July 4th ~ St. George

We had a fantastic, relaxing, patriotic and down-right lovely weekend in St. George with one of my all time favorite families - the Madsens.

Dyl Paints

For Mother's Day Dylan made homemade finger-painted cards for all the special ladies in his life! As you can see it was kind of an emotional roller-coaster...

I'm a triathlete - What? What?

Remember this resolution?? Checkity ch-ch-check it off my list!

June 5th I lined up with the rest of the girls to start the quarter mile swim in Salem "pond" - wow.hard! I have done it in the pool but this was an entirely new challenge. Physically the wetsuit made it more difficult and mentally I struggled for various reasons, the first being that I couldn't see in the water and second that I couldn't move the same way in my wetsuit. It really threw me off! BUT I made it and started the bike somewhat depleted only to be quickly rejuvenated by the incredible playlist Abi so thoughtfully created for me - THANK YOU! The bike went pretty quick although I can't wait to have a road bike next time. Of course the run was tough, let's face it a run is tough for me without the previous two events already draining me. Of course I probably wouldn't be blogging this if I didn't complete it and in 13 min less than I had really hoped for no less! I am so happy about it and more than anything can't wait for the next one where I won't have the fear of the transition logistics and can really focus on the time of my events.

Thanks for all the support from my fellow competitors Whitney, Colter (TOOK THIRD!!) and Abi, and my awesome husband, mom and sister! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

I loved it! What a fantastic experience!!

Anna's Art

My sister made this awesome video for her AP Art History class and I wanted to share it will everyone! Amazing job Anna Banana!

Float me out and deliver me

Being Original

Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don't bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: "It's not where you take things from - its where you take them to."

- Jim Jarmusch

Dedicated: Abi & Ashlii

I am OBSESSED with these two girls.

..::ABI::..

An amazing amount of ENERGY that fuels those lucky enough to be with you

STRENGTH - so much incredible strength

GUARANTEED belly aching laughter

THOUGHTFUL and CONSIDERATE

A genuine LUST for life

A TEASE in every positive sense of the word

POWERFUL and INSPIRING athlete

Positive ENCOURAGEMENT for me a at any given moment

You KNOW what I NEED even when I don't and you take care to make sure it happens

FEISTY to no end but always in my favor and for that I am grateful

..::ASHLII::..

GUARANTEED belly aching laughter (can I use that twice? I kinda have too look at that laugh it's contagious even when you can't hear it!)

THERE for me in a heartbeat regardless of the circumstances

Couldn't ask for a better TRAVEL partner

Genuinely captivated LISTENER

Open to heartfelt DISCUSSION with your girls knowing full well that 3 year olds have important things to say

ORGANIZATION skills beyond compare (can we say best birthday ever??)

Always a SUPPORT to me and my ideas regardless of their practical application

An old fashioned SOUL full of romance and whimsy, sprinkled with fiery spunk

GRACE and STYLE

Remarkable WRITER who should take every opportunity to share this talent with the world who would be better for it

~ THANK YOU ~
You are amazing examples to me as mothers, friends and beautiful women and I am a better person for having you in my life.

Vote JAKS!

Vote for JAKS Nick Jr. Parent's Choice best local theatre group for kids! It takes a minute to sign up but it's worth it. Vote every day until June 17th - Go JAKS!!

http://www.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks/salt-lake-city-ut-usa/best-salt-lake-city-theatre-group-for-kids

Who is this boy??

Dylan is changing so much lately! He is feisty and opinionated yet so sweet and a total comedian.

For example the other day we were trying to get him to say our friend Abi's name and he kept saying "Tisti" which is his aunt Kristi. We asked him 4 or 5 times and the last time he said "not Tisti" with this silly look on his face that said he knew he was teasing us! So funny!! Extra funny because afterward he said Abi just to show us he was playing the entire time.

He LOVES being outside and now that he is putting sentences together they frequently have to do with going outside. This sequence is so funny to me... he decided to eat the sand and you can see the progression of his face as he tries to get it out using his sandy hands. Keep in mind I am just documenting the whole process, no help from mom! I love his content look at the end.


As for the feisty? The following picture says it all!! I get this look, yell and point a couple dozen times a day and was overjoyed when I captured it in this shot. It sums up perfectly the new side to our sweet little Dilly's personality!


If there is one thing Dylan loves to do regardless of his mood it is to dance! We had music on outside and he was just spinning on the deck. Honestly he can be dead tired and will still be wiggling his hips or nodding his head. In fact we were on our way to my race at 530 in the morning and I thought he was asleep in his carseat and look back to see his eyes peeking above the blanket and he is just rocking out to the music. Even I wasn't dancing that time of day!


This week we had a full on Dylan-day-o-torture! Dr, shots and a haircut! What was I thinking? Thank goodness for suckers this kid (and his poor teeth) had three on that fateful day...


We did survive it though and the outcome is an adorable little boy - where is my baby?? I know the haircut had to be done and it looks so cute but he looks so different and grown up!!
**Sigh**

Race for the Cure

On May 8th we have entered to run the Race for the Cure under the Trudee's Tribe Team. And the team goal is to raise $600. The team is about 71% there. So what I want you to do is click here http://www.komenslc.org/ and click on the Donate Today pink button in the upper right corner, the type in Beth or Ryan Thomas and donate. Even if it is $10. You will feel good because you are helping out with something that is so important! You know you want to!

And if you would like to run or walk the race, sign up today. The deadline is April 30th.

Help us help this team!