2 of 3 - Completed

Last Saturday was Ragnar, finished the half marathon yesterday... 

 A week from now I will have finished my first marathon.  So excited!

So grateful for friends who keep me running!

He's big

"Buzz Lightyear Reporting for Duty!"

I want to tell you a story.

Two weeks ago Bryce and I set out for a day of fun.  I had only one errand, and wanted the rest of the day to be only what he wanted to do.  After my stop, we had chik-fil-a at the mall... Where he was given a green balloon. 

Fast-forward

When we arrived at home, Bryce wanted to hang out in the front yard for a bit while I took stuff inside.  I came out just in time to see bryce accidently release the balloon and watch it fly away.  He ran to the curb yelling "come back, come back" ... He was heart broken.  He yelled that he had to go get it and began running.  After I ran after him, and scooped him up,

we had a talk about where the balloon went.  Bryce insisted it was hiding...

While I insisted it flew away just like birds and airplanes do... trying to help him understand that some things can fly, but we can't.

Fast Forward Again

Daddy is home now with us and we're eating dinner.  I begin to tell Ty about the day and finish with the balloon trajedy.  I wasn't thinking clearly, and instead of telling Bryce the balloon flew away like a bird, I reference Buzz Lightyear.  

Lightbulb.  Bryce jumped down from his chair and found his Buzz.  He began to explain to Buzz what had happened to his balloon adn that he needed to go and get his balloon.

One of may favorite things about Bryce's age is that all this tuff is so personal and real to him.  I love it that he is concerned about Buzz and Loody.  I love it that they are friends of his. 

Anyway, to wrap this story up, I went to the store and bought another green balloon, tied it to Buzz's wrist and let him be Bryce's hero.  (This balloon will stay inside;o)

 Bryce was really happy.  Sorry Loody. 

 I'll try to come up with something for you to even the score.

Let the crazy begin!

Ty has a good friend from high school who invited me to join their SoCal Ragnar team.  Long story short, they had a spot for my wonderful friend Anissa too, so off we went!  Once the team was together, we decorated the van and go rolling! 

Ty - helping us decorate.  Our team name was: Are we There Yet?

We had such a great time with these awesome strangers! 

I'd jump in a car with them again in a heart beat!

Below are pictures of me right before I got heat exhaustion.  I'd never run in hundred degree weather.  Let's just say it was the hardest run of my life.  Trust me, you don't want the other details.

Anissa wanted to make sure I felt supported during my run...
So she showed up to cheer me on with my face plastered on her shirt.  Thanks Niss.

This isn't the best picture, but running at night is a huge part of Ragnar.  That's just it... It's a 200+ mile relay that goes for two days straight.  Ragnar is very big on protective gear to keep the night runners safe.

Also part of the relay is eating.  We let Nathan guide us to good locations since he knew the area best.  This place had the biggest portions I'd ever seen.  It was fantastic!

Driver David!  He was so awesome!  Is so awesome!

Anissa, Me, Katrina, and Audrey! 

Silly Anissa!  Don't know why she wanted a picture with the porta potties... She cracks me up!



The Parkers!





We made it!  Punch Happy!  We love Ragnar!



 We finally made it!  Nathan guided us to our celebratory meal - Carne Asada fries.  He mentioned them at the beginning of the race...  They were massive.

 Great, great, great weekend!  So glad we went! 



Cute!

We returned from Southern California today... I haven't downloaded pictures yet, but before I forget, I wanted to share a funny kid story:

Background: I was sitting next to my nephew last night.  He was wearing a shirt with Ben Franklin on it.  My nephew is only 3.

Me: Colbin, whose that on your shirt?

Colbin: That's the other Jesus.

I think Ben is feeling pretty awesome right now.

"Daddy's Birthday Party"

It wasn't really a birthday party for "Daddy" , but for Bryce's buddy, Ty.  The day of, whenever Bryce wuld tell someone about his day, he'd talk about "Daddy's bday party".  Daddy was at work. 

With that said, Ty's mommy throws the best parties!

They had a bounce house, kiddy pools ;o)

swings, snow cones, and cup cakes! 

This little man couldn't get enough of the fountain.  Such a boy!

Love that face!  Alli is one of Bryce's best friends!  We love her!

He's so sweet to share

It's torture having to stare at cucakes...





My wedding dress

The young women in my ward put together an activity where we talked about the importance of our white dresses.  More specifically, the three white dresses we wear when we make covenants with our Father in Heaven.  The first being when we are blessed as a baby, second at baptism, and then third, sealed and married in the temply.

