Max Turns Two!

My baby is done being a baby! Max was so excited it was his birthday, he sang the song and learned to change his fingers to "two" (well, almost, at least he's trying) and was so happy. And it's not just that he is getting so big, he's starting to talk in sentences that people can actually understand instead of his jabbering that he is so famous for! (I'm actually going to really miss the jabbering!) He says "I'm okay, Mom." and "Come on, guys!" and his favorite, "I want some candy!" (pronounced canding) among many others. He also said his first complete night time prayer which brought tears to my eyes. He is so sweet and cuddly, and I love him so much! Happy birthday, Mix Master Max!
First thing in the morning we told him we'd go on a hike, and he couldn't wait to get going. He is so good, he gets so excited to be outside and we probably went two miles before he needed to be carried at all!
Just in time to practice for Christmas.
Hey there, gorgeous!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Some people long for their perfect snow white Christmases or salivate all year for that family dinner around the roast turkey at Thanksgiving. Yes, those are very nice holidays, and I love them too, but HALLOWEEN...now this is my holiday. This is the one I anticipate and my spirit gets a little thrill as it starts to draw near. So, you'll excuse me if I maybe put up one too many tacky decorations on my lawn or make it darn near impossible to get through my front door because I can't NOT hang up the dangling skeleton bones, or if I make my kids cry because I'm forcing them to trick or treat in the rain (because you can't NOT trick or treat! It's Halloween for crying out loud!)

This year was a wake up call for me, because Ella informed me a month ago she was going trick or treating with her friend and "didn't need" me to come. Ouch! But what if I want to?What if I NEED to? The other issue we had, was the critically acclaimed actor, Andy Avery, was to be starring in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers that evening so I had the kids on my own. But it all turned out well. That morning, Andy started a new tradition and raced with my brothers-in-law (in costume of course!) in a half marathon. Afterwards, we headed home for some Halloween chili and last minute preparations. Because it was raining all day and was freezing, Zoe and Max only hit a few houses with me before heading home for the night. It was low key, but still a really good time! And, yes...I'm already getting ready for next year!

Andy as Antoine Dodson, Korey as Pippy and Fred as Dwight Schrute!!!

My sister, Jenny, looking AWESOME! I WILL be copying her costume sometime soon!

The many faces of Zoe and Caroline. Zoe's official costume wasn't decided on till very last minute. Initially she absolutely refused to be the black cat, but the freezing cold rain helped to change her mind.

Wow, that's one long blog post!

So much to say! Our fall has been so busy and fun I wanted to hurry and jot it all down,I debated with putting up many small posts of all the different things that have been going on with us this fall, but decided on one long mother of a post, so go get the popcorn! (Don't worry, it's mostly pictures!) I never got around to posting the first day of school. Ella is off to 2nd grade. 2ND GRADE!!! And the changes in her are nonstop. She cruises to school with a group ofher friends, and really doesn't need me any more. I'm still trying to get used to this little grown up. Then Zoe started her 2nd year of pre-school with her new teacher, Miss Katie. I love preschool, but I sure wish it was every day!

With the start of school, also came the start of another soccer season. Ella insists on playing, and definitely loves the social aspect of it. Zoe is really getting into it, and isn't

afraid to chase after that ball. I have to say, with two games going on at the same time and a crying Max to maneuver between the two, I wouldn't cry if they decided they never wanted to play again. I'm just sayin'. We also had a whole other round of races this fall. Beginning with a triathlon that Andy and I both did along with some his brotha's and sista'-in-laws called the Share-A-Smile. It's a shorty but tradition says we do it every year. Ella also did a short version of this and her own tri in Murray. And, as you may recall, there was Andy's 100 mile run and a few weeks later he did the "Dirty Dash"....twice. A 10K in the mud he did in the morning with his brotha's and with his buddies in the afternoon. Wish I could've done that one...who's in to do it with me next year?

I really love fall in the Heber Valley. It is gorgeous and there is so much to do. One afternoon I took the kids up to the Wasatch State Park and there is an old pioneer apple orchard there. We spent the afternoon picking apples and picnicking and hiking.

A few weeks ago I went to St. George with two of my friends, Camille and Christie, for a girls only trip. I've never left my family like that before but it was so much FUN until...dum dum dummm...I wrecked our car in the middle of St. George! Oopsies. It was a fender bender (as in to say, the other car was barely bended) but I can honestly say it wasn't completely my fault, and if it weren't for my friend, Christie's, in-laws, we might still be down there. That poor Honda, I don't know why it hates me, every time I drive it it decides to break something. Andy spent a few days fixing it up, and it's still running and probably will be FOREVER!

We decided to try out Cornbellies at Thanksgiving Point this year. We've never done it before, but the weather has been so gorgeous we finally caved. And I'm actually going to say it was worth the drive and cost and everything. You can

spend the whole day there (if you don't have a two year old) and have tons to do. We went with my sister, Laura, and her family and had a great time. Max loved the "cow" rides behind the tractor and Ella was a PRO at the climbing wall and Zoe got to play in Princessland with Charly. Good times. Good times.

Every time we drive past Bridal Veil Falls, Max gets very excited and starts screaming "Water! Water!" Actually, he screams that at any sort of outdoor liquid: lakes, rivers, sprinklers,

swimming pools...whatever, he is very passionate about his water. So the other day I decided to let him get up close and personal. Just so you know...the mountains are COLD in the mornings! It was 11:00 a.m. but the moutain shadow about froze us out. Still, they had a great time. And Max made a point of saying, "Bye bye Water!"

Next we headed to the Scarecrow festival in Midway. A nice, easy outing that the kids still haven't stopped talking about. Jack the Pumpkin King was my favorite.

