BOULDER MOUNTAIN

Last week was quite an adventure. I came out of my "retirement" to do a volleyball camp at MVSH. It turned out to be a blast. I only wish I would have taken some pictures of those kids. They were very hard working and respectful and it was just fun!

Kate came down and spent time with the cousins and me-ma and bob's. (that is what she calls grandma and grandpa) They even came to the gym for lunch.

Wednesday night I headed off with Raegan and Don to meet up with a bunch of other people including Troy to do the Boulder Mountain ride. I was apart of the support or SAG wagons.

This ride has been going on for about 24 years. It starts in Circleville, Utah Day one is a ride to Torrey, Utah. Day two is the climb up boulder mountain ending in Escalante, Utah. Day three is over the hog's back and through the Red Canyon, then Panguitch and finishing back in Circleville.

It was a lot of fun to watch them suffer....hahaha. But I have been motivated to be ready for it next year. It is a goal. They race for town signs and summits, ride in a peleton, wait for the slow pokes, wreck, fly down mountains, pee off in the bushes, eat candy, rice crispies, goos, drink special formulas to keep hydrated, ( accelerade, gatorade, V-8 pineapple juice) run over dogs who chase after bikers (if that was your dog we are truly sorry, we were just passing the bikers and it didn't/ couldn't stop, it did get up and run away though) and boy do they suffer.

But every year they come back and do it again. Monte has done it 21 years. WOW!

So enjoy the pictures. Do they motivate you?

The begining.

At the first stop.

A good warm up.

Bryan the Mortician.

Pee break.

Don the puller.

yes they fly by you all the time and stupid motor homes.

Raegan doing a recital for the cows at the summit of Boulder.

She got that at The Flute Shop outside of Escalante. A cool little shop to buy fun stuff...

Like my hat? Purchased at the Flute Shop.

This is the top of Boulder mountain.

Paul and Raquel

Chad and Cinnamon

Nice hat hair Steed.

The Steed Family. Watch for Phil to be riding in about 16 years.

Annette is an awesome 1/2 marathoner.

This one says it all.

Laura watching the boys ride up the "Wall."

Bryan taking his sign. Wait did he even stop in Henrieville?

Still smiling!

Proud of you honey!!!

Pioneer Day Celebration

Our ward had a small celebration on the 24th of July. There was tons of yummy chili, cornbread, and rootbeer. Felt like more than half of the ward was gone off on family celebrations of their own but for those who attended they got to see the parade. People gathered at our house to watch. It started off with the young boys on their bike flying down the hill, racing to the end. So that was kind of quick. Then followed the young kids and parents helping to keep them on the road and on task. The finale was Kenton zooming past us on his long board. Then we all headed up to the Bishop's house for the delicious food. So for those of you who missed it, you missed out on a fun friendly exchange of "ward-i-ness". Maybe next year...

this was all I could get they were so fast. that is Parker.

2 years old

July 26th 2009 was Kate's Birthday. This day is the most special day of my life. A wonderful amazing, courageous, beautiful woman gave birth to Kate that day. There are not enough words to describe all of my feelings for this moment. Nor am I eloquent enough to truly express what that day was like. Or how much gratitude and love I have for Kate's birth mother. All I know is my life will never be the same and for that I can not thank her enough.

Here are some new favorite pictures of Kate.

Hiking with Daddy.

She loves dirt. This pile is now smaller and in the back yard. It is "Kate's dirt," she says.

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We love the pool.

The best way to get anything done is to have Kate join in the activity. Here she is making bread and tasting the flour. yumm!

We got ready for a fun day at the aquarium with daddy. She especially loved her little piggy tails in her hair. Kate loves to look in the mirror at her self and make faces. I need to get that on camera it is hilarious.

New finger paints from Eden for the birthday.

Mee Ma and Bob ( or grandma and grandpa) have neighbors with kittens. They were fun and Kate loved them. It almost made me want to get her a kitten... almost.