The Triathlon and The Soccer Game

Yesterday our office participated in an charity triathlon. The charity is called Share a Smile. Dr. Jenson did a full tri, and I was part of a team. I did the swimming and then Janette that does our marketing/promtional stuff for our office did the run, and her husband Steve did the bike. The swim was a 1/4 mile, or 8 laps of the pool. We didn't really put our team together until about 2-3 weeks before the event, so I didn't have much time to train. And obviously I'm not in the best of shape right now. I used to be on the swim team as a kid, so I didn't think that it was going to be very hard. The first time I went to swim laps proved me wrong, but I ended up doing the swim a lot faster than my original goal. We haven't gotten the offical times yet, but before the race I was swimming it in about 12 minutes. (UPDATE: Official time 12 min 36 seconds for my swim and our team finished 4th with a time of 1 hour and 20 minutes. I think we did great for throwing it together pretty much last minute.)The swim was set up as a serpentine swim. That means that you swim down in back in one lane and then move to the next lane. It was a pretty good set up. That way you started at one end of the pool and exited at the other end. They started a new swimmer every 15 seconds, so the only bad thing is that sometimes you got stuck behind some of the slower swimmers that thought they were faster than they really were. So I think my time was slowed down a bit, but I was able to pass about 3 or 4 swimmers, so that felt good. Here I am waiting for this girl that would not move. I passed her plus the girl that is just ahead of her in the picture. I had already passed the guy that is behind me, but he caught back up since the other girls was so slow.

At the end when I was getting out I kinda had a little incident. You see in this picture where I am standing? Well when I got out I turned to the side of the pool to start running toward the bike area and fell back into the pool between the lane and the side of the pool. Woops :) A little embarrassing, but I quickly climbed out, up the stairs this time, and got over to the biking area and passed the timing chip onto Steve.

Our team number was 88. They wrote it in black magic marker on my left arm, left calf, and right thigh. I have scrubbed and scrubbed and it's not coming off. I had a lady at church today asked me if I knew that I had an 08 on my arm. I told her actually it's an 88, and yes I did know and I have 2 other ones on my legs. Um would I really not know that that written on my arm???

This is a picture of all of us that competed. Dr. Jenson, Steve and Janette Thompson, and Me. Thanks to Michelle for coming to support me and take pictures to prove that I actually did it and finished. It was a lot of fun. I have decided that I need something like this to motivate me to go exercise. So I'm thinking about entering a tri in Orem at the beginning of November is anyone is interested in doing it with me? It would be nice to have someone to train with. Anyone? Anyone???

After the race I hurried home because Mikkele had her first soccer game. (That's why Jeremy and the kids didn't come and watch the race.) They won 5-0. She has games every Wednesday and Saturday now until October 1st. So we will be staying busy for sure.

Isn't she the cutest little soccer player?

One of the other mom's called it "magnet ball" instead of soccer. I think this really fits. It's usually just a clumping of girls trying to all go for the ball at once. She seems to have a good coach that is really trying to teach the girls the rules and the different positions and what each position's job is in the game. It mostly goes in one ear and out the other and goes back to the whole magnet ball thing. I hope that she will learn a lot more this year, and continue to grow as a player.

School Days Rated From 1-10

Mikkele started back to school this last week. She hasn't been very excited to start school this year for some reason. I don't know if she's heard older kids say that they hate school or something, but she has had quite the little attitude about school. She got a little more excited when we had back to school night, but still not very enthusiastic to say the least. This is how the conversation went Monday after school. Remember to add some drama to Mikkele's part when reading:
Me: "How was your first day of school?"
Mikkele: "Boring!"
Me: "Why?"
Mikkele: "Well we had recess like 3 times!"
Me: "Most kids would love to have recess 3 time in a day Kell."
Mikkele: "Not me, it's boring."
Me: "Was that the only thing that made it a bad day?"
Mikkele: "Pretty much. Well I guess it was a 7 or an 8."
Me: "You mean like on a scale from 1-10? 10 being the best or worst?"
Mikkele: "10 being the best."
Me: "A 7 or an 8 is pretty good then right? Maybe you need to work on your attitude a little bit." (I think this attitude conversation may have taken place about 20 years ago. I may be wrong.)
Mikkele: "OK"
So the rest of the week was rated like this:
Tuesday: 9
Wednesday: 9
Thursday: 10
Friday: 10
Oh and she also informed me that Wylie, her boyfriend for the last 2 years, isn't going to her school any more. But don't you worry she has a new one all ready. Although she couldn't remember his name when I asked. By Tuesday she remembered his name. So the new boyfriend, as of right now, is Daniel. So overall I think she had a pretty good week. I think she really does like school, just not like the normal 3rd grader. I mean what 8 year old doesn't like recess? She was most excited when she got her math book and her first homework assignment sent home on Friday. Who's child is this??? And what does she do when she comes home from school? Oh play school. Well she plays teacher and the rest of the kids involved are the students. She is such a funny little girl. I guess I just need to be grateful that she enjoys learning and that she's such a good student. Here are some pics from the first day of school.

