LOTAJA!!!

Cade is amazing. Just amazing. He has been training for this cycling race since about March of 2018 and finally was able to accomplish it! He learned a lot along the way and now knows the mysteries and importance of caffeine :). He did this race with Larren Kingsford and Larren's brother-in-law, Jodi.

Lauren's wife, Amberly, Boose and I all drove up Saturday afternoon to go meet the guys at the finish line. Luckily we drove the scenic route so we could stop along the way a few times and cheer them on. It was so neat to see them accomplish this amazingly hard race! At about mile 140-150 Cade hit a wall and didn't know if he would be able to finish. He was told he needed a Red Bull or he would not finish the race. After about 15 minutes after drinking one he was almost good as new (well...almost), but he was at least able to finish! The cut off time is 8:30 p.m because it starts getting too dark and a hazard for bikers to be out. He finished at 8:23!!! Just in time. Oh, I was checking my phone about every minute that last 30 minutes to see how much longer he had. So glad he was able to finish! I love him and his hard work ethic and doing his best. What a great example he is to me and his 4 girls.

Jordan and Faith are Married!

Yay Jor Jor and Faith are married! They got married on September 7th, 2018. We are so happy for them. They are so good for each other and Faith fits right into our family. The whole days couldn't have gone any better. The temple sealing was wonderful and it was the first time Cade and I have ever been to the Draper temple not freezing and/or super windy. It was a gorgeous day!

Then the luncheon was just across the street at the chapel right across from the temple. My mom is sure glad to have her part done and done! I was asked to sing at the luncheon and so I finally found a song I wanted but asked Cade if he could sing with me, learn the piece on the guitar and OH...can you change the words too??? He was awesome and came through for me. We sang the Lava Song from a Disney short and changed the words so it fits Jordan and Faith. Everyone loved it and laughed more than I thought they would. It was so fun singing with Cade again.

Then I left the reception and went home to get the girls ready for the reception. They looked SOOO cute in their matching purple dresses and flower crowns. So cute. Cade's mom was with me that night. She drove all the way up from Prescott to help me out that weekend since Cade left straight from the luncheon to Logan to get ready for his huge bike race he had been preparing for all year (LOTOJA). But the reception was BEAUTIFUL and the weather was perfect. There were over 500 people who attended and most stayed so it was super crowded. Lots of people who love Jordan and Faith!

We are super happy for them and excited for their future. Faith has already been counted in the running for the favorite aunt/uncle. The kids love playing with her.

School Starts Again...I Still Can't Believe It

This year Emma is in 3rd grade and in Mrs. Webster's class. Reese is in 1st grade (full-day!) and in Mrs. Leeflang's class. Nora is going to Learning Dynamics preschool in Lehi and has Ms. Fonnesbeck. Nora has been having a hard time some days saying, "I don't want to go!", but usually she still does fine and ends up liking it after all is said and done. They are all growing up fast!

Yellowstone Adventures!

We drove half way to Pocatello, Idaho Wednesday night so we could break up the drive. Then Thursday morning we met our friends, the Steel's (Shane and Sadie & kids), at Bear World. Which ended up being perfect because we didn't see a single animal in Yellowstone (besides squirrels and birds!). The girls loved bear world because they got to go on rides, see lots of bears and animals AND Emma and Reese got to feed the bear cubs! That was a highlight and so fun to watch. Then we drove to a burger place and ate with the Steel's, then drove to West Yellowstone to check into our KOA campground.

At the KOA we checked into our cabin and went swimming. Then at night we drove to downtown West Yellowstone and walked around shops, got the girls their souvenirs, ate at a pizza place and played at the park. It was super fun. Unfortunately, that night Nora was throwing up from about 1 am to 8 am. I was right there and caught every throw-up in a plastic bowl I had brought. That was definitely not our favorite night...but the show/vacation must go on. So on we went!

On Friday morning we had planned on getting out super early but because Nora was sick all night, our plans changed to late :). We drove first to Old Faithful and got there before there were too many crowds. Then we drove to the Fairy Falls hike to see the Grand Prismatic Spring from the overlook there. It was so beautiful. Nora was sick so she took the hiking backpack and Lucy had to be held (mostly by me but occasionally Cade did double duty :)). Then we went back to the gift shop for Cade and ate some lunch. Then we called it a day in the park- we were way too tired. We went back for naps (long ones!), more swimming, bike rides and treats. Then at night we drove to downtown West Yellowstone again and ate at home-cooking restaurant.

The last day (Saturday) we took our time packing up and eating breakfast. Then we drove way up north to Mammoth Hot Springs. They were super cool but the girls didn't like the egg smell :). After Mammoth we drove to the Artist paint Pots and got to see the mud bubbling and squirting out- the girls thought that was fun. Then we left Yellowstone and drove back home! We all had so much fun. Aside from a throw-up it was very successful! :)