September in a Flash

September seemed to fly by, I couldn't seem to remember where it went or what I did in that time, luckily I had some photo proof that I had done things and not just sat in my room for the whole month. I thought that I had uploaded these pictures in order but they didn't seem to stay so, so I apologize for the even more sporadicness of this post. 

Kyle flew in for a week at the beginning of the month, on his way to a conference in Boston. It was fun to see him although between me being at work and him going to Idaho with the rest of the family for a quick trip to a cabin I felt like I didn't get to see him that much. One night when I got off work we did get to go on a bike ride, he used my old heavier bike and even though I had an unfair advantage it felt good for not being the slowest one for a change :)

Sarah headed off to BYU-I and we wanted to all get together one more time before she left, we all met up at Zupas and hung out there what seemed forever just talking. When we were leaving we decided to go to Sarah's newly discovered park. Sarah, Derek, and I climbed to the top of pyramid but Michelle stayed down at the bottom. It was a fun night with us being at the park until after midnight.

Kayla and I were bored one night, we were trying to what to do, I told her about this chalk festival I had read about and asked if she wanted to try it. So we headed down to Riverwoods and found that this festival was bigger than we thought, they had blocked off the whole parking lot and people were each given a parking spot to draw their picture. I couldn't believe the talent that we saw, these are just two pictures of the amazing things we saw. Besides chalk there was some other things going on (probably would have been more if it wasn't so late at night), but I was definitely attracted to the art and I would definitely go again next year. 

After the bike race Derek, Kayla, and I were on our way home when I went over a pothole and all of our bikes and the rack fell off my car. One of my rims got bent so bad that it couldn't be repaired so I had to order a new one. Derek was super nice and helped search and find a good replacement rim for me and when it came he taught me how to change it. Apparently I am just in a learning streak about tire related things. It was a hard week or so without being able to bike (Derek had taken my other bike so his brother could look at it, tune it up and make sure that everything was ok with it) and I was so happy to have it back in commission and to go out again. 

Michelle texted Kayla, Derek, and I saying she wanted to hangout with us, Derek suggested that we go up AF Canyon and have a bonfire. It was so nice and relaxing. I hadn't realized how nice it was to sit in front of a fire, with your feet up to keep them toasty and just talking with friends. I want to go again and it's getting to be the perfect weather so that it will be even more appreciated. 

We welcomed a new little boy into the family. Joel and Becky had a new baby and just from the pictures he is precious! I so wish that we lived closer so that I could cuddle him. I can't believe how much he looks like Parker. The more I look at the pictures I realize that I may just have to plan a trip out there soon so that I can hold him and other cutie pies (of course to New York as well where there is another cute new baby to hold). 

I don't know why but I really like this picture and one other that I took that day. I thought that my hair looked really cute and I felt skinnier that day. 

We've been doing lots of different fun projects at my job but I loved the way that these turned out. They were talking about the letter D in preschool and on Monday's my art and craft project has to focus on what they are learning in preschool. I cut out a bunch of different shape pieces and let the kids design their own dinosaurs. 

I had lots of different bike rides this past month. One day I came home from work and was especially needing the release of the bike ride, I needed to think and clear my head. It had been pouring rain pretty much all day and I was determined to go no matter what because I knew that I needed it. As I pulled my bike out of the garage I looked up and saw a double full rainbow, it was a great beginning. I felt blessed because the rain stopped just long enough for me to ride, as soon as I got home it started raining again. 

The next morning I went on another ride and everything seemed determined to stop me, I tried to go one way and the road was closed for construction (it was completely dug up--no way to try and ignore the signs) and then I went down this super long steep hill to try and get on my path that normally goes home and was riding into the sun when all of a sudden this showed up, my trail seemed to be gone! I also had my first dog chase me while riding and I think there were a couple of other things that happened, it was definitely my most adventure filled ride. 

I watched Isabel one morning so that Sonia could go to institute. She spent the first part of it throwing a fit with me, I wasn't too concerned because I could tell that it was an angry cry and not a sad/scared cry. I quickly found out why she was screaming when I went inside to put my bags down and came back out to her totally zonked out in the car. What is it about sleeping children that is so cute/sweet? I love walking by the napping room at work and watching those sweet spirits. 

I just realized that these last two aren't actually from September but oh well. Last Wednesday Kayla and I were just out and about when I got a notification from Facebook that someone in my moms ward had posted on the neighborhood facebook page that they had tickets for Saturday afternoon session of General Conference and asked if anyone wanted them. I asked Kayla if would be something that she would be interested in going to and she said that she had never been before so I quickly responded before anyone else could (I replied a minute after they had posted---I'm that good :D). It was such a good session (as conference always is), I can't wait to reread all of those talks. 

