January 2017

We volunteered to bring two different families dinner on the same night (plus feed our own family).  So I had to get out the big "soup kitchen pot".  Chicken noodle soup for all!

Carter asked for a Dad/Carter overnight ski trip to Snowbird.  So while they were gone, the girls and I went out to eat dinner at Chilis.

Lots of running on the treadmill because of the extremes cold and snow.  Watching the US Olympic trials in the women's marathon.  Go Kara!

The girls received gift certificates for pedicures for Christmas.

Carter and Tim skiing on a solo trip together!

Tim and Annie on a solo ski trip together.

Tim and Georgia on a solo ski trip together at Snowbird.

We babysat our two nieces for a few days while their parents were gone.  On Sunday night, we had cupcake wars.  Very yummy and very messy!

Tim and Abby on a solo ski trip working on her turns!

A Sunday evening full of Mexican train dominoes and sewing for Days for Girls.

I really like pop tarts.  It is such a gross treat, but nonetheless, I love them.  I tried to make homemade pop tarts and they definitely are NOT as good.

December 2016

The young women and young men went to Music and the Spoken Word at the Conference Center.

Georgia at the Christmas Sing at school.

Tim and Carter were invited to the Jazz game by the Rasbands.

Skiing at Deer Valley

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day morning before presents.

All Georgia wanted for Christmas was a snowman kit and snow.  She got both!

Found a picture of my grandpa Dick.

The nativity at Grandma Barlow's.

Chris, Mason, Tim and Carter skiing.

All the Barlow girls playing at Classic Skating during Christmas break.

Christmas piñata at Grandma Barlows.

First ski of the season at Snowbird.

 Festival of Trees for Fun Family Friday.  I think they mostly like the treats!

"No Shave November" came to an end.  Tim wore the mustache to work and everyone loved it!

 Braces day for Abby!

The primary was in charge of the ward Christmas party. The Activity Day girls were charge of the service project.  We collected 215 activity bags for the Utah Children's Justice Center.  I got to deliver them to the center.  It was a very humbling experience.

Georgia was invited to see her friend June dance in the Nutcracker with Taycee and Hope.  They are all in the same 3rd grade class.

Enjoying Christmas sugar cookies.

Carter had a jr high choir concert.

Ward Christmas party.

Cupcake wars with the young women!

Tim and I went to the Lower Lights Christmas Concert!

Carter had to cook several meals for a scouting merit badge.  Good job cooking tacos Carter!

 Annie and Abby had their jr high dance recital.

I really love it when we get to have dinner all together.  On this particular evening, it was very cold outside and we had the fire place on.  It is all a mother can hope for to have her kids gathered around her table.

Remembering How Get Comfortable With the Uncomfortable

Remembering How Get Comfortable With the Uncomfortable

19.30 miles—3:39:32—11:23—1972 feet—163 bpm

11:23, 11:44, 10:56, 11:44, 10:44, 9:56, 10:26, 13:24, 10:44, 13:36, 13:22, 10:36, 10:15, 12:34, 11:54, 9:09, 11:55, 11:36, 10:52, 2:31

Kelli S. invited me to join her in St George for the Red Mountain 30k.  This was a trail training run for Kelli and a base test to see where I was fitness wise.  It has been since October since I have run trails.  So my main goal was to do my best and be happy with the results.

Usually when Kelli and I run trails, I run in front and set the pace.  When the race started, she happened to get in front of me in the congo line.  She set the pace slightly faster than I would have run, but I’m so glad she did.  She ran more of the hills than I would have run if I was in front.  I definitely raced this more because she ran in front!  She’s a smart runner!

We hit the first aid station at 7.7 miles.  I made a quick potty stop, drank some Coke, and carried a banana out of the station.  The next 5 mile loop was absolutely gorgeous.  We even stopped to take a few pictures.  Kelli ran ahead so she could take off her tights at the upcoming aid station.  I followed green shirt guy and he set a perfect pace.  The clouds started to burn off and it got super hot!  I took off my jacket and arm sleeves at the aid station. 

We started on the last 5 mile loop.  There were some steepish downhill sections and my IT Band started to flare up.  We got to the road section of the race and thought we were almost to the finish line.  But another racer yelled at us to make a turn and started on a trail to a large gully.  I was starting to get into the dark hole.  My body was beyond tired.  My IT band would throw in stabs of pain.  The sun was beating down on us.  And I was mad it was taking forever.

There was no finish line in sight.  In fact, the course was 1.5 miles long.  Finally, we saw the finish arch.  With 100 yards to go, we made a final push to pass two lady runners.  Those last three miles were definitely UNCOMFORTABLE!

But I did it.  I finished.  Kelli pushed me and I am so grateful for her encouragement.  This was a great fitness benchmark.  Time to recover and get ready for Ogden.