Huntsville Utah Marathon: Conquered

 Here we are on the bus! Ready or not...

While Melissa and Alli rode the bus to the starting line, Avery and I started out on a self-guided tour of Huntsville.  We started our little adventure at the park, Huntsville Square, where the runners would be finishing and the road to recover would begin.  Since this was the beginning of our tour, you can see Avery looks pretty happy with her pacifier and the blanket keeping her warm.

Our next stop was the hitching post.  A stoic expression from Little Miss Avery.

We made our way to the finish line amid the barriers and spectators... consisting of one woman who volunteered to take our picture.

Melissa hadn't started running yet when we took these pictures, but we had fun at the finish line imagining how happy she was going to be when she finished.

Our next stop was Hunstville Town Hall.  We thought we'd get a chance to see the mayor, but I guess he actually doesn't do a lot in the Town Hall, especially on race day.

No Huntsville trip would be complete with a trip to the saloon.  To our dismay, we didn't see any cowboy shoot-outs and there were no drunken town-folk to entertain us.

We took a brief look into the small Huntsville Historic Library.  We guessed there were lots of books inside, but it was closed for the weekend.  

Our Hunstville tour ended at the famous Hunstville Express.  Avery didn't quite meet the height requirement, so we weren't able to ride.  We would have been the only passengers on the train.

Here we are at mile 15. This is where Matt and Josh met up with us. As you can tell by the fact that we are smiling so big...we were excited to see them! Also evidenced by the smiles is the fact that at this point, we were still feeling pretty great! This is where I first saw the poster with Avery's face on it. I was so thrilled. I LOVED it! Josh started running with us here.

 These are the posters that Josh made for us. They are so perfect! I loved seeing Avery's face! They were an inspiration to me.

Here we are at the finish line! I was so happy to be done. SO happy to be done.

 I forgot to stop the watch right when I crossed the finish line. 

But here's my evidence that I actually did it.

 After. I was so tired. Seriously, so tired. Oh my. 

Here is the support crew. We didn't get a picture with Tami and Kiley in it, but they were there supporting me as well. I am so very grateful for the support that I had while training for and running this race. It was an important goal for me to work towards and to accomplish and I simply could not have done it on my own. Training for the race was much more of a challenge than I originally thought it would be. Finding time to run between feedings and at times when Josh could watch Avery was a challenge in and of itself. I owe Josh and the Pugmire family a huge thank you for taking care of my sweet baby girl time and time again while I ran. 

I am also very grateful for Allison. Not only did she make running the race enjoyable, but she inspired me from day one of training. She always gave me motivation to keep up with her. I'm so proud of her for doing so well and for pushing forward even when I couldn't keep up with her! I loved talking with her as we ran. This will be a special time with Alli that I will always remember.

Another huge thank you to my amazing husband! Josh, you're amazing. I don't know what I would have done without you. I think that me signing up for this marathon was as much of a commitment for Josh as it was for me. I am so grateful for your support those last 12 miles, and especially those last 3-4.  You are my hero babe. I love you.

Surprise trip to Eagle

On Wednesday, September 19, Josh got word that there were two tickets to the BSU v. BYU game in Bronco Stadium that had his name on them if he wanted them. Well...of course we jumped at the chance! I called my Mom and told her we would be coming the next day but not to tell the kids because we wanted to surprise them. As we got close to their house on Thursday afternoon, I sent Alli a picture of our tickets and told her to get Brooklyn and Jacob and come outside. They were pretty surprised to see us. We were so excited to be there!

 I must say that I had mixed feelings about who I wanted to win the game. I essentially wanted a good, close game where both teams looked amazing. While a close game it was...it was pretty ugly on both sides. As my mom always says, "It's a good thing that there is more to life than football."

Josh and my Dad went to the game. Here are some pictures of the smurf turf. It was Josh's first time inside the stadium. Although the game didn't turn out as us BYU fans had hoped, they had a great time. 

 

Here is a pre-game picture of Josh and Avery. Go Cougs! (Onsie compliments of the infamous Chelsea Borup) This is also Avery's 6-month birthday shot. I still can't believe how big she is getting and how fast she is changing. It is hard to believe that 6 months ago, we didn't even have her with us. She has brought so much joy into our lives over the past 6 months. What a blessing she is. 

