Battle Creek Falls

 After I ran the Timpanagos Half Marathon, which Kelsie & Jonny and the kids watched me cross the finish-line, we hiked up to Battle Creek Falls. It was quite a trip up the hill, but it was worth it!

 We had a nice little pic-nic lunch at the bottom of the falls. And of course, we had to take photos of our adventure.

 Kelsie, Kayson, Rebecca, and Jonny.

 The view from our pic-nic.

 SO pretty! Being down by the waterfall, we had a nice little mist that helped to cool us down.
We had a wonderful lunch and spending time with each other.

 

  Adaline and Kayson playing in the water.

 Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters!

 Cordelia was tired of waiting for someone to get her some grapes, so decided to get them herself. Kayson thought they looked good, to so he got some too.

 Jonny took the kids under the waterfall, and got really close, they ended up getting soaked.

 I didn't get quite so close, but still got a wonderful picture.

 Me and Rebecca and Kayson...having fun but boy were we cold from the cold waterfall.

 I put Cordelia's feet in the water...she wasn't so sure she liked it!

 On the way down the hill. I love my family and cherish the times we get to spend together.

I love free fruit!

Ruth called me up to let me know one of the sister's in her ward had some more free fruit that we could pick. This is the same one where we got the cherries from. So I drove out to Ruth's so we could pick them. The girls just woke up from their naps, but I couldn't resist some photos! I love this photo of them looking at each other.

 Cordelia is so cute! I love how she looks in this photo.

 It was HOT and sunny, so we all wore hats or stayed in the shade!

 Cordelia trying to pick a plum.

Had a nice time time picking plumbs and raspberries. I hope to make some yummy jam.

Fourth of July Camping and Fireworks

We decided to take the time to enjoy the outdoors as part of our July 4th celebrations. 

So Ruth, the girls and I, and my friend Quinn headed up to Spanish Fork Canyon to pick a campsite. After we got it all set up, Quinn and I headed up the hill for a hike. That was the view from as far as we could make it.

 Adaline loves to throw her soccer ball around, so she and I played toss. She's such a cutie!

 The next morning, her hands were really cold, so we put gloves on her hands and I had to take a picture, because she looked like "Minnie Mouse" hands.

 Ruth, happy the next morning, even though she didn't get too much sleep. Lol.

 Cordelia all bundled up for the cold night and morning.

 Adaline and Aunt Haley being silly as we are getting breakfast ready.

 To wood-beautiful girls! This is what 4 hours of sleep look like!

 After we broke-down camp, we headed back to Ruth's house for a bbq, fire and fireworks. Adaline couldn't quite decide if she liked the fireworks. She ended up tucking her face into my shoulder and actually fell asleep!

 Cordelia was mesmerized by the sparkler and Ruth got a cute picture.

 Ruth, Cory and Grandpa Kellersberger sitting around the fire enjoying the fireworks.

Ruth's neighbors are awesome! We didn't have to fight with crowds, and we were surrounded by fireworks. It was an awesome end to a great couple of days.

That's Right!!!! I'm a marathon runner!!!

So I was silly enough to sign up to run a marathon. I have ran a few half-marathons, but I've never felt ready to run a full marathon. My friend Erica was going to come to visit and told me to find a marathon here and she would come to visit and we'd run it together. Well, she didn't end up getting to come, but I'd already paid the $95 and so I was gonna run it! And I'd done really good about being consistent with my training. I was going for a 4:00 marathon.

 Mom and Dad drove up to be at the finish line. I have such amazing parents and I'm so grateful that they were willing to sacrifice time and money to come see this momentous day in my life.

 Because I'd done my training, I even had the energy and presence of mind to pose for this great shot, just about .2 miles from the finish. After going 26 miles, running under my own steam, I was SO close to the finish! I couldn't wait to get there! I knew I was close to my time, I'd already gone over the four hour mark, but I put the last of my energy and sprinted as fast as I could to get to the finish line. I finished my marathon in 4 hours and 10 minutes. Not exactly as fast as I wanted to finish, but I FINISHED A MARATHON!!!

 My niece Dana also ran the marathon. She was hoping to finish in under 3:33 to break the record of her age-group. I apparently passed her somewhere between miles 7 and mile 13.1 because I passed the half-way mark at 1:55:52 and she passed at 2:05. We started at the same time, but because I was expecting her to be so far ahead of me, I didn't even start looking for her until mile 17, and I'd already passed her. But I had enough energy to run the last .2 miles again with her. As completing a marathon is a feat, even if you don't make your time!

 Ruth wanted a shot where I was biting my finisher's medal, just like the Olympians. And while I am not an Olympian, I am now among the 1% of Americans who have run a marathon. I am just as proud of that medal as I am sure the Olympians are of theirs!

My dear family who supported me through a marathon and many of the other trials that I've gone through in my life. I know that they will be there for me no matter what. I love them and I know that they love me. I am truly, truly blessed.

Canning

Living in Utah has one benefit...FREE fruit!

 I love freecycle.org because people post things that they are getting rid of, and I've been able to get apples and cherries, I just have to pick them!

I picked a bucketful and decided that I would make cherry juice and canned cherries. Both were really easy to make, and the cherry juice is SO good! The lady that let me come pick these will also have plums, grapes, tomatoes and cucumbers. I will take whatever she'll let me have and can't wait to do more!

I have just a few more cherries, and hope to make one bottle of cherry pie filling.

Hunt Memorial Day Camping Trip

A few years ago, the Hunt's started camping on Memorial Day Weekend, as Grandpa Leonard Hunt's birthday is that weekend. This was the first time that I've got to go in a few years. This is a photo of most of those who made the time to come out.

 Leonard Hunt and Helene Hatch have quite a posterity!

 As you can see by Grandpa's overalls, it was COLD!

 Aunt Debbie, Uncle Lee Wayne, and Jolynn trying to stay warm!

 Grandpa sure loves his grand-kids, and they love him too!

 I love seeing photos of Grandpa smiling!

 Uncle Milo trying to teach Brynna how to rope.

 Grandpa and Brindy.

 I never thought I'd see the day that both my parents are addicted to electronics! Lol.

 We went on many a walk during our three days of camping! Here is everyone who made it to the top of the mountain!

 Posers...I wonder where they get it from! Tehehe...

 

Bryson trying to figure out what's going on.

 

 Justin brought out a bebbe gun and let the kids shot at targets...Of course they loved it!

 Everyone signing "Happy Birthday" to Grandpa. We sure love him and the time we get to spend together!

Jolynn's little one enjoying cake, without a spoon! Too cute!

I was so grateful to get to go to Arizona and spend the time with my family. I have such a wonderful heritage and I'm appreciative to be part of such an amazing family.

Provo City Half-Marathon

I always run a half-marathon when I move to a new country and I'd never ran one in the States. Well, I decided to sign up for a marathon because it is something that I've always wanted to do. So since I wasn't working that much, I signed up for the Utah Valley Marathon that happens in June. It is always good to run a half-marathon half-way through your training, and I found a good deal to run the Provo City Half-Marathon. Ruth and the girls were waiting at the finish-line for me.

 Here is Cordelia all bundled-up waiting for me.

 Adaline gave her jacket to Cordelia after Cordelia threw-up on her shirt, so she got to wrap up in a blanket, since it was chilly that morning!

Here I am coming into the last 200 yards of the half-marathon.

 Down to the home-stretch, running as fast as I can!

Me and my finishers medal after running 13.1 miles! It was a wonderful experience to have family at the finish-line, something that has never happened at any of my half-marathons before. It was a good test and gave me great hope for my marathon.