LOTOJA Weekend 2010

This past weekend was LOTOJA weekend. For those of you who may not know what I'm talking about, LOTOJA is a bike race where the cyclists ride from Logan to Jackson Hole (206 miles) in one day. This was my dad's 9th year doing this crazy race! When he does it, we always tag along to "support him."

On Friday, we headed up to Logan at about lunchtime. When we got there, Kristin & Dan wanted to go to the USU bookstore to pick up something. The kids had a good time playing with the toys, reading the kids' books & trying on USU-themed costumes...


Since we were already on campus, Kristin & Dan had to go kiss on this A stand. There's something "really cool" about doing this. I can't remember why it is cool, but apparently it is when you go to Utah State...


Then Cohen wanted a turn on the A with Tata. But, in two-year-old defiant fashion, he wouldn't kiss her...

After that, we checked into the hotel and went swimming. Temperatures were only in the 60s, but the kids didn't care! They couldn't resist the water...

Neither could the big kids apparently...

They did, however, make frequent trips to the hot tub to warm up...

And a little snuggle time with Nana never hurt anyone either...

Here's Poppy & his shadow hanging in the hot tub...

Cohen actually liked the water, for the most part, and didn't freak out too much...

That night, we met up with my cousin Michael (he rides LOTOJA every year too) and his family, along with his parents, for dinner at Beehive Grill...

That night, I got one of the worst migraines of my life (it may even have been THE worst migraine of my life). I felt like my head & eyeballs were going to explode, and I threw up at least four times (that I can remember). It even lasted into the next morning, which was the race itself. I spent several hours sleeping in the car while everyone else cheered Poppy on. Here's Kristin & Aiden in Preston, Idaho at about 8:00 am waiting for Poppy at the first Feed Zone. It was only about 35 degrees at this point...

The next stop was Montpelier, Idaho. By this point, my migraine had subsided into just a normal headache so I was able to slightly function. While we were waiting for Poppy to get in, the boys ate some lunch...

After that stop, the cyclists go one way & the support vehicles go another. We are usually able to catch up to Poppy once the paths come back together, but he was hauling this year & we weren't able to catch up to him. We actually missed the Feed Zone in Afton, Wyoming because he was going so fast. So, once we finally caught up to him, we created our own Feed Zone on the side of the road in Star Valley...

From this point on, we were finally able to get some good shots of Poppy in the race...

And actually get to Feed Zones before him. Here's the fam in Alpine, Wyoming...

From there, Poppy headed up the canyon to Jackson Hole. By this point, he had already rode about 150 miles & he was still smiling...

We stopped several times up the canyon so the boys could cheer him on with their cowbells...

And give him some high fives too...

From there, we headed to the end of the race. Here are the "cheerleaders" waiting at the finish line to cheer for Poppy...

And here he is crossing the finish line. It's not a very good picture. Mike was going to try to take multiple shots but the camera wouldn't reload fast enough, so this is the best shot we got...

I seriously don't know how my dad does this race every year! It's an incredible feat! Way to go Poppy!

That night, we headed to dinner at one of our favorite little Mexican restaurants in Jackson Hole, Los Abuelitos...

It was a long day--apparently not only for Poppy, but for Connor too...

The next day, we decided to get up early and head to Yellowstone National Park. We usually go to Grand Teton National Park, but we decided to try something new this year. On our way there, we saw a buffalo! I had never seen one in person before...

We actually drove through Grand Teton to get to Yellowstone, so we stopped off a Jackson Lake to get a picture of how beautiful it is there...

Once we got to Yellowstone, we headed first to the gift shop & did what we do best in gift shops, played with all the stuff...

Then we headed over to Old Faithful to see it erupt. Here's what it looked like when we first got there, in between eruptions...

We got some lunch and then waited to see it go off...

Finally, it happened! Here is the beginning of the eruption...

And then here it is at it's peak! Pretty impressive...

Cohen was in awe. "Tata! Warr (pronounced Wa-rrrrrrrr)! Tata! Warr!"

Once Old Faithful was done, we walked around the area that surrounds Old Faithful. There were all sorts of weird looking hot springs...

And smaller geysers...

It was a really cool place! We stopped and attempted to get a family picture. Yes, I know that I already look 6 months pregnant, even though I'm only about 3 1/2. It's not cool, not cool at all...

We stopped to look at some "wildlife" too! Here are the boys making friends with a caterpillar they found...

When we were done walking the trail, we went into the lodge that is there. It was built in 1904 and was awesome inside! I didn't take any pictures though. And, as we were walking back to the parking lot, we got lucky & got another glimpse of Old Faithful as it was erupting again...

After that we headed home. We were so far north by that point, that we decided to just head west until we hit I-15. This route took us into Montana for a few minutes, so I can now chalk that state off my list. I'm now up to 28 states! Wahoo! Haha!

It was a long drive home after that, which was not the best time of my life considering we had a two-year-old who was not interested in watching movies, reading books or looking out the window after several hours of begin stuck in the car. But, overall, it was a great weekend & we can't wait for next year! --Lindsay

Aiden Turns FIVE!!!

My little Aidenator turned five-years-old on Tuesday! Seriously?!? Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday that I showed up at the hospital, the nurses told me I wasn't really in labor, and then I gave birth to him a few hours later! How was that FIVE years ago? Holy cow! Well, we had two celebrations to mark the occasion. Last Friday, we had a "Cars" themed birthday party with Aiden's friends, from both the new neighborhood & the old!

