NuMbEr 6 - Woo hoo!

The last of my 6 events for the year was the Mesa Falls Half Marathon. I was a little worried because I've never done more than a 10K, but I actually loved the half. Of course, if I had my way, I would prefer there wasn't a 2 mile stretch of UPHILL, but I definitely have to recommend this half. The first stretch is on a small dirt trail through the National Forest and at the end, they give out free huckleberry milkshakes. What more could you ask for?!

Here are Cathy and I before the half.

And after, still standing!

Jake's Test Run.

Jake had to be right there with the girls getting ready for school. He got up with them, got dressed, ate breakfast, even packed his own lunch and backpack. It was all pretty dang cute. So of course when I took their pictures, he had to get one take as well.

Walking to school with his backpack and lunch box. Tatum's lunch box hooks on her backpack, so he had to do the same with his.

Wondering why we're moving so slow.

The girls walking to school. Their faces say so much. Cambrie is as excited as can be and Tater is quite worried about what the day will bring.

The Big 1st Grader!

Tatum is a big 1st Grader this year! She is so excited to go to school ALL DAY, and to get to go to Cambrie's School. It has been really fun to watch as Cambrie has helped her to get ready to go. She has been explaining how everything works to Tatum. The bus (even though I drive them), the lunch room, the library, the bathroom, PE, every little detail you can imagine, Cambrie has been explaining it all step by step to Tatum. I actually think she is getting a bit worried from all the information, but she's very comforted to know that Cambrie is just down the hall if she needs her.

Here is Tatum all ready for her big day.

Hanging up her backpack & jacket. No more lockers like she had in Kindergarten!


Tatum at her seat. She even brought an apple, a homemade card and flowers for her teacher. Such a
 thoughtful little girl.

First Day of 3rd Grade. . .

The kids have been counting down the days for the big 1st Day of School. Unfortunately for me, it came way too quickly.
Cambrie is starting the 3rd grade and will be in Mrs. Smith's class this year.

Here she is all ready to go!

Hanging up her backpack.

In her 'new' classroom. She is actually in the same classroom she was in last year, but it has been completely redecorated by her new teacher.

Cambrie with a couple of friends in her class.
Abby & Sayler.

Another year in Victor!

Another year has come and gone in Victor, Idaho. Things continue to go very well. I think we are always finding new things that we love about this place. Winter brought more fun in the snow. Tatum and Cambrie both found they love skiing and ice skating. All of us enjoyed snowshoeing and sledding quite a bit this year. We've got tons of firewood ready and are actually a bit excited for our evening fires again. Summer was amazing as always. We were so fortunate to be able to spend lots of time outdoors hiking, 4 wheeling and camping. We've loved having family and friends visit this year and sharing all this beautiful valley has to offer them. The kids are loving small town living. They adore their chickens and ducks and can't wait until more animals arrive (It could be a while). I love that they spend way more time outside than inside, no matter what season it is. A lot has changed in the 3 years since we've moved here, but I know with a surety, this is where we needed to be. We're getting so much better at going with the flow and slowing down to enjoy the little things in life. We are so blessed!

Numero Cinco!

My 5th event was the RUSH Tri in Rexburg.  I did the Olympic Relay with 2 other friends.  It consisted of a 1mile swim ~ 24mile bike ~ 6.2mile run.  I did the swim, which is first.

I decided to rent a wesuit and was so glad that I did.  I tried it out a few days before up in Victor and was a little worried, because even with the wetsuit, the water was still FREEZING and I was starting to wonder if I could really do this.  Fortunately, Rexburg is quite a bit lower in altitude.  As most people got in and commented on how cold the water was, I was thinking it felt warm compared to the pond in Victor. 

Here we're just heading out to the buoy.  This is where they started us. 

Running to the transition area.

Heading in to pass off the timing chip.

Lyndsey Kunz did the bike. She's amazing.

Here she is handing off the timing chip to Cathy Thomas for the run.

Cathy did the run which was a 10k.  Unfortunately it was pretty similar to the 10k from the DAM Marathon we did earlier this summer, only worse.  Instead of running up the road, they divert you off onto a tiny little dirt trail that shoots straight uphill.  Cathy did awesome.

 After the race.  We came in just barely over 3 hours, but finished 1st out of the womens teams.

Only one more to go!

One Spoiled Rooster.

Here is Roady! This is Cambrie's rooster that she was going to show for 4H. She spent a lot of time this summer holding and playing with him so that he would be tame when it came time for the fair. Well, now he's all grownup!