Ragnar June 2011

Sometime around June of 2010 Chris' sister Tiffiny mentioned us all running Ragnar together. Somehow, (maybe she slipped something in the punch), she got us all to agree! So we all signed up to run. At the time I was pregnant with Liam and knew that I would have a six month old baby. And with exercise restrictions I knew I would not have that long to train.  But I decided to do it anyway. But I had no idea how difficult of a baby Liam would be. Not because he is a bad baby or anything, but because the poor little guy had so many issues with colic, and protein intolerance.
So long story short, I didn't train. Like at all. I think I ran one mile like four or five times over a two month period. I was a little nervous to run it to say the least. Not to mention I fell down the stairs a month or so prior to when I was supposed to run and though I had broken my tailbone. So I decided to drop out and find a replacement. My tailbone was so painful for weeks! But after about three weeks it had improved a lot and we needed another runner that day or pay a fee and make everyone pick up some more mileage. So I stepped back in and took a much harder leg than my previous leg. It went from about thirteen miles to eighteen miles! So then I was even more stressed. And to leave Liam was one of the worst stresses of all. I had never left him and he still struggled a bit, and I was still nursing. I think the only thing that gave me comfort enough to do it was knowing that the kids were with my wonderful and capable family.

The night before we headed up to Tiffiny's house to sleep so we could all just carpool up to Logan where the Relay started. We had to head out at 1:30am to get there in time for our early start time. (We think they started us as early as possible due to the fact that our team had the slowest predicted race time, haha). It was so FREEZING!

Here I am before my first run.And then stretching after the run. I ran the entire 5.6 mile leg! That is by far the furthest I have ever run. Below is some of the country we ran through. I think it was some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen! It made running a little easier with a view like that.Here is Chris during and after his first run which was6.9miles on dirt road for much of it and then on pavement. And by the time he was rinning it was so hot outside! And later he would run 8.1 miles on a VERY VERY hard course (uphill for much of it), and then 3.1 miles to finish it off. I would venture to say that he had the hardest leg. But he is one that loves a challenge!Tiff in the zone!She ran one of the longest distances of everyone.This was me running my last leg. I wasn't sure I was going to ba able to do it because after my first run my hips started to bother me, and then they really started to become painful. I ended up not finishing my whole second leg because the pain was so bad. I was so mad and disappointed. I know I looked like a crazy person limping/jogging, and all the while crying. But I didn't want to give up. Finally our car drove by and saw how much I was struggling so Tiff did the rest of my second leg. Luckily we had Jeff (my brother in law) in the other van, he is a physical therapist. So Natalie(Chris' sister) did ultrasound on my hips to break up inflamation. And then a tens unit. I kept it on all night and while I ran the last leg. I think that made all the difference. Chris Dyches and Damien running like mad men!Chris handing the baton to Natalie after his last run!

Can you tell Chris was tired? We were all wiped out. We almost gave up and skipped the final run through the big orange loop of glory!

But we did it! I was proud that we ran. We did our best, and although we had some difficult moments we had a good time. AND...we are sighned up for next year. I think we may be insane. This time I am giong to try to actually train. I think that might help a little. But this time we both went for legs that might be a little bit easier. :)

Carnival

This year we decided to attend the local carnival. Things like that are so much better when you have kids to enjoy them. Right as you get there they had this cute barrell train. Clara loves trains and loves animals, especailly fake ones, so we of course had to have her ride it.

                              She had a blast and had to ride several times.

Liam was just hanging out in the bjorn!

This was a little mechanical train that Clara rode. It started out great!

But then the man running the train started to tickle the kids as they passed. Clara being Clara (very wary of strangers) did not like that one bit. She ended up being so terrified and upset. She was just screaming and screaming. Poor girl! I also felt bad for the guy running the ride, he was just trying to be fun.
After she recovered from the train ride it didn't take her long to cheer up. This boat ride actually ended up being her favorite.

Clara, Justin, Mary, Austin, and Jenna.

Riding the boat for the 2nd, 3rd, or maybe 4th time.


And one more time with all of her cute little friends.

Daddy's turn to tote around our sweet little Liam.


She even wond a "Nemo" prize!
It was a fun day at the carnival! We had so much fun watching Clara have a blast. And we went with some of our good friends and neighbors the Cowley's and Harper's. So fun!

