Redfish Lake & the Sawtooth Relay

We had an awesome Father's Day weekend. We headed up to the Stanley area for the Sawtooth Relay - a team race from Stanley to Ketchum. We stayed in the Redfish Lake area and really enjoyed the three days we were there. Natalie's parents, Brent and Goldia came up from Preston to spend the weekend with us.

Friday was a lazy day around the lake. We fed some hungry chipmunks and squirrels some nuts, went fishing, and strolled around the metropolis of Stanley.

Saturday was our race. We started at 4:45 am in Stanley and finished at 1:55 p.m. in Ketchum. Each member of our team ran between 8 and 12 miles. Although not as difficult as Robie Creek, the relay was challenging and fun.

Brent and Goldia were real troopers to hang out with us. Goldia has a walking cast on her foot and despite the on-slaught of nicknames, she kept right up with grandkids.

If you haven't been to Redfish lake...it's worth the trip.

Redfish Lake

Trying to Redeem Myself

Now I've got to redeem myself. While I'll admit I kind of slacked a little bit the night I fell asleep with the kids, I usually keep the house about at 80% clean when Natalie leaves me in charge. Not too shabby if you ask me. Here is the proof..... Natalie had to run down to Utah on Sunday for a funeral on Monday. I got to stay home with the kids (way to long and quick of a trip for Brittanie and Nathan). So while Natalie was out, I spent Monday trying to work from home while entertaining Brittanie and Nathan. Not only was I hiding in closets for conference calls to keep the noise down, I managed to keep the house fairly in order. I washed 5 loads of laundry, mowed the lawn, fixed dinner for the kids (lunch was at Carls Jr.), and kept the kids from taking naps (okay, maybe not the best thing... kind of paid for it that night). Anyway, here is video proof of my effort:

Now Natalie may think I'm the world's best dad, but I still don't compare to how great a mom Natalie is. The only reason I try so hard is to attempt to keep up with her. I was told once to marry someone who always makes you want to be the best you can be. She definately brings out the best in me.

If this was any way your attempt to try and get me to buy you a new bedroom set...it almost worked. Keep trying sweetie.

Truly the World's Greatest Dad

I know it's a little early but hopefully that will only add to the element of surprise as we wish a very Happy Father's Day to Scott. We are amazed everyday at what a great husband and father he is. He goes above and beyond for each of us everyday. When I 1st married Scott I thought he was cute and funny but I had no idea what a great Dad he would become to my children. Scott loves spending time with the kids. I never worry when he is left in charge. The 2nd Photo is my absolute favorite and I have to share the story that goes along with it. I went scrapbooking at a friends house and I didn't get home until about 1 a.m. When I first walked in I was shocked that Scott was still awake because almost every light in the house was on. When I came in the kitchen I felt sand on my feet and notice toys and the kids clothes were everywhere! When I peeked in Nates room to see him sleeping I was a little surprised to find his bed empty. Then I checked on Britt and she was M.I.A. too. I could hear ESPN blasting from our bedroom and was not prepared for what a found. My sweet husband snoring with his mouth wide open in the middle of two sleeping kids. It was too perfect. Once I stopped laughing , I had to take a picture and I have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to use it. I slept on the couch that night because I didn't want to break up the party. When Scott woke up the next morning and found the house clean, he knew he was busted. He told me how he innocently laid down with the kids to get them to sleep and quickly fell alseep too. He had intended to get things cleaned up before I came home but that plan didn't work out. This picture is so much better than a clean house. So today, while eating lunch I thought it was time the world knew what at great dad Scott is. He'll probably be mad about the picture at first but I hope he sees the humor and love in our heartfelt tribute to the World's Greatest Dad. We all love you very much and hope this will be the best Father's Day ever. Happy Father's Day!!!! (Oh, and GO RED SOX!)

Nat and her big Spud

Natalie doesn't know I'm posting this, but I think you all must see her hanging out with the famous Idaho mascot. She ran the famous Idaho Potato half marathon a couple of weeks ago. I was cooking breakfast at our Ward's Father & Son outing, so I couldn't be there to support her. I guess she had to find her new big "spud" to support her...

By the way, Natalie ran her best half marathon time ever. She broke the 2-hour mark for the first time in her 13.1-mile running career. Nice job sweetie.

I guess this is the year of races for us. It seems like that is all of our postings lately. We have a couple more coming up that should be a lot of fun. The famous Star Mule Days fun run is next week (no, you don't race against mules). The following week we'll be running the Sawtooth Relay -- a 60 mile team relay jaunt from Stanley to Ketchum. We expect all of you to come see the start of the race as our team is scheduled to leave Stanley at 3:45 a.m. Nothing like sleep running in central Idaho.

Grandma & Grandpa's Little Princess

Brittanie had her spring recital a couple of weeks ago and Grandma Gog and Grandpa with the cows came over to watch. She had a lot of fun on the stage and it was exciting to see the improvement she has made since her winter recital back in January. We'll have to see what she decides to do next year -- tap, ballet, jazz, or break loose Scotty free-style....

