Going Gray Update

Last time I posted an update it was after a cut. This is a before the cut picture.
I will also be getting a light weave to help blur the line.
It is pretty easy going from blonde to gray. The thing I notice the most is how the new growth has an ash undertone. I think I like it. I have had a golden blonde tone for awhile. With the occasional copper streak. It is really hard to take a picture of the back of your own head.

And so it grows.

Blink of an Eye

My real life friends Alex and Lisette came to visit.

I watched Lisset grow up. Today I got to watch her mother her own child. I did the closed mouth smile as I was afraid I had leftovers stuck in my braces.

Brynn has a new boyfriend. Isn't he adorable.

It really seems like yesterday that Lisset was Brynn's age. Crazy.

Alex and Lisset may have moved away but I love following their lives via their blogs.

Shoesday

This is yet another old pair of sandals. I love the tangerine color and was hoping it would distract you from the day-glow, neon, 80's orange toenails. It looked so much better in the bottle. I promise. I was going for a nice coral. I may have to have a polish change. Plus my feet are swollen and my toes look like Vienna sausages. I decided to showcase some foot fashion trends that were shared by our house guests last week. Chaco sandals for guys and girls. Apparently it is really cool when you get a Chaco tan.

Glitter toes. I don't know if you can see this but the polish is covered in glitter. Covered.

If you are from Utah you know all about this stuff. It was all new to us.

Missionary Monday

This is what a tracting tan looks like. I hope that boy is wearing his sunscreen.

The Sound of Fun

There's a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall... The Von Halstead Family has gone home.

They entertained us for a week. Especially Brynn, who enjoyed having a bunch of sudo-siblings
to hang out with.

Look at those cute little sun kissed faces.

They really do sing and perform. I made them line up on the stairway. Unfortunately, I was unable to convince them to sing...cuckoo, cuckoo.

They didn't spend much time at our house as they were off on daily adventures. Brynn likes field trips too. Way more fun than working on summer homework assignments. Stupid AP classes.

Two Brynns are better than one.

We are related. Their Grandma is Tom's cousin. Their mom is Tom's second cousin making these girls second cousins once removed...or something like that. All I know is that they are fun and we love them.

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Maria, I mean Julie the Von Halstead mom. The Captain was unable to come, something about bringing home the bacon.

I kept my eyes on my curtains while they were here. I was afraid Julie would whip up some matching play clothes for the kids.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehn, good-bye.

Run for your life

The night before the big fifty run. Supplies are ready. He got up at 2:30 am and started running at 4:02 am. He carried 12 lbs of supplies on his back.

This is the park where Tom ran his final miles and we watched and some ran along with him...not me.

Family provided moral support and water. I was the head cheerleader.

There was even a victory lap provided by the grounds keeper. He finished at 1:45pm. He ran 50 miles in 9 hours 41 minutes.

The adoring fans chanting, "We are not worthy." Fan Club

It was 99 degrees. Sick.

After the run he iced his legs, rested a bit and then went to an Orem Owlz baseball game. The next day he was fine. Just another day.

He wants to try it again sometime in an official sponsered race because it was hard to carry supplies not to mention the boredom and loneliness. Seriously, I don't get it. He ran without an Ipod because he wanted to test his mental toughness and most races don't allow them.

He is amazing, disciplined, determined the yin to my yang. His training buddies call him a machine, a beast.

For my 50th I will be taking a trip to a spa.

In his own words...

"Started at the mouth of the Provo canyon, ran west up into Orem on the
main streets for about 8 miles. Headed north on 800 East in Orem to the
North Orem Soccer Park. Found water and a restroom at a nearby school,
a lifesaver. Ran the next twelve miles around the half mile loop of the
soccer park and the 3/4 mile loop at the school. At mile 20, with the
sun just starting to come up over the mountains, I headed to the route
along the canal. This canal runs northwest from Orem out past American
Fork (had a nice view of the Mt Timpanogas Temple) for about 10 miles.
A nice dirt path right next to the canal the water sure looked tempting
as the heat increased). Ran to the end of the path where a fence stops
amid the hay fields and then turned around and headed back. Got back to
the park/school at mile 40. Finished the last 10 miles running around
the 1/2 mile loop pavement path at the soccer park (right next to the
Orem Cemetery, just in case). Family started to show up during last few
miles and some ran/walked with me and cheered me on. By the finish, had
about 50+ family members there and they made me a finish line tunnel to
run through. Cake and Ice cream was served. I felt pretty good, knees
and upper thighs were hurting a bit. Have felt more pain at a marathon
when running with much more effort"

He has a full Ironman race on August 2nd in Santa Rosa CA. Go Tom!

Shoesday

Birkenstock + Bling
This is an old but good pair. Perfect for balmy summer days.
I do love the pink sandals with the coral polish.

Missionary Monday

This is what it is all about. This family adopted these three young children. Elder Jordan and his companion had the privilege of teaching them the gospel. They were baptized and then on the very same day, the family was sealed in the Boise temple. Jordan was able to attend. It doesn't get any better than this, watching families become eternal units. Families can be together forever. This will be an unforgettable day for all of them.

Reunion Wrap-up

We recently returned from the beautiful Timpanogas mountains where we attended a family reunion. It looks peaceful and serene. We stayed at the Timpanogas Lodge.

We missed Evan, Jenni and Jordan who are all busy with school, work and teaching the gospel.

There were lots of activities to participate in. The posters listed the schedule. There were lots of cute adults...

teens

and yummy babies. This one is called Chunky Monkey. He reminds me of Jordy.

I love this little monkey too.

And this little girl has a big personality. Adorable.

There were foosball, ping-pong and pool tournaments.

Tons of delicious food.

field games

A candy cannon. Way more exciting than a pinata. A talent show. Brynn did a little ballroom dance number with her cousin the dance instructor.

The big family auction to raise money for the next reunion. Bottles of Aunt Ruth's homemade jam go for $50. I scored woof-um sticks, reunion t-shirts, Sheri's homemade salsa, and other good stuff.

My most memorable activity was participating in puke fest 2009. Sick.

See you all again in Arizona in 2011. I'll bring the barf bags.

This family is large, loud and lively. I love being apart of this group. I married well.

Missionary Monday

Elder Jordy had a fun fourth of July. He was in a parade. A lady taught six missionaries to spin brooms. He said they looked like a color guard. Way to represent Jordy. That boy has endless skills.

He did it

Tom ran fifty miles today to celebrate fifty years. More details to follow.

Fifty

Tom is fifty. I have loved him for half of his life and I will love him for the rest of his life.

Missionary monday

Elder jordan was speaking at a fireside awhile back. When asked if there were any questions a teenage girl asked, "what is a cult ?" my witty son said, "a baby horse."  Just a little rural humor to lighten the mood.

Going Gray Update

Okay, so I'm getting blonder/grayer by the minute. My hairstylist is a good friend and she thinks I'm crazy to try such a stunt. When she was finished with my hair she remarked that she may have been a little heavy with the highlights this time. I did not have my roots touched up, just a heavy weave.

The back is really getting au natural. All the color has been cut off.

Notice my double crown. It means I can part my hair on either side. It also means I have two cowlicks.

Bring on the Grandma hair.

If my hairstylist has her way I will just end up platinum blonde.

Sleep Away Camp

Their family went home and we got to keep these two.
We've been breaking all the rules...
staying up late eating junk food

forgetting to wear glasses

eating lots of desserts

hello rootbeer float

We make our own rules.