LOTOJA-She really makes us look bad...

This was written by Chels and I helped her post it on our family blog. I wanted to show how awesome my mom is too.

Mid summer my Mom decided to do this: http://www.lotojaclassic.com/

The Thursday before the race I went with her to register (I was the widowed wife to an avid hunter, didn’t have much else to do). The line had died down quite a bit, only an hour wait. J The buzz of “bikers” (who I usually swear at when they try to take over the road) was actually quite interesting to hear. Their enthusiastic adrenaline had clearly already clicked in. Everyone was asking things like:

“How many times have you done this?”

“Are you on a team or individual?”

“What leg do you have?”

At the registration table they filled out forms, wrote down emergency contacts, and last but not least…got their leg stamped (a requirement, rather than a wristband). She was ready to go!

On Saturday, September 12th my Mom loaded up her bike with her team and headed to Logan, Utah for the race. Logan (LO) to (JA) Jackson Hole. Some crazies do this individually, 206 miles! My Mom did this on a team of 5 women.

She took the second leg, which was rumored to be the most difficult portion of all. 46 miles uphill, sounds like a blast right? “I like hills” she kept saying all through her training. CRAZY! As usual, she ended up doing a better than fantastic job. Her total time was 3:06 and she was the 8th woman to finish in her segment. The first place girl was only 8 minutes ahead of her. It was such a great accomplishment, with only a few months of training. I think it motivated her quite a bit for next year. Great job Mom, we love you!!!

PS – I know this is late, but better now then never!

Her team mates. She is the oldest by 11 or so years.

Way to go Mom! I hope I look half as good as you do at your age!

Happy Happy Birthday Ashley Dear

Ashley turned the big 20 on September 19th.  She is no longer a teenager.  Isn't she beautiful?  I've always been jealous of her looks, but then again all my sisters are pretty.  

Ashley you see, is a very special child.  Daffy Duck is what I use to refer her to.  She had a speech problem growing up and well, she sounded like Daffy Duck.  Don't worry, she would get right back at me and call me Pirate.  This is because I wore a patch because of my eye problems.  As you can see, we don't get a long too much.  Never have.  We aren't as bad as we used to be, that's because we're growing up.  Anyways, now to the good stuff.

Our family wouldn't be the same without Miss Ashley.  She is a great sister, person, and friend.  Although things have to be all about her, she really does care for others.  She is hilarious and can say the most funniest things.  She has great style and I've always been a fan, even if I didn't act like it.  I love her very much and am glad she is my sister.

We had dinner last night at my moms.  My mom has decided instead of going out to eat, like we use to, we get to choose our favorite home cooked meal and celebrate at home.  Ashley decided on Stuffed Porkchops, salad, fruit, stuffing, and chocolate creme pie!  We then played "Memory" and every match was about her.  It was fun.

As you can see, she got a bike!  It's adorable and so much fun to ride.  It fits Ashley perfect.

Happy Birthday Ash!  I hope you had a great one.  I love you.

Oh, and I love Annie as well.  Can't you tell?

P.S. Cole (who is her boyfriend and on a mission in Thailand, sent her flowers on her birthday-so sweet!)  I joked and said, "Wow, those are all the way from Thailand?"

Our Parents Test

Rodger and I got a taste of parenthood a few weeks ago. From Wednesday-Saturday we watched the 3 year old sweethearts. It was a mix of emotions, not going to lie. But all in all, they were a treat and we love spending time with them.

Ava and I got some one on one time while Caroline was still napping. She's a doll. She started to get a stuffy nose, this is why she woke up early. "Cortney, I can't breathe." And then she would close her mouth and show me she couldn't. Poor thing.

While waiting for Rodger to get home we entertained ourselves with a number of things. We splashed around outside, played in the playroom, went on long walks, and read some books.

A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E

Caroline and I

They are silly and cute

We had a great time. Some of my favorites of the week:

-"Cortney, but I'll miss you when you go to work. Don't go." -says Caroline.

-"Where's Wwwrodger"-says Ava every 2 seconds when I got home. You can tell who she adores.

-"Cortnee, Cortnee, I've got a booger for you."-says Caroline about 3 different times when laying in bed. I would much rather get up 100 times to get these precious gifts then have her wipe them on her cute bedding.

"Ewww Bigs."-says Ava the 2 different times Bigs (the dog) goes potty on her blanket. I wonder what Ava does to deserve such a thing?

