Jackson Hole

Our good friends, the Ogdens, came to visit a couple of months ago. Kristol mentioned their family was going to take a trip to Jackson Hole so she could run the Jackson Hole Half Marathon and she invited us to come. I had been training for the American Fork Canyon Half Marathon which was just two weeks after the Jackson Hole Half, and I thought it sounded like so much fun! Since Sam and Kristol moved to Wyoming, we don't get to see them nearly as often as we'd like. I figured since I was already training, this was a good way to still get to go on vacation, see some friends, and still get a long run in (even though it was actually a half). I was also excited about doing a race outside of Utah. I've run a few different ones here, but never anywhere out of state. 

Our family headed for Jackson on Friday afternoon. We didn't have a lot of time to do much that night, but we did go out to a pizza for some carb loading. :)

I was worried about the weather because it rained all Friday night. It was still raining when I woke up the next morning, but thankfully it stopped before the race began. Even though the rain stopped, it was SO cold. Literally probably in the 30s once you factored in the wind chill. We had to wait for about an hour in the cold and wind at the race start. With all of my shivering I was afraid I wouldn't have any energy left to run!

Waiting for the race to begin:

Even when the race started it took me a good 4 or 5 miles before my hands and feet were no longer numb and the first few miles I felt so weird running. Eventually I was able to settle in and warmed up. The course itself was really pretty and I loved running across the huge bridge across the Snake River. Unfortunately the clouds prevented a view of the Tetons, but thankfully I have seen them many times before.

I finished the race in 1:55. I was happy with that time considering I sort of went into this course blind and it was less than ideal running conditions. It was also 2000+ feet higher in altitude than what I am used to running, but I actually didn't notice much of a difference so I am glad. The course was mostly flat in the beginning and then there were some hills in the last half. Even with the weather, I am really glad I ran it and it was a lot of fun being somewhere new.  Plus, the finishers medal is probably my favorite medal to date!

After the race we went back to our hotels and showered and checked out. We met up with the Ogdens and went out to lunch and walked around the main square. The kids were fascinated with this little squirrel who kept popping up to look at them.

When in Jackson, you've got to take a picture with the antlers!

We also took the kids to the candy store, which they loved. I came here often with my family also, and it is one of the places I always think of when I think of Jackson Hole.

After the candy store we headed out of Jackson for Island Park, where we were meeting my parents and staying at their cabin for a couple of days. We took the back way in through Yellowstone, which I loved because I can't recall ever going through the park from that entrance. Just before Colter Bay we actually saw a mama grizzly bear and her two cubs! We pulled over and watched them for a long time. The cubs were really cute and playful and were sleeping on their mom's back at one point. Sean and I were glad we had our binoculars, but sad we had forgotten our nicer cameras at home!

Lots of buffalo near the elk meadows in Yellowstone. 

We had a great time at the cabin. The boys of course wanted to ride four wheelers as much as possible. We rode to a little pond nearby and enjoyed the fields full of these white wild flowers.

While at the pond we heard what we thought was some sort of big animal that sounded like it was trying to push over a tree or was digging at the roots or something. I told the boys to run to the four wheelers and we got out of there quick! I was worried it was a bear. We actually just got back from another trip to the cabin, and this time while we were at the pond I heard the same noise and realize it was coming from some sort of pump or something on the opposite shore. Haha!

Ice cream at the Eagle Store

Quick stop at Howard Springs

Baseball

This year Jackson and Bode had the unique opportunity to be able to play on the same rookie baseball team. This is likely the only time they will be able to play together. I am SO happy they were able to have this experience. I loved seeing them practice together and cheer each other on. It was so much fun as a parent to watch. This season was also extra special because they got to have their dad as head coach. 

Seeing these two all dressed up in their uniforms was one of my favorite things. I just think they look so cute! I love how Bode always tucked his batting gloves in his back pocket. 

This is Jackson's second year in this league and he had a great season. He is a great batter and had some big hits this year. 

Jackson at bat with Davis and his friend Jude watching.

Jackson primarily played first base and did a great job. Lots of awesome catches and outs!

Bode started off the season a bit nervous. He was the youngest on the team by a full year, but was almost 3 years younger than some of the older players. He had a stretch of three games in the beginning where he struck out every time he was at bat. He had a great swing, but just wasn't connecting it yet. Everyone kept saying, "When he gets a hold of that ball, it is going to go far!" About halfway through the season, something clicked and Bode started cranking them every time he was at bat, oftentimes on the first pitch! It was so fun to see his transformation and see his confidence and love of the game grow. He turned into quite the little baseball player and a big contributor to the team.

As youngest,  Bo primarily played outfield, and he did a great job. He has a great arm and made a lot of good plays getting the ball in before the runner could make it past first base. 

Bode on first base with Sean as base coach

Team picture after final game

Sean seemed to really enjoy coaching. Our boys are lucky to have a dad who will volunteer for things like this and make it a fun experience for them and the entire team.

End of season Angels baseball party at our house where the boys watched "The Sandlot" in our backyard.

In this league, there is something after the regular season called "all stars," where the coaches get together and nominate who they feel are the best players from each team to form "all star" teams and compete in a tournament. Jackson was chosen for all stars this year and he was SO excited about it. Bode wasn't old enough to qualify, which was pretty disappointing to him, but we told him there's always next year. :)

Jackson's all star team (Sean helped as assistant coach)

Jackson played first base on this team as well and did an awesome job. They lost a few games and won a few games, but most games were pretty close. Their team ended up winning second place in the tournament.

John and Sylvia drove up from Idaho Falls to watch Jackson play, which I thought was so cool. 

Another year of baseball in the books. Summer brings a nice break from sports, but I know my boys will miss it and will definitely be ready when a new season rolls around!

RCC patient party and Bees game

The fertility clinic Sean and I used for help getting pregnant with Jackson puts on a patient reunion party each year. We hadn't been to one in quite a few years, but this year they had it at the Bees game and we thought it would be a lot of fun to go because Jackson and Bode are so into baseball right now. I also thought it might be kind of cool for Jackson to meet Dr. Blauer, who is the doctor who helped us in our journey to get pregnant with Jackson. He has met him before, but he was just a baby. 

I will forever be grateful to this man for making our dreams of becoming parents a reality. And I am also very grateful we were fortunate enough to never needed any additional help with our other three children. 

Checking out the field before the game.

We had to get the ice cream in the plastic baseball hats! Just like when I was a kid!

It was such a fun night. It ended up being a great game and ended with the Bees winning at the bottom of the 11th inning with an in-field home run. The kids were all awesome and into the game. It was cool too because the Bees are the AAA affiliate of the Angels, which is the team Jackson and Bode played on together this season (with Sean as their coach).  One of the perks of making it to the end of the game was getting to watch the fireworks! It was a great ending to a great night.

Tulip festival 2017

I am a bit behind with our blog, but I am attempting to catch up! We take our kids to the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point every spring. They really love going and just running around the gardens, and since tulips are one of my very favorite flowers, it is a win-win. 

This year we thought it would be fun to re-create a few of the pictures we took of the kids at the festival last year. Last year Molly was only like a week and a half old. It is crazy to see how much changes in a year! We took the pictures in the same spot, almost exactly one year apart (I think we were only one day off). Molly is even wearing the same bow! And I can't believe how much Jackson grew!

2017

2016

2017

2016

And a few more I thought were cute!