Toquerville Falls 2016...

After we got back from the cabin, we decided to jaunt over to Toquerville Falls for a nice evening barbeque.  Everyone ran down to the falls will I started grilling dinner.  

We took our folding table, which is about on its last leg, and ate up some hamburgers and watermelon.

After dinner, all the other visitors left and we had the Falls to ourselves.  I played on the top by the river while Merril cleaned up.  The sun set and we went home.  It was a nice way to start the summer!

Pine Valley Cabin over Memorial Day Weekend...

Memorial Day weekend was the weekend Grandma Campbell scheduled the cabin in Pine Valley.  The kids were really excited to spend time with cousins.  I took pictures of the bicycle ride from the reservoir and out at the Laub ranch but not much else.  Mikayla was riding her bike like a boss!

I was running beside Mikayla because Mark wanted to ride the wiggle car and I had a strap to pull him when he got tired.  That trail is about 2 miles long and he did so great except for the last 5 minutes.  Then he was done.  

Who can blame him?  That's a long way on a wiggle car!

On Saturday, we went to the Laub Ranch.  The kids loved playing in the pond.

Sunday we went to the cute Pine Valley branch.  There's no nursery so it's a lot of chasing Mark on the grass until church gets out but I could still feel the Spirit.  During sacrament meeting, the entire shady side of the grass was covered with chairs, blankets and families who had come to listen to Sacrament meeting.  It looked like a tent revival.  It was great!!

What else?  There was a cupcake wars competition and our cupcakes finished first.  Because of the elevation, most everyone was having trouble with baking the cupcakes.  A lot of them were big, gooey messes that needed to be redone.  I can't explain why, but ours turned out okay.  Julie really wanted me to bring my piping bags for the frosting so they looked primo!  I totally didn't hear the part about making the cupcakes "Memorial Day" themed.  Woops!  Oh well, we were all tired anyway so I don't feel like it was anyone's best work.  Ha ha!

My Dad's birthday!

My Dad's birthday is on May 12th.  We were a little late getting our present together but I wanted to take my Dad to the sand dunes.  He was at our house a few months back and commented on how much fun it would be to head up to the sand dunes with Merril.  He used to have a Jeep, Suzuki Samurai, and Toyota Land Cruiser.  I think he was missing them.  So we loaded up some lunch and headed out for a morning of wheeling!

There's my Dad, as happy as a clam.  

We wheeled the morning and stopped at a nice shady spot for lunch.  Afterwards, my Dad was about to cry and said he had so much fun!  He asked if we could make this an annual event for his birthday.  Absolutely Dad!  He's 68 this year.  To be honest, I don't know how many more birthdays I'll get to spend with my Dad.  Ever since his aneurysm 15 years ago, I feel like he's been living on borrowed time.  I hope my kids get a few more years with him.

These two just had fun in the sand.  They totally don't care if they get sand everywhere.

Bow Bubbies...

Poor Bubbies.  Unfortunately you have older sisters who like to mess with you.  You were subject to a huge attack of hair bows.

It's bad, I know.

I'm so sorry my love!

Later we played trucks and blocks, to redeem ourselves.

I love how Mark wanted to haul the blocks around.  I'm so sorry you have to grow up.  It's the best listening and watching you.

Mikayla's Preschool Graduation...

Mikayla has nearly finished a year of preschool. This is the end of the year program.  Her teacher, Miss Slack, does a great job for doing it out of her house.

Mikayla sang the songs and was excited about treats afterwards.

This doesn't have anything to do with preschool graduation but Mark insisted I put a trailer on his "truck."  This is the best we could do and he seemed satisfied to pull around the stroller.  What a funny kid.

He ran the IronMan?? Is he crazy?!

Check out Merril.  He decided to run the IronMan this year!  Nuts, right?  He's been training for an hour each day, 6 days a week.  He's been improving his nutrition over the last few years and is down to around 185 pounds, which is the leanest I've ever seen him.  He's looking great!  

Race day is here!  Merril's prepping his number and wristband.  

Early on May 8th, Mikayla, Juliet and I went out to see him start the swim.  The competitors are staggered by gender and age and Merril's heat started at 7:40 a.m.  We left the house at 7:00 a.m. but the parking and getting a bus ride took forever.  We got to the water's edge in time to see his group go into the water but I wasn't able to pick him out and say hello.

He came out of the water around the 50-minute mark.

He transitioned to the bike and was on his way.  Look how happy he is!

The weather was cold and rainy for the bike.  He was doing okay but we saw a lot of women shivering.  

THen he transitioned to the run.  He paced with these two guys and ran most of it with them.  They kept each other going with stories and encouraging words.

And here he is at the finish with a smile!

He came in at 7 hours and 44 minutes, 48 seconds.  Other racers said that the rain made it super challenging this year.  Merril can't just run the IronMan, he has to run the hard one.

I still can't get over how absolutely fine he seemed after moving for that long.  He walked normally and was happy and talkative.

Our family is so proud of him!  You are amazing Merril!

His official race information: Swim 50:59 Bike 03:44:47 Run 02:50:30 Total: 07:44:49

He was hardly sore the next day and walked around like a normal person.  I'm in awe!

Pajama party...

The Young Women had a Mothers and daughters night.  We were treated to manicures and facials in our pajamas.  Unfortunately, the facials had cinnamon in it which burns!!  We had fun anyway with our super warm, tingly faces.  No makeup, yikes!  

Oh baby Mark.  I apologize.  You keep running around in Mikayla's old pajamas and I don't really stop you.  You are going to have words with me some day asking, "Why did you let me wear that??"  Sorry baby, you insisted.

I swear we're not doing it to be mean to you.  You really like Mikayla's old pajamas.