Trip of a Lifetime...

Garrett and Hailey were so excited to head off on this adventure to Europe together.  They took approximately 1,800 photos between their two cameras and I only included a few that illustrated where they'd gone and had them in the shots.  

First stop: cold and rainy London for a couple of days.  They saw all the local sights, Windsor Castle and went to "Wicked."

Next stop: Paris.

Lucerne, Switzerland.

Venice, Italy.  Garrett said Italy was his favorite country by far.  And... they were both so glad it was warm and sunny.

Pisa.

Other stops included Florence, Rome, Pompeii in Italy and Athens, Greece where they went on a 3-day cruise to several islands and Turkey.

Garrett and Hailey with their incredible tour guide, Antonio.

They both told me if Mr. Rigby at WXHS is still doing these tours in a few years, Grayson needs to go and I need to accompany him!!

Poor Baby...

Less than 12 hours after he arrived home from Europe, Garrett was getting 3 wisdom teeth out.  The good news is this was the last item on his checklist before he submits his mission papers next week!  (And don't feel too sorry for him... he's much better today and watching the World Cup with friends)

They're Back...!

Fresh off of scout camp, Grayson and friends headed to Provo for a week of basketball camp at BYU...

... just in time for me to pick up my European travelers from the airport!

I wasn't sure who was more excited to see each other--Hailey or Cooper.

It's nice to have them home...

Just picked...

Had a handful of fresh peas for breakfast...

Can't wait until everything else is ready to eat!!

A Ragnar Tale... Running the Wasatch Back

Many people (my family included) wonder why I'd wake up at 3:30 am and drive with a van of 6 to start a race at 5:30 am in Logan, Utah with 13,199 other "crazies" to run 197 miles with another van of 6 for 30+ hours to Park City, living out of coolers, sleeping on the ground and the use of 650 port-a-potties in between...

It could be because I love the name of our team which describes EVERY aspect of the race...

It could be because my friends make the experience fun and we share lots of laughs...

 

It could be the endorphins caused by 3 individual legs of hard runs and 

good sweat on roads and trails not normally chosen for a workout...

It could be because it's a chance for me to run with my daughter...

It could be the scenic landscape...

It could be the 3,000 race volunteers and decorated vans along the way...

It could be because these races enable me to work toward a goal 

and push me to exceed even my own expectations...

                                 












It could be the adrenaline rush of crossing the finish line with my team of 12 knowing we completed the race and accomplished many hard things along the way...

 ...and it could just be a little bit of all of the above.

They're Gone!!!

I dropped Hailey and Garrett off at the airport this morning for their 3-week Europe trip with Mr. Rigby and Woods Cross High School.

They only know a few of the 45 people on the tour (that will change...)

...but at least they have each other for now.

See you in 21 days!!!

Graduation & All-Night Party!

Garrett graduated from Woods Cross High School on Friday, June 1, 2012.  Two down, two to go...

Hailey is on the docket for next year.

Walking in to "Pomp & Circumstance."

Receiving his diploma...

The proud graduate.

Tossing the hats!

John & I chaperoned the All-Night Grad Party from 10 pm-5 am.  Very fun but brutal for someone who's usually IN BED by 10 pm...

Garrett under the spell of the hypnotist.

Congrats to the Class of 2012!!!  On to bigger and better life adventures!