LOTOJA 2012

This weekend was the big bike race from Logan to Jackson Hole.  Personally I think these people have to be a little nutty to want to attempt this feat.  I mean really 206 miles in one day on a pedal bike - and if I were every crazy enough to attempt this, I would defiantly start in Jackson and go to Logan because it a climb in elevation of over 2000 ft.  I would take it downhill - ha ha.  My oldest brother has become a cyclist in the past few year.  He rode the race again this year - for the 3rd time I believe.  We headed over the hill to Star Valley to cheer him on - along with the other thousands of riders along the way.  Here are the girls looking for Uncle Phil:

We waited at the spot where the canyon narrows near the turn to Auburn.  We clapped and cheered for people as they came along & were all set to really cheer as Phil drove by, but he stopped & talked for just a minute and gave me a big hug.

And then he was off again:

Vicki was his support crew - Jeep & all ready to head up to Alpine & wait for him.  She is so good to support him in his efforts.  You can see Ethan in the pix above too - he and Matt drove motorbikes along the course.

What a crazy day - Phil was not feeling good the whole day, but he stuck with it and finished the course.  Even though I think it is a little crazy - I have to admire him for doing it!

1st Day of School 2012 Edition

Annual 1st day of school Pix:

My cute little baby girls all ready for high school!

I can hardly believe this!!

Shelby is a freshman & Megan is a junior!!!

berry check

Mara & I headed up to the berry patch to check things out.  We took the 4-wheeler for a little exploring first & of course a few pictures.  

Mara checking out the rock tower - it's hard to tell how high she really is from the picture.

on the 4-wheeler

Caribou Mountain

One of my favorite roads

That is our house - from the one of the huckleberry patches - sssshhhhhhh it's a secret, right?

We might have found a berry or two.

It was a fun ride & I explored a trail that was new to me.  We might have found a berry or two - don't count on very many this year though.  The weather has just not been good for them this year.  It won't stop us from looking though - hopefully Mara will be home long enough to join me for my favorite season of the year

Independence Day

We spent the 4th of July in Soda, like most years.  Megan is now a Cardette & marching in the parade - wow did that bring back memories.  Here are a couple of shots of Megan & her cousin Sierra front and center with the drill team:

Megan on the right - Sierra on the left - Go Stoor girls!!

The rest of us hung out and waited in our traditional spot at the cemetery.  It is getting harder & harder to get a cool spot in the shade.  People have figured out our secret!

We got Grandpa involved in the ladder game this year.

Grandma took a turn too.

The girls after the parade.  Megan is a junior, Shelby a freshman, and Sierra a sophomore.  SSHS has their hands full this year.

     After a jaunt around the park, Mara & I took some lunch to Jim at Conda.  Then Mara had to head to work also, but the girls & I headed to the river with Somsens, Thompsons, & Tyron, Amber, & Freeman. Blake & Braden Hoggan joined the party too since they were here to visit their Grandma.  I didn't dare take a camera for fear of ruining it, but we had lots of fun & the kids got plenty wet.  That is 2 years in a row to float the Bear River - might become a new tradition!
     We got to see Katie too!!!!!  Blake's family was on their way home from the airport after picking Katie up from her long journey from China.  It was really fun to listen to her & see the awesome things that she brought home.  She even brought us all a souvenir all the way from China.  It was a nice day for those of us who didn't have to go to work.  The fireworks were cancelled, but a visit from the Hoggans for root beer floats was a pretty good alternative.