The Marathon

Welp, it's over and done! That is how I feel right now, it's kinda sad actually that it's done....I can't believe it. The race went great though. Terri and I went up to Ogden on Friday night to stay so that we didn't have to get up even earlier. We ate a good carb dinner at Olive Garden and then were in bed at 10 that night. I was so nervous that I didn't fall asleep until after midnight though. We had to catch the shuttle up to the start of the race at 5am, even though the race didn't start until 7. So, we all stood around nervous and freezing for an hour. Fortunelty, they had fires and music to distract us. Then it started! It was incredible. What a rush to be running with 2,000 other runners. Terri and I ended up running together for pretty much the whole race and we did really good. We ran about 10.5 to 10 minute miles up until mile 21 (i think) and then it got stinkin' hot and we got stinkin' tired! So, we slowed up a little bit. It ended up taking me 5 hours and 5 minutes to run 26.2 miles. My first goal was to finish, but then I hoped to make it in 4 hours and 30 minutes, so I have to admit, I was a little bit (just a little bit) bummed that I didn't make the time. It was awesome to cross the finish line though! At miles 23, 24, 25 and 26 miles,I thought I was going to cry. Not because I was in pain, but just because I was so close to reaching this goal that I had set out to do 4 months ago and it was just right at my finger tips. It's a hard feeling to explain, you are physically exhausted and emotionally too, but you feel a rush of emotions. I don't know how to explain it. It feels really awesome to have done it and I am proud of myself. As soon as I get some pictures, I'll be sure to post them. If anyone is thinknig of running a marathon, DO IT!! You will love it. I can't wait to do the next one. Gram asked me tonight on the phone what I have planned next and I think I'll take it easy for a few weeks and then in July I'd like to run a half marathon in Bryce Canyon. But, we'll see. I guess you'll all just have to stay tuned to the blog to get the latest! Thanks for everyone's support and concern and encouragement through the whole training and race. You all rock!!

The catch up.

All is well with the Bells. The weather has been awesome, so we are living outside lately. Carter is sassy as ever, but cute as ever too. He keeps asking me when my belly is going to get big and give him a baby. He told me the other day that he would put his truck in my mouth and it would go to my belly and then get bigger and bigger and then a baby would come out for him. Oh the imagination of a child. Where he is getting these ideas is beyond me, but hey, it's funny anyway. Incase your wondering, no I'm not pregnant. Just to clear the air. Berklie is starting this new screaming thing...which I really don't like all that much. She screams in the car if she doens't have something that she wants to play with, she screams during any meal time because you just can't seem to shovel the food in her mouth fast enough and she screams if Carter gets a little too close to her because she thinks he is going to take what shes playing with. It kinda hurts your ears but we just keep hoping that she'll grow out of it.
This past weekend we went to Mat's brothers wedding. He married Natasha Booth on Friday. Elder Ballard did the sealing, which was pretty awesome. I wasn't really paying attention, until I heard someone say, "it woudln't be a party if I didn't bring Sister Ballard". That got my attention. It was pretty sweet. The sealing was followed by a reception that night, which fun also. Berklie had had it by that point in the day, so we didn't last long. Then Sunday we were at the Bells again for Mothers Day and Shauna and Harold were set apart for thier mission!! They left this morning for their 8 day stay at the MTC in Provo Utah and then next Wednesday they are driving to thier mission in Kirkland Ohio where they will stay for 18 months. They are a little nervous I think to leave us all unattended and behind. :) But, they will have a great time and the area will benifit from the service they give. We are proud of them! Carter doesn't quite understand that Grandma and Grandpa are leaving and I know that he will really miss them.
Last but not least, the marathon is coming up. 5 days! This week we are just taking it easy as far as running goes. I'm pretty excited for the marathon....I haven't decided what I'm most excited for though...to run 26.2 miles, to get it over with or to be away from my kids for a night??? It's a tie I think.

blogger for dumbies please.

Ok, so I need some help. Every time I go to post something and then add pictures, they never come out in the order that I tried to post them and then......I want to put some captions under the pictures, but I can't do that either. Some one, or everyone needs to tell me what I'm doing wrong. Do you write your post first or upload your pictures. Oh do tell me. !!!!

Terri and I, before the 18. Yeah us! (hey, we're going running, we can't always look our best) :)



The Zions Hike. It is beautiful here!

Carter riding Marshall's bike in St. George He couldn't get enough of this bike


Sweet Sleeping Berklie

Happy Anniversary!!

Today is our 5 year anniversary! Happy day! We celebrated both nights really, last night was the official celebration I suppose. We went to the Jazz game and then stayed at the Milpond Spa in Stansbury Park. It's like a little B&B right on the lake. It was really really nice. Then tonight we went out with some friends to Tepanyaki for some delicious food and good company. It's crazy that it's already been years. We feel like a lot has happened in this short period of time....we've moved 3 times, had several different jobs, started our own business and had 2 babies. We feel very blessed with all that we have been given, especially each other!! I know super cheese. But, we are nothing without each other. I am so grateful for the wonderful man that I married.
Today I also got to run 18 miles!!! It felt so good to be back out with my partner again running the streets of the Tooele valley. Everything went really good with the run aside from the fact that we both got sun burnt. I even put on sunscreen...which I found out later was like 3 years expired. I guess it didn't work. Wahhhhh, so my face hurts. But, it could be worse I guess. We took a picture this morning before we left on the run. I thought about doing a before and after, but I decided that's too much to show everyone. You can picture it though if you want, the only difference was that my face was so red it now matched my pink shirt. We are excited for the marathon, it'll be a blast.
Carter and Berklie are good. Carter just can't be outside enough. From the second that he wakes up in the morning that is where he wants to be. Berklie is adorable and just loves to follow her big brother around wherever he goes. She is still not walking, just protesting it. We love our sweet babies!!
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Last weekend we went to St. George with some friends. It was a blast. I had never been there before, so it was great to see palm trees in Utah. It was a really relaxing and fun weekend. On the way home Sunday afternoon, we stopped for a little detour at Kolob Canyon in Zions. We chose a little hike to do with the kids and thought it would be so fun for them. Well, Berklie had enough the second that we got out of the car. I'm glad that Mat wanted to carry her in the backpack. Carter did good though, he liked looking for bugs and jumping over tree roots. We almost made the whole mile hike!! :) We got the kids loaded in the car at the end and them remembered that we wanted a photo, so instead of making them scream, we opened the windows and stole a picture. It was fun, we hope to go again soon.