super saturday!

Kelty and Teagan loved the train ride.

Juice and Treats provided by Dave and Kirsten!

After a long day these girls were out. Teagan was snoring louder then her dad.

Recommend..... fill your day with lots of activities in one day and your toddlers will be so wiped out that they are in bed by 7:30pm. We were on our way to the zoo this morning for my brothers late family birthday celebration and we drove by "This is the place" and I had never been there so I made Brett stop so we could take some pictures and another strongly recommend... try to remember which date you brought to such and such place and try not to mix them up because Brett said we have been here before and we sat under the statues and he rambled some more and I looked at him puzzled and said that must have been some other girl. OOPS! Anyways I have heard so much about this historic spot but had never been there in all my 13 years living here so it was neat. Then off to the zoo where we met up with Dave and Kirsten. Thanks for inviting us. The girls loved all the animals but when you ask them what was their favorite thing today they will tell you the train ride and we hardly saw any animals. Lagoon's train ride is much better then the zoo. So between the heat and walking all over we were tired but to add one more activity to our day we made a quick stop at Cherry Hills to cool off. Love those season passes. One hour was all we could handle. Now the girls are sleeping and Brett and I can hear the air conditioner come on and off. AHH! Peace and Quiet!!

Birthday Shout out to Scott!

Brett remembered it was your birthday today only because he says you are getting older. This is the only picture I could find of you but look how cute Max looks. Happy Birthday old man!

December 23, 1805 - June 27, 1844

Of the Prophet Joseph, John Taylor also wrote:
"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fullness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum" (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3).

Italian job

Brett has been back for 2 weeks now and I am still going through all 5000 pictures he took from his trip. Brett's job is to go through all the pictures and label them because I have no idea except for the obvious pictures. Here are a few more to show.

Oak Hollow 3rd annual water party

So while I was running on and off for two days my husband and the activities committee worked their tails off to set up for our ward water party last Saturday. Brett took my slack and from noon until 9pm he was at the park setting up, helping at the party and cleaning up. Thanks Brett you rock! I came for 3 1/2 hours and it looked like everyone was enjoying themselves. The kids loved the dunking machine, the blowup waterslide and the makeshift waterslide. There was also a waterfight with water guns and balloons and Brett brought his water balloon sling shot to see if he could hit people with the water balloons clear over by the waterslide. Our committee did a great job on the food and announcements. Two activities down and two more to go this year.

more pics from the race.

The Dashing Divas by the official Ragnar van.

finishing Avon pass 7.1 miles

We are finished. Yeah!

Did you say massage?

“It's a shame to call somebody a 'diva' simply because they work harder than everybody else.” Jennifer Lopez

The Dashing Divas

Diva Natalie with Kelsey from the makin bacon team.

Before the race

After the race

Brett and the girls came and saw me when we were starting our second leg at snowbasin. Love my running supporters.

DIVA - The term was originally used to describe a woman of rare, outstanding talent. It derives from the Italian word 'diva' meaning "goddess" or "fine lady". So by definition I do not fall in this category. And to be even more accurate when I run there is no way someone says Oh look there is a Diva running. I am for sure not looking stylish on the streets. I can't even match my running outfits (black and pink shorts with an orange shirt) let alone run gracefully. But I just spent 30 hours with 5 beautiful Divas in van #1 running the Wasatch Back relay and what a blast it was. These girls were so much fun to talk to and we kept each other motivated except for those few hours early in the morning where we were all half a sleep and couldn't function. I am so glad Paige asked me to join her relay team. But ask me right now if I would like to do it next year and my response would not be yes so easily. It's like this.... run in the hottest part of the day and breathing dust in from cars driving on the dirt road , driving forever in a car, running in the dark when it is cold and deer are jumping out all over, eatting at wierd hours of the night and day, sleeping on the ground in a high school and only for 1 1/2 hours, detour because roads are closed, praying we make it to major exchanges on time, Natalie attracting wierd and strange requests from runners, nice shower at the bunk house in Eden and eating yummy fruit, port a pottys (but very clean ones I might add), running lots of hills, fun conversations with the team, laughing and cheering, sunburn, wearing pink (not my favorite color), volunteers yelling at you when you are doing what you are suppose to be doing, constantly reading the race bible, starting the 3rd leg at 4am, massages at the finish area and last but not least finishing the race and surviving! Can I just say I love Tammy (Paige's mom) she turned 50 and she looks so great and did awesome running her legs. Maybe there is still hope for me and when I grow up maybe I can be a diva like these dashing divas on my team. Way to go Team!

Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay - June 20th & 21st

Today at 6am- Steph and the Dashing Divas embarked on their 180.5 mile journey. They will start in Logan at 8:40am and run to Park City arriving on Saturday around 2:30pm. Here is 6 of the 12 "Divas" this morning.

"Mac" tagged Teagan

Teagan was tagged by Mac i.e. Max. Here are 10 interesting facts about her.

1. Teagan will be three next month. Although she is telling people she is already three and when you tell her I don't remember having that birthday she says, " Yes, Mom I am 3 please".

