The lastest challenge.

So I have decided that I need to take a break from running. I am a bit bored with it, and my hips and knees are taking a bit of a toll. So for now, I have decided to take up biking.

Wish I looked like that on my bike. So recently, two of my sisters and my mom have decided to run in a triathalon done here in the good 'ol Magic Valley, down at the Shoshone Falls.

Well, another sister, J, decided to swim for R's team, who's husband, M, is biking for. Then my other sister, A, is running for her team who consists of her husband, T, who will be biking and swimming. My nephew, E, is swimming for my mom's team, so I decided to bike for her team. I wanted to run, but didn't want to start another team, and I certainly didn't want to run, swim and bike. So I have resorted to biking. I am actually really excited, as of this morning's ride (hence the post). The up hill, I am a bit nervous about...I am slow. But we are not trying to win the race...we are just in it for fun and another great challenge.

I would rather be doing this.

Twin Falls Temple

What a great weekend. Yesterday was the dedication for the Twin Falls Temple. So excited to have a temple just minutes up the road. We were given the awesome opportunity to be inside the temple for the dedication. My mom and dad and grandma and grandpa were in the Celestial Room with the Prophet and Pres. Eyring. Too cool. All of my sisters were in town, even C who flew in from Michigan. It was really great to be there with all my sisters and most brothers-in-law. Twin Falls Temple is a beautiful temple with gorgeous decor. I really love it and look forward to regular visits with my sweetie.

Waiting to go in the temple.

The whole gang. Six girls (husbands included), one brother in our hearts (EJ in Paris on his mission), Grandma and Grandpa M, mom and dad and one niece and one nephew. Great babysitters to watch the little ones play and sleep. Life doesn't get better than this.

I Love My Man!

This weekend was a fun one. G and G W. came to visit and help us with the house (which we are still very busy working on). Saturday we (I should say they) worked hard on the house all day. Kya and I went to Home Depot for a couple hours to learn how to 'install a toilet' and 'tile floors and walls'. Then when we finished with our classes we headed back to the house for some lunch.

By the time we were done with lunch I took Kya over to my sister's house (thanks so much A for watching her), and I headed over to the Temple to help usher. It is so great to be near a temple again, and especially to be able to help out before it is dedicated. While I was at the temple, Carl and his parents continued to work on the house. Don't worry, I am not a slave driver...I have been working on the house just as much, just not Saturday.

So, after the temple I planned on going over to the house to help work on it, but when I got to my sister's to pick up Kya, I was told to call Carl immediately. Uh, Oh, right?

Carl's parents left town early and his instructions to me were..."leave Kya at A's house and come home (to my parents) right now". I LOVE SURPRISES...and Carl knows it. I was so excited to see what was up. I got home, and Carl said, "Get your swimsuit and towel, we are going out for a gourmet italian meal (I love italian) and then to 1000 Springs mineral hot tubs.

I gotta say, Carl is creative and really made me a happy wife. We had a great time, relaxing, hanging out with each other, relaxing our muscles in the hot tubs and getting some ice cream.

What an awesome guy! By the way the "gourmet italian meal" was spagetti and meatballs, courtesy of Carl's brother D. Thanks for a great meal (out of the house).

Carl driving to 1000 Springs

Showin' some love to my man!

Da...Da...Da duh! (Wedding March)

Now that I have finally had time to sit down and visit all my friends' blogs and actually comment I will put up a quick post. Sorry to you all for being a "commenting slacker". I have had a list of blogs that I have been needing to visit for two weeks now.

Ok, I just have to say to both J and J (Kya's birthparents), that I am so proud of you both for your recent endeavors. In April Kya's birthfather was married to a darling girl, A, and we got to meet her this weekend. We are so happy for you two and your soon-to-be little addition to your family. I do not have pics of that wedding, we were not able to make it because we were still living in Colorado.

This weekend we were able to attend J's wedding and sealing in the Temple (Kya's birthmother). The Temple was amazing. Congratulations J and M, we are so proud of you too. I do have pics from this wedding because I was their photographer.

Kya wanted to give this flower that she found to J. So cute.

She had just woken up from a nap and was not too thrilled with pics at the beginning of the reception. But she still looks so pretty, I think. I made Kya and C's dresses for the reception. I know I had mentioned in a previous post that I was going to make J's dress, but she found her dress and fell in love with it, so I didn't make the wedding dress. But J's dress was gorgeous and she looked beautiful in it.Priceless picture.

Birthdays, Fair, Family Reunion, Class Reunion...all sorts of fun!

Busy week, a lot of pictures and some fun times. Enjoy the slide shows and a little journaling.

Kya was definitely a 2 year old on her birthday. She had too much fun opening presents, wanted to open "more", and didn't really want to eat her cake or ice cream. We got her to dig into the cake, but that was all she wanted to do with it. We got her a pinata for her and her cousins. They loved that. Of course the boy cousins were a little concerned that it was a 'princess castle' and not a car or something.

We had a fun week and of course ate way too much food...you know that really good food that is so bad for you. This was my first Demolition Derby and it was so fun. We had Carl's mom's family reunion this week, the same week as the 'world famous' Grace, Id fair. Well, the blue station wagon is the car that all the Carl and his family grew up with and when it died the kids told Mom and Dad not to get rid of it because they wanted to watch it die at the Demo Derby. So they rigged it up, we all got to help paint and sign it and then Uncle C. drove it in the derby. We were the loudest section in the arena...the whole family...even Kya got into the chanting and clapping (once she realized she wasn't going to get hurt by the cars).

We won second place and that was so fun to watch them all get into the death of this car. Let me tell you...it will not die. They asked us to pull the car in the parade and Carl sat in it and revved it up throughout the parade, while some of the grandkids, Grandma and I sat in the back of the truck and threw candy. That was fun. The car had no water in it and they all thought for sure it would cease up....No sir-ry bob, that thing will not die (until the crusher gets it).

We also went to Carl's 10 year class reunion. Because he grew up there and it is such a small town...I knew a few of his class members and I enjoyed seeing them too. Where at my 10 year class reunion (being only 1 year that I went to my alma-mater (sp), Carl didn't know anybody).

So, Fair, Family Reunion, Class Reunion, Demo Derby and Birthday party are now over...Whew! What a week.

I am 2!

Wow, I can't believe I have a two year old. Time flys by so quickly. My sister usually puts up a "# reasons I love you" list. But if I were to do that with how old Kya is....it would only be two reasons, and there are thousands of reasons why I love her.

Kya has always had an amazing personality, but being two even for less than a day really brings out a little princess. She has become a jumper, two feet off the ground and all. We have been around a lot of family the last week for a reunion (which I will post about later), and she definitely has her own "personal bubble" space and if you invade without her permission...she will let you know. Little bit of a princess, huh?

I could really go on all day about how special, smart, beautiful, fun and amazing this little girl is...but I will spare the details and sum it up in one word........

.....nevermind, I can't. Kya Kanani, We Love You!

Happy Birthday!

(G. and G. P, I have an 8x10 pic of little Kya for you, which I will get in the mail to you as soon as I get back home)