Emma's team is named the Bluebirds. They are awesome! Emma likes to play forward best, because that's where all the action is. But she suffers through defender too. And makes a great goalie!
Madeline can't wait to play next year. This year, she sits on the sideline with me and cheers.
I wasn't as well trained for this race as I wanted to be. The longest run I had done before this one was 10 miles, and it was pretty slow. So I decided in order to get through the race, I would just enjoy the immense beauty all around. As I started to run, I was totally overwhelmed at the glorious creations around me. I was pondering about Christ and so many of His miracles, when I looked up at the rock formations and "saw" Him. Can you see Him?
The naturally occuring rock formations looked to me like Christ talking to a little girl sitting on a rock. It looked best from far away, but here's one a little closer.
Isn't that miraculous? So the race was absolutely stunning to me. The course took us winding around this gorgeous canyon with red cliff walls and the Colorado River. They had a drum circle close to the mouth of the canyon and the beat echoed up the canyon for miles. It was motivating to hear myself getting closer and closer, and then I was there! Oh, but I still had 3 more miles... and I made it. And only 6 minutes slower than my last race. And only 10 minutes behind my hubby. Not too bad! 
Me with everyone who beat me. Thanks for a great time guys!
Emma was invited to a Rockstar birthday party, which prompted a quick trip to "Savers: the department thrift store," where we found a metal chain belt, purple sunglasses, and an awesome tiered skirt. Emma was in heaven. Then the other two followed suit.
Every year, Peg's sand dollar tree is the most beautiful thing ever.
The girls loved "helping" make cookies with Mimi in the kitchen.
We visited the Aquarium in Newport and the kids really enjoyed being able to see and touch so many different things. We got quite a show from the seals, and the CEO happened upon our little family and invited us behind the scenes to see their huge water tanks and training areas so we felt like we were VIPs. Ha.
This giant crab was sort of freaky.
The Shark Tunnel!
It really was so neat to sit there and watch the sharks go by. I love Henry's face.
Chels and Mike wrapped up Oliver and lugged him down to the beach too... which is a pretty significant feat considering there are like 100 stairs to descend.
Madeline hated her pants to get wet, and she was not confident that they would stay rolled up on their own, so she walked around hunched over and holding her pants the entire time! Poor thing, I just wish she could have relaxed.