 Saturday morning was game time for Brooklyn and Jacob. I didn't have time to get a shot of Brookie playing her soccer game because it got cancelled because of the smoke, but here she is in uniform with Avery. Below is a picture of Jacob playing football. Standing next to those little cheerleaders make me decide that I really, really hope Avery never has a desire to be one! Jacob did a great job in his game. I loved seeing both Jacob and Brookie play! For me, it was one of the highlights of the trip

On Saturday afternoon, Dad took us 4-wheeling with Grandma and Grandpa Bingham's 4-wheelers. So fun!

 Here are Dad and Jacob.

 Josh, Brookie, and Avery.

 Brooklyn and Jacob.

 Me and my Joshy. Ow ow!

On the way back, Jacob found this pig head along with the rest of its skeleton just off the trial. It was pretty nasty. But pretty cool too.

Saturday night was Homecommng for Alli. Here she is with her date, Collin Ray. She looked so beautiful! I was so proud of Alli for the choices that she made that night. Not only was she modest while many of her friends were not, she and Collin were also the only ones that were making good choices on the dance floor. I am grateful for her example to me of doing what is right. And did I mention, she looked so beautiful!!!

 That's my big, little sis. Love you AL!

 Avery has such good aunts. I am glad that she has so many good examples to follow. 

We had a wonderful trip to Eagle. I think it was made even better by the fact that it was a surprise for all of us. The spontaneous-ness of the trip made it really special for me.

Evidance

Here are some of the pictures from Courtney's latest dance show...Evidance! She did an amazing job and we are so proud of her!

We were so excited to have Grandma Mary join us.

Grandma and Grandpa Great came down from Logan to see Courtney's show on Saturday. Grandma Great made Avery a pumpkin hat! She looks adorable in it. After the show we went out to dinner at Red Lobster. I must say....shrimp is not nearly as gross as I remember it being! I'm sort of excited about that. We had a really nice visit with Grandma and Grandpa.

The sun was just a tad bright.

BYU Football

Avery got to go to her first BYU Football game on Saturday, September 8. We played Weber State and  killed them. It's probably a good thing that it wasn't a close game, because we didn't end up watching very much of it. The crowd and the noise and the heat were a bit much for our little cougar, so we took turns walking with her outside. We ended up leaving at halftime, but Avery is now an official cougar.

Anderson 50th Wedding Anniversary

We got to go up to Logan for Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's 50th Wedding Anniversary on August 16-17. We had a wonderful time seeing all of our family on that side. Beth, Jarrod, Elise, Vik, Susan, and Surri were all there! So were Matthew, Rebekah, and Benjamin. I was so excited for Avery to meet her aunt, uncle, and cousin! We also got to spend time with some of Grandma and Grandpa's brothers and sisters.

Our first activity of the weekend was to play golf. We had a wonderful time...despite it taking us three hours to play nine holes. Yeah...we're that bad. It was also Avery's first time on the golf course. She loved being outside and on the golf course. She's such a good sport to come along with us everywhere we go.

On Friday afternoon, we went to the Logan Municipal Pool. What fun!

 Avery looked so cute in her swimming suit! 

 What a cutie! Benjamin loved swimming. 

 Cousins!

 This was Avery's first time in the pool. As you can see, it didn't go very well....I think it was maybe a little bit too cold for her. She was a little bit overwhelmed. Maybe next summer!

Woot woot!!

We had a delicious dinner to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa's Anniversary. The food was fantastic, and the company was even better. Many people took time to say a few words about Grandma and Grandpa. Memories were shared, tears were shed, and it was an all around good family bonding experience. As I have reflected on their anniversary, I am so grateful for the love that Milton and Dianne have for each other. They are a wonderful example to me of how to make a marriage not only last, but absolutely enjoyable. I am grateful for their love and devotion to each other and to their family.

 The whole crowd

 The happy couple of 50 years! What a wonderful thing to celebrate! 

I thought Grandma looked so beautiful.