Track time!

Our family went St. George to watch Jac run in the Pineview meet

It was a huge sacrifice to leave the cold snowstorm in Lehi for the warm sunshine!
We took advantage of a few of the great running trails with the Harpers and some other friends :) We even got to see dinosaur tracks!

Now for the real reason we were in St. George :)
The 1600

Jac was determined to run "her" race
and that's exactly what she did! finishing with a PR of 5:15!

 

her proud sis and bro! 

The 2 mile....

 

 

Jac ran another PR coming in at 11:10...SWEET :)

Jac with her 6'2" cheerleaders

And her not so tall but equally proud, cheerleader ;)

Thomas did a mile time trial with Hawk giving him some tips.

 

Thomas ran a 4:59...all. by. himself! Yep, pretty awesome :)

Emily enjoying the sun and cheering on her siblings!

It was a great little getaway!

It's OFFICIAL...

Thomas and Matt are the SAME height!
 

CONGRATULATIONS THOMAS! 

Let's see how long before Thomas is even Taller!

 

These two have a great time together! Here's a picture from one of those CRAZY cold weather runs in January....BRRRRRR!

Goodbye Grandpa Don

Don C Butler 1920-2013

He served in the U.S. Air Force as a bombardier-navigator on a B-24 aircraft. After an honorable release, he  worked as a bus driver for Greyhound in Salt Lake City.

Many of us have fond memories of Grandpa Don sitting in a chair, content to listen as Grandma B talked. Since Grandma's passing we were able to have the opportunity to get to know Grandpa Don in a more personal way. The man who couldn't speak of his Erma without deep heartfelt tears for his sweetheart that he missed so much! He yearned for the day when they would meet again. That day has finally come.

 

Grandpa wanted a simple graveside service, just as Grandma B had requested at her burial.

 

The military paid respects...

Presenting the flag to Thomas. This was Grandpa Don's request...how he loved his Thomas. "It's young men like you that make me have hope in the future."

Family and friends spoke of the memories. Harper drew a picture; a gift from the heart. 2 co-workers from Greyhound came to pay respects and let us know what a "Prince of a man" Don was.

Grandpa had saved the last box of Grandma B's famous homemade chocolates in the freezer for at least  8 years. Deb brought them to share, along with some pure maple syrup that Grandpa Don's sister had sent from home. 

 

 

 

 

It's moments like these that make the atonement so real, so tangible... this is NOT the end, it is only Goodbye for now...we can be happy for Grandpa Don, knowing he is with his loved ones that have passed before him. We are so blessed to have this knowledge that there IS life after death.

We love you Grandpa Don; and look forward to the day when we will meet again... 

Simplot 2013

Jac and Emily missed their "calling" in life...FARM GIRLS!

Simplot takes place at Idaho State University in Pocatello...it's one the fastest indoor tracks in the nation. It makes for a LOT of driving on Thursday and then again on Saturday, but WORTH EVERY MILE :)

Maddy, Candace, Emily, Jac, ? and Summer
Jac ran well, she finished with her best 2 mile time of this season...11:28
She of course wanted better...that's our Jac :) Believe me, we will be seeing great things this year, great things!

 

Emily's favorite part was running the track after all the races were over...GO EM!

ANOTHER surgery???

Ear Tubes...yes, it seems strange to have to put holes in the ears that we just covered up with skin; BUT with 2 months of an ear infection that won't clear up even after 3 rounds of antibiotics there isn't much choice. SO....here we go again!

BRAVE is Emily's middle name...6 surgeries in one year is more than enough to prove her bravery don't you think?

 

 

DUCK FEET 

Waiting to go in...We are so proud of you Em :)

Activity Day Brunch

My Princess!

I was lucky enough to go with Emily to the Activity Day girls brunch

Sister Beatty and Sister Moor are amazing leaders!

Light the fire within...

A great way to start indoor track season...

At the Olympic Oval. An ice short track, a speed ice track, hockey, and ice skating all inside the running track!

Thomas gets to run with the "big boys" since it's club season. He loves the challenge!

  

Jac and some of her awesome team mates :)

Jac was ready to prove that her Mono days are in the past...

She did awesome!

Emily, Kenz, Jac and Maddy...2nd Place in the 800 relay!

 

Even though Emily said we "ruined her life" by making her spend 13 hours at the Olympic Oval this weekend; she was a great cheerleader!

Way to go Jac and Thomas!