didn't run it with her because she came in WAY ahead of me. When I run I just hope to finish the race, but my sister doesn't only finish them, she WINS them! Last Saturday she ran the Whiskey Row Marathon in Prescott, Arizona and came in 1st place in the woman's division. This marathon is considered one of the toughest marathons in the country because of it's steep terrain and high altitude. Way to go Amy!!! I am amazed you can do so well with three kids at home - - and two of them are younger then mine! Simply amazing!

Best buddies

It is so much fun to watch these guys interact and play together as they get older. Nathan is already watching out for his little sister - - he helps her find snacks, shares his toys with her and goes on "car rides" with her. I just love these guys :)