Summer fun

This summer has been so much fun. It is so different to have two kids rather than just one. I just have to thank my Heavenly Father for the opportunity I have to stay home and raise my children. I have been thinking a lot lately of how much I enjoy being a Mom. I have those moments where everything sinks in and I realize that I will never have that certain moment back. My kids will never be the same as they are right now. I admit these are usually the moments when the kids are getting along great and giggling together, and not so much the moments when they are both screaming because Clara hit Liam and then he grabbed her hair etc...yeah. But those special moments put the other moments into perspective. As hard as it is to believe I think I will miss those moments of tantrums, tired little...or not so little cries, the screaming fits, and the drama. Although being a Mom is tough, the good FAR outweighs the hard. I often try to just "record" those special moments when everything sinks in. I try to imprint them in my mind forever. I cannot imagine anything that could bring me more joy than spending time with my sweet kids. And summer provides for some fun activities. I am so behind on blogging there is no way I could get in much of what we have been up to. We have been so busy all the time. But here are a few snippets.
Here is Liam asleep at the zoo.
Fishy Face! Clara loves to be silly!
She still loves trains just as much as she always has. Here we are at the zoo riding the train. It is for sure her favorite part of the zoo.
Clara and Liam are so sweet together, when they want to be. Clara is really such a good big sister and loves her little brother with all of her little heart. The first thing she always asks when she wakes up from her nap is "where's Liam?" And if he is awake she gets so excited! And Liam adores Clara as well. His face lights up whenever she is near him. It is the sweetest thing in the entire world to watch them when they are being sweet.
On the carousel at the zoo. I love Clara's smile. She tries so hard! :)


Ever since Clara was just tiny she loved shoes. The love has never died! The shoe store is one of her favorite places to go. As soon as we are in her shoes are off and she if finding the most sparkly, high-heeled shoes she can.
Riding a horse!...sort of. But actually in June she did ride a real horse! I was so proud of her. I was not there becuase we were running ragnar(post about that to come). But she is usually kind of afraid of animals, at least up close. So I was so excited to hear about it. She still talks about it all the time.
Clara is like her Mommy and loves V8 "geeate". This day I gave her the can and started to clean up the kitchen. A few minutes later this is what I found!

We also decided to try a garden again despite our pathetic attempt last year. Liam and Daddy getting ready to plant

One of Clara's favorite things to do is swing.
Clara loves to make new friends. This is a little girl she met while we were at liberty park. She always plays with older kids.
Papa and Liam. He loves his Papa!
Liam with "Meme"
Clara's beautiful smile on Gaga's birthday. She had to help her blow out her candles..twice.
These picture sure are out of order, and if I am going to get my blogging done this is how they are going to stay! But here is more gardening. Clara was eating her all time favorite thing, "posicles".
Here she is blowing out Gaga's candles.
Daddy watching something on the Ipad, probably soccer. But Liam was so interested and it was so cute to see them sitting together watching sports. I have a feeling this will be happening often in the future.
Clara got into the flour while baking.
Clara absolutely LOVES to push a little cart at the store. I use this as bribery. :)
Gaga, Clara, and Papa

 Clara also loves dressing up. She also has to pick out many of her outfits now. Although sometimes she may look like a little orphan, she is such a cute little orphan. I love it!

 Clara and her cousin Reaygan.

 Liam and his cousin Kyler/

 Here is Liam's sweet smile. It just melts my heart. I still can't belive how smiley he is now that he has gotten over the colic. He is so happy and laid back. I can just smile at him or talk to him and he will smile and giggle! That is so strange after Clara. She would't budge for anything! Clara was just so funny, I loved it. But it is so much fun to have such a smiley baby! His smile makes everything better! He has little sceaming fits, but other than that he is so mellow!  And CUDDLY! He gives so many hugs! He always just nestles his little head into my neck. I LOVE LOVE IT!

 Liam next to his new little cousin Kade Damien.

 His eyes! I love them! And we always get comments on his cute little nose and tiny mouth. So adorable!

 This was fathers Day. Clara ran off with Chris' present because she wanted the bag to be her purse, and Liam was just happy as could be sitting on Daddy. Chris is the most wonderful Dad. I love that he is not afraid to be sweet with the kids. He loves them so much, and they know it! I am so grateful to have such a wonderful husband.

These were some lilacs in our yard this year. I love flowers!
I love summer!