Epic the Relay

Despite swearing off overnight relays recently I had decided to give it one last chance.  I guess as the captain I couldn't really just bail out.  I wanted sleep, I wanted some free time to just hang out at home, but despite all of these objections I couldn't let it go.  I'm an addict.

With all of this swirling through my mind I headed off on to join the ranks of Family Feud at the 2011 Cache to Teton Epic Relay.  What's 210 miles among family?

It started off wonderfully, we met up with everyone in Logan and the first van got the party started.  I watched them run, ate, and lounged in my flip-flops.  Then my turn came...I think it was only something like 88 degrees, but it felt like 110.  It was hot and dry and I was running down a busy two lane highway outside of Preston Idaho dodging large farm implements.  It was tough, but somewhat satisfying, at least after I got over the urge to hurl...

 Lindsey was obviously having more fun at this point...pre-run.

 Now she knows what it feels like...  She had probably the hottest run of the relay, in the scorching sun, up a long hill, and in a canyon that prevented any breeze.  Did I mention she just had a baby?  Luckily for her she's tougher than I am.  Don't worry, we spent plenty of time dousing her in water.  And just in case you were wondering, yes, that is a burp cloth on her neck (we soaked it in cold water for her.)

 Recovery as the evening gets a bit cooler.  We enjoyed chatting with the few teams that were with us at this early point on the course when we could find a bit of shade.  We started with 4 teams and there were only 4 that started after us, so the first hours were a bit lonely.

 Once it cooled down to about 75 degrees the girls felt the need to hang out on the asphalt to soak up some additional heat.  This is in Idaho countryside near Grace as we wait for Devin catch up to us.

 Night running anyone?  So much better than heat-of-the-afternoon running, I guarantee it.  The night runs were great, except for the occasional unknown noise that might have been a stalking cougar, buffalo, or elephant.  I'm just sayin', you never know what's out there where you're out in the sticks at 1 am.

 The whole team bringing it to the finish line.  We made up a lot of time overnight and that morning and finally had a lot of other teams around.

 The entire family, feuding and all.  Luckily our senses were dulled by a lack of sleep and bright sunlight, otherwise there's no way we could have stood this close to each other after the ordeal.

Okay, so maybe I made it sound kind of hard and terrible.  Don't get me wrong, some of it was tough, and the smell inside the vehicle was definitely terrible, but we had tons of fun.  I had to reverse my decision and tell Greta I was in for Hood to Coast if she could get us in.  Also, we did AWESOME!  We were just a family team out having fun and we ended up 9th overall out of 80 some teams, and 1st out of all family classification teams (I believe there were 12.)  We rock!

Blessing Day

We decided since we were actually going to be in town for the weekend that it would be the perfect time to have Gavin's blessing!  Fortunately we had a lot of family who were able to be here for the day.   Also fortunately, Brent got a new camera and felt like practicing his photography skills with little Gavin.  It was fun for us to get to visit with all of the family and Gavin enjoyed getting to spend time with them!

I am so cute!

Party in Island Park

The month of July is the month of family reunions for us. We spent the first weekend in Island Park for the Lovell Family Reunion. Our first stop was Upper and Lower Mesa Falls where the falls were extra impressive because of the amount of water that was flowing over the top.

To get to lower Mesa Falls you had to take a Nature Trail that was 2 miles round trip through a huge aspen grove (tons of shade). There was a lot of us that went to the Upper Falls but not so many made it to the Lower Falls. Gavin took the trip and gave his Dad a new look - I don't think it is trending though.

The next day we went out mountain biking and I found out that the bike seat is still uncomfortable. It was a lot of fun and we even constructed ourselves a ramp to jump off of. Well - everyone else jumped off of it - I just survived... Jace's new bike is treating him well!

Our last day there we floated the Henry's Fork River. I love this - it takes about 3 hours to go 1 mile. Well it may be a little longer than 1 mile but it is the calmest river ever. Gavin took this trip as well.

Being the responsible Mom that I am I had to see how Gavin would react to the cold water. I just put his toes in...

You can still see the water dripping from his feet!
Don't worry - there was lots of cuddling and a warm towel ready for his recovery. Island Park was a blast!

At the park

A week in the life of a new born.

Monday:  There are lots of people here to hold me.  I have no time to be unhappy or cry.  Some of them sounds familiar, I think I may know them.

Tuesday:  I was put in a seat for 15 minutes with no one holding me, have they forgotten about me already?  I have gas, it kind of bugs me. 

Wednesday:  I can make lots of noises.  No matter what's happening if I make enough of them someone will come stare at me.  Those that come look kind of familiar, I think I've seen them before.  I have gas, it's kind of embarrasing.

Thursday:  I'm pretty confident today.  I think I'll just chill and see what happens.  I wonder if these people that stare at me will freak out if I just don't make any noises.  I have gas.  I'm really popular, whenever I go anywhere people want to touch me. 

Friday:  I have gas.  My hair is kind of messed up today.  I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  I think I'll cry.  I have gas.  Those people are still here, I think I must know them.  I went hiking today, I'm fine with it as long as I'm moving but it kind of bothers me when we stop, I think I'll cry.  Someone was reading to me today, I don't understand it at all.  Maybe when I'm older.

Saturday:  I am so good looking. I can't think of any other reason why these people would just stare at me all day.  It smells like grass and there are lots of loud sounds outside.  I get to just sit by the window, but I notice if I make some noises someone comes running in.  As soon as they come in I close my eyes and pretend to be asleep, it's pretty funny, they're so gullible.

Sunday:  I love Sunday.  I get to sleep in and then I get a three hour solid nap with someone holding me and a constant drone of people talking in the background.  Lots of people come up and talk to me and want to look at me, I'm so good looking.  I went hiking again today.  Those two people were there again, I guess that's okay, they seem nice.  I think I must know them.  I have gas.  Someone pulled my hair today,  I think it may have been me.

I am like a bat