They asked anyone who'd be willing, to let their wedding dress be used for a little fashion show at the activity.  I was hesitant.  I am very attached to my dress... But then reality set in and I realized that my dress was never really going to be worn again, so why not!

They also asked us to write a brief description of why our dress was important to us, so I've added that below.  But here I am, with sweet little Hannah, who looked great!  I was so happy to see my dress be worn again, a wonderful reminder of the perfect day Ty and I share. 

My wedding dress

I have never loved a dress more.  It’s a shame we only get to wear it once or twice.  It is so exciting when you go to try on wedding dresses.  Ideally, you go with your mom, sisters and/or closest friends, who have come to give their input as to which dress makes you look the most beautiful. 

I wanted their input.  I wanted my mom especially, to be happy with my choice.  Her good opinion of me was so important.  I realized later that my desire to please my mother, ultimately shaped my lifelong desire to please my Heavenly Father.   As a wedding dress should, I found one that made me feel beautiful, and a dress that I could wear inside the temple.  I loved knowing I got to be sealed to my best friend, wearing my beautiful white dress. 

Some people choose not to wear their wedding dress in the temple, and save it for the reception party after.  I chose to have a dress that could be worn in the temple.  Initially, that choice was made because I wanted my soon-to-be husband to first see me in a beautiful dress, and not my normal temple dress.  Now, I look back and am grateful I made that choice for other reasons.  My wedding dress wasn’t just a dress for the after party, the temple was the party.  A quiet, reverent party; nonetheless, a party to me.  My wedding dress is a reminder to me of the covenants I made in the temple with my husband and my Heavenly Father.  Every picture I have of me in that dress reminds me of the wonderful life I have, and the day it began in the Temple.

-Tammy Carlson



I heart Rainy Days and Saturdays

There were a couple days this past week where it just poured!  I love rainy days when there's no where we need to be, and we can just stay home and play, with nothing better to do! 

Soap + Water = Happy

He did suck once, instead of blow... kinda hilarious!  Never made that mistake twice though ;o)

After the awesome bubbles... the day was made extra special

when we busted out the chicken nuggets! 

Then on Saturday, after returning home from a long run, I came upon these two kids. 

Bryce has such a great dad! 

And then there's our favorite game... Where Bryce hides and we pretend to look for him, even though he required our assistance to cover him with pillows and blankets.  I love his little feet poking out.

There he his, the kid that makes our world go round!

Easter Saturday and Sunday

These two are becoming great friends, and I LOVE this picture.

Saturday started the Easter festivities.  My cousin Liz and her family came and joined us for an Easter Egg Hunt with a bunch of friends (that I hope to have pictures of soon) and their kiddos.

After that, we dyed Easter Eggs, adn prepared for the family party the following day.

The Dixon crew!  We love having them so close now!

Easter Sunday got off to a great start with Church, then naps, then more family!

I am really grateful that Easter always falls on a Sunday.  Being on a Sunday, it makes things a little easier to bring in the spiritual things, but I know I can do more.  Christmas has alwasy been a month-long event, and somehow it's easy for Easter to slip through without much attention.  I spent any time I could on Sunday trying to think of ways to make Easter better, so it will be something my children will look back and love, maybe not as much as Christmas, but at least it can be higher on that list. 

I want my children to learn and know that their mother has a testimony of the Resurrection.  I know that through Christ, we will all have the opportunity to live with Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, and our families again.  I feel so blessed to know of God's plan.  I am grateful to know that this life is only a small part of eternity, and that through the power of the Atonement we can be better people, and we can be happy, forever.  The happiest times in my life have been when I've been following the teachings of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I want my children to know that Jesus overcame death and because of Him we will all have that same blessing.  I have always been grateful for His birth, but have I expressed my gratitude for what He's done for me, that allows me to be re-born?  I can do better.  bryce is only three, but I want him to know that I Love Jesus.  I love Easter. And I love the reason Heavenly Father always gives us the most beautiful weather on Easter Sundays. 

 I suppose it can always be a beautiful day when we are blessed

with the knowledge we have as Latter-Day Saints, but still.  



Quick story, my cousin Lanea told me she was standing near Bryce when this happened.  Wish we had it on video.  She said, like a dog chasing it's tail, Bryce had so many eggs in his basket that he would turn around, one would fall out, and when his turn was complete, he would gasp with delight that another egg had appeared in the grass. (Only it was the one that had just dropped from his basket...If that wasn't obvious...)  And this happened over and over again.  Same spot, same egg, except to Bryce, the grass kept yeilding more and more eggs.  Love this kid!

Our Sunday Hunt with the cousins!