T-R-I-A-T-H-L-O-N

Yesterday was race day for me. I competed in the SHAC Turkey Triathlon that's held here in St. George. I can't believe how much fun it was!! My six months of training really paid off because I felt ready and I gave it my all. This is me and Halle, my little supporter, at the finish line.
Thanks to my love - Brandon for all the time he gave up so I could prepare for this day.


My friend and workout partner, Heidi and our spin trainer, Tiffany. It was a bitter cold morning (especially for St. George...burrrr)

The swim

The bike - Maybe Santa will bring me a road bike for Christmas...hint...hint

The run

Me, Rakel, Hailey, and Heidi after the race.
What a beautiful day! Next Tri is in April and I am IN!

Halloween Weekend

Halloween came and went so fast...SO FAST! This year the Talbots celebrated Halloween with us and boy was it a party. It always is when they come. Friday we started off with a visit to Grandpa B's, then over to Snow Canyon High for some early Trick O Treating fun. Afterwards, we held our *second annual Pumpkin Carving and Pizza Party. That party had to be cut short so some of us gals could head out for Odessey Dance Company's Thriller at Tuacahn. Oh, so good! Saturday for dinner we had blood, worms, & eyeballs, then headed out for the real fun. Unfortunately Grandpa B spent his weekend in the hospital and so did Brandon, Karen, Brenda and Craig. We're hoping for a quick recovery this time. Halle and Taya are missing their Grandpa!

Our little sea creatures, Little Miss Mermaid and Little Miss Octopus. I'm hoping to get them back in their costumes for a second photo shoot. This one just wont cut it.

Now this woman is Entertainment at it's best!

Thriller is one of my favorite Halloween traditions. Year 4 is just as good as year 1. Especially when you bring the lady in the previous picture. Too bad she was taking a potty break (hiding out in the ladies room) when her friend here came by.

Our Trick O Treating clan. We visited the Ramirez' haunted house which was a huge hit and super freaky, then up to the Nobis/Cash scone party. We arrived a little late but were still served. Fabulous!

Owen & Taya getting to know each other again. We couldn't get enough of these little punkins. Taya literally clung to Jon the whole weekend. Mom was a little jealous!

Lov'n October

I know I know, I'm so behind on my posts. A lot has been happening and I just haven't had a second to think. I LOVE being busy so it's nothing bad. As soon as things cool down I'll get caught up. October has always been my favorite month - it just happens to be crazy this year.

BTW - Halloween is 10 days away! Yessssssssssssssssss......

Preschool

~Halle has been waiting for this day for a long time~


It was her first day of preschool - backpack and all. Four other gals in the neighborhood and I formed a mommy preschool for our three year olds. There are five kids total, so every fifth week I get to teach. The great thing is, the kids will get to know each other before kindergarten. We've been talking about doing it for a while now, so I'm excited it's come together. It's going to be great fun!

VISITOR

There's nothing like walking out your back door and seeing
THIS right in front of you.

Oh yes, it happened to me and I'm still having AnXiEtY over it.
Yesterday we were preparing to head out to Grandpa B's to help him hang his shower curtain and I spotted this tarantula under Halle's lego car.
I don't kill bugs or any living thing.
If I find a big spider in the house I put a cup over it until Brandon comes home.
I called Brandon at work because I knew he could calm me down enough so I could put a bin over him.
This morning Brandon took him into work and gave him to one of the Biology professors. Brandon said the professor was giddy like a school boy.

Spelunking the Bloomington Caves

Brandon had a little adventure planned for us Saturday afternoon. First of all, he didn't ask me if I wanted to go - he told me I was going. Normally I don't tolerate that kind of abuse, but I was actually quite excited. I believe caving is one of those things you have to do before you die. Plus, I figured I'd get to wear a headlamp - yay! Brandon bumped into an old friend from his frat days at a college event and he invited Brandon to go along.

There are two entrances to the caves and we tried both of them out after the first one took us on an almost vertical descent. The BLM claims you don't need ropes and harnesses but I beg to differ. We decided to turn around after about an hour. Our second entrance included a bat, some rats, and required a very long crab walk and belly shimmy. The inside was cool and damp about 75 degrees compared to the 105 temp outside. I thought I'd have trouble being in such tight quarters but I was surprisingly comfortable. Another bonus - we were there mid day on a saturday and we didn't see another soul.

The Bloomington Caves span a distance of 1.3 miles and drop 240 feet and a permit is required. The caves are not for small children. I'm sure we'll be going again so let us know if you want to come along.

Ride'n

I'm heading out for another little ride tomorrow with the gals. Every Saturday lately, a bunch of friends and I go for an early morning ride on our bikes. Last week was a ride to the college to run a 5K, then ride back. It was a doozy, but well worth it. We've also taken the Bloomington loop, and a ride to Washington Fields. Tomorrow is a ride to Ivins. This will mark the furthest I've been on my bike... I think. And, I think, I'm starting to really like this biking thing. My bike is now equipped with a speedometer/tripometer/odometer (10 bucks at Walmart) which for some strange reason is fascinating to me. Hopefully- I'll soon learn how to steer away from pot holes while working the computer. It's been quite exhilarating getting ready for this Triathlon. My workout schedule has been crazy and I have to hand it to my cute hubby for giving me SO MUCH of his valuable time. He's my rock and I love him! Other family members like Sarah, Craig and Peggy have also put in some good babysitting hours with my girls. Thanks to them! What I'm hoping for is to do a beginner race this fall, and then compete in the sprint distance in the spring.

We'll see....