The Great Race

Last week I participated in the Great Race at Dixie State College during "D" Week. I've worked there for nearly 20 years and never been on a team - but I bucked my trend and joined the Dixie Admin Team. My leg of the race consisted of running about 3/4 of a lap around the track, then answering three questions about school history, and then jogging another 1/2 block. It was so embarrassing to be huffing and puffing so much after that little bit of exertion. Its definitely time to get back to exercising! Our team took 29th place out of 30 teams. The only team we beat, dropped out of the race half way through! But, in our defense, our average age was at least 25 years older than the other college and high school teams. Can we use that for an excuse? Our college president even joined our team and did the basketball shoot. Here's a photo of two of my teammates, my boss, Steve (also shown in the mud pit), and our vice president, Frank—quite the motley crew. Mike ran the Great Race when he was at Dixie, and I'm pretty sure his team came in first that year (sorry I didn't carry on the tradition Mike). Did I mention it was so cold, and pouring rain during the race. It was Kirk's birthday, and he got cold hamburgers and stood in the rain waiting patiently for me to do my thing. And, we still haven't properly celebrated!

Its Hard to Say Goodbye

We spent Friday through Sunday in Bountiful and Ogden spending time together and saying goodbye to Mike, Bri, Trent, Garret, and Zach before they flew to Beijing, China to live for three years at the American Embassy. They were in the air 14 hours yesterday (what do you do with 3 active boys cooped up for that long?) We haven't heard from them yet (its 4:00 a.m. there right now), but we're anxious to hear how the flight went and about their first impressions of China.

Kirk and Scott and I took Mike's family to Antelope Island one of the days. It was a lot of fun to see buffalo, and to play at the ranch. Trent and Garret really loved roping!

Brian and Emily came up and Shellie and George flew to Salt Lake, too, so we were able to enjoy Mike and Bri's company before they left. They said goodbye to Great Grandpa and Grandma, we all flew kites at the park, and even had an early birthday party for Garret. Its tough, though, knowing they are so far away. But Kirk and I won't wait too long before we head there to see them!

Show Me The Money!

My Dad is a unique guy. At his 85th birthday party last Saturday, he gave each of his children $85 in honor of his years. Then he gave each of his grandchildren 1/2 of that — $42.50 and each of his great grandchildren 1/4 of that (since they have 1/4 of his genes he claims), which is $21.25. Since he has 30 grandchildren and 15 greats, that added up to a pretty penny. He handed out cash to each one individually, and they all had a great time. He wants to make sure they each remember him. I think they will anyway since loves to spend time with his family, tell stories about his youth, and take everyone on tours through the nooks, crannies, and hiding places in his house and yard. One of my favorite stories about my Dad that shows his frugal personality, is the time he tried to heat up cold french fries in a hotel room with the blow dryer (can't let anything go to waste!). There is always something fun with my Dad - he has been a great father, and provided all of us kids with a wonderful, secure, loving, gospel-centered home. Love you Dad!

Here's Zach, my Dad's youngest great grandchild, eagerly reaching for his share of the birthday pot!

Trent and Garret loved exploring Dad's Train Room.

























Mom and Dad loved seeing Abby and Caynen, too.

A Beautiful Weekend in St. George

It was a beautiful, sunny weekend in St. George and we got to share it with Shellie, George, Abby & Caynen. We rode horses at the Graf's farm (thanks Jon!), we played at Santa Clara Park (sliding wasn't Shellie's best sport), and George went 4-wheelin' with his friend at the sand dunes at Sand Hollow reservoir. Kirk continues to recover from his rotator cuff shoulder surgery. It hasn't been fun, but we think he's on the way up now.

Birthday Fun

I celebrated a great birthday while Kirk and I were in Washington, D.C. I was treated like a "Queen for the Day" (does anyone remember that TV show? Or am I really dating myself?). I was baked 2 cakes - and given a third while I was treated to dinner at Macaroni Grill. It was great being with Mike and Kenny's families, and the homemade cards and poem by the grandkids were great! Bailey spent at least 4 hours making me a calendar - I'm using it at work now. Christan outdid herself in picking out my card since she wanted to one-up Kenny. When he was on his mission in Argentina, Kenny went to get a birthday card for Brian - but the only thing he could find was a pink card that said, "Happy Birthday Little Sister." So he sent it anyway and started the "not so sure this fits the occasion" birthday card tradition. I've received sympathy cards, baptism cards, and even bar mitzva cards on my birthday. Christan always apologizes for Kenny's choices - but when it was her turn to pick one out for me, she went for the shock value (hers is the last one on the right). It worked!

Good Times in D.C.

Kirk and I had a great time while we were in Washington D.C. for Kirk's Sheriffs Convention. Of course, the best part was being with Mike & Bri and Kenny & Christan's families. We also got in some sight-seeing: the National Cathedral, National Archives, Natural History Museum (Madagascar hissing cockroaches were a hit), Mt. Vernon, and the Newseum, a news museum where the visiting exhibit was on the FBI's first 100 years (since we have our own family G-Man, that was extra interesting). We also tended kids while Mike and Bri went to the Holocaust Museum. It was fun to see Mike coach and Trent' play basketball. I had fun sliding on the ice and searching for critters along the frozen stream with Trent and Garret, and we all got to enjoy a rare D.C. snow/ice storm and go sledding with all the kids on Bailey and Corbin's backyard hill. We played innumerable games of Marco Polo, Alien Brain Sucking Game, and Jolly Jolly Butcher Boy (one of the games I played as a kid). Of course, hugging Drew and Zachary was wonderful. Could it get more fun than that? We loved every minute!

Skinny Legs, Big Hair, and Cool Girbaud Jeans

These big-haired, skinny-legged people all trying on the same pair of Girbaud jeams, are the Smith family 20 years ago. Back in 1989, our friend Beva Shelby sent a pair of Girbaud jeans (the hottest brand around at the time) to Shellie, who was dying for a pair—which we couldn't afford. We decided Shellie shouldn't be the only cool one in the family, so we each tried them on, and then sent pictures to Beva. We hadn't seen the pictures since then, so when Beva emailed them to us last week, we got a great laugh out of it. Oh to be young and skinny again! Thanks for the memories Beva!