Friday night Kayla and I randomly decided to go bowling, when we got there we found out it was only $15 for unlimited bowling. We played for almost three hours, it was so much fun. I realized that I'm a terrible bowler but it was so much fun :)

I'm sure that there is much more that I did with my time in September but this gives me an idea of where the month went. 

Million Miles at Miller

I had the chance to a bike "race" in September called Million Miles at Miller, it benefits Mike Miller Foundations and Make-a-Wish Foundation. They had the choice of 25, 55, or 100 miles---this year I choose to do 25 because at the time of signing up the most miles I had ever ridden was 16. I hope to be able to train and try for the 55 at least next year and possibly the 100. Rather than retyping everything I'm just going to copy and paste what I wrote to my family in our weekly letter. I apologize for the length and lots of details in advance. 

Saturday morning I woke up at 6, got dressed, filled water bottles, and made sure that I had everything together ready to go for when Derek got there. Derek arrived at about 6:45 and we started loading the bikes onto my car. Of course Mom took some pictures while that was happening. We headed out, when we were almost there Kayla texted that she and her parents were going to be a little late and asked if we could pick up their packets when we picked up ours. They ended up getting there only about 15 minutes before the race was supposed to start, they still needed to check the tires on their bikes and make sure that everything was ready to go. It was a bit chilly (48 when we arrived)! We all ran to the bathroom and by the time we got started it was about 10 minutes after 8 (the race officially started at 8 but you could do late start up until 9:30), we weren't the last ones to start but I was still a little bummed that we didn't get to start with everyone else. The first mile I wasn't so sure if I wanted to go through with it and finish, we passed a hospital and Derek said that there was an ER that I could go to if I needed it. At almost mile 5 the uphill started (there were other hills but mile 5-10 was a constant hill that was "rated"), it wasn't terrible at first but the last mile or so was complete uphill. My legs weren't terrible, I was in the lowest gear but was able to keep peddling, I didn't feel like I was moving very quickly and only stopped once before the straight uphill happened because my hands were numb and I needed to get blood circulating through them again. The worse part of the hill was I couldn't breathe, my breaths were coming in so struggled. It was a hard hill and I made it, I even passed a couple of people on it! After the hill we had about another mile until the first rest stop, never was I so glad to see a rest stop! We had some snacks and refilled our water bottles. Derek and Kayla usually wanted me to be in the front so that I could set the pace. After the rest stop we took off, immediately after the rest stop I saw a snake and screamed! Derek thought that I was screaming about something else and he freaked when he saw it too! I thought that it was dead but Derek was pretty sure that it was alive, which makes it even worse! We were going downhill from there and I was going 30 miles per hour for a bit, that speed and wind was even more exhilarating and gave me more energy than the food than we had eaten at the first rest stop. The 2nd set of 10 miles flew by so much faster than the first set, I felt like we had just barely started again when we came to the 2nd rest stop. After the 2nd rest stop the last 5 miles seemed like nothing. I couldn't believe it when we pulled through the finish line that I was done! They had a group of cheerleaders and student council from a local high school with cowbells ringing and cheering as people came through, they also had some people dressed up as princesses and superheroes. We took some pictures and then went and put our bikes on the car before walking around and looking at the different booths that they had. There was a BBQ lunch provided for those that had participated in the event that we enjoyed and then we decided to head out. We were driving home when we realized that we were driving along some of the path where the 100-miler was going so we decided to see if we could possible find her parents, we spent about 30 minutes driving through Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs trying to find them, we finally figured out where they were and drove past them cheering (they were just passing the 50 mile mark) and then parked so we could grab some pictures of them (Kayla's dad informed us that he thought we were a siren and he was really confused why a cop was doing their siren right as he passed them). We were driving back to Kayla's and there is this construction zone, there was a ditch that was 2-3 inches deep that I hit and didn't see. The straps on the bike rack snapped and our bikes went down and dragged for a bit before I could pull over and get off the road. Sadly all of our bikes suffered some damage- both Derek's and my bikes have a bent rim (we've already gone to the bike shop and they are too bent to repair) and we aren't quite sure what is wrong with Kayla's but know that there are problems. It was kind of a sad ending to the day. We all went home and showered and then Kayla and I went back up to South Jordan to be there when her parents finished the 100. I was glad that we went because they finished 3rd and 4th to last and there was no one else really there to cheer them on their finish. They had never done a 100 before (they did 80 a couple of weeks ago) and this was a big thing. We had grabbed a couple of cowbells and clanked them loudly and cheered as they came through (there was a random guy there that started honking his horn on his car too as they came through so I was glad that we could make it a little special as they finished). After we hung out with them for a bit and got them food we headed back to Lehi to meet up with Derek to go to the State Fair. We went, got some food, and wandered around for awhile. By the end of it we were all pretty tired and came home and all went to bed pretty early. 