Our Part to Save Second Base....

Natalie and I ran the Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday. There were nearly 14,000 runners / walkers all supporting a great cause. Natalie posted her best 5k time ever at just over 25 minutes, and I finally ran a race as fast as did back in the day. I finished in 18 1/2 minutes -- a time I haven't seen since my days at Soda High. It's good to feel young again....

Start of the race. Can you find us?

The best part of the race was seeing all the creativity of the runners. We had quite the variety of team names, t-shirts, and attire. Here are a few of our favorites...

One of the local tv stations videod the entire race. We were dorks enough to tivo the event and look for ourselves. Unfortunately, we found ouselves, and we're sharing it. Here is the small clip of Natalie's & my second of fame. (We slowed down Natalies so it lasted longer - she's behind the guy in the white hat)

Scott near the finish line -- 20th place overall

Natalie in slow, "chariots of fire" speed (hum the tune in your mind as you watch)

Apostle Song

Entertaining way to memmorize the apostles....

"The Toughest 1/2 Marathon in the Northwest"

Natalie and I ran our first Robie Creek half marathon here in Boise on Saturday. This fun race is Boise's most popular running event of the year and claims to be the "toughest 1/2 marathon in the Northwest." I think Natalie and I would agree. The race is 8 1/2 miles up hill (over a 2,000 ft ascent) and then finishes with 4 1/2 miles downhill. The group that puts on the event, the Sailtoads, creates a fun theme each year for the race (see website http://robiecreek.com/ for more of the Sailtoads story). The theme they chose this year was to honor Scottish heritage. They put on a great show before the race with a bagpipe band and some weirdo chick riding a horse and cutting off the head of paper statue to start the race (they are known for their unique starts. You can check out the start and other videos here http://www.ktvb.com/news/robiecreek/ One of interesting features of this race occurs just before you hit the top of Aldape Summit. In all other aid stations along the race they have volunteers handing out water, oranges and bananas. On the last aid statioin just before you finish the grueling 8 miles up hill, and during the steepest part of the ascent when you are feeling the weakest, they have what is known as "temptaion station" -- the aid station with shots of alcohol, beer, spiked little jello cups, and ho-ho's. Some of the volunteers handing out the goodies were also dressed a bit unorthodox (we'll leave it at that). If nothing else it provided a nice distraction from the aching legs.

Natalie Finishing Strong

Scott Finishing Exhausted

In all, 2400 runners ran Robie Creek this year. It's fun to run races with that many runners. You always have somebody running with you. Natalie finished the race around 2 hours and 26 minutes and looked great in here plaid bandana. I finished the race in around 1 hour and 48 minutes. We'll post some pictures once we get them. It was a lot of fun running the race with Natalie. It's great that we have found something that we both enjoy doing. Now that we have ran Robie, we look forward to running it again. If your looking for a great quad cramping, calf burning, knees trembling good time, I recommend running Robie Creek. If nothing else, you'll appreciate your car more....

We've been tagged (apparently Mexico is not "base")

10 years ago I was.....

We were Newlyweds and almost married 1 year. We were both going to ISU, and Scott was serving it up at Sizzler while I was the grunt worker in Dr. Mooney's office in Pocatello.


5 Things on my to do list today

Take my antibiotics, Run 5 miles, Pick up my race number for the Robie Creek 1/2 marathon, pray that I suddenly get over my sinus infection so I can survive 13.1 miles, and cross my fingers that David Archeleta doesn't get voted off American Idol.

What would I do if I became a billionaire?

I would buy a vacation home in Maui! Then I would make some additions in Wayan that included more bedrooms and bathrooms!! I would also buy my Dad a recycle warehouse in Preston and invent something that disolves cardboard. I would kidnap my Mom and take her to see a Broadway show. Then while in NYC we could be on her favorite gameshow--Cash Cab! (Scott would buy the Yankee's and turn them into a triple A team--No joke!)


5 of my secret bad habits

I drink way too much diet coke for a "runner".
I am the queen of unfinished craft projects.
I always make us late for church. (Scott did say I'm getting better now that church is at 1:00.)
I love to dance to Erasure in the kitchen! (It qualifies as a bad habit for those of you who have had the rare opportunity to see me dance.)
I am addicted to reality T.V. Amazing Race, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, and American Idol fill my Tivo. Don't forget the bowl of popcorn + chocolate:)


Places I have lived

Preston, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Star (Yes, all in Idaho. I'm afraid to cross the border)


Jobs that I have had

Pizza maker, spit sucker (dental assistant) and now the UBER glamourous tooth scraper (Dental Hygienist)


5 things that people might not know about me

I love to do Laundry. There I've said it! I like to watch Hannah Montana with my niece and nephew. I think it a really funny show! I can't open pop biscuts because they scare me. I was lucky enough to marry a man who has brought out the very BEST in me. Tonight I fulfilled a life long dream of being a cub scout and raced my 1st pinewood derby car. (lets not dwell on the race results because they weren't pretty).