The Summer Break Story So Far

We have been in Utah for only 4 1/2 days and we have already done so much and had a blast!  

The day we arrived, we got together with my roommates from BYU from my freshman year! 

 As we took this picture, I thought about how amazing it is that the 6 of us girls were placed together randomly in Heritage Halls our freshman year at BYU and 8 years later (yes, 8), here we are still best of buddies! This was actually the first time that all 6 of us have been in the state of Utah at the same time for about 5 years and so we definitely had to get together! 

Not only have we all gotten married in the past 8 years, but many have also had some pretty cute kiddos too. 

The next day, we started our Ragnar race... the Wasatch Back with some of my other roommates that I had while in my Jr. and Sr. year at BYU.  (Also, my best buddies).  

Here's Liesel and Darin, Joe and I, and Kitty and John. 

Our team name was, "The Runzz. We're number 2."  

 This race was definitely unlike any other race I have ever ran.  Our team was actually 12 people in size, but I never got to meet the other six runners until the race was over.  Each runner took turns passing on a slap bracelet and together we ran 190 miles from Logan, UT to Park City, UT.  

If the trail that we ran was actually stretched out in one direction, I think we could have ran from Logan to Provo.  We did a lot of winding through small beautiful towns on the east side of the Wasatch Back. 

 We saw a lot of beautiful territory during this race.  I was excited for this race for a number of reasons and one was definitely for the time we'd get to spend in the mountains that we miss so much in Missouri. 

 Another, was for the time we'd get to spend with friends that we don't get to see near enough. 

 There goes Kitty up the mountain side!

 When our other half was running (the 6 people we didn't meet until the end), we got to hang out resting at snow basin and east canyon reservoir.  At least, I think that's where we were.  I was somewhat unawares as to exactly where we were throughout the entire race.  I just kept following the other runner vans everywhere. 

 Our van got to run our second legs from 8:30pm to 3:30am.  We all had to wear reflective vests, head lamps, and bum lights for safety.  My second run (at night) was my favorite.  It was a 7 mile run that was mostly down hill.  Without the sun out, I had lots of energy and I ran at a 7:45 pace for the first 5 miles of it. 

 Here we are in Park City on the second day.  This was the last exchange from Joe to Kitty for the final home stretch.  Joe's last run had a 2,000 ft. drop in elevation and it left him walking like an old man for the next 3 days.  It was a hard one on the body, but he completed it and did a great job! 

 And here we are at the finish line with our medals.  Joe and I now have numerous medals and t shirts that are the same. I am so proud of this guy for getting into running.  When I first met him, he hadn't run more than 4 miles at a time.  After nearly 4 1/2 years together, we've now ran 10 races together.  It's kinda funny doing the laundry because we have 2 of so many shirts. 

We spent Father's Day with both of our Dads, which was so nice.  So many times, we Skype in for such occasions, but this time, we actually got to be part of the festivities with both families!

On Monday, we hit up Deer Creek for some boating with Joe's family!

 I was so happy with how my camera captured the colors of the sky, snow capped mountains, green hills, and lake water! I definitely forgot just how beautiful Utah is.  As we pulled skiers around the lake, I spent a lot of time just taking in the sunshine and beauty of the surroundings. 

 The water was rather cold for those who dared to get in it.  (I was not one of them.  I was perfectly content on the boat in my jacket.) 

We've had a blast and already have sunburns and the trip has only begun!  Aaaaaah.