Getting ready to leave for the 1st day of school.

In front of the school.

Mikkele and her teacher Mrs. Beagles. Mikkele had Mrs. Beagles last year for Math, and she was in our ward in Mapleton. So we know her pretty good, and Mikkele was excited to have her for her teacher. I guess there was one thing that she was looking forward to.Sitting at her desk.

Demolition Derby

Last night we went to the 1st annual Utah County Fair Demolition Derby at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds with the Sabin's and the Grover's. I love demolition derby's. I guess we can go ahead and chalk another one up for the red neck in me. I think it all stems from going to Panaca to visit Great Grandma Jones over the Memorial Day weekend (at least I think it was Memorial Day weekend) and there was a derby that is held in Caliente. It was always the highlight of our visit, at least for me. Since then, one of my secret aspirations has been to be in the powder puff heat of a demolition derby. I used to want to enter our old station wagon "The Beast" into the contest. Well my mind has been changed since we went last night. During the Powder Puff heat one car hit into another and rolled it over and was stuck on top of the rolled car. Both ladies were ok, but it was a little intense. Mikkele had a hard time watching the rest of the derby after that. She did go down to the fence and talk to the driver of the car that was overturned. She asked her if she was scared, and if she got hurt, and how she fit inside the car when it was smashed with the other car on top. She said that she wasn't really scared, she just had to duck down a little so her head wasn't smashed, her side was bruised a little bit, but that's about it. She was really lucky. And Mikkele has informed me and Jeremy that we are not allowed to participate next year. Although I'm okay with that now, Jeremy still wants to enter a car. The highlight of the night was when Lance and the boys caught a nerf football with a car number on it.

The idea was if the car won the derby you would also win a prize for catching the football. Well the car we were watching and routing for was #300. He won in his heat, and then during the "grudge match" his front tire turned under and we thought for sure he was done for the night. Well to our surprise he was still able to drive with the front tire underneath the car instead of rolling upright. He ended up the winner of the grudge match which is the winner of the whole derby. We were all so excited. Tina, Lance and the boys got to go to the announcers booth and get their prize, which was a glow in the dark football. Not as cool of a prize for all the suspense of watching and waiting for #300 to win, but the boys think it's the best prize ever.

At the end of the night they had a fireworks show. By the time the derby got over and the fireworks started it was after 11 and the kids were tired and cold (we had a cold front come in the night before). So we watched the fireworks for a minute and then left. We had a great time and can't wait until it comes back next year. The rest of the pictures and video's are just other highlights of the derby. Yes I know there are a TON of picture and video's. The video's are pretty short. I actually filled up my memory card and had to go through and delete some of the pictures so I could take more. So this is minor compared to how many pictures I downloaded onto my computer. I told you that I love demolition derby's didn't I. I may have gone a little overboard, but this is pretty close to the actual experience of being there.


Grant had a good time. He loved all the loud noises the cars made and every time we would yell and scream to cheer a car on he would laugh. He's such a funny boy.

The 2nd place winner of the powder puff heat. It was painted to look like Nemo.

This car got high centered on the barrier wall. It was too bad, I liked the paint job on this car.

This driver was funny. He thought he was just stuck in some deep dirt, so he kept trying to move. All he ended up doing was blowing his engine up. He didn't know his tire had fallen off until after the heat was over.

This was one of the method's for removing the cars from the arena.

They had lots of music playing in between each heat while they were towing the cars off and getting the dirt combed out and ready for the next heat. So the girls, and sometimes the boys, would get up and dance to the music to pass the time. This dance is the Chicken Dance. This one's for you Grandma! I even did a little bit of the dance. Grandma would be so proud. Other dances included the Macarena, the Electric Slide, the Cha Cha Slide, etc.

This video is pretty funny. Make sure you watch for the tire.

Breaking Dawn

So I finally finished Breaking Dawn. I know I took FOREVER reading it, but I'm glad that I didn't rush through it. I think I was able to enjoy it a little bit more since I didn't rush it. The last 200-250 pages got a little intense, but I'm happy with how it turned out. If you haven't started it yet, or are taking longer than me to read it, get on with it already! (Hint, Hint, Mom and Alisha)

A Swimming Pool on Wheels

Jeremy had the bright idea of putting a tarp inside this old truck and filling it with water and then driving around and letting the water splash the kids. So we had some of the neighborhood kids come over and take turns riding in the back of the truck. The kids had a lot of fun, and so did Jeremy. He drove around like a maniac trying to make sure he got the kids as wet as possible. After a few trips around the block they would have to come back and fill it back up. Our neighbor across the street has hot water plumbed to their hose, so we were able to fill up with that so it wasn't so cold for the kids. The kids are excited to do it again before the summer is over. Mikkele, Alanna, and Shelby getting ready to take off for the first ride.

When we were filling the water back up I put Grant's feet in to see what he thought. He loves the water, so I stripped his shorts off and put him in with the kids.

Mikkele and Grant chilling out.

Taking off with a big splash for round two. Mikkele, Shelby, Luke, and Carter.

