What Happens in Vegas…

Will probably end up on our blog.

We ate (awesome food), drank (lots of water to combat the heat), and had a very merry time.

William and I had never been to Vegas other than the occasional pit stop on the way to/from Utah.  We were so excited to spend the weekend with the Reynolds---it had been nearly 6 months since we had seen them and we had a great time!

Julie and I got to hang out just girls (and the babies) while the men went to a fight downtown. It was great to catch up.

We had a pretty lazy weekend, though Steve and William did find some time to lift weights. William and I strength train together 3 times a week, and I really think it’s starting to pay off. You can tell how hard they’re working by all the grunting.

Exercising with Dad.

We didn’t get in as much exercise as usual, so we went hiking in Red Rock Canyon. 

We designated the husbands as pack mules.

Steven showed off our son to onlookers.

We played a rousing game of “Hide and Seek”.And the little boys played with rocks and dirt.  Typical boys.

Rocks and Dirt

After naps, we went to The Strip.

It was practically Disneyland---though maybe not quite the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

These 2 cute boys weren’t sure about each other at first (6 months is eternity to a one-year-old), but eventually warmed right up to each other. They were running and laughing,

Sharing car snacks,

playing the piano,

(being the musician that he is, Liam would not leave the piano alone).

and being totally silly together.

No, No, No.

We were even lucky enough to have the Titeras join us for a night, to have all 3 Musketeers together again.

Thanks to the Reynolds hospitality, we were able to manage a pretty amazing get-away for around $150 (including dog-sitter and gas!).

Hope to make it back sometime soon!

Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime?*

When all the world is green

Do you ride fish in a stream,

Or lazily dream on the beach as the clouds roll by?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?

Do you swim in a pool, 

and look really cool,

or play frisbee golf when Kevin stops by?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?

Do you march in parades,

or drink lemonades,

or have watermelon to try?

Is that what you do? So do I!

 

We just love summertime! Three more months to do the fun things on our list!

*Words and music by Dorothy S. Anderson ©1964

So Long, Farewell

Liam and I spent yesterday in LA, saying goodbye to two of our favorite people, Shilpa Kedia and Marissa Tate. Both of our friends are moving to Phoenix within the next few weeks (though not together), and we will be sad to see them go---but glad to have a bright side to Phoenix layovers!

Marissa has been our friend since Steven’s bachelor days in the UCLA ward---we will miss her total awesomeness and amazing spirit. Liam couldn’t bear to watch her leave.

Shilpa (far left) was my cubicle buddy for almost three years at Progressive.  Her husband just finished residency at Cedar Sinai and they are moving on to the next phase of their life---including a little girl due this September that we plan to line up with Liam about 20 years from now. Liam already loves Indian food and cute girls so I don’t think it will be a hard sell.

It was great to see all my old work friends again, even though most of them have since left Progressive for bigger and brighter things. Liam’s “uncle” Kyle even made it out for a few minutes, though he declined to stay through the girl’s night.  Every time I visit, I miss the good times in LA---and the $1 tacos at Don Antonio’s. Yum!

Races and Places

I didn’t get into the St. George Marathon this year. Though I’m still not sure whether I should be glad or sad about this, I decided to make the Fontana Days 1/2 my last “Big Race” of the year.  I’ll probably do a few 10ks and 5ks, and maybe a few other low-key races, but Fontana Days was my focus race.

I spent months training with a friend, Lisa Anderson, logging countless miles on trails, uphill, and in heavy headwinds to prepare. Our hard work paid off as we both ran a fast race.

My two cute boys came to see me at mile 10. It was awesome to have the support of my favorite people. Steve accidently left the camera on video mode, so you folks get to see what 6:45 minute miles looks like. (Summit Ave and Sierra Ave).

Fontana Days 1/2---Mile 10

I was so happy to see Steven and William. I was feeling pretty tired at that point and wasn’t sure I’d be able to break 1:30. Seeing them cheer me on gave me motivation to finish as best I could.

In fact, I ended up beating them to the finish line!

I finished with a 1:28 half marathon---an 8 minute PR!!!  Lisa finished with an amazing 17 minute PR---1:33! Unfortunately, I had a hard time finding Steve at the finish and never ended up getting a picture of us cute racing girls before Lisa left.

William had a great time! He loved the balloons, music, and food at the finish line.

Turns out, 1:28 was fast enough for 2nd place in my division (8th OV Woman).  That’s my highest placing in such a big race.

Not only did it make me super happy to get such an amazing time, but I also got a really awesome 2nd place medal out of it.

And a very tired and sore body. What a perfect day!

Last Minute Getaway

Since 4/5 appointments cancelled on me last weekend, we threw all the necessities into the car and drove up Saturday morning to St. George to spend the long weekend with the entire Garff family.

Though it was crowded (8 adults, and two 1-year-olds in a three-bedroom), we did have lots of fun. Except for the part where William decided not to sleep much (he wasn’t a fan of sleeping in the hallway) and a few traffic issues, there were numerous fun activities to enjoy.

Like Café Rio. Yum.

And the new park near the condo:

It was so fun, we went back again the next day. They had tons of spinning equipment that made us all VERY dizzy. William got off and could hardly stand up after. But he LOVED it.

Dizzy Billy

Walking to church---note how handsome my little boy is in his suit!

Hanging with Grandpa Bill:

We also went to Brigham Young’s winter home in St. George. This picture includes the entire Garff immediate family. We haven’t all been together since Christmas, so this was a treat.

We were going to go rock climbing, but it didn’t work out. Luckily, Silly Billy got in some climbing of his own before bed one day.

Our Silly Billy never fails to amuse us. Remember those Cars jammies? He insisted on wearing them when I put on his swim suit. So they ended up as a hat. Every time he sees them, he has to wear them. Usually the shorts go on his arms since he hasn’t quite figured out how to dress himself yet.

No Memorial Day trip is complete without a little swimming. Of course, we couldn’t resist.

These two cute cousins couldn’t get enough of each other last time they were together. This trip, however, was almost too much togetherness. We got them to share the spotlight for this camera, but we had a hard time getting them to share ANYTHING ELSE.Silly Billy decided he wanted to be just like dad. My boys are too cool for this pool!