Updates...lots of updates

I am the big blogging slacker. But then again, I have been busy. I am finally somewhat settled and have a little time before we get started on our house remodel. Well, we have moved to Twin Falls and living in G & G M's basement. For the moment we are waiting to close on our house which was supposed to be yesterday, but there was a hang up. So, for those of you who really know me, know that I am totally excited about a home remodel and the opportunity to decorate. But let me explain...this is NOT my dream home. It is a tiny little house built in the 1940's and needs a lot of work.

Downside...small, no dining room and tiny kitchen

Upside...I get to make it my own, I get to decorate (did I mention that?), and I love a good designer challenge (this house will give me many)

CHALLENGES

1. Little money

2. A lot of sweat equity and hard work

3. Creativity in designing a dining space

4. Hard work

5. Little girl who will want to help, but a mommy who won't want her at the house until I am able to sterilize it...so to speak

Let me tell you...the wheels are turning in my head and I can't wait to pull it off in the house and be proud of our FIRST Little Home.

Enjoy some pics from the last couple weeks!

Kya was a big help with packing, she packed herself and of course horsie and blanket.
Here are just a few pics of the race. I wasn't very good at taking pictures. But I will share some details about the race.

Breakdown:

12 members on a team; 2 vans alternating relay legs; tons of granola bars, bananas, propel water and just plain, bland food; NO SLEEP; and sore bodies.

I was in van #2 and we started our legs at about 1:00 pm. That is where my dad started to run, in the heat of the day. Oh, and it was hot! Then we all took our turns to run. My first leg was around 4:30 pm and I ran just 3.5 miles, pretty steady. Came in a couple minutes under my time, Yeah!

About 13 hours later, after not being able to get any sleep, I ran again at 3:00 am. It was really cold, for me at least, and I ran 6.5 miles, steady. The cool temp was helpful and I really found some energy in that run...which I needed. This time I came in under time by four minutes. That rocks!

Again about 15 hours later, no sleep and very sore knees and hips I ran my last leg. 4 miles up the mountain at about an 8% grade. This was a fun leg. Before running I was really dreading it and so tired I wasn't sure how to get through it, but then all of the sudden I had a burst of energy that carried me up that mountain. I was really just being silly and goofing around to keep my spirits up and another team's van was cheering me on and laughing with me about how I said, "I better have lost my butt after that climb". I came in just at the expected time on that one.

One of the exchange points.Alicia taking off!
My mom rocked this race! Look at her go!

After a few days rest and some quality time with family it was back out to Utah for a Family Reunion. My Grandpa EJ, his children, their children, and their children. I was in charge of the guessing jars. We fill the jars with candy and whoever guesses the closest wins the jar, and the candy of course. Only the skittles jar they were to only guess the number of orange skittles. It was a great reunion and so fun to see some of my cousins I haven't seen in a long time. For you Twilight fans, Stephenie was not there, but her parents and sister were.

Kya developed some allergies while in Utah. Poor girl's eye was dripping and her nose was running, and after two crazy weeks pretty much on the road, little sleep and meeting a lot of people...she was pretty worn out and wanted mommy to hold her most of the time.
Except for one of the "olympic events", "Flipper Follies", she had fun with the water buckets.
So there is my update...we'll see if I can keep up this summer with posts. I will do my best.