Visitors from Utah

Gram and Tierra came for a visit the week before school started. Gram sent me some pictures of their visit (none included Gram though, hmmm?).Tierra loved Paisley, even though she went home with wounds and gashes and a missing thumb.

Gram, Tierra and I got our manicures and pedicures. We had some good laughs about Tierra's too small toenails that prevented her from getting her first three design choices. (On the other hand - Gram has a big toenail that we can easily call a "canvas"!).

We walked around the temple - a lovely sultry (humid) evening in August. (Note to self: take ugly glasses off for all photos!).

Cam getting the cat all jacked up and looking for a victim.

At the game table - kind of a tradition when Gram comes to town. It was a nice, albeit short visit. Tierra is a good girl and we would love for her to visit more often.

Picture the Past - First Day of School

Yesterday was Cam's first day of his Senior year. But, this is Cam's real first day of school. We were in LA (South Pasadena), Arroyo Vista Elementary School. He is standing with his afternoon Kindergarten teacher Miss Brann. She was perfect for the job - very consistent. She was a little older and had many years of experience and had seen everything. We both liked her and he had a good year in her care.

Since this is Cam's last first day of school while he still lives with us - I was feeling a little nostalgic about the good old days.

Happy B-day Cam!

We had a fire hazard at our house Sunday evening. We had Cam's birthday cake on that day instead of his actual birthday because we would all be home. We debated at what age one should stop having the actual number of candles on the cake. Cory said he should just have one "symbolic" candle. I said he can have the actual number until he goes over the number that a box of candles holds (24). But, it was difficult lighting all of them and not having a very waxy cake, not to mention burned fingers. As a parent you just don't want to give up those traditions too soon. He will be 45 and I will still make him a cake and probably still write something on it! Happy Birthday Cam - August 18, 1992 was the best day of my life!


I missed the actual blowout - and this is my requested "re-creation". (I promise I will fix the date on my camera before I take one more picture!).

Running #3 Equipment

One of the best things about running is that you don't need anything to do it. If you don't live on the beach and run barefooted - then really all you need is a pair of shoes. If you have been telling yourself that you need something in order to run - I would submit that you are probably lying to yourself. There is no equipment, no shorts, shirt, watch, sports bra, garmin or anything else that is necessary for you to get out there and run. Also - if you are telling yourself that you would run if you had someone to run with - that might be another lie. You can run alone. I find - one of the best things about running is that I don't have to involve another person's schedule. I can run when it is convenient for ME. I do think it is rather nice to talk and visit while running but it is not necessary and my running doesn't depend upon it. This is a sport or hobby that is fabulous simply because it is so simple. There are no phone calls to make, no treats to bring, no uniforms or carpooling. There is just you and your body doing what it can do.

Rich Bouchard Memorial Run

The Rich Bouchard Memorial Run is a part of South Weber Days. For those of you who don't know, Cory grew up in South Weber. Rich Bouchard was a friend of Cory's in HS who died in a car accident. This run was something that he participated in while he was alive and worked to improve and upon his death it was renamed to memorialize him. This is Cory running close to the front of the pack in the 10K. He ended up winning first in his age group and 5th overall.


Cam is looking smiley and fit as he runs past the crowd in the 10K.


Cam rounding the last corner toward the finish line.

Cam after the race - sweaty and feeling fine. He actually did pretty well considering he did not prepare in any way for this run.


This is me looking fatter than I imagine myself to be and old and hunched over too - in fact maybe I should stop running if this is what I look like.


Shaury and I about to turn the corner to finish. It was so nice to run with someone. We talked almost the entire race and we are nearly the same pace. It made that 10K seem like a 5K! Luckily, I am much older than Shaury and got 3rd in my age group. We ended up about 64 minutes, which was amazing to me. I calculated that I would be happy with 70 minutes.

Rounding the corner toward the finish line - the family was yelling funny things to us and we were laughing at them.


This is a picture of the runners (minus Michael and Angela). Shaury, Cam, Cory, Brandon and I ran the 10K. Wendy, Becky, Michael and Pheobe (who got 1st in her age group) ran the 5K and Angela was a walker in the 2 mile walk. I signed her up and she ended up winning the thing!


After the run and necessary showers we are all back to watch the parade. We had some family in the parade.


Later that day we went to a couple of eating contests and then a firework show that night. Those South Weber Days are exhausting - and we were only there for 2 days of activities!

Handsome Cam

Cam's senior pictures came back and we are still trying to decide which we like. Here are some of my favorites. I hope this isn't against the law to put proofs on here like this. Tell me which you like the best. And also you can tell me how handsome and grown up he is (if you want to).

Evaluation Period

A little more than a week ago I got a call that something was wrong with my recent mammogram and that they needed a better look. I had nearly a week to worry and wonder about this news. In the course of that week I had all kinds of thoughts running through my head. It was sort of an evaluation period for me. I was wondering how I've done with my life? Pretty good - probably could have tried a little harder. Am I scared to die? No - mostly curious about it. What would people say about me after I died? What would my obituary say - who would write it? Where would my funeral be held (we aren't from here and have no family here)? Would Cory re-marry (the second wife that I would have to like)? Would Cam be okay eventually?

Well, I went in on Thursday and everything turned out fine. I guess we are supposed to evaluate periodically - whenever God gives us one of these bumps in the road.