Tough Mudder Utah

So after all the ones that Jake has run, I finally decided (after I got a discount code) to run one as well. I wanted him to know that I am as tough as he is and more. (I'm really not, but I like to pretend I am.)

The race was in September in Cedar Fort and we had a great group to run with. The morning started out a little chilly, around 40 F but quickly warmed up. 

Morning group.

 The first group ran first thing in the morning. The girls, Lisa, Jessica, Cassie and some other wives took pictures. Since pictures tell a better story, I'll let them do most of the talking.

Pre-race family pic.

 While Jake, Jeff, Marc, Cassie and I ran/walked the event, Lisa, Jessica, and Justin watched out kids. Luckily there was so much dirt, all they really had to do was feed them and make sure they followed along.

My little dirt hill climber.

Me, Jake, Cassie, Marc and Jeff starting the event. 

Enough mud for you.

 When the first group ran, they were some of the first through Arctic Enema. There was ice floating around in bright pink water. Check out the pictures below.

Yes, it was that cold.

 What you can't see is that there is actually about 6 inches of ice on top of the water.

Celebrate how cold the water is.

Warrior Carry

It may have taken forever but I made it across on my first try.

 Shortly after this, about mile 8 of 11 we came to a hill and my knee did not like that idea. Knee problems are what kept me from doing this before. We slowed down a lot. Jeff wanted to get some real exercise so he ran ahead.

Jeff in electro-shock therapy

All together at the end, minus Jeff. 

Eventually, we all made it. The only obstacle I didn't attempt was Electro-shock therapy. I have no desire to be shocked. Too many bad experiences as a kid. Did I enjoy it? It was fun. I could do the obstacles anytime. Combined with that kind of distance, I don't think my knees would handle it. I enjoyed being able to do this with Jake. He was so loving and supportive through the entire thing. He would rather carry me than have me sit down or quit.

I have such a loving and supportive family and I love spending time with them, although I don't enjoy living with the knee pain for a few weeks after the event.

Stefanie got married!!

I am really behind. My sister Stef got married 2 month's ago, but I love her and didn't want to miss sharing my love and excitement by blogging about her wedding before she did. (Ha ha, love you Stef. Hey I gave you 2 months.)

She had a wonderful rehearsal dinner at Archibald's Restaurant in Gardner Village. JT's really good friend and business partner needed a baby sitter and our sitter is so awesome she said she would watch their girl too. His friend and wife needed to follow us to the restaurant since they are from out of town. Hilariously, Jake took a wrong turn and had them all confused as we flipped around to head the right way.

The wedding and reception took place at Louland Falls up Parley's Canyon. Absolutely beautiful location in the mountains, with little parking and kind of a pain to get to from Salt Lake Valley (you have to go to the next exit and turn around). However, the beauty of it (maybe it was just the beauty of the day and what was taking place) made up for it.

The lovely flower girls.

Ellie and Sammi were flower girls. They only wanted to drop some of the flowers, because others were too pretty so they picked them up if Macy threw them on the ground. Our nephew's were the room bearers although I think only Braden carried them. Tanner was still getting use to the whole walking thing.

It was a wonderful and short ceremony performed by JT's friend. Very sweet and heart felt.

Of course, there were plenty of things to do and places to play around for the kids. The weather was perfect. And there were pictures galore to take.

JT flying Sammi

Family Photo

Swinging Sammi

Playing with Jeff

If you can't tell, we have an awesome family. My girls love their aunts and uncles (as do I). Of course there was food, cake, dancing and go times. I don't have all the pics (those are just from a family friend) and I will let Stef talk about it more. Sammi was a little upset because Stef and JT didn't give her a piece of the cake immediately after they cut for each other but they quickly fixed that. 

We had a great time dancing and chatting. It was so good to see so many family and friends. Sometimes it makes me wish we had more things to celebrate and more time (and money) to have good times like this. 

Stef looked gorgeous and had a giant princess dress, because we wouldn't expect anything different from her. There was only one down side. (Watching her climb into the car was awesome. JT did pick her up and set her in.)

It was such a good day and we are so glad that Stef found someone who is tall, wonderful, and loving. I am so glad that JT is now officially part of our family. He had been like family long before. They have already had good times and hard times and they are bound to have more but I know that if they try to work together then things will work out. Love you guys.