Fun stuff

A few days ago Jonah looked at me like this

and said, “Mom, do I still have ketchup in my eye?”  I replied, “yes you do.”  He then said, “Ah when is that ketchup going to yeave my eye?”  I decided I better tell him that it was blood from his body and not ketchup!

And a totally different story.  Brandon was giving us a family night lesson about fitness and eating healthy (he says it is his go-to lesson).  He was talking about the importance of playing sports and playing outside instead of sitting around.  I commented, “So what would happen if you got on your mission and were only used to playing video games?”  He looked at me and said, “I wouldn’t know because you only let us play for like 15 minutes!”

So true!

Standing Up

We live in a very prominent “Ute” area.  It is not cool to be a BYU fan. Some neighbors won’t even wear the color blue.  I come from a BYU heritage where my Grandpa was a professor and very respected person.  My parents both went there as well as some siblings.  Yes, I tried, but was not smart enough to get in, which I am very glad about now.  I graduated from the U, and loved every minute there.  Growing up we had season football and basketball tickets.  My grandparents had them, we had them, and now my little family has them.

Brandon has followed in our tradition of being a BYU fan, mainly because he learned from his Uncle Nate.  Friday morning as Brandon was getting ready for school I asked him if he was going to wear his BYU football jersey.  He said he didn’t think he would. (he has been made fun of already for something he wore) So I gave him a little pep talk about how he was a confidant and courageous person and he could wear it.  I let him decide and was pleased when he came down to breakfast wearing it.  I told him there would be people who saw him and wished they were as courageous as he.  When he got home from school I asked how it went.  He said only a few people made fun and that I was right, people thought he was courageous. The hardest part was in his English class where the entire class period was devoted to a debate, BYU vs. Utah.  7 kids who didn’t care (or weren’t brave enough to admit it) were the jury and then it was Brandon against the whole class!  Not one single other fan.  I knew he had no problem debating, he knows more about sports and statistics then I ever will.  He held his own and lost by 1 point, due to the fact that the jury didn’t believe he was telling actual stats (because how would they know?)!  I was very very proud of him and he was proud of himself for being true to who he was.

Yes, he was devastated at the game, as was I, but he would not leave his seat until the clock had run down.  We had a blast and truly enjoyed ourselves…until the last quarter.

Tailgating in blue.

Ready and excited for it to start.

The coolest sight to see.

If I teach nothing else to my children it will be to be true to who they are, no matter how much crap the neighbors and school kids give them.  And that we are BYU fans, not Utah haters……something Utah fans have a hard time understanding.

I am one very proud mother.

Preschool

Jonah was so excited to start preschool.  It was so hard for him to wait 2 whole weeks after the other boys to start.  One day as I tried to explain how much longer it would be I said, “after my race, then you start school.”  Sure enough, the second after I crossed the finish line he said, '”Do I get to go to school now?”  He has gone 3 times so far and LOVES it.  He is tired when it ends, but very happy.

I said, “I can’t believe my Jonah baby is starting school” he replied, “I’m not a baby anymore.”

Tri-ing

I was feeling a bit upset for not doing a triathlon this season so I decided to at least do a sprint tri at the rec center.  Nothing fancy or too difficult, but I loved doing it.  I didn’t train as well as I should have, especially with the swim, but was pleasantly surprised with how I did.

I got a bit worried at the swim when I watched other people changing up their strokes (because they were tired) or hanging on the edge by the 3rd lap.  No worry needed because I swam probably the best I ever had at an indoor pool tri.  I was able to keep my strokes steady and never got tired.  I even passed a few people.  8:54!!!! I just looked up my swim time, that was good.

Biking I was still feeling good.  I messed up my first transition, but that is ok.  I biked my heart out and still got passed by people who looked like they weren’t doing anything.  I did pass a few very very slow people!  It was a different course than in the past with some stop lights.  At one light a young man volunteer asked me if I wanted a lucky penny, he said it would bring all the single men to me.  I said, sure I want it but I am not sure if my husband and kids will like it.  He was embarrassed and walked off.  Made me laugh!

You can’t see me, but I am taking off on the start of the ride.

And here I am ending it.

12.4 ish miles.  Didn’t get my best time, but I did have to wait at 2 traffic lights!

Starting out the run, feeling like my legs are jello!!!!

The first mile of the run I did awesome.  I was feeling like I had moved up a category.  No  longer was I in the category of slowest triathlete, but moving up towards the middle of the pack.  That feeling died by the last mile when I didn’t have much steam left in me.  Definitely was not a good time for me on the run, but according to my watch we ran 3.5 miles instead of 3.2……makes all the difference.  I was still proud of myself for moving the whole time, no stopping, coasting or walking for the whole race.

Finishing it up.

And yes I did it again!!!!

1 hour 41 minutes.  Not my best sprint time, in fact probably my slowest sprint time, but I did finish in the middle of my age group category!  And I had lots of fun.

The Wedding

I am getting really behind on this stuff!  August 24-25th was Nate and Aliska’s wedding.  A long time in the making, but so worth the wait.  They found out 2 weeks before the date that they didn’t get temple clearance (from Nate’s previous and very short marriage).  They were devastated, but made the most of it.  They were trying to think of a place to get married and I suggested my Dad and Judi’s beautiful backyard.  They loved the idea and Judi loved having a reason to buy more flowers!  This made for a little bit more work for me (in my role as Mother of the groom) but was very nice.  It was a hectic two days, but so much fun. 

Kids were only invited if they could be quiet the whole time.  Luckily mine could because they would have been crushed to miss it.

So cute!

I didn’t get good pictures, but Jonah was the ring bearer.  He was so proud walking up there with the rings tightly in his hand.

Yiska is Jonah’s best friend.

And they are both two of my best friends.

I made mexican beans for 250 people for the reception with the help of my dear friend Si.  I would not have survived it without her.  She just acted like it was no big deal and we were done in no time!  I think I deleted the picture of ALL the beans.  Anyways the reception was held at a friends house in Salt Lake.  Beautiful and fun yard.  They wanted a party and a party is what they had.  Taco stand, beans and rice, chips and salsa, churros, a DJ and of course, my suggestion, the mechanical bull!

Good food and great family!

Jonah was scared to death when it moved.

Brando did great.

Jacob was very good as well.

I had a blast!!!!

As did the happy couple.

Dancing the night away.

Michael and Nate throwing Brandon in the pool!

And a firework send off!

Such a fun two days.  I am so happy they are married and Yisk is finally really my sister in law!