Moab - Part 2 {Moab Triathlon Festival}

After Canyonlands on Friday, we drove back into Moab and ate dinner. Making sure we had everything we needed for the morning, we got all out tri gear ready to go. I woke up the next morning at 3:30 am and stayed awake until our alarm clock went off at 5:30. As soon as I heard the alarm, I was up and raring to go. Michael and I took off for the race, since Michael's swim start was at 8:30. We got breakfast at Starbucks on the way and arrived at the lake around 7:00. Chris and Lauren showed up not too long after us and we all transported our gear into the transition area. My brother Wes did the race as well, so my sister-in-law kindly offered to take pictures of all of us.

I feel bad that I kind of missed Michael taking off for the swim. I got a picture of his group in the water below, but I couldn't tell which one was him. I had so much nervous energy running through my body before the race that I couldn't just stand in one spot. I had way too much time to think about the swim before it was actually my turn. When we arrived that morning, the water temperature was at 58 degrees! We knew it was going to be a cold swim, so Michael and I both had wetsuits and had bought a neoprene head cap on the way down. We were prepared for it, but I was still really nervous. As soon as our swim began, I had a little bit of an anxiety attack. I think it was the feeling of claustrophobia from the tight wetsuit and head cap combined with the unbelievably cold water. Lauren and another girl noticed that I was having a little difficulty and kindly helped me relax a little. I ended up pulling the chin strap on my head cap on top of my head and just tried to relax. I definitely did not swim as well or as fast as I could have, but I'm just glad that I stuck it out and got through it!

This is Morgan's new bike that he earned. He looked like a stud; all decked out in biking gear.

Wes did the whole race wearing a cast on his wrist. Pretty impressive!

I absolutely love this picture of Michael running. I told him that I was going to send this picture into TYR so he could model for them... he just rolled his eyes.

Chris and my brother after their race. They both did the Xterra sport.

This was Chris's first Xterra and he did awesome!

Lauren and I smiling from ear to ear because we survived!

I was so happy to have these cute kids cheering me on.

They were troopers; lasted almost seven hours just hanging out and watching the race.

I think Jess deserves most of the credit though. Keeping children entertained while trying to get pictures of five different people during a race. She deserved a medal!

Wes got First Place in his age group!

I got Third Place, which isn't saying a whole lot when there were only four in my age group... but I'll take it!

Lauren got First Place!

Lauren and I showing off our medals!

Michael got Second Place in his age division, which he most certainly deserves! He has trained so hard lately and I am so proud of him.

...And as if our weekend was not eventful enough, Michael chipped his tooth that night.

I can honestly say that there is never a dull moment being married to him.

He always keeps me laughing. I just love him!

Moab - Part 1

This past weekend we went to Moab. We got all packed up and headed out Thursday afternoon. I had an appointment to meet the teacher I will be student teaching with, so we stopped by the Elementary School on the way. I am going to be teaching First Grade and I am so excited!

We then met up with our friends Chris and Lauren in Spanish Fork, and were on our way to Moab. On Friday morning, we had breakfast at The Peace Tree and then drove down to Canyonlands to do some four-wheeling for the day. Michael and I hadn't been since right after we got married and I had forgotten how beautiful the landscape is on the drive in. We four-wheeled on Elephant Hill and had a blast enjoying the scenery and the wonderful sunny weather!

~Moab makes me happy~

Site Placement

This past week I found out where I'll be student teaching this coming Fall & Spring! When I found out, I immediately went on the internet and checked out the school. It is a Title 1 school, which means that the school has a large concentration of low-income students, so it receives supplemental funds to assist in meeting the student's educational goals. It is in the Salt Lake District and there are 31 different languages spoken there. I am feeling quite overwhelmed, but excited to work with so many ESL students!

Mother's Day

This past Sunday we celebrated not only Mother's Day at my parents, but also Michael and Andy's birthdays. My dad grilled some chicken and we all made a side dish so my mom didn't have to cook. After dinner, everyone around the table said one thing they love about my mom. I've realized that moms really don't get enough of the credit they deserve, which makes me want to tell my mom more often how much I appreciate her.

My mom made the most delicious cakes for both Michael and Andy. Michael's request was Tiramisu and Andy, Boston Cream Pie. Malia had fun feeding cake to Michael, Carson was pretending to be a wolf for a most the night and Morgan entertained us by playing the piano. We finished off the evening watching FOX 13 News where my oldest brother Nick being interviewed was going to air. It was a fun night spent with my family.

ICUP - 5 Mile Pass

We drove out to the boonies west of Lehi last Saturday to get to Michael's race. The ICUP is a series of mountain bike races in different parts of Utah during the summer. There are four categories one can sign up for when doing the race: beginner, sport, expert and professional. Michael has been training like CRAZY this spring and it really paid off for him. He got third place in the expert category, for completing 34 miles (3 loops). He got a ribbon and a $15 gift certificate to a bike store. He did so well and I am so proud of him!

*Michael is now racing for SLC Bicycle co. and currently working on forming a team.

My sister-in-law Jess also raced, in the sport category. She unfortunately got a flat tire during her first of two laps and was in first place too. :(

As for me, I came home with a major sunburn (didn't use sunscreen), not smart. That night consisted of A LOT of aloe lotion.