Top of Utah Marathon

Okay, so I finally did it. I ran my first marathon, the Top of Utah, in Logan. My sister Tawni and her husband Derek were nice enough to let me stay with them the night before (we went to Olive Garden so I could eat a bunch of carbs). A little later that night I realized that I left my sports bra at home so I had to make a mad dash to Shopko (it was the closest store) to buy one-they were even on sale. I'm so glad that I noticed that night rather than the following morning. I woke up Saturday just before 4am, got ready, drove to Merlin Olsen Park, and got on the first bus by 5. We had to shuttle up Blacksmith (?) Canyon, and can we say it was coooold. Luckily, they had a nice heated tent that I hung out in until race time. The race started at 7am, and it was beautiful running in the canyon (especially during this time of year). I was really good about pacing myself and I made sure to take drink breaks at some of the aid stations from about mile 9 on. Oh, so here's an advantage that men have over women. Since we were running in the canyon, a lot of guys ducked off to the side to pee, therefore avoiding a wait at the port-a-potties (so not fair). The canyon portion of the run ended at about mile 14 where there were tons of spectators cheering the runners on. The rest of the race was mostly in residential areas, but towards the end we did run along Main St. My calves were definitely feeling sore, and I was in some pain around mile 22/23 and throughout the rest of the race. I was so relieved when I saw the finish line and I couldn't believe the time (3:50:22). I honestly didn't expect to finish in less than 4 hours. After I crossed I sat, streched, rehydrated, and I even layed down for a bit. I then walked to my car to get my phone and find out where my family was. Once I found them (Donna actually found me), Hayden gave me some flowers and we took some pictures. Then I got a nice free massage and stretch that felt incredible...I think I found my new best friend (haha). All in all, I am so glad that I did it and lived to tell about it...before turning 30, too.

We couldn't get Hayden to look at the camera and smile (again, no big surprise there). He was so cute, though. He came and talked to me the whole time I was getting my massage...what a little sweetheart!

My supporters (Bob, Mom, Zoey, Hayden, Donna, and Tawni).

The finishing medals the runners got are really neat and big. I tried to take a picture, but I couldn't get one without the glare. Oh well, I'm sure you get the idea.

The State Fair

So we were brave and ended up going to the State Fair this past Saturday with Dan, Jenny, Martin, Graci, and Sophia. It was a fun experience despite the crowd and a tired 3-year-old.

One of the first things we did (after hiking from where we parked to the actual fair) was take the kids to this little hands-on farm. They got to preview what farm life is like by moving throughout this little pretend/play farm.

Here is Hayden collecting his egg from the chickens.

Milking the cow...farm life wouldn't be complete without this chore (luckily it was just a fake cow).

Later on we got to see real cows.

Sneaking in an unexpected photo of Dan.

Hayden's first roller coaster! It was a mini coaster, but Hayden was still a bit frightened during the ride.

We ended the night with Hayden riding on the Speedway. This ride was probably his favorite (after he stopped crying and finally got in the car with the other little boy).

Zoo Rendevous

On Sept. 10, Dan invited me to the Zoo Rendevous. It was an evening fundraising event (adults only...sorry Hayden) with silent auctions, tons of food from different restaurants, and of course, lots of animals.

One of the highlights was getting to preview the new baby elephant. She was soooo cute, and I loved watching an her run and play (not something you typically see an elephant do).

We also got to see the new baby tiger cubs. Here is a picture of momma tiger with one of her babies.

Part of the event included free rides on the carousel. We chose to ride the zebras. When I told my studens about riding the carousel, they looked at me a little funny. Apparently in their minds, grown-ups don't do those kinds of things.

Brooke and Travis' Wedding

September 5, 2009...the wedding of Brooke and Travis Herrud. The picture above is from before the start of the wedding (Uncle Dave, Hayden, me, and Dan).

The bridesmaids, flowergirls, and the ring bearer (Hayden) posing before the ceremony.

Just Married!

Bride and bridesmaids with attitude

Oh, aren't they cute!

One of the few moments that Hayden smiled throughout the whole wedding.

Kisses for my little guy

The family

The unique (or just interesting) cake I made.

Feeding eachother cake...man, no one got it smashed in their face.

My First Half Marathon

So I decided to run my first half marathon race, and it ended up going pretty well. I found myself enjoying it much more than the shorter races I've done (I realized that I didn't mention that I got first in my division in the Minute Man 5K I did on Aug. 8). I liked running at a regular pace as opposed to running as fast as a I can for 3 to 6 miles...maybe endurance is more my thing. My goal was to finish in a decent time and not be too miserable by the end. However, I was happy and energetic for the most part and I finished in 1:48. I ended up finishing first in my division, and I was 4th overall in the female category. The race was on Legacy Parkway which was pretty flat (kind of like running on a treadmill) and part of the entry fee went to help families pay funeral expenses for children lost to cancer. It's always nice to be running for a good cause.

Later that day we went to the Jacos to celebrate Dad's, Tawni's and Dan's birthdays. Hayden and Luke played pretty well together, and I was glad that they held still long enough for me to get a picture of them together.

First Day and Lava Hot Springs

Hayden and I both started another new school year Monday. He did pretty good both days...he only cried on the second day because he saw me in the hall and he wanted to come with me (oops!). He did have an interesting bathroom incident on the second day. Keep in mind that he only uses the bathroom at home and in the women's restrooms. One of his teachers found him in the boys bathroom with his pants and shoes off standing in the urinal. Can we say bathtime as soon as we got home from school.

