summer goals

our families love adventures, Most of us have been locked up too long, Even now as I type this and think of all the dty heat we have had for the last month, I am glad that we have been able to be outside, together. Here we are at the Hiawatha trail in the boarder up by Idaho and Washington and Montana . It was an easy ride through beautiful scenery and tunnels that really cooled us off. And Dan rode this the day after his IronDAN.

As you can see it is a nice mountain bike trail which is slightly down hill and you can do 15  or 30 

here is a photo off the Jordan River trail that is quiet and calm in the middle of the Salkt Lake valley, 

Our family goals of more soccer games started off the season with Niks team going to finals in his first ever tournament which went into over over over time which each team member having to kick a goal  leaving us only one short,

In the middle of all this we celebrate the birth of America,

here we are at Dry canyon ( I think) with the second largest flag waving over this open canyon reminding us of the freedom and liberty we have

Derek brought (our) boat up to Eden to help us celebrate with the Chatterley kids reunion. I say our because he is still paying it off! Boats are fun but alot of responsibility and we are thankful to Derek to keep us wet and wild and reaching more goals

Huntsville 3rd of July parade

Jim and his tools rolling in the parade

Jan and Auggie= LOVE

Spokane with Celeste

Eden with Jaton and Nikkis family

Megan and Shellys family

Reaching our goals this summer.? I have no photos of me reading which is always a goal for me. One book a week is about average. Some of the grandkids are working on their reading and writing goals also, So as much as it looks like we are always moving some of my favoirite times are in the quiet times whien I can ponder and pray and find peace.Finding peace has been harder this time as we try to return to a life filled with service and love to others.

 

hot fun summer re runs

Bring out the kayakes, here we are at American fork Marina on Utah lake, We went early so only a few fishermen and one boat were out but the winds were strong so an hour was just about rightm but it is only 12 minutes from our home

Derek and Dan rode with the Iron Cowboy famous in our area for doing 101 ironman workouts in a row, Karina also rode with them and then rain a 1/2 marathon with Mariah down Provo canyon,,, they have really done a fabulous job keeping fit and strong.

Jim and I ride the same Murdock trail as the Ironcowday does and even got to cheer them on a couple of times, But most of the time I just want to stay out of their wsy as they go zooming by ( that used to be a term for speed, now we use it for close up communication on the computer )

And after all the aerobic activity I love doing my yoga, with cats here doing down dog or cat!. I have been in alot of pain in my legs and went to the specialist thinking my hips needed a rehaul but lucky for me they are super strong around the metal in the thigh.. pain still continues so I am trying to be less aggressive in my workouts. And my GP reminded me that I have OA, OsteoArthritis which is very significant and Osteoporsis,, ugh, but not going to worry about that,, ITs SUMMER

heres me reading while Jim Irons

Nik and Izk

Nik reading , good old summer fun

My cats Oreo and CC help me keep calm and warm in between all the outside activities

more hiking up by American Fork canyon in Alpine

oh the Poppies,,Thanks Emly for taking this cool shot, we went up to see the poppies in bloom near where Megan got married, We saw some beautiful homes and had a fun visit looking at all the dream homes up in Alpine. Being with friends and family and enjoying nature is the best way to share love and ohhhh the memories 

one last thought,,The return of going to the TEMPLE again, now that is the greatest memory to share with family and friends. Loved ones passed and present!!

 

Sweet dreams

childhood times remembered, being outside most of the time, playing by the creek, making forts by mermaid rock and swinging  so high until you almost flip around, Being in Michigan witih Valerie and the gang feels more like Pennsylvania than any

 other place that I visit. I love the wetness and the sky that  changes so frequently. I love the parks with creeks and many different colors of green. I recognize the flowers that need lots of moisture. I love that I can hop on a bike and ride without fear of getting run over. And I love that the Mercados are there to extend their love and share in all the fun each time I visit

this time we got to see Victoria dance and had fun getting a make over with nails and hair by Victoria

Val and I love to eat healthy and cook great food that sometimes only we like because it ,,just maybe is too healthy. Fun in  her great kitchen

Lyrical dance to Yellow

Rayven and Victoria before the dance 

Even more fun, I feel like I can use my skills from teaching when I go and help at Vals school, Here is nursery rhyme day

We got together with another family and they helped take a photo with all of us and we share the sabbath and learned more about her Chinese culture 

just before leaving we celebrated two birthdays

And I got to see more soccer games, both Erik and Austin are terrific players with many oppurtunities to grow and learn about gettng along with others and keeping active, Oh how I love my times in Michigan, I always enjoy and always look forward to the next time to go to my home away from home. my sweet dreams.

thankyou for the music,,, for giving it to me

here we are on Mothers Day using the selfie stick Jim gave me, Looks like it works pretty good, but I was hoping for some wrinkle remover,,,!!NOT,, I am happy with being a Mother and still being able to serve my family, 

Derek and kids shared the best surprise for music,,, Les Miserables at the Hale, the theatre is amazing and I even got to seen my favorite devil play a good guy!

Here is an older photo of my kids who put together th best gift of music, over 4 hours of my tune,,,including Purple people eater, Tiny dancer, Wild thing, oh what a beautiful morning,,, all my favorites,,, I told them to play this at my funeral!! The music is in me and oh, how grand it is to be reminded of the joy of the song

more joys to be reminded this mothers day

 

what do 3.. half Ironman equal?

what do these 3 equal?

 Hard work, sacrifice, dedication,  working through injury and pain, determination and wifes and famlies that support and love them!! These 3 just completed St, George , in high heat and after many changes in dates due to covid to keep in compliance. As Jim and I followed their course throughout the morning we saw all kinds of people who set this as their goal. We are happy for their success. ( I , of course would love to continue competiting!!! alas I still train but cant push with my 17 year old  fake hips... and 73 year old other body parts that are hanging in there!!)

here is Scott Fulkerson, our long time friend and neighbor in SImi Valley California, He is a pro who trains others in trathlons. ( I hope I worded this correctly Scott,,He is professor and a coach )

Here is Dan, my daughter Karinas husband, who had to heal from a bike accident last fall which resultsed in metak plate in his elbow. He looked so calm right after the race!!! 

AND  My son Derek, also known as th beast! He works hard and trains hard.

and another.

the morning of the race we tried to get to Sand Hollow where the swim started but everything in Sr George was blocked and we couldnt figure out how to get there in time so we took a bike ride along the Virgin River trail. Lucky for me this was not my race, as my rear tire lost air and we had to cut it short to get over to the trainsition where the racers leave their bikes and start the last part of the race, the 1/2 marathon! We watched them come into the finish line and cheered  them all on. Later in the day we got to chat with our friends and learn more about all the challenges they faced to get to their fiinish line, 

May we all get to finish the race in the way that we have prepared for.