We started out the party with lots of Cars games, thanks to my creative husband who was the "Master of Games" for the celebration. We played "Hot T'Mater" (Hot Potato), "Don't Wake the Tractor" (kind of like Ghosts in the Graveyard), a "Mater Backwards Relay," "Red Light, Green Light," and "20 Cars Questions." All of them were really cute! Mike did a great job! I didn't get pictures of any of them because I was too busy trying to corral 7 little boys into the same area.

After games, it was time for their VIP Dinner. We had all of Aiden's favorites...hot dogs, chips, grapes, goldfish crackers and kool-aid. Not exactly the most nutritious dinner, but it's what he wanted.

Then it was on to the cake, courtesy of my favorite baker "Mr. Smiths" (as in Marketplace)...


Here's Aiden blowing out the candles before I even had a chance to set the cake down on the table. And, yes, I realize Connor doesn't have a shirt on. He decided to dump an entire pitcher of kool-aid on his head while trying to get it out of the fridge, so he was half naked for most of the party while his shirt went through a cycle in the washing machine. I love being a mom, I love being a mom, I LOVE being a mom...


After cake and ice cream, it was on to opening presents & then letting the kids run wild, while the moms that were there got a chance to just sit and chat for a few minutes. It was so fun to be able to see some of my good friends from the old neighborhood. I love & miss them so much...

On Tuesday (Aiden's actual birthday), we had a family party. Aiden wanted Little Caesars Pizza & a funfetti cake for this celebration. I'm hoping his tastes always stay this cheap, but something tells me they won't. :)

After dinner, we opened presents. As if this kid needs anymore stuff???

And then it was on to the funfetti cake. Isn't he the cutest five-year-old you've ever seen?

And then his brothers helped him blow out the candles. These three are like the 3 Musketeers. Although, I'm pretty sure they fight a little more than the Musketeers did...

Cohen enjoyed his cake...or more correctly, he enjoyed destroying his cake...

It was a fun party! I can't believe Aiden is getting so big! He is turning into a little man before my eyes! Mike just decided to teach him to ride his bike without training wheels the other day, and Aiden is actually picking it up a little bit. He still needs lots of practice, but he's getting there...

Happy birthday Aidenator! We love having you as a member of our family! You are definitely our "class clown" and our "Wii Champion." You make us laugh on a daily basis with the funny things you do and say! We love you! --Mom, Dad, Connor, Cohen & Baby #4

Swiss Days

Every year, my mom goes to Swiss Days in Midway with a couple of her friends. Well this year, I kind of invited myself to go along too. At the last minute, both of them ended up not being able to go, so it ended up just being a mother-daughter date...


I couldn't believe how packed it was! We got there at 7:00 am (2 hours before it officially opens) and it was already busy! By 9:00, it was beyond packed! We had a great time looking at all the booths & found lots of cute things! I bought the cutest bag EVER that I'm going to use as a diaper bag when the bebes comes! I'm so excited about it! I was so excited, in fact, that I used it as my church bag this last Sunday. Hehe!

After some shopping, we stopped to get a scone. These things were huge. I had already eaten about 1/4th of mine when I took this picture...


So yummy! After the scone, it was on to more shopping & when we were finally done, we headed to a little bakery for some lunch and then headed home.

It was such a fun day! Mom & I decided that we need to make it an annual tradition with all the sistas. So, Sosha & Stuey put it on your calenders for next year...oh, and save up lots of money for it too. There's WAY too many cute things up there! --Lindsay

This is the Place...

Mike's company held it's annual family party this year at "This is the Place" State Park. Since Dan and Mike work at the same place, we all decided to head up there together. We had a great time! The kids were able to do all sorts of activities & learn about how the pioneers lived when they first settled the Salt Lake Valley. They got to do things like feed horses...


As you can probably tell by the look on Cohen's face, our "scaredy cat" lived up to his name once again! He wasn't too sure about the horse AT ALL.

They also got to pan for gold in a little stream...


They actually found some "real gold" and were able to take it to the bank to trade for candy...

There were horse rides too! Cohen all the sudden decided that he liked horses and wanted to ride on one...

He was doing pretty good at first...

Until the horse actually started moving and then, in Lagoon fashion, he freaked out. Mike jumped on with him & he did pretty good after that...

Aiden proved to be a cowboy and loved his horse ride...

And when it was Kristin's turn to ride the horse, Cohen all the sudden found his courage somewhere & insisted on going with her...

Dude! You are scared of the CAROUSEL...remember, the thing with FAKE horses and seat belts, but you all the sudden love riding REAL HORSES? I will never understand you! Haha!

While Aiden & Cohen were riding horses, Connor went and did some other pioneer activities...like making a medicine bag & stamping leather. He was pretty proud of his creations afterwards...

And we finished off the day with a ride on the little train. Look who all the sudden thinks he's so brave & is willing to go on anything? Where was this child a few weeks ago?

Along with all the activities, we were treated to a fabulous lunch and snacks & drinks throughout the day! It was a lot of fun & we all had a great time! If you haven't been to This is the Place yet, I highly recommend it! --Lindsay