The last trip around the block. You can see Carter's head trying to stay above the water. And if you look close, Mikkele's hand and head are peaking through the big splash. What a fun day.

Mikkele's New Do

Mikkele and I went and got our hair cut today. I didn't get anything drastic, just a trim, but Mikkele has been asking for a while now if she can cut bangs. She had bangs when she was little and they were a PAIN. But she wanted the side swiped bangs not the straight across look. So I decided that we'd give it a try. I think it turned out really cute. It's actually pretty subtle. I think that she looks a little bit older, but I guess that just matches her personality. Now we have a week and a half to figure out different ways to wear them before school starts.

New Background

So I have been wanting to do a new, cute background for a while now, but I have heard horror stories (Mostly from Alisha, maybe it's just her) that it screws everything up. So I have been hesitant in choosing one. I also thought it was going to be this big process. Well it wasn't. The hardest part was choosing one. There are so many to choose from and I didn't want to duplicate someone else's. If I did I'm sorry. Anyways I think it turned out pretty cute.

Our Summer Addiction

This summer we have become what some people might say obsessed or addicted to snow cones. These snow cones are not the chunky ice snow cones, they are the real ones that are just like scooping snow into a cup and pouring on the flavor. We have a Sno Shack just a few blocks away from our house, so we have been walking over a few times a week to feed our addiction. It is a yummy, cheap, refreshing way to end the day. Unfortunately the owners of the Sno Shack are going on a long vacation before school starts, so today is the last day we can get snow cones. Yes there are a ton of other Sno Shacks throughout the city that we could drive to, but it's just not the same. So we bid a sad farewell to our summer addiction. Waiting in line for the yummy snow cones.

Carter, Mikkele, and Luke enjoying their snow cones.

When we walk to the Sno Shack we have to cross at a couple of lights. The kids seriously fight over who gets to press the button. It's gotten a little out of control, but it is one of the things the kids look forward to when we go for snow cones.

24th of July

The 24th of July to most people is just another day, but in Utah it's Pioneer Day, a state holiday. We celebrate because this is the day that the pioneers came into the Salt Lake Valley. So we get to have fireworks and a fun celebration twice in July. The night before the 24th celebration we went to the Spanish Fork Rodeo with Jeremy's side of the family. Spanish Fork has their city celebration during the week of the 24th. It was really hot and humid that night, but we had a lot of fun. They put on such a great rodeo. This is the clown that was there. He was pretty funny. He was also a daredevil of sorts. He's called the "Wild Child" and did a big jump over a truck and horse trailer on a dirt bike. One of my favorite events at the rodeo is called Mutton Bustin'. For those of you who don't know what it is or have never seen it before, it is hilarious. Little kids are placed on the back of a sheep and hold on for dear life. Most kids don't make it very far, but one little girl held on for half the length of the arena. Very impressive. This is a pic of one of the little boys that was competing. The next morning we went to the Spanish Fork parade with the Grover's. The kids had fun catching the candy that was being thrown out. In these two pictures of the kids you can't really tell that we're at the parade, but we are. After the parade was over we went to the carnival and let the kids do a couple rides. This is the only ride that Mikkele, Luke and Carter all rode together. Since Mikkele is getting older she is liking the bigger rides. But I didn't get pics of that. Oops. That night we went to the Orem Owlz baseball game with Holly, Ryan and Dillon. They are a AA team that feeds into the Angels. They have a big playground for the kids to play on when they get bored watching the game, which proved to be nice. The kids had plenty to keep them entertained though, they got a few free things that were given out, autographs and pictures from some players, and they got to meet the Owlz mascot and get a picture with him. At the end of the game they had fireworks. This was Grant's first experience with big fireworks that I can remember. He was kind of getting fussy since it was so late, but as soon as they turned the stadium lights off and started the fireworks he was quiet and just sat and watched and listened to them. It was really cute. So we had a fun filled Pioneer Day.

Mikkele's Tribute to her Family Tree

A couple weeks ago Mikkele was given an assignment from church to fill out a family tree and then write something cool about each person on the family tree. She was told that if she would bring it back she would get a treat, so of course this was motivation for her to do it. I helped her a little bit filling in each person in the proper place, but she wrote the cool things about each person by herself and I thought it was cute and should share.

Great Grandma Roberts-She gave me lots of necklaces.
Great Grandpa Roberts-I never got to meet him.
Great Grandpa Jones-He gave me lots of stuffed animals.
Great Grandma Jones- She let me have a sleepover.
Great Grandma Decker-She gave me lots of stuff.
Great Grandpa Decker-He loved it when I helped him in his garden.
Great Grandma Gallier-She loves to give me kisses.
Great Grandpa Gallier-He loves to give me hugs.
Papa Roberts-He loves to take me swimming.
Grandma Roberts-We go to Lake Powell together.
Grandma Dorene-She makes lots of good dinners.
Grandpa Glenn-He loves to take me to the shop.
Mom-She is a good cook.
Dad-He is smart.
Me-I am cute.

So there you have it, Mikkele's list of cool thing about her family tree. Some of them are pretty funny, but now you know what she thinks about some of you.