2. Teagan loves to watch the movie "Cars" over and over. She has the whole collection of all the cars from the movie and she lines them up everywhere she goes. That means she carries all these cars with her or actually her mom does. This is where a purse would come in handy if I owned one.

3. Teagan really doesn't have a favorite color. She has alot of purple because her sister really likes pink and she tell's teagan she can have purple. It will be interesting to see what color she likes.

4. Teagan eats everything even green beans, peas, carrots, fruit but also loves those sweets. She is always asking for a treat.

5 Teagan does not have a very strong immune system. We bring her to nursery or a park and she is sick within a couple of days and it takes forever for her to get better. She has had alot of ear infections.

6. Teagan is our little fish in water. She loves to go swimming and when she wakes up she grabs a swimming suit from her dresser and comes down to tell me she is happy and ready to go bye, bye which translates to drive to Cherry Hills.

7. Teagan hates being pushed in a stroller unless she is tired. If I am running and pushing her in the jogger she keeps asking me to let her out so she can run faster.

8. She has never climbed out of her crib when she was a baby and when we made it into a bed we told her she could not get out and so up until a month ago she would yell for us to come get her out of bed. That was great!

9. Teagan likes to play at playgrounds. She could sit on a swing for hours or slide down a slide until you have to grab her and pick her up to take her home.

10. Teagan's taste in things are the exact opposite of what Kelty likes. Dinosaurs, cars, and she really likes horses.

Teagan tag's 3 Porters! Since all boys to her are named Porter. So if any mothers out there who are reading this blog and have a Porter you are it!

tea party

Kelty was invited to her first friends tea party. She was so excitted that Anna invited her. Kelty took her favorite doll, Sarah. Thank you. Kelty had so much fun. Sorry the picture is so dark.

Italia!

Italy summary: Gelatos, calizones, pizza, chocolate, cathedrals, hay bails, tunnels, museums, naked statues, laughing, stake conference, mediterranean sea, narrow streets floating buildings and a really cool van to drive in.

Russia!

Brett in thirty words or less describe Russia to me......subways, walking, dirty, porta potty's, red square, walking, people not talking, cold showers, churches, matryoshka dolls, lots of walking.

Look who's 30!!!!

Happy birthday br0ther! Being 30 is great no matter what anyone tells you! So enjoy. I have heard that your metabolism slows down and you gain weight so that could be a plus for you. I have taught your neices already your new age (however everyone is 30 according to Teagan). Dave, you are awesome and a great example to me. I had fun talking to you on the way home from New York. It was nice to hang out. The girls love you and Kirsten. We hope you have a terrific day full of lots of fun and surprises!!! We love you!

"The safest place to ever be is in the Father's Hands."

Happy Father's Day to Brett, Paul and Keith. We love our dads. Who could ask for better fathers. Love, Steph, Kelty and Teagan.

Letters from daddy....

Usually when Brett or I go on a trip we leave each other a note either tucked in a suitcase or on the pillow of our bed. When I got home from Cleveland Brett had already left for Russia and Italy. As I got ready for bed I found three letters on my nightstand. Brett's letter to me was written in the way we wrote each other when I was in Israel and we were reading the Book of Mormon together miles apart. Can you tell I can not wait to see Brett tomorrow at the JFK airport and fly home together.

Dear Teagan

Thank you for watering the flowers with me tonight. I even watered you a little bit so you would grow into a beautiful girl. Daddy loves you and will try to always "fic" everything. Be good for mommy and give her lots of kisses for me. I will be back - I am on a plane. Love your daddy. Kiss mommy!

Dear Kelty

You are a wonderful daughter and example to Teagan. Thank you for always helping me around the house. I can't wait to go to Cherry Hill when I get back from Italy. Take care of mommy and Teagan. I love you and pray for you. Be good and know that mommy and daddy are glad you are ours. Love your Daddy.

Dear Steph

Once upon a time the Brett-ites fell in love with the Stephanie-ites who lived upon a far away land. One of the Brett-ites and one of the Stephanie-ites decided to get married and have a family. They created cute little Stephanie-ites whom they both loved. Their daughters thought mom and dad were the greatest. Mommy could run forever (to them) and Daddy could "fic" everything. One day the Stephanie-ite traveled to the "land of many waters" to check on her sisters and the Brett-ite traveled to the "land of the floating buildings" to check on his brethern. The Stephanie-ite and the Brett-ite missed each other and were brought to a rememberance of their love one for another. For behold did they have a great and eternal love. Therefore they did look forward to a re-uniting in the "land of the skyskraper and liberty." For after their journeys did the Brett-ites and the Stephanie-ites did meet on a flying bird in the land of liberty and great was their joy. So great was their joy from their travels that they did rehearse every word and did return to the land of their inheritance to their children. And their children did rejoice in the Lord. For the Lord had provided them all safety and prosperity. And the Brett-ites and the Stephanie-ites did express their grattitude to the Lord. For the Spirit had comforted them. And this was in the ninth year of the reign of the Brett-ites and they did live in the land in peace for all the remainder of their days. "And they did dwelt in a Tent." Amen.