Here he is with Miss Jennifer and Miss Kristie--his Pre-K teachers

Posing with Miss Kristen--his 3-year-old teacher (along with Miss Jennifer, too).

This last weekend we went to Lava Hot Springs with Dan and his friends (Enrico, Jean, and their daughter Cassie). We had a good time--it was Hayden's first camping experience. He did have a few traumatic moments, though. He went down the slide on the playground which ended up being too slick and flew off the bottom which resulted in him landing on his backside pretty hard. Luckily, Hayden's a tough kid and he bounced back.

Dan and Enrico entertaining us with some music (I wish that I could have sat and listened the whole time, but I had to walk Hayden around a bit to keep him occupied).

I did get a picture of Dan in the middle of singing.

Cassie and Hayden thought it would be fun to bury things in the dirt...whatever works, right!?

Here's Dan, Enrico, Hayden and I tubing down the river. Hayden loved it! I was kind of surprised at how well he did. It was pretty fun, but the water was nice and cooooooold.

The Past Week

So last Tuesday we were feeling brave and went to Thanksgiving Point for the $2 Tuesdays with Michelle, Abbi, Ty and some of their friends. We ended up at the Gardens since we don't have a membership there. Let me just say that the whole place was packed, but we still had fun. I don't have any pictures, but we started out in the Discovery Garden where Hayden enjoyed the Noah's Ark water feature (he got soaked). Then we did the mazes, the childrens' stage and some of the other activities there for the kiddos. Luckily, we were able to connect to some of the other gardens (I guess you normally have to pay separately to enter the other ones) and Hayden was fascinated by the neat waterfalls they have there. We explored those and the kids had fun rolling down the grassy hills (or on top of eachother as was the case with Hayden).

The following day we went to the zoo because I was trying to get in some more fun stuff before school starts. It was the first time that I could get Hayden over to watch the bird show which I thought was entertaining, but I'm not sure that Hayden shared in my enthusiasm...oh well. There was a new baby giraffe (pic above), but the baby elephant wasn't out yet. Below is a picture of Hayden enjoying the cool air from the fan. Sadly, it took him awhile to work up enough courage to stand in front of it. Once he realized how fun it was I couldn't get him away from it.

Saturday (Aug. 15) was Brooke's bridal shower. I had planned to have it outside, but we ended up relocating inside because of the rain showers (a day of showers all the way around).

The bride to be. I had a Bachelorette sash that I made her wear. The bows and ribbons in her hair came from all the gifts she received (thanks Emily for attaching them so stylishly).

Some of the party guests (I didn't get everyone on here, but we had a great turnout). Above is my mom and cousin, Tiffany.

Front: Emily, Thomas, and Ashley Back: Selena and Kristy

Opening gifts

The first game we played was for Brooke. She had to match her answers with her hubby-to-be, Travis. She had to put bubble gum in her mouth for every mismatched answer. I was surprised by how much gum she ended up with.

Then we played a matching game for everyone. Guests tried to match the wedding phrases and for every correct match they got a candybar that correlated with the phrase (ie "Wedding Gifts" was a Mounds bar and "The Wedding Night" was a Skor bar).

Aunt Betty

Betty Gardner Ackerlind 1930 ~ 2009 On August 1 2009, I peacefully surrendered to breast cancer after 34 years. The cancer metastasized to the lungs and bones, even though I had never smoked.I was born October 17, 1930 in Neola, Utah to Mary Mazella Jensen Gardner and Leonard Derle Gardner. Our family including three older sisters, Lila, Carol and Gwen, moved to Salt Lake when I was 11. I graduated from East High and University of Utah, later returned for a Masters in Educational Psychology. I married Curtis E. Ackerlind, Jr. in November 1951 in the L.D.S. Temple. We were divorced several years later. I also received a temple divorce. We traveled in the Air Force for six and a half years, later making our home in Salt Lake. I worked for oil and gas companies; in equal opportunity for minorities and women (topic of my Thesis); in a young adult offenders program (alternative to jail and prison). I always wanted to have children of my own so I became the next best thing, a counselor at East High, retiring 1992. One highlight in my life was becoming baptized at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in November 1994. I have found an inner peace since learning about the wonderful grace of Jesus. The combination of the love for my L.D.S. family, my church family, and many friends, has helped me through the highs and lows of my life. Via de Cristo (four day and nights with Jesus and women from many different churches) was another highlight. I have been on prayer team of Christian Motorcycle Association. I enjoyed co-leading groups and reading and writing poetry. My best friend Jesus and my soul-mate my Westie dog, Angel. I am survived by my sister Lila Turnbow and brother-in-law Wally (Penny) Donaldson; nieces and nephews: Sheree (Bob) Barnes, Dave Donaldson, Lee (Meg) Donaldson, Susan (Harvey) Hawkes, Linda Matulich, Rich (Carolyn) Sutherland, Hal (Julie) Turnbow; many special grand-nieces and nephews; and my "would like to adopt" children at Good Shepherd. Preceded in death by my parents; sisters, Gwen Donaldson and Carol Gilliam; and grand-nephew Andy Matulich. A special thanks to Dr. Kent DiFiore, my oncologist since 1988; my friend, Gene Westerman who drove me to treatments; and Carol McPherson who stayed at my bedside; and CNS Hospice. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made through Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association), Sandra Hays' Salvation Army Ministry or WOW (Women of the World) projects (make checks out to GSLC and write ministry name in memo). Please join my family in the celebrations of Jesus and the influence he has had upon my life on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 12:00 noon and one hour prior to services at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 8575 S. 700 E., Sandy 84070. Interment will be held at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery, 3401 South Highland Drive.