Family Night at the track

 I think we discovered our new favorite thing to do as a family......Running at the track. I run a lot on the treadmill and Reese loves to run on the side of the treadmill and has told me many times that she wants to run a race with me. We went up to the track for family night and the girls absolutely loved it. They loved getting in the runner's stance and saying, "Ready, set, go". I was surprised at how fast Reese could run. I would be jogging and Reese would stay with me for quite a while. They also loved picking a number (a lane) and jumping on the number when they passed it. Reese also loved doing the long jump and the hurdles. We also saw a soccer team running the stairs and so the girls wanted to run the stairs. I love that the girls enjoy being active.I love that we can be active as a family and that the girls can see how much fun it can be to run and not just something people do for exercise.  I am grateful for my parents that taught us to be active and what blessing come from being active. I remember when I was younger, riding my bike around the block, while my mom ran. I remember riding bikes as a family to maverick to get an ice cream. I remember that I loved going to aerobics at the church with my mom when  I was little.  I remember going to the tennis courts as a family and my brothers turning our tennis match into a home run derby over the fence. We loved hiking, playing soccer, basketball, and just being outside. Anyway, I am grateful that I can share my love for being active to my children. It was a fun family night and I'm sure we will be doing this a lot more.

Waterfall Canyon....

 I don't know how I missed writing this post, but it is an experience I definitely wanted to remember. The youth were going hiking up at Waterfall Canyon and so I decided to bring my family. Ron and I have been wanting to take the girls hiking since we have 2 packs now so it was a great opportunity. We started hiking around 6:30 and Nora felt pretty weightless in the pack. I soon realized that this was a steep hike and I was already drenched in sweat. The combination of a hot day, a pack with a warm body, and the fact that  I sweat easily when I exercise..... was not a good combination. Oh wait, I also had on a shirt that was showing every drop of sweat. Nice! Anyway, it was one tough hike with Nora on my back, but she was such a trooper and just so happy. She absolutely loves riding in her pack and actually will usually start crying when you take her out. When we got to the top, it was great to see the youth and the waterfall.  My pictures don't portray how big the waterfall actually is. Reese loves playing in the water at the top. Nora had a difficult time not drinking the water. She got sick about a week later and I'm pretty sure it was from drinking the water:)

Our young women and young men are awesome! They are truly just good! On the way down, I was able to talk with one of the young women and I was amazed by her desire to just do good all the time. I feel so grateful to be serving in the young women program. These young women are amazing and they motivate me to be better. It was a great hike with the family and our youth. I am definitely learning how to balance church callings and taking care of my family. I often feel that I am missing one or the other so it is really nice when you can have your family come with you to mutual!