So, it's been pretty crazy around here. Add into all of that piano lessons, gymnastics, play practice and jobs...wait, what was that? Did I say "play practice?" Yes, that's right, along with everything else, Andy is in a community theater production of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers! It opens this weekend, if you can believe it! He's playing Benjamin, and it's going to be great! There will be many pictures of that to come!

To wrap things up, here are a few pictures of the annual carving of the pumpkins. Amazing, isn't it, how the kids always forget that they have clean the guts out first? But the girls were troopers and actually did a lot of it themselves. Ella carved hers completely by herself, which made me a very proud mama, since I pride myself in my mad pumpkin carving skills. I'll take you on anytime, Fred!

Wasatch 100 Endurance Run

I need to start this post off with a little observation. When I told people that Andy was going to run the Wasatch 100 they say, "Oh, cool." No big deal. Then, after a while, they ask, "So, that's the relay, right?" No, it's a 100 mile run. "Oh." A while later, I get follow up questions like, "So, who's he running with?" Or "How often does he have to run to reach a 100 miles?" It just doesn't sink in, to those who don't know, until finally we come to, "He's running the WHOLE 1oo MILES! BY HIMSELF? STRAIGHT?" That was pretty much the same reaction to anyone who isn't in the running community. And I get it. The idea that it is even physically possible is baffling. But hundreds of people do it. And some even enjoy it. And some, like Andy, can say they did it and NEVER do it again....I wish. :)

He started at 5 in the morning and ran the first 40 miles by himself along the top of the Wasatch mountains. But finally, after that, I was able to see him. He looked great and was happy after just running an absurd distance and still having 60 more to go! Starting at mile 40 they are allowed to have one person at a time run with them, for certain distances, to keep them going and keep them safe (and keep them sane.)

Andy's dad is trying to slap some sense into him, "Stop this running nonsense, are you crazy?"

Coming up into the Lamb's Canyon checkpoint with Tom. Now if Tom was only wearing matching knee socks, THEN they would look awesome.

Two of his life savers, Isaac and Tor (And little Tate on top.) It was such a gorgeous day.

These guys are so awesome. Treating blisters and changing socks while shoving food in his mouth to keep him going.
9:08 p.m. at the top of Millcreek Canyon. It was 31 degrees here but he was still strong and in good spirits, thanks to Isaac.

At 1:30 a.m. he rolled into Brighton Lodge for another pacer switch out and hey, why not brush his teeth while he's here? Thanks so much to Tor for crewing at every single stop, you were a life saver!!! (Oh yea, and thanks for running through pitch black mountains for 4 hours too.)
Someone's eyes are a little glazed and hands were a little shaky. He was still doing unbelievable at this point, but making me very nervous with how he was acting here. But Pete kept him safe and sane, even through the sleep walking and altitude. Here's the thing, his buddy Pete is running a marathon, across the top of the mountains in the middle of the night in 28 degrees for Andy. That's love.
10:22 a.m. 29 hours and 22 minutes later he's at the Homestead! YEA!!!! 67th place out of 250
Andy and his buddy Jeff. Jeff was just as insane and ran the whole race well. He tore it up with only minimal damage to his extremities. Thanks for training with Andy, buddy. You're both nuts.

Run, Ella, Run! (And swim and bike....)

A long, cold wait. The water was warmer than the air.

On Labor Day Ella made us the proudest parents ever! She has been begging to do a triathlon all summer and she finally got to! (We won't talk about the last time we tried to have her do one. Let's just say her parents feel like jerks.) It was in the Murray city pool and it was FREEZING! The swim was 75 meters, the bike was 2.3 miles and the run was .6 miles. Not too bad for a seven year-old. I was so nervous about her swimming on her own, because she just started learning this summer and hasn't done it a whole lot, so we kept reminding her, "When you get tired, just use the rope." Well, she didn't forget. It was so cute, she swam about 10 feet straight for the rope and then slowly pulled herself along, swimming here and there, not wanting to get out of the water. She was second to last out of the water out of everybody...and I am not sarcastic when I say I am so proud! :0) I was just relieved to have the swim over with. Especially since after that she booked it on her bike ride, going up 5 super steep hills and passing kid after kid, then coming in smiling and started her run passing even more coming in 36th out of 63. Not too bad!! My little girl is so amazing. I love you, Ella!

Actually happy to finally get in the water. The anticipation always makes you more nervous.

Here she goes! She just wanted to stay in the water where it was warm.

Transition 1. I wish we could have helped her, but she did it all on her own.

Pass her, Ella! Mommy and Max cheering her on as she heads out on her bike.

Starting the run she grabbed a banana and drink. Not because she necessarily needed it, but because that's what Dad does in his races.

My gold medalist!

Ward Campout

This month our ward went to some campground up some canyon and did some stuff. Why are my details so vague? Because I didn't go! (Kind of.) The week of the camp out I had a crazy work schedule, but Andy, being the super dad that he is, took the kids all by himself, dog too. And of course it was a piece of cake for him and they all had a blast. I showed up after work for an hour, but I didn't even see the kids while I was there because they were off having a blast with their friends and wouldn't tell me where they were going anyway because it was a "secret place." Adorable. When people ask Ella what she did during the summer break, the only thing she remembers is "Going on a ward camp out!" That's just how fun it was.

Max and Tele. He is sharing his cars!!! It must be love.

I'm telling this third hand, but that night, once they were all laying down, Max noticed the stars for the first time in his life through the ceiling of the tent. He was so excited and pointed and yelled "Bubbles! Oooo! Bubbles!" Andy even recorded it on his phone. If you know Max, when he gets excited, he gets REALLY excited.
Morning eyes.