I DID IT!!!

Today was my first Triathlon! It was so much fun. I didn't feel nearly as prepared as I would have liked to be, but I am happy with my results and plan on improving next time. Out of the 32 women in my age category, I placed 4th in the 1 1/2 mile run (11:39 min), 18th in the 12 mile bike (46 min) and 9th in the 400m swim (9:55 min). This gave me an overall rating of...
10th place!
(updated- final results were posted online today)

I felt fantastic through the run, and even found myself sprinting to the finish line. I wasn't at all complaining that they shortened it from 2 miles! Transition to the bike went smoothly and I was quickley on my way.

Biking was the hardest part for me. It took so long that I think I got a little bored and lost focus, causing me to not push as hard as I should have. To add to the pressure, I had only been out on my bike twice before today! Transition from the bike to the swim was absolutely dreadful!!! My legs literally would not move! My brain was telling them to run and they didn't even want to walk!

I quickley stripped down to my bathingsuit, grabbed my goggles and cap, and was on my way to the pool area. Yes, we had the added pleasure of running without shoes, in bathingsuits, about 100 feet to the pool. Once there, I was thrilled to be out of the cold, rainy weather and into the warm, heated pool. I had to kick some people, I was kicked a few times, and had to zigzag around a few ladies, but still it felt great! The swim took me over a minute longer than I am easily able to do because of the hundreds of people sharing these 8 lanes!

Overall, what a great feeling! I am definitely planning on doing this again, maybe once or twice a year. But I'm not sure I will ever have the same feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing my very first one!

After the race with great friends, Stacy & Susan...
And with my kids, there to cheer me on!
Check out my number- 523- my anniversary :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Gobble-Gobble"
Enjoy your turkey dinner!

"Called To Serve Him..."

This past week my parents received a call to serve as Mission President and Wife, on a 3 year English speaking mission. The call came from President Uchtdorf on Friday through a video conference. As you can imagine, it was an experience which they will never forget. He talked about the blessings which will come to all of us through their service and spoke of the strong confirmation on their names in the temple. This doesn't at all surprise me! I know that they will touch the lives of so many while they serve, they truly are the perfect people for such a calling.

Now, don't get me wrong. In my excitement there is also much sadness. I have never lived away from my parents (except for two short semesters at college) and my kids have had them around since the day they were born. And although it is not forever, three years just seems like a very long time! It will be hard to see them go, and even harder to be strong for my kids! I know the Lord will bless us with strength while they are gone and that my siblings and I will be there for each other.

So as the selfish part of me wants to hold on to them and never let them go, the unselfish part of me (which isn't quite as strong!) will support them in such an amazing chance to serve both our Heavenly Father, and the missionaries who will be beyond lucky to have them in their lives.

Congrats mom and dad, you are truly an example to us all. We love you!

National Skills Tour

Happy Halloween

Grandma Judy helps Rian get "dolled up"


Rian as "Fancy Nancy" & Dakota as a "Scar-let"


The Ogden cousins
(not pictured- Jack, who wouldn't dress up, & Payson)


"Trick or Treat!"


Our traditional visit to the "Ape Man"
(aka Grandma's doctor!)


Jack does not like the "Ape Man"!


The Cameron cousins
(Jack also did not like his cousins costumes!)