Inspire Kids to Tri

Last weekend, the kids did their first triathlon! We got up at 5:45 a.m. to get ready. The race started at 8:00 a.m. but we needed to be there by 6:45 a.m. to get the kids transition area all set up. It was so much fun!!!

Dave "topping off" every body's tires.

Lauren had two of her best friends who were also participating in the race. Caitlin Muela and Lauren are the same age so they got to do the whole thing together! Her other friend, Katelyn Groppe, is a year younger so she started later. ~Lauren & Caitlin~

Let the games begin...

Taylor and Carter both swam 200m (4 laps), biked 10k (6.2 miles), and ran 2k (1.2 miles). Lauren swam 100m, biked 5k, and ran 1k.

Taylor...

Unfortunately, we didn't get video of Taylor finishing. It was hard to be everywhere at once and all three kids were constantly in different places.

Taylor's time to complete: 49:21

Carter...

Carter's time to complete: 57:03

Carter also had two friends who did the race! Jacob Larrea is the same age as Carter so they did it together and his friend Zack is older so he started earlier.

~Jacob & Carter~

Lauren...

Lauren finished the swim to find her bike tire had popped. So, she had to wait for Carter to finish so she could use his bike. Her friend, Caitlin, was so sweet and waited for her. It really screwed up their time but they didn't seem to mind a bit!

My friend Susan (Caitlin's mom), pictured behind Lauren, was running besides the girls cheering them on! It was so cute.

~Caitlin & Lauren~

Lauren's time to complete: 52:11 (The flat tire cost her about 15 minutes so she should have finished closer to 35 minutes.)

~Caitlin, Lauren, and Katelyn~

~Katelyn Groppe, Carter, Lauren, Taylor, & Zack Groppe~

They did awesome and everybody wants to do it again next year! Woo-Hoo!

~Caitlin Muela & Lauren~

Yummy!

We are so proud of them! Good job guys...y'all rock!

Wyoming Trip: He's not gay! :)

On our last day there, my brother got married!Dave, Taylor, Lauren, John (my brother), Dad, & Carter

At a lodge...

up in the mountains...

I was the photographer...
And Carter told people where to park... I was told over and over that they knew right away that Carter was mine. I guess the freckles gave it away! :)

It was so fun to see people I haven't seen in years, like Norm... My Dad & Norm

Norm lived in a small rental house in my back yard all through my elementary years. He had a big sheep dog, named Jazz, and is the coolest guy ever!

And nice to meet new people, like Lori's daughters...

Maddy, Lori, & Sarah

The ceremony was beautiful...

...and only briefly interrupted by my dad's cell phone ringing (during the "I do's" mind you). The funny part...he answered it! Ya' gotta love him! :)

They are a beautiful couple...
...and we are so excited to have Lori in the family!
Chad, Dad, John

Tierney & John

I love this picture of my mom & brother...
We are so thankful we got to be a part of it! Honestly, I never thought I'd see the day as Chad has been a bachelor for 43 years. We are thrilled for them! Congrats Chad & Lori! We love you!

Wyoming Trip: River float and Fishing

One of our busiest days in Wyoming started with a 7 mile river trip... (Halli, Taylor and Dave in back row, Lauren 2nd from the left in middle row, & Carter 2nd from the left in front row)

Followed by a quick lunch, then riding four wheelers up the mountain to Coe Lodge...

~My brother John, Carter, Dave, Halli, & Taylor~

to go fishing...~John, Taylor, Carter, Dave, Lauren, & Halli~

We had a blast! It was one of the highlights of the trip for us all. The kids all learned how to cast all by themselves and we caught tons of fish! We let most of them go but did keep a couple.

Taylor...

Carter...

Lauren... Even Dave & I caught a few...

Grandpa (a.k.a. The Outdoors man)... My big bro, John... After several hours of fishing, we headed back down the mountain in a hail/thunder/lightening/rain storm. It was miserable and we were a little worried we were going to get struck by lightening. Once back at Grandma & Grandpa's house we all took a quick shower, then headed up Logan Mountain for my brother Chad & Lori's rehearsal dinner. My niece, Tierney, came in from Denver, Colorado for the wedding so she joined us. It was so fun to see her...it's been way too long!
~Lauren, Grandpa, Tierney, Taylor, & Carter~

~Grandpa & Tierney~

~Grandma, my cousin Phil & his son Cody, Dave, Tierney, & Halli~

~Tierney~
She's John's oldest daughter. Isn't she gorgeous! It was so fun to hang out with everyone. Next up...wedding pictures! Wo0-Hoo!