NELSON FAMILY PICNIC

My little sister Melanie was in town for a few weeks so we tried to spend as much time as we could with her and her kids. We went up Millcreek Canyon for a picnic one Sunday. It was great fun spending time together up the canyon.

The whole Nelson Clan.
(minus Brad and Cylia)Grandpa Robert and Grandma Ruthie with "16" of their "17" grandkids (minus Cylia who is now 19 yrs old.)Sage and James

Morgan, Ellsie, Rachel, Annie, Lindsey, Chloe, SadiePoor Will became the victim of a flying rock :(

I am so thankful for the great families that Mike and I have. I just love every minute we get to spend with them =)
We miss you already Mel and Brad ;(

DIRTY DASH

So a few months ago a couple of friends in my ward sent out an email about a race that was coming up at Soldier Hollow in Midway on September 25th called the Dirty Dash. It was a 10k on dirt trails with obstacles in THE MUD. I thought no brainer that sounds like a fun thing to participate in. Well along with myself 19 other girls replied and so we started to train for this race. It was such a fun, fun race. I have done 1 marathon, 3 half marathons and several 10ks and 5ks but nothing was as fun as this race. I tell you to see your friends accomplish a 6 mile run/walk up and down dirt hills and do it covered in mud was awesome. Those of you that didn't do it this year...you HAVE to do it next year.
The more people the better =)

Thanks to Melissa Jensen a group of us stayed over at her condos the night before the race. It was great fun going to dinner and getting to hang out. Dinner in Park CityThe morning of the race we all met at Steph Bruce's cabin in Midway so we could all go over to the race together. Here we are the "20" MUDDY MAMAS...all clean before the race.

Kristine, Molly, Trish, Steph, Kate, Holly, Michelle, Melissa, Jodi, Mindy, Jill, Rachel, Ange
Tiffany, Heidi, Janae, Me, Tricia, Lisa, JudiOn the way to the race.We registered in teams of "5".
You were supposed to start and finish with your team.

Here is our team:
Holly, Heidi, Lisa, Kristine, MeThe kids came to support us.
Too bad Jake had football because he had to miss out on watching the race.The MUDDY MAMAS at the start.My 2 sisters Amy and Mel and brother in law Steve did the race (1 1/2) hrs before we did. I was glad we got to see them before we started ours.Let the fun begin.

The obstacles in the course were:
1 - big hill climb covered in deep mud
2- haybell hurdles
3- climbed through black tube tunnels
4- wall climb
5- hill lined with tires we had to run through
6- jump over a mud pit...(which several people fell in)
7- run along the edge of Deer Creek Reservoir in deep gross mud
8 - slip-n-slide
9- mud pit at the end

Excited to see our families before the wall climb.

I just love this picture of Kate.

It was crazy you landed in a pool of mud.
Ange and MeThe final obstacle.
THE MUD PIT =)All "20" of us started together but we split up during the race.
Here is the first group of "9" MUDDY MAMAS at the finish.

Molly, Jodi, Tiff, Judi, Tricia, Janae, Mindy, Trish, StephHere is the 2nd group of "11" MUDDY MAMAS at the end.

Holly, Kristine, Me, Jill, Rachel, Michelle,
Kate, Lisa, Ange, Melissa, HeidiTHE END!!!Can't wait for NEXT YEAR!!!

WORKING AT DRIGGS

Well it has almost been 4 weeks since I committed to be an Aide at Howard R. Driggs Elementary for the 2010/2011 school year. I was a little nervous about the commitment and wondering if I would have enough “ME TIME”. I am LOVING every minute of it. The girl I am helping is in the 1^st grade and she is the sweetest little thing. I work with her 4 days a week for 3 ½ hrs a day… so not too bad. I also watch the playground before school for 15 minutes each day to make sure the kids behave and are getting along. It has been fun to get to know some kids out there that come and stand by me in the mornings that I normally wouldn't get to know. My boys are so cute, when they see me they come over and give me a hug…even my 6^th grader… I guess I must not be that bad after all. This past week the principal called and asked me to be in charge of getting a boy to his 4th grade class each morning that is in a wheel chair because he has muscular dystrophy. I have only helped him two days and I can already tell I am going to love and learn a lot from him. He has the best attitude and it is so fun to get to see him before I start my day in the 1st grade class. I still have my afternoons and Fridays free so that is good....LUNCH anyone??? It has made me become more organized since I still have to get things done. I love, love going out to morning recess every day with the first graders because than I get to see Sadie and her buddies interact at recess. I have really grown to respect the principal, secretary and the teachers I work with everyday. They really do love our kids and it is amazing to see how much they do for them. It has definitely been an eye opener to see how much time and work goes into teaching. Here is to the next 8+ months…I hope they are as good as this last one =)

I think it's time for a SERIOUS diet!!!

Nice extra touch with the open fridge in the background. Love Rachel's new iphone application FATBOOTH =)