Gratitude

I'm grateful for my family today (and everyday). I love laughing at my kids all day--they are so funny. And although Tyler and I collapse into bed exhausted on most days, I'm so grateful we get to do this journey through life together.

I always hear the saying "family first," and I've been seriously questioning it lately. I know that sounds bad, but with Tyler being the bishop, sometimes I feel like our family comes last and everyone else in the ward comes first. But the Lord has been patiently teaching me that the service that Tyler gives to others is really service to me and our family, too. It is shaping him into such an amazing husband and father and example for our kids to follow. And I am amazed at how tirelessly he works, with a smile on his face, happy to serve. I know the Lord blesses our family in ways that I don't even understand, because somehow with all the craziness I still feel like I get to spend quality time with Tyler, and that the kids make the most of their time with their dad. Like last night how they played football in the backyard together. I wish I had taken a picture of Grant's little legs as he sprinted across the yard with his dad blocking all of his siblings so he could score a touchdown. I'm grateful for memories like that, and for blessings which seem to pour down faster than we can receive them. Counting them is hard work :)

The Wasatch Back!!!

The Wasatch Back is one of the toughest Ragnar relay races around (in my personal opinion and the only one I've ever run :) with 192 miles of some of the steepest climbs around. Doing it as a family was a fantastic experience and a great ending to our Hacking Reunion. 12 runners, 2 vans, 192 miles, 32 hours=bonding, blisters and memories for a lifetime.

Decorating the van for the race--Team "Hack the Back"

I got to be the first runner-starting at 5am in Logan. I was so excited to run through my old town past familiar places. It was FREEZING cold that morning, so I was so glad when the race started and was making great time when I took a wrong turn (with a whole pack of other people) and ended up running uphill 1/2 a mile before someone told us we were going the wrong way. Not good for morale at the start! Luckily it got better from there and was a fantastic experience.

Brad giving Tyler some support during his first leg. One of the best things about the race was having the van support, cheering, giving water, gum, encouragement. It was such a team effort.

Curtis (wearing a sombrero to get a free burrito) handing off to Holly. Whoo-hoo!

Some of the beautiful scenery along the way

More beautiful scenery?--Brad rubbing his chest hair for good luck :)

After all 6 of us in van #1 had run, we got a little break to "sleep" a bit and rest up for our second legs.

Angela came in and ran one of the hardest legs in the middle of the night when Emily's knees gave out (I can't believe you ran as much as you did, Emily!) She ran the whole way and did fantastic. You are amazing, Angela!!!

So fun to do as a couple. I got to hand off to Tyler each time--I was always so glad to see him.

This leg of the race was called the "Ragnar" and to quote from the RagMag "in mythology and legend, a man, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits and favored by the gods" would run this leg. Fours miles with an elevation gain of 1700 feet. Alex, you are the Ragnar!

We came up the pass to give Alex some support, cheer, give him water, etc., but couldn't find him among the runners. When we got to the top we realized we must have driven right past him. Later when I looked at my pictures I found I had taken a picture of him when I randomly stuck my camera out the window and took a picture of the snow. So here's the big cheer we meant to give you--Whoo-hoo!!!

Taylor--the superstar of our team!!! Only 13, he had 3 of the hardest legs of the race and ran them like a rock-star. Way to go, Taylor!!!

The team: Jay, Rob, Holly, Taylor, MariKai, Curtis, Emily, Brad, Tyler

Devin, Angela, Alex, Leilani (supporting cast: Natalie-the Whatchamacallit was the best I've ever had!)

Running does not come naturally for me, but I love it. I love it the most after I'm done (all those natural drugs--endorphins and all are great!), but I love the way it makes me dig down deeper than I thought I could, and break through the barriers I set for myself. It is a spiritual experience for me because I am usually praying my heart out just to make it through. I hope I will be able to run my whole life.

The "bum" team--our nemisis. We passed them, they passed us and so on throughout the race. They ended up beating us, but we'll be back. Next time you can be sure that the bums will be behind us.

Hacking Reunion

We had a fabulous family reunion at Aunt Margaret and Uncle Jack's house in Brigham City. We were grateful to them offering their home as the cabin was still a bit snowy for pitching tents around

Tyler, Ethan and Miya doing sidewalk chalk at Uncle David's and Aunt Merilee's

Cousins practicing the Baptism song for Dallin's baptism

Uncle David and Aunt Merilee hosted a BBQ--delicious and so fun to catch up with everyone

Cousins!!!

Tyler getting ready for our swim at the Brigham pool-what a hottie!

Whoa-there are a lot of us. Swimming at Crystal Hot Springs. Possibly the least-regulated, most fun and crazy water-slide experience out there. The kids had free reign on the slide and loved every minute of it.

Pizza party

.We visited the gravesite of George and Mary HackingTyler, Angela, Robert, Jay and Brad at the Cook grandparent gravesite.

So neat to have all the siblings together.

Ty and Sadie. It was so fun to meet Sadie for the first time.

At Dallin's baptism. Grant and Miya were too grumpy for a picture, but everyone else is in there :) We had such a great time being with everyone and can't wait until the next time!

Vacation Fun

As a kid we went to Yellowstone National Park almost every summer. My Grandpa Wagner would come to visit and we would pile into the car for a week of camping in the Park. I loved the animals, geysers, mudpots, the camping. Well, at least that is how I remember it now. So when Tyler suggested we drive through Yellowstone on our way to Utah, I was excited. The kids loved it and can't wait to go back.

Shayla enoying the mud pots

Hard to see, but there is a brown bear eating a deer carcass in the forrest. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip :)

Garrett posing for a photo

Waiting for Old Faithful in the rain. I was amazed at how punctual Old Faithful was--I could take a few lessons from him

What is it about the buffalo that I love so much? It's like a creature from early american history has just stepped out of a book for us to enjoy up close and personal.

Notice the rainbow in the background--there was actually a double. It made the rain well worth it.

Grant-isms

Grant got a cut on his finger so i got him a band-aid with the above character on it. He opened it and exclaimed, "Yes! Chicken Noodle!!!"