I did it for the sticker...

I love love love mountains - especially Utah's mountains.  When I moved back to Texas after college I ached for them.  And this last weekend I got to spend A LOT of time in them while running The Wasatch Back.  It's an 188 mile relay race that starts in Logan and ends in Park City.  We had a team of 12 runners and we each had 3 legs.  When you're not running you are acting as a support vehicle to whoever is.  It was so hard - I felt so tough - but it was SOO much fun.  I can't wait till next time!

For the race everyone comes up with a team name and then dresses up and decorates their van accordingly.  We were "Sweet Spirits" and we decided to dress up like Biker Chics.

Here's an exchange - you have a slap bracelet you pass on to one another.  It's exciting to wait for your runner to come in and to take off.

The team divides into two vans - 6 ladies in each.  Each van will do their 6 legs and then take time off while the other van does theirs - and then back to your own van.  This was our first down time on Friday evening and we really should have been sleeping but we were still all so full of adrenaline and it was so pretty.  And who can sleep at 7 in the evening anyhow?

We really did try though.  Sort of.

Our second legs started at 10:30 at night and didn't end until 4 in the morning.  We drove down to our next exchange point in Heber and got breakfast at the famous Chicks.  At least those of us who were still awake.  Some of the team stayed sleeping in the van.  The smart ones, at least.

All in all - even though I was BEYOND exhausted when I came home - it was so much fun and I really can't wait for the next one.  AND I now have a Ragnar sticker on my car.  That was really my main motivation...

Taking care of the dead...

Last night for FHE we went over to the visit the grave sites of some of my husband's family.  We missed doing it on Memorial Day and wanted to get over there and show some respect for them by cleaning up their graves.  Growing up my family lived far away from everyone else so we weren't ever able to do things like this, so I really enjoyed being able to. 

We brought along some hand tools and trimmed up around the head stones and Mike's brother John brought some flowers. It was really nice.  I hope they feel loved when they see their grandchildren and great grandchildren coming to visit.

I really like GG's and Bud's headstone.  Families really can be together forever.

When was the last time you stuck your nose in a patch of clover?  It smells so sweet.  I hope clover grows over my grave some day.

Speaking of my future grave...it's so fun to walk through the cemetery and see all of the different styles. I totally want one with my photo on it.  Slightly creepy but awesome.

All in all it was a really nice night.  I'm so glad to live by family - living and dead.  I'm sure I've got some ancestors buried around here.  I really should find out so I can go and take care of their resting places as well.

Dozen.

So, we moved.  It wasn't a big move - just down the street really but it we're so glad we did.  Our new place is bigger, newer, cuter, FENCED, and right next door to one of my best friends(here's her rad cooking blog).  And this is our 12th place in ten years.  Why do we move so often?  I really don't know - there must be a part of us that likes it.  It's a chance to purge, change, grow, and start anew.   But mostly, it's just awful.  Speaking of awful...

Here is a photo from the Midway 15k I ran in with some great friends.  We left Friday night and made a girls trip out of it.  Which means I have a really nice husband who let me leave during the thick of things with this move.  The Wasatch Back is in three weeks and this race was kind of a prep for that.   (BTW - will this baby weight ever go away?  I want to enjoy my summer!)  Anyhow, with me in the pic is Callie, who I mentioned above - and Sheree - whom I love as well.  Like, seriously love.   She ran really well and while she was going she was snapping pictures with her camera.  So cute.  My BFF Marisa was there too but I don't like the way I look in the picture with her.  Isn't that terrible?

Happy June!