-"I'm really not ready for kids."-says Rodger. "I need my ME time." (Especially when he comes home. Before we can do anything, even me asking what he wants for dinner, he needs to sit on the couch and relax for at least 10 minutes)

September 14th

Below is what my mom posted on our Family Blog. Thanks Mom, I love you.
Can you believe it, Cortney is 22 years old! We had everyone over for her pre-birthday dinner. We had dinner then played pictionary. She is big on games so we had all of the words be about her and what she likes to do. Some of them were: yard work, cooking, yoga, Rodger, teacher, yellow corner (this was a store that she was going to own when she grew up), Winnie the Pooh, cash register, (she bought a real one when she was like 12), socks, stretchy pants. The list could go on and on. Cort, I hope you have a great birthday. I've told this story a million times but when I got pregnant with you, I was nervous about having my second child. I thought, how could I love another child as much as I loved Chelsea! Well as we all know, it is very possible. Cortney, I would have to say, was my most unique child. She was very particular with things when she was little and wanted things HER way. She is still this way today, but instead of demanding it (like she use to) she just works hard to make it happen. She is a very hard worker and loves being a wife and homemaker. (Sorry for saying homemaker Cort, but there was no other word to describe it!) She loves to plan and cook meals. She also loves to entertain. She is very thoughtful about everyone. She and Rodger will help or do anything for anyone. I hear that she does a fantastic job for not only her Dad at his office but other agents. She is a great sister and the most wonderful daughter anyone could ever have. A cute story about her, that happend lately, she was driving to work the other day and some guy kept driving up beside her and smiling at her and kept bugging her on her way into work. She said she finally just held up her left hand to show that she was all ready taken! We are all so lucky and blessed that we have her in our family! Love you Cort!

I had a great birthday. A lovely one indeed. I woke up happy and off to go get ready. Like always, Rodger stays in bed and sleeps some more or watches TV. This morning he stayed alseep. He got a phone call and answered it with his sleepy, raspy voice. He yelled at me to turn off my blow dryer, I did. He then came in the bathroom to go to the bathroom. He did his business and then took off to our room. Didn't say anything. I start to finish getting ready and then hear him get out of bed again. He walks into the bathroom with a big smile on his face, "Babes Bear, Happy Birthday!" And gives me a big hug. I said, "Well it's about time!" It was cute. I went to work like any other day. I took 4th South exit and I kid you not, this has happen once before, NO RED LIGHTS! It's a beautiful feeling. My cubicle was decorated. I had lovely flowers from a co-worker, Jen thanking me for all I do to make her job easier. How sweet of her. I got a gift card from my work to Target, love that store! Jeff, the other agent I work for other than my dad was very thoughtful and got me lovely flowers and a gift card for a massage! Ah...I can't wait to use that!
Rodger picked me up for lunch and we went to Faustina's. It was special. After work I went home to tidy up the house because we were having a showing. My mom came over to see me and to give me one more gift, the new Nicholas Sparks book, yay! Thanks mom. Rodger got home from work and we went to Osaka Sushi with my dad. My dad got me a fantastic gift. A pair of flip flops with interchangable colors. Awesome, I wish I invented it:)
We then went to my moms because our house was still being shown. Rodger brought all my gifts and I opened them there. He spoiled me. Clothes, make-up, perfume, lotion, and last but not least.........Lazor Hair Removal. He deserved a big hug and that's just what he got. We then went home and he joined with me to watch, "One Tree Hill" It was the season premier.
It was a splendid birthday. Thanks for all the birthday wishes.

My flowers I got and the new book

The flip flops my dad gave me! So excited for these.

My handsome husband. I love him.

Our Family Dinner

I got to pick my favorite meal. It was swedish meatballs and vegetable casserole, rolls and fruit and of course yellow cake with chocolate frosting and SPRINKLES! (I love sprinkles) and Rocky Road Ice Cream.

Blowing out my candles. This year was probably the best "Happy Birthday" song that has ever been sung to me. Honestly.....Rodger, Landon, & Joe singing really low. Ash, Chels, and Mom pitch in high. Linds and the boys....singing silly. It was loud and powerful. When they were all done, they wanted to sing it again. I highly recommend singing "Happy Birthday" the best you can. Seriously, it normally is so boring and bland. You know what I mean:)

Thanks for all the gifts. I loved all of them!

Guess What?!?!

No, I'm not pregnant. But I know a few that are! My sister, Chelsea and Joey are expecting their little one in March. Not only are they but Rodger's brother, Jeff and Amber are expecting a little one in March as well. Can you believe it? Two adorable little ones in 1 month. We can't wait.