Flat Flat

In August I got a flat tire, "lucky" for me it was the day of Jacob's birthday party and Ben and Erick were both there to help me learn how to change my tire and put my spare on (even more "lucky" for me we noticed the flat when my car was parked in my drive-way at my house). As much as I would have preferred to just have them change it for me it was nice to learn and know that if I ever need to I CAN do it (again not that I wouldn't prefer someone else to do it ;D). 

I didn't believe Ben when he came inside and told me that I had a flat tire. 

My reaction when I saw the proof :(

I'm so grateful that I have great brothers (near and farther away) that are willing and ready to help me.

Putting those great muscles to work that I've been getting from the gym ;)

The great offender....grrr!

Glad that my mom could document the whole thing for me and that I could provide entertainment for my family (at one point I look up and saw that my sister-in-law had gotten camping chairs out of their car and were sitting in a row watching me). 

It's Bike Riding Time!

I've had the same bike for years and while I wasn't really into biking having the same old heavy frame with humongous tires weren't really that big of a deal for a once in awhile rides around the block. When we went on our ride for Kayla's birthday in May and I was struggling to go up a little hill and to keep up with Kayla and Derek (or feeling terrible about slowing them WAY down) and I realized that biking was becoming more of an interest to me so with the help of Kayla and her dad we began to look for bikes on KSL and at other bike shops. They were awesome, they took me to a bike store so that I could test ride different kinds of bikes to decide what I really wanted (hybrid vs. road bike, etc.), I realized that I really preferred the road bike but the good bikes started around $1200 and even with biking becoming more important to me I knew it wasn't something that I could afford yet so we turned exclusively to KSL and craigslist looking for bikes. Kayla found one that looked and sounded great, we contacted the guy and arranged a time to go over. Luckily it was only a mile or so from Kayla's house so her dad could go with us (he knows a lot more about bikes and I trust his judgement/knowledge). I fell in love with it the moment that I saw it! Immediately when we got back to Kayla's house I had to ride around her neighborhood for like 20 minutes (even though it was pitch dark outside). I've done over 200 miles already on it and hope that this beauty will last me for a long time!

Right after I bought the bike, I was a little more than excited. 

On the way back to Kayla's I watched it the whole way to make sure that it didn't go anywhere :)

I didn't have a bike rack yet so Kayla got to bring it back to my house for me, isn't she gorgeous!?

Kayla was so kind and immediately sent out these two snapchats for me 

And with the bike came two water bottle holders so I had to get watching water bottles that matched each other and my bike :) we made a special trip up to scheels to get them (and then I've since found out that they have them at Target as well).

Are You Happy?

Yesterday morning I saw this on youtube. It is an adorable movie with the cutest 3 year old and I spent part of the movie laughing and crying. You don't have to watch it, I know that not everyone gets excited about watching 9 and a half minutes of Chinese. 

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My favorite part comes at the end when one of the judges asked the little boy why he wants to dance and he replies "Because I like dancing. When I dance, my mom laughs. My mom says laughing is happiness." Another judge then said, "Tell me, what is your dream?" He replied, "My dream is...to make people happy because I'm happy. Are you happy?"

Such wisdom from a three year old. I love it, I want to keep this as a reminder to always ask myself if I am doing something that is making me laugh and making me happy.

Hair Gone Wild

Originally my plan was that I had to lose another 20 pounds before I could get my hair done but I was at work on Monday night and people were talking about what they had done to their hair recently and I had the sudden urge to call Brea and get my hair done (I can just say how awesome it is having a best friend that does hair and is willing to always go along with your crazy last moment requests to do hair). I had no idea what I wanted done just knew I wanted different, Brea looked on Pinterest for some ideas (actually I pulled up my Pinterest on my phone at the sametime and we both found almost the exact same hair and showed each other). It was a darker brown with some red and caramel low-lights added in.

Before:

After:

I don't know if you can see it really but we didn't have enough of the darker so the underneath colors are a darker brown than the top. I love that my hair is differnt and a little "crazy" but not too crazy :) I love getting my hair done, it adds a little zip to life! 

Life As Of Recent

I keep telling myself that I need to do better at blogging and get caught up on whats been happening with my life lately, today I haven't been feeling very well so have just been hanging out in my bed. I was getting caught up on some of the recipes that I've been trying lately (Yummy Recipes!) and thought that I would do some catching up here as well. This isn't everything that I've done lately but some of the pictures that I've taken the last couple of months. 

The end of May was Kayla's birthday, we arranged it so that Derek, Kayla and I all had it off work. We started the day off by going on a 8ish mile bike ride on Porter Rockwell Trail in Draper, it was a beautiful ride with hills, green along the sides and sunshine galore! 

