Memorial Day weekend

This Memorial Day weekend we had the opportunity to go camping with family (my mom and dad) and friends (the Blakes and the Humbles) in the west desert of Utah.  We went out past Delta to camp, and at the suggestion of Mike (Holly's husband) picked a sweet spot away from the crowds in a beautiful location.  Mike grew up near Delta and would go here often with his family.

This a view of our group campsite that we established.  Again, what a great spot.

There were a bunch of cliffs to the west of our campsite that provided some spectacular views.

We even got see a some groups of wild horses in the area.

And the cacti were in blossom.

Saturday morning we went and dug for trilobites with the kids.  They absolutely loved it.

Here are a few samples of their success.

One of the best ones we found.

After going back to camp for lunch, we made the long trek out to Lehman Caves and Great Basin National Park.

We  went on a guided tour of the caves

How can you not love that smile?

A family photo of the Calderwoods.

A few of the other people in our group.  It was great catching up with Cassie and Jordan.  They lived by us during our short stint in Colorado Springs.

This is what they called "cave bacon".  When you shine a light on it, it looks like bacon.  Mmmmm.....bacon.

After the cave tour we went into the tiny town of Baker, Nevada and got some pizza for dinner.  The sun was setting on the way back to camp and we caught some really cool photos.  This one is of Notch Peak.

A cool view of the Sevier Lake bed.

The next morning we went out to the cliffs and did some skeet shooting.

My dad, getting ready to slay some clay pigeons.

The kids spent the vast majority of their time catching lizards.  There were plenty to find around our campsite.  Here Tucker and Colby demonstrate a few of the lizards they caught.

How appropriate is this t-shirt?  Blake really did love getting in the dirt and just digging.

That night my dad and I made an awesome dutch oven dinner of chicken and potatoes to celebrate his 60th birthday (which was on Friday).  It was delicious.

Then after dinner we went and built up the campfire for the evening.  I burned a couple boxes of old patient charts that needed to be destroyed.

When we busted out the s'mores, the kids were delighted.

Cassie and Aubrey posing with their giant marshmallows.

A good picture of Jordan and his kids and Erin and her kids at the campfire.

I think poor Blake stood there for about 40 minutes trying to roast his marshmallow.  He wouldn't go very close to the fire though, so it was a slow process.

A cool view of the sunset bathed peak behind our campsite.

Tucker and Blake enjoying breakfast in our trailer on Memorial Day.

There were lots and lots of 4-wheeler rides with grandpa.  They couldn't get enough of that.

And Aubrey was so proud that she caught her own lizard too.

Like all trips, this one unfortunately had to come to an end.  The kids were so exhausted that they quickly fell asleep on the drive home.  Well, except for Tucker, that is.

It was another successful and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend with family and friends.  Now on to our many other adventures this summer.

Piano recital

I have found piano to be a little therapeutic for me this year. I wanted to be in my Dad's recital again. I stopped playing after my diagnosis last year. Unfortunately, Tucker stopped too. It just couldn't happen. I wasn't supposed to drive and how was I to get to our lessons? My Dad gave me some songs a few months ago, and I found some old ones in my piano folder. I began practicing and my Dad said I could be in the recital. Aubrey wanted to learn so I finally sat down and showed her a few notes so that she could play a song in one of Tucker's piano books. She caught on quickly and so I had her learn an actual song for the recital. Tucker was bummed that he couldn't be in it too, but if you don't practice, then you don't get to play. Maybe next time buddy. The recital was on May 22nd. My Dad always has his band play along with the students. It's fun and helps to mask mistakes like mine. : )

Aubrey played Mary had a Little Lamb.

 My brothers daughter was also in the recital and Kevin's wife, Lisa, took some photos for me too. I wsa trying to video and take pictures at the same time. That doesn't work so well.

I played The Prayer.

 My Dad always ends the recital with a number of his own. He's pretty awesome and does it all. Teaches, performs, tunes and has a band.

 We are lucky to take from the best!

Little Ballerina

Aubrey had her first ballet recital on May 17th and 18th. She started taking ballet in December and is a little natural. She is in the same class as her friend Ella. Ella is my older brothers friends daughter. They built a home in Midway and 3 of our kids match up in age and school.

 She loved her sparkly costume, especially in the sunlight. And of course we got to do makeup and bun hair.

 Cody and his parents went to the first show and I went on Saturday with my parents and her cousin Halle. Only 4 of the 6 girls were there for the Saturday show. Aubrey is 2nd from the right.

Cody video taped her the first night when all 6 girls were actually there.

 She did great and was one of the only kids not watching the teacher during the performance. They danced to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, a pretty instrumental version. Cody and my Dad recorded it, but I don't have it yet.

 She enjoys ballet, but we are going to switch to a different studio in the fall. I think she'll try some tap and jazz too.

Mother's Day through the years.

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2009

2007

2013 with my Mom.

Provo City Half Marathon

At the very end of March a Groupon came out for a huge discount on the Provo City Half and Full Marathon. Normally you can pay up to $100 for a race, but this was only going to be $35. I figured why not, I have a month. I signed up and convinced 2 other friends to as well. The Sunday before the race they told me that they weren't going to run because they weren't prepared. I wasn't prepared either but knew that I could do it. 

I talked my friend and neighbor, Brooke, to run in one of their places instead. We got up at 4 am to make it down to Provo before the last bus took the runners to the starting point at South Fork park up Provo Canyon. It was a cold morning and even though fires were going in the fire pits, there were too many people to get close enough to the warmth. We dropped jackets and gloves along the way.

The race was giving all proceeds to cancer research and since I'm a survivor I thought it was fitting for me to run the race. I embroidered "Cancer Survivor" on the back of a running shirt. It's crooked so I'm standing off to make it look straight. I had a few people tell me good job and asked what kind of cancer it was as I ran along.

 Brooke kicked butt and finished 30 minutes before me with a time of 1:44. I finished in 2:16. My legs were beat for a few days following the race, but I'm happy with my time considering my lack of training. My goal is to someday get under 2 hours. I was really close 5 years ago. Best time ever is 2:03. Someday, I have lots of races ahead of me.

Next big race for me is the Big Cottonwood Marathon in September. I'll be running a couple 5 and 10K's in between while I train all summer long. I'm excited to start riding my bikes too. I took a road bike ride a week ago and the trails are almost dry so that I can mountain bike again.
 I'm really just truly grateful that I can exercise at all. I've been so blessed.