Bike MS 2015

This year we again attended Harmon's Best Dam Bike Ride in Logan, Utah. Josh was the rider participant and the kids and I were volunteer participants again!

In order for Josh to be able to ride he had to raise at least $250! He did awesome with his fundraising and ended up turning in $335 at check in! There are so many people who support us by donating just a small amount toward finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. If your interested in making a donation for the ride next year contact us!

Friday

We arrived in Logan, Utah at 2:30 and got our tent set up in a nice shady spot in the fairgrounds. Got Brenda and the kids checked-in at the volunteer check in tent. We then had a bit of time to kill before rider check-in started so we went and played in the creek that runs through the fairgrounds. Brayden managed to fall in and get soaking wet but he was the only one of us cool the rest of the evening in the very hot temps!

We got Josh checked in and received his rider packet and jersey. Harmon's fed us dinner in the team village and then we got back to camp to get ready by putting his number on his jersey, bike and helmet for the following day.

We contemplated going to bed a bit early but there were lots of people coming and going and setting up camp that it was loud until well after 11 p.m. so we just tried to relax in the heat.

Saturday
We started early. Got up at about 5:30 a.m. to get breakfast at 6 a.m. with team pictures at 6:15 a.m. get bike from bike lock down and head to the starting line by 7 a.m. so he could lead the ride off with his team.

Headed from camp to pick up his bike.

 Tires pumped up and so was Josh!

The girls got to help blow whistles at GO time!

While dad was riding we helped out around the fairgrounds and played at the Kids Zone. Alayna made a cute sign to hold up for daddy. I then helped get volunteers checked in for lunch, dinner, and finish line cheering. I waited patiently to get a call from Josh when he was getting close so we could be sure to be at the finish line. Finish line on Saturday after riding 45 miles in 4 hrs!

After Josh's ride we got ice cream at macey's and took a ride up to see the Logan Temple! Having fun in the sun and then taking a car ride means naps! We then got some games out and had fun relaxing. The creek helped us keep cool too!

Dinner was  served at 5 p.m. with the awards party afterward. At the awards party they shared some statistics you might be interested in.

Team Harmon's was the largest team with 177 members ranging from 12-84 years of age. They also had the largest amount raised. So far on June 30th there has been $989,200 raised with an estimated 1.6 million after fundraising is due in a few weeks. There were 95 people who rode in the ride that have Multiple Sclerosis with some using specialty bikes. There were 1,600 approx riders this year. It is amazing to me to meet so many awesome people with the same goal in mind, a cure for MS! After the awards party we had a swim party next door at the Aquatic Center. It was nice to cool off after a long hot day!

Sunday
Another early morning with breakfast served at 6 a.m. and had Josh on his way by 7:30 a.m. because it was a leisurely take off for everyone. While Josh was riding we took camp down and packed the car to head for home afterward. Then the kids and I went to the finish line to cheer all the riders in.

Coming through the finish line. Josh rode 20 miles in 2 hrs!

I couldn't be more proud of Josh for riding in the heat and helping us have a fun family trip!
We look forward to the MS bike ride every year! Good Job!



School's Out for Summer

During the school year the school does a student spotlight each month and both Brayden and Kaytlin were both nominated from their classrooms. When they are chosen for the month they get to invite two people to have a special lunch at school with them. Alayna and I both went to their lunches.

 Halfway through the school year their names were posted for perfect attendance.

 This past week Kaytlin had a music concert at school. She is front row in a blue floral dress.

 Both kids also had an awards ceremony this last week. 

Brayden was awarded for A-B Honor Roll, Star Reading, Star Math, playing all 4 intramural sports and Perfect Attendance. At the end of the year he was the only student in fifth grade to have perfect attendance. I was so proud of him and how hard he worked this year.

 Kaytlin was awarded for Citizenship and Perfect Attendance. She was also the only student in 1st grade to have perfect attendance. I am so proud of her for being a good example and trying hard all year.

They have come a long way from last September when they started the school year.

Congratulations and Good Job Brayden and Kaytlin!

Payson Temple Open House

When we make plans to visit Utah we go spontaneously without an agenda but we did have tickets to attend the Payson Temple Open House Saturday morning. 

We took a drive up to see Bridal Veil Falls just outside of Provo and did some hiking.

We spent some time at the Provo Recreation Aquatic Center that was awesome and we need one in Idaho Falls. They had a lazy river, swimming pool, kids shallow water play area, rock climbing, and body water slides that we really enjoyed.

We also visited many other temples while we were down in Utah. We visited the Provo temple across the street from the Missionary Training Center and we drove by the Provo City Center Temple that is under construction. The open house for it will be next year after they complete it.

While in Provo we were driving around and an area looked very familiar to me and I remembered I knew someone that lived there. Brother and Sister Campbell graciously allowed us to just drop in. When I was baptized she spoke at my baptism and we visited her approximately 11 years ago when my brother went to the MTC. I was glad we got to visit with them and just remember.

After we left Provo we stopped in Salt Lake. Obviously we went to temple square.

 I just have to say this guy is the BEST!

 He is willing to go on any adventure and do anything to put smiles on our faces. He supports me in many things and works hard to support our family. I chose the best ETERNAL companion a girl could have and I am so thankful the Lord knows what we need when we need it. I am sure blessed!

Then we stopped at The Cheesecake Factory where we had huge servings of dessert. We all ordered something so we had plenty to share and we were so full.

We then had dinner with Jeanette's family. I get so nostalgic when I visit them. Isaac on the far left was a witness for me at the adoption placement of Emilie and we were in the same Foster Care home in Utah. It is amazing to see how we have both grown up, matured and conquered all our trials here on earth (so far). I consider him my brother and love him to pieces... and he has two adorable kiddos that you can't help but love.

Our next visit can't come soon enough! 

Bush Bronco Color Run

In May the PTO at the kids school did a color run this year. 

We definitely didn't want to miss it! It was wet, raining and a bit chilly but we still had a blast.

 Brayden went with a few of his friends.

 We saw him at the beginning and then as they were crossing the finish line.

We started clean with white shirts but by the end everyone was covered in colors! We all had fun and will be joining again next year!