After going home and everyone getting ready for the day we drove to Wendover, along the way we stopped at the Salt Flats, they were so cool and it was amazing how flat and long the area was. Kayla and Derek definitely took the chance to test the speed on Kayla's car :)

I tried my first Hawaiian Ice/Shaved Ice this summer, I've decided that I am a fan. Its crazy, it is a big thing here in Utah, Kayla and I really like going to this one in Alpine called Snoasis when we go there I think I counted that we pass 5 other shaved ice shacks on the way. 

I needed someone to go to the Lindon days with me, Mom suggested that I invite Katrina to come with me. We had lots of fun wandering looking at the different booths, we both got a cute hat (me a cowboy one of course!), talked, and enjoyed a smoothie together. I can't believe that my little niece is no longer so little and is someone that I invite to hangout with!

One of my favorite parts of summer is fireworks, I watch for shows whenever possible. That's the biggest reason that I wanted to go to the Lindon days, I thought that the fireworks were awesome and where Katrina and I were sitting was really close to where they were shooting them off. 

A couple of weeks ago I was really struggling with some things and missing my Dad pretty strongly. I had gone on a drive up in Alpine when I had a strong desire to be near my Dad. I decided that the Temple was the best place to go. It was wonderful, it was a Sunday so there was no one there, I just walked around and just felt the peace of the House of the Lord. 

My Mom left on a three and a half week trip, as excited as I was for her to go on the trip it was hard for me to drop her off. 

Kayla and her Dad were crazy and did a 64-mile bike ride in Logan. I drove down with her Mom and we got to be cheerleaders for them. I was super impressed with her, especially after we drove up the canyon that they were having to bike--it was crazy (10 miles uphill with no pause!). 

While Mom was gone I got to help make sure that everything was taken care of with Grandma. I went down and took her to the doctors one morning before work. (I mostly took the picture because I thought the nurses shoes were awesome but it was fitting to document what I've been up to :D). 

I started walking to work while Mom was gone, during the 3 and a half week trip I only drove twice (it was pouring rain and I was doing errands before work one day and was running late). I've made it my goal to walk to work for the rest of the summer, not only is great having that little bit more of exercise its also nice because I get a little bit of sunshine before locking myself into the kitchen for the next several hours. 

Ignore the crazy face and pose. I tried this dress on a couple of weeks ago and was so happy with how much better I am looking in that dress than I did a few months ago. 

While Mom was gone we got to facetime once, my cousins kids wanted to be a big part of the talking. This is what my view was most of the time (except that there was actually generally a second or third face popping in). 

On the 4th of July Kayla and I went down to Provo to watch the parade (her younger brother was in the marching band for his high school) and then we went to the festival to check out the booths, there wasn't too many booths to impress us but we saw this chalk art on the ground and couldn't believe how impressive it was (the picture doesn't even do it justice). 

I helped Kayla make a picnic dinner for her and her boyfriend and then the night of the 4th I didn't even go anywhere to even watch fireworks, 4 of my neighbors were seeming to have a competition of having the best and biggest fireworks. After watching theirs for 45 minutes from my front lawn I went to bed. 

I think something is wrong with me, I discovered farmers markets and all I bought was fresh blueberries and raspberries (both of which I have HATED most of my life) and fresh pico de gallo with avocado (again never liked avocado). Thursday when mom came home all that I had in the fridge were fresh fruit, vegetables and protein shakes. What is happening to me!?

I'm feeling "adult" lately, Kayla helped me pick out real perfume and I bought it from Victoria's Secret. Because I now own real perfume I gave Katrina my body sprays (hehe that will help her in a couple of years---although Ben told me that she will never turn 16 :D). 

More evidence of me going crazy--fruit salad, yumm!! I made a huge batch of it and that is pretty much what I ate for the next 7-8 meals. 

Kayla decided that she wanted to try her first pedicure and manicure (she doesn't like touching her own feet and thinks the idea of others touching hers sound gross). She was pretty nervous. 

I think it turned out ok though, I got a snapchat from her today with her wearing open toed shoes saying "thank goodness for pedicures" 

This made me so happy to pull up beside her at the airport, she's HOME!

With her 11:30pm landing we hadn't really planned on going through the fun things that Mom had got but when we got home she immediately started pulling out stuff to show Kayla and I, we ended up looking at stuff and talking for an hour and a half plus but it was fun and to see all of the chocolate that Mom brought back--wow!

Friday I had the day off and Leah got off work early so Brea, Leah, Mandy, and all of their kiddlets hung out. We met at Brea's house and walked to Thanksgiving Point to explore the Farm and have ice cream afterwards. There were so many cute little baby animals, I just wanted to cuddle with them. It was fun to be with friends from growing up and just to relax without worrying about work or other parts of life. 

This just begins to skim the surface of my life lately but at least its an idea!