I wanted to kill my mother when she called on a Thursday night, "Can you come over to my house at 7, both you and Rodger?" And that's all she would say. I'm like, "Mother, come on what's up?" We were busy that night, Rodger didn't get home from work until about seven. Anywho. We get to my moms and we have to go somewhere. So we get in the car and started heading South, thankfully. I said, "Why are we going to Chelsea and Joey's, why couldn't they come to your house if you had news to share with all of us, this is stupid." So on and so on. I was just being a pill, as was Ashley. A few minutes later we get a text from Chels saying, "Why are you guys the idiots. At least I refused to not leave my house. What is going on?" This sets us off even more!!! So we get to their house and go downstairs. They are happily enjoying watching the Utes Game, just what Rodger wanted to be doing:) So we talk for a while and Joe says, "So Joan, what news do you have for us?" Rodger thought she had cancer, silly Rodger, I hope that doesn't come EVER! So my mom grabs a little gift bag and starts walking over to me and says, "Since your birthday is the closest you can open it." I was confused but enjoyed the attention:) So I pull the tissue paper off and just start smiling. Ah.....I was so excited! It was a piece of paper with a binky saying:

Baby Covington Arriving March 8, 2009

Rodger and I are so excited for our older siblings! We are glad they are first, show us how it's done! We love you all.

Kamas Cabin

We have been lucky enough a few times to go up to The Bendt's Cabin in Kamas. They have a beautiful cabin set right in the heart of the mountains. It's close to Park City, Heber, Midway, all those good places. We went up there for Labor Day Weekend.

From the first time we went up here, I've always noticed this tree. A few miles from their house. It sits up on the mountain side all by itself. Love it.
Check out their cabin.....awesome!
Steve got a great Father's Day present and they put a chipping/putting green in the front yard. Every mans dream.
I secretly love Christmas trees. I was sad when we had to take ours down after the Holiday Season. Amber says, "It's my cabin so I can do what I want." She keeps it up year round. She will decorate it to the season. Adorable, I love it!

My view off the deck while watching the boys play away on the green.

Rodger, Steve, and Braden

Rodger and I riding the golf cart at night.

We did some four wheeling. Here's a story: Braden's friend came up one afternoon. They only have 2 four wheelers, so Braden and Chelsea went on one and Rodger and I on the other. His friend, Jeff, came up on his Bullet Bike. So he went on a little ride up the canyon. We told him to be back for dinner by 7. Dinner rolls around and no sign of Jeff. We eat, give him some time, and while sitting out on the deck we hear sirens. We joke saying, "What if that is Jeff" Time continues and we start to get worried. Braden and Chels go for a drive to go find him. Guess what, it was him! He was turning around a corner going 50 MPH and hit loose gravel. Nothing serious, a quick ambulance ride to the hospital for some nasty cuts on his elbow and knee. At least he is a little smart while riding those stupid things and has a nice padded jacket and full covered helmet. Ah...scared us to death. Don't worry, this won't stop him from doing it again. I believe those things should be illegal!

Beautiful waterfalls about 25 miles up the road.

My favorite. I love the green moss.

On Saturday the boys woke up early and went golfing at The Homestead. Us girls, off to Swiss Days! Question, why haven't I been notified of this wonderful place before? Rodger called it Quilted Bear on steroids. Oh my goodness, I was in heaven. The boys met up with us after golfing and Amber and I marked down which tents we liked to get approval from the husbands. Luckily Rodger likes this kind of stuff. I got a really cute Magnetic Calendar and a cute clock. I believe we now have about 8 clocks in our 1,200 square foot home. Clocks were a big wedding present when we got married. Anyways....on Monday we took off on our way home to Park City. Everyone went on the new Alpine Coaster but Rodger would not dare wait in the 2 hour long line. I agreed. So we took off to The Outlets. I haven't been there in a while and they have a lot more stores. They have our favorite, Guess!! We were so excited. Rodger was being so cute and would only go in my department and just start picking out clothes and having me try them on, I was in heaven. He is such a good shopping partner. I later realized, it's probably because he doesn't know what to get me for my birthday. That's ok, because I told him my birthday is over, as far as presents are concerned. I got a lot and it was well needed.

We had a great weekend. We slept in, ate great food, played games, watched football, shopped, and lots more. I love long weekends.

Too Soon

Well crap-ola. I spoke too soon. Our contract on our house is dead as of this morning. The buyers are First Time Home Buyers and got scared to say the least. So our home is back on the market. This actually is kinda good news. I'm being Positive Polly, because we still haven't found a house yet. Yes, we did put an offer on a Short Sale in Fruit Heights, but I'm not feeling it anymore and those things take forever. Especially this one because the Bank hasn't approved a price yet.

I'm sure my dad will be happy with the news because we were going to move in with him during the transition period. This way maybe we can find a house and close both at the same time for one smooth move. Wish us luck. I'm happy, Rodger not so much.....more work for him but we are being positive!

Let us know if you know of any takers:)