MS Bike Ride

This was Matt's 2nd year riding in the Harmon's Best Dam Bike Ride, which supports MS Research. 

 He decided after last year riding 40 that he would do 75 miles this year.  The race starts at the Logan 

Fair Grounds and goes up past Richmond and into Idaho for a bit and then back to the fairgrounds 

through Lewiston. Matt went up Friday night to camp(the girls and I all ended up sick so we decided

 to stay home). He was able to be a VIP since he raised so much money last year. They had a special 

dinner and other perks he got.

There were about 3000 riders that rode that day. They started in heats and they were the third group 
out, it was about 7:30 AM. The high for that day was supposed to be 101 in Logan.  It was just under 
80 when they got started and it was cloudy so it actually stayed pretty cool until lunchtime (about 11).  
By then they were already at 45 miles.  They stopped in Lewiston for lunch.  Brit rode with Matt and 
Tyler.

They stopped at the water stop that Wadman sponsored by Newton. They rode up the East side of the
 valley and came back on the West side.They finally made it back to the fairgrounds around 1:40.  
Without stops it about 4 hours 44 min. Matt said it was hot the last hour or two because the sun came 
out. Beofre the race he had been really worried about his butt and how it would do but his knees ended 
up giving him the most problem. Once he got home he showered and iced them. We went to bed 
worried he wouldn't be able to walk the next day but he was fine. He had a great time and is already 
planning for next year...maybe the 100 miles...we will see??

Vacation Days

Matt has 2 weeks of vacation and the way all our vacations worked out we have some left over to spend some "lazy" days with just us. Matt has taken them sparatically over the last month or so. He built the puppies their dog house...I thought it looked just like a really house complete with siding and carpet. The roof even has shingles.

 The 3-wheeler has been a big help the girls help Matt by hauling supplies and trash back and forth to him

 This guy does it all...including pedicures. I was planning on doing them and Hallie wanted her dad to do them. He was a great sport and did a great job.

 This time of year just about anything that involves water is fun and the splash pad was no exception

 We did some gardening and of coarse yard work.

The puppies and excited and hyper for about 15 minutes before they look like this...lazy dogs

 We have made it to 7-peaks a couple of times and its nice to have an extra set of hands to keep track of both kids.

We love our daddy. He works so hard and I have no idea how he keeps on top of everything he has going on but he always has time for us. We still have more days that we have planned out and can't wait to make more memories with just our little family.

Lake Powell Day 4-Going Home

Saturday signaled the day to head back to reality. The plan was to get up and play until lunch then head for home but when we got up the wind was blowing!!! So we decided to pack up and head for home a little early.

This year was a little different we usually have periods of time with not great weather but usually not as frequently as this year. We still had a great time but definitely didn't get the playing in like we usually do. On the way down I wondered if we had made the right decision taking the trailer seeing as it costs us more in gas to get it there and back. But on the trip home Matt and I had the same conversation we had had on the way down and decided unless we left the beach we probably wont go back without a trailer again. It was so nice to have a cool place for the kids to nap and while everyone else was cleaning sand out of all their stuff I had a clean non sandy place to put my kids to bed. I love boating and love that my family loves it too. I love Lake Powell and can't wait to go again....maybe we could even get a fall trip in this year who know I guess we will see.

Lake Powell Day 3

Hallie woke up first and asked for me to get her ready. We got her dressed, sunscreened, and hair done. I went to get something and found her asleep all tucked in next to Matt I love this picture. So now I was the only one awake so I got myself ready and by then Grace was awake so one by one we all got dressed all in time for Hallie to wake back up. 

Then some classic pictures and faces to remember

Then we headed out to do some boating! The weather was perfect and no wind...yeah! Here is Grace tubing with Maddi

Once we got back for breakfast we decided we had such a great time dancing the day before that we would do it agin so we cranked up the toons and had a dace party.

And yes that is Rigs wearing Gracies pink flower glasses...he loved them

The a slow sng came on so Kyle attempted to teach grace and Rigs how to slow dance.

They did pretty well

Then of coarse Hallie wante din on the fun

So we all danced until Mommy was dizzy and needed a break

Then the ducks made their rounds to eat bread and the kids were happy to help with that. I think we went through a half of loaf of bread for 3 ducks! Gracie was more interested in petting them and eating the bread.

Friday also just happened to be Rigden's second birthday(2nd year in a row this has happened). So Nic & Ky got out his present and he was nice enough to share with all the kids.

Im not sure why but Gracie thought it was fun to dip the horse into a bucket of water and then suck on it...yuck!

Then we played some badmitton

And played in the sand more...Rig's new birthday toys were a huge hit! Gracie always seemed to find a way to get held on someone lap and papa was no exception. When I asked her to smile this is what I got...love this little cheeser

After lunch we headed out to do some tubing since it was a little choppy but sill no wind...yeah! We had a great time watch facial expressions and Nate getting one of the biggest airs I have ever seen...it was awesome! But the bumps didn't keep our little ones awake tey got in more nap time.

Rigs enjoyed the front of the boat

While his daddy wakeboarded. Rigs would get so excited when he saw Kyle out there and say daddy daddy and cheer...super cute.

We made supper yummy dutch oven chicken and potatoes and just as we finished eating the wind started again....yes I am serious. At tat point I think everyone was a little discouraged I got Gracie bathed and laid down for the night while the boys and Hallie went out surfing with Carl in his boat. The video they did was so funny. I love that our boys know how to have a great time! 

After they came in for the night Kim & Ez decided they were done. Luke was super fussy and wouldn't sleep, nurse, or want to be held. We helped them pack up there stuff and they headed for Ezra sisters house for the night. I think we were all pretty discouraged. Hallie had wanted to roast a marshmellow all week so we built a fire and built smores before heading to bed for the night. The wind made a bad end to a great day but we still had a great time.