Hoo! Hoo!

*Yes, I think I'm clever:)*

yeah, he's handsome.

That was a doozy

WOW. Where to start? On saturday I ran in the St. George Marathon for my 2nd time. I got up nice and early. Not really nervous but just contemplating the task ahead of me. I rode up with Steve's cousins...Becky, Esther and Phil. We then met up with their cousins Burke and Joanie. I'm glad that I had them there to get me laughing and just to have someone I know! Phil and I decided we were shooting for the same time, so we started out together...we were shooting for "9's" (that is 9 minute miles). The race started out super dark and super cold. At the starting line they have many bonfires as well as hot chocolate, but once you start its up to you to get warm. I think it was around mile 3 that I started asking myself...is this really what I want to do? (they have shuttles and they are mighty tempting).

this is me at mile 6...feeling really good actually and pretty sure I have another 20 in me.

Here is my running buddy Phil...we would get ahead of each other here and there, but always found each other eventually. We actually finished 21 seconds apart.

Coming into Veyo...this little town where I think probably every resident came out along with the high school band to cheer us on. I love the locals!

After mile 7 is when things got really rough. This is the beginning of about a 5 mile incline. This was probably the worst of it. But they were tough! I was very proud of myself NEVER stopping to walk.
same hill, better light, and further up.

almost to the top of that hill...click to enlarge to see the trail of all the people...I think they said it was about 5200 runners that day.

coming into Snow Canyon...about mile 15. I love the beautiful redrock. I stopped once and that was at mile 13 (.1) to stretch. My legs were getting nice and tight. But I think it gave me a burst of energy! I was feeling so good by mile 16...where Steve and My mom were supposed to meet me, but I beat them!

I think this was around 17 or 18. I heard some guy talking "ok, we are coming up on a hill, take it nice and easy, no need to do anything fancy here." I was thinking WHO DOES THIS GUY THINK HE IS? I turned around to see that he was the 4:00 pacer. oh. that's who he thinks he is. an elite runner showing people how to run a marathon. duh.

the good news is...he never passed me and most of the time before that I thought he was ahead of me!

a helicopter...there were a few flying by us, and I took a picture because it made me think of Owen. He loves them.

After mile 16 it was pretty much ALL downhill, and I think why this explains why I have been unable to walk faster than my 2 year old for 3 days now. At about mile 23 my feet were killing...I thought for sure there would be blood (turns out no blood just really humungous blisters on the balls of my feet). At mile 24 I caught up to Phil, who I hadn't seen since about mile 20. At mile 25 there were people with soaking wet cold washcloths...GLORIOUS (and I remember that being just as wonderful last time,too).

I was dead by this point and really hoping I wasn't going to vomit. I turned a corner and saw the finish line! It was about a couple tenths of a mile. I was looking carefully for my family (didn't want to miss them AGAIN) and they were RIGHT at the finish line. So they were all there cheering me on and got to see me cross. I was so happy to see them, although last time I started hyperventalating. Luckily that didn't happen. I really wanted to get a picture of the finish line, but I was in no picture taking mood.

I finished at 3:58:08. I started to grab everything in sight...a popsicle, grapes, melons, wash cloths...but where the heck was the water? I found that to be really odd...there were 2 really long lines...one for soda and another for water. I thought that was so strange. I just ran 26.2 miles and now I have to wait in line for water? weird.

No picture of me at the finish line, but I may acquire one later...

Me and my #1 fans. Love my boys!

And here I am with my big shiny medal. Thank Heavens it is over. Til next time!

summer snapshots....part 6

Ridiculous, I know, but I have LOTS of catching up to do....

This is how our 4th of July went...

I got up nice and early to run 9 miles. My family put on a yardsale and undoubtedly had lots of fun laughing, visiting, and eating. Went to a barbeque at The Seare's and Owen consumed ice cream sandwich, wrestled with his daddy, consumed popsicle, and chilled naked for a lot of the evening.

I miss you summer.

**if anything seemed a little off in the last post, you can thank my husband. He thinks he's funny**

When life gives you zucchinis...

Make Zucchini Bread!
3 c flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
3 tsp cinnamon (the best part)
2 c sugar
4 c shredded zucchini
4 eggs
1 1/2 c oil
1/2 c nuts
20 cups of love...because you have to love what you make. so...don't forget this ingredient

place all dry ingredients in bowl. Make a well in cener and add other ingredients. stir until dampened. bake at 350 for 1 hour.

in the past 3 weeks I have tried a couple recipes and this one is my favorite. I love that it makes my house smell like cinnamon, therefore, fall.
My mom and aunts keep giving me these humongous zucchinis, and I keep eating them! What else do I do with them you ask? Well...

• I slice them, salt and pepper them and sautee them in olive oil and then sprinkle with cheese (a mexican cheese similar to mozzerella)
• I cut them up and add them to my spagetti sauce
• I cut them up and add them to chicken stir fry
• when I am feeling really lazy and I don't have much in the cupboards, I cut them up, steam them and add to top ramen (for me) or mac'n'cheese (for me and Owen). This way I don't feel like a complete failure. HA!

a little angel...

I had the honor and privilege of meeting sweet little Ava on 09/09/09. She and her twin brother were born at 27 1/2 weeks. Aden is doing good and getting big and strong. Ava was diagnosed with a heart condition months ago and didn't make it. I have been so touched by my brave friend Casi. I've never seen a more proud and loving mother than that night I met Ava. I know she will forever be in our hearts as a perfect little angel that came for just a short time. Love you Cas and Andrew!

Grandpa Hanson (with an "O")

We were very saddened by the news that Grandpa "Glenard" had passed away. Grandpa was a young 87 year old. He was golfing right up until he got sick just over 2 months ago. He was retired, but still working as an inspector for homes. Steve loved golfing with his grandpa. He loved spending time with his grandpa. We always joke about the size of the Hanson family (they had 8 children, 7 living, 28 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren...and that doesn't include any spouses!), but I must say what an amazing experience it has been. It has been really neat to see Cyndee and her siblings step up to take care of their mother and help one another as well. It has been neat to see the family together first for the viewing, then the funeral, and then for a family get together the next day. I think it goes to show what a great person, father, grandfather and so on that Grandpa was. The day after the funeral we all went to Grandma and Grandpa's house to play games and write memories of grandpa. It was actually a really fun time, although such a sad time. Owen loved his great grandpa Hanson. He love laughing with him and making faces with him. We really miss grandpa...Bear Lake and Sunday dinners will never be the same.