Forth of July Festivities

We left utah at about noon on Wed June 30th. We drove 11 hours that day. With 2 or 3 5 min gas stops. The next day my mom kicked butt and drove 18 HOURS herself with only 4 five minute gas stops. She rocked it. We got home at 2 o'clock am on Friday morning. She is the best road trip driver ever (and I am the best co-pilot ever ;-)

After sleeping in on Friday I was able to get stuff ready for mike to come later than evening. I took a break from unpacking/repacking to go watch my dad and brother pole vault. My grandpa was a rocking pole vaulter in his day almost making it to the olympics. She my dad and brothers have all tried their hand at it. Andrew is pretty good. He can jump 14'6 and could go higher if he could practice year round like some can that have access to indoor pits. But anyways they entered a district track meet for anyone who wanted to sign up both so the were practicing for that.

My brother Andrew is such a STUD!

My dad missed this jump but at the track meet two weeks later he won his age group at 10 feet. Did I mention my dad is 50 years old? I think thats pretty tight he can still do that at his age!

He can also still do some pretty kick butt hand stands. He asked me to do one too...

This is what he got. LOL. I have never been able to do a hand stand or a cart-wheel. I am so ridiculously unathletic. That is why it is a pretty big deal that I can run more than a mile. Speaking of which....

I got my brother, sister and her friends to run the 4th of July 5k with me. There are some humbling stories to come out of this. First off katie told me the night before she was going to run. I told her she might not be able to make it since she hadn't trained and that it was a hard corse. She didn't care she wanted to do it. Andrew my super fit brother said "I'm doing this to spend time with you so I'l just run next to you and keep your pace the whole time." HA! So the gun sounds the start of the race and the first 200 yards are up a steep hill... Not good for me who avoids hills when running. This picture is taken at the mile 1 marker (Its so flattering I know) Notice Andrew is no were to be scene? Yeah, I didn't see him after the gun went off he finished in 26 min (he has never run distance before, so thats pretty good!)

What happened to katie and her friend one might ask? Well they were about 100 yard ahead of me the whole time. I committed to running as much as possible (even up the hills) so sometimes my pace was really slow, but they managed to stay ahead even with walking then running. I was so frustrated with myself-- but I was proud of them for doing so well. They finished 30 seconds before me. I got 36 min flat. That is 30 seconds slower than my last race. However, all races are not created equal... this was a rough corse with no shade in 90 degree weather and humidity. There were a serious of 5 or 6 large steep hills we would run up so I am calling it a victory anyways!

Mike, my loyal supporter. My mom is actually a pretty killer cheerleader too. When I was about 300 yards from the finish line she saw me and how rough I was looking. She ran the last part with me in her flip-flops and nice clothes. That is a good momma for you!!

All gross after the race!

After the race the guys went and played golf while the women sewed cloths for the trek they were going on for youth conference. Once everyone was home we headed back to the park for the festivities. They had a midway with games and food and entertainment. Mike tried this game and was one mile away from guessing how fast he could through the baseball (the threw it 52 miles and hour)

And of course what is First Town Days on the 4th of July without some good greasy food?

The fireworks were fun. For real, you haven't enjoyed fireworks to there fullest potential until you have done so with Andrews witty commentary of the whole thing. The kid is funny, but probably annoying to those who don't know him. The people on both sides of us got up and left before they were over. lol.

There were 1,000's of people at the park for the festivities so we had to wait a little while to leave. Of course that meant it was the perfect time for a photo shot? Right? Of course right!

Katie and Jessie 5k champs

My Aunt Becky and her grandson Tyler

Mom randomly popping up in a picture of mike and I

Mom's parents grandma and grandpa McNutt

My Andy-Roo

Studly Father

My wonderful Studly Grandfather

Sunday on the actual forth of July we went to church then went to a BBQ at our good family friends house. There were a ton of people from that ward that was fun to catch up with. And of course A LOT of good food. That night we broke out Catan and taught the kids how to play. We played a few games before Mike and I left on Monday and I remained the undefeated champion!! You would think that after spending almost a month at home that it would be easy to leave but it wasn't. I missed Mike so much while I was gone and I really missed the kids (the cats rosalie and epps) but it was hard to leave my family. I really miss being a part of there day to day lives. Oh well, I guess thats what eternity will be for ;-)

Trip gets an A+!