August in California

Me and Bowen went to California in August to see Annie and Brady get married and visit our new nefew and cousin Brad! Bowen especially liked the dog Clancy. Annie looked beautiful. It was a much needed trip.

Is it too late for summer?

We really had a fun summer with cousins, boating, swimming and riding on the tractor with grandpa. Bowen is a little man now. It seems unreal that he runs around and bosses me around all day long.

Echo Triathlon

I completed my 3rd Olympic size triathlon last Saturday. I swam a mile, biked 25 miles and ran 6 miles! It was so much fun and perfect day to do the race. The race started at 7am, so I woke up at 4:45. I got there around 6:15 which I thought gave me plenty of time, until I realized I hadn't brought my photo ID. (it was way back at the car, because I had to bike into the start line). Anyway I finally convinced them to let me race by showing them a picture of myself in my phone. After that, I barely made it to the start on time.

The swim was probably the hardest part, because it was in open water, and everyone is running into each other, and you don't really know where you're going. I was surprised when I finished in 37 min.

Next was the bike, which was really fun, because I borrowed my sister Tiff's bike. (Thanks Tiff!) I finished the bike in about an hour and half.

Last but not least was the run. It's really hard to start running after you've biked for so long. My hamstrings were totally cramping, and I didn't know if I could go on. But, my legs finally relaxed and I was running at a good pace, until about the last 2 miles when my knee started hurting. It was was painful, but I kept on running til the finish.

I finished the whole thing in 3 hours and 5 minutes. It felt so good, and I even got a complementary massage at the end!

I am Grateful for Freedom!!!

Please view this "Mormon Messages" video about freedom...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkTKQsYWBxc

After viewing this video, I felt inspired to think about the freedoms I am grateful for. I am grateful to be able to learn and study freely. I am thankful that I can teach my children truths, including gospel truths and all other truths that the world has to offer. I am grateful that I can serve equally with my husband in our home, but I am also grateful to know my roles as a mother and wife. I know know if I faithfully fulfill those roles Heavenly Father will continue to bless me and my family. Finally I am grateful to be able to chose each day what my attitude will be, and that I can, with the help of my Heavenly Father, make the most of my life.

first steps

Bowen is walking!! Well...sort of. He will only walk if we stand him up and have him walk to us. Otherwise, he's still crawling everywhere. He is so proud of himself, and so are we. Seth and I spent a half hour just having him walk back and forth between us. What a fun time!

Vampire teeth

Bowen's teeth look like vampire teeth because he only has his side teeth up top. He also has his two middle teeth on the bottom, but no middle teeth on the top. It's hilarious.

Look below for Birthday pictures!

Birthday Boy!

Bowen is officially spoiled! I have been able to keep his toys in a small basket under our TV up until now. I'm afraid our front room has turned into a toy room. We had a family party, which ended up being huge! It was a nice evening so everyone was outside the whole evening. Bowen loves people and attention, and he was smiling all night long. Thanks to everyone who brought gifts.

His birthday cake was balloons!

I never thought the first year would go by so fast! It's hard for me to imagine how small and dependent Bowen used to be. Now he can do so many things: color pictures, say "ball", "mom", "dad", wave, clap, push his firetruck everywhere, beg for food, drink from a straw, play peek-a-boo, go up and down stairs, open and close doors, and be funny as ever! Happy Birthday Bowen, we love you!