I Did It!

I have been wanting to run a half marathon for awhile now, but just needed it to be warm enough here for me to train outside in Logan. So I signed up for the Top of Utah Half at the end of August so that I could train all summer long. At times it was frustrating to have to go train when I was on vacation or out of town, but I really did learn to love running outside and I felt pretty ready when it was time for the race. I finished in an hr and 56 min and I felt really good about this time. The kids and Cam and the Smiths were at the finish line with posters, cheering me on ..it was awesome! It felt great and I learned how much I really do enjoy running, maybe not enough to do a full marathon, but I will probably do another half someday.

School Starts!

Well, Summer is officially over and it is time for school to start. I kinda have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I am excited to have a little more structure and schedule to our life, but on the other hand, I'm sad to not be able to go play whenever we want to. Taggart is in first grade this year and Mrs. Jack is his teacher and Maddie is in her second year of Preschool. Here they are before their first day. Taggart is very excited about his lunchbox and that he gets to eat at school everyday. He was also very excited about his recesses after the first day. It sure is weird having him gone all day and Maddie sure misses him in the afternoon. She keeps saying, "Mom, when will Taggart be home?" It should be a fun year!!

Big Bear Ayotte Family Vacation

This year we all got together in Big Bear California for our annual family vacation. It was so much for everyone to be there this year! We spent an entire week hiking, swimming, fishing, biking, playing games, and just having fun! Taggart and Maddie were just thrilled to have Ada and Boston there to play with them! Maddie and Ada would just dissapear into a room for what seemed like forever and we would find them in there just playing Barbies or coloring. Here are some fun pics of some of the good times...
Here we are along the walking/biking path around the lake. This is the actual bridge that I turfed it on while on my morning run and ended up bloody!

We went on a few hikes and even took Taggart on this amazing hike where we had to hike up these huge rocks and we got an amazing view of the entire lake. He did such a great job and was always trying to get to the highest point (just like his Dad! , but we made it!




We spent a TON of time swimming and Parker just loved scooting around everywhere!




We played a lot outside on the grass behind out condo and we even had our own Survivor Olympics with our buffs!


Taggart was obsessed with fishing and had the time of his life fishing with his Dad. Just look at that face!! Oh, and the fish he is catching too!

It was so great to have everyone there together! We made some fun memories and had a great time! Until next year...

Cabin in Bear Lake

This summer we spent a few weekends up at the cabin in Bear Lake. We love the lake, the milk shakes, and the beautiful weather. We have a hard time getting the kids off the swings. Look at that silly face!

Of course we went out on the boat. The kids are all ready to go!

Parks thought the boat was pretty cool ,but got pretty sick of the life jackets squishing his chubby cheeks.

We spent the Fourth of July weekend up there and did fireworks. This was the first year that Taggart and Maddie got really into the fireworks. They loved them and weren't scared of how loud they were this year.


Maddie had so much fun playing with her cousin Isabelle. They could play for hours and would in their own world for most of the time.

What a crazy family!

This was Parker's favorite thing at the cabin, playing with the door stop. He loved it and it would echo through the entire cabin.

We even went up to Minnetonka cave. The older kids hiked through it and thought it was pretty cool.

Here is Maddie showing off her patriotism on our front porch.

We spent a weekend their with some friends also and didn't get many pics, but had a great time as usual. We are happy that we live so close to take advantage of it now. I am sure we will go up a few times in the winter, but it just isn't the same as it is in the Summer. Until next year!

Summer Hiking

One day on our way home from the Cabin in Bear Lake, we stopped off and did a little hike. It was only about 1.3 miles so it was perfect for the kids and we all loved it. Here we are just starting out.

On the hike there were all these bent trees and they were really cool.

Every once in awhile we had to stop, rest, and enjoy the scenery.

Here are Taggart and Maddie posing at the top. It was a beautiful view!

We just got a hiking backpack to carry Parks around in, so we can't wait to do some more hiking this summer.