I Swoon for June

As a side note, it is so painful to look at these beautiful pictures and then look outside at the freezing cold snow (I'm updating my blog at the start of February.) I need to feel hope that I will see grass again one day, and it will be glorious.

I went to the zoo with Lucy's class for a field trip, and took this picture of Ethan, our neighbor, for his mom. She works full time, so I thought she'd like seeing her happy boy.

Speaking of happy, I have no idea where I took this picture, and I don't know why he's in a swimsuit, but he sure looks cute.

It was so cute watching Cason jump on our trampoline when walking was still new to him.

This picture represents beautiful, perfect days in Idaho. We have our enormous umbrella, our towels, some substantial food from Wendy's and some some snack from home, and we're happy.

You can see Isaac posing at the mall play area here in his new glasses. He has never worn them consistently, but he squints when he is trying to see things far away and he isn't wearing them.

I loved going on stroller rides all through the summer, and Brooklyn finally started riding her bike rather than riding in the stroller. She has had no practice with this in half a year, thanks to our snow covered sidewalks and unbearable outdoor temperatures.Lucy learned to ride her bike without training wheels before kindergarten. Can Brooklyn do the same?

I love these pictures. Cason loves having us read him stories and he loves cuddling.

"Hippos Go Berzerk" and the "Cheerios Playbook" are still well loved half a year later.

The most significant thing that happened for me in June was that I ran my marathon in Utah Valley! Doug has some pictures from before the race on his phone, so I may post those later. I trained so hard for the race, and it was a really hot day (about June 12th). The course was pretty hilly, but I made great time during the first half. I ran the half in something like 1 hour and 41 minutes, and I felt so proud of myself. My goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon was in sight. And then I just lost my drive. I thought I lost it around mile 16 or so, but when I looked at my watch to see my mile splits, my times were actually really good through Mile 20. I started taking little walking breaks even when I wasn't getting water or Gatorade, and kind of feeling like, "Well, I rocked that half marathon, and it's the fastest half in the family! I've already accomplished something" I let the heat and my unquenchable thirst get to me, and I didn't push hard enough. I've wanted to go back and race those last six miles again so many times. I hate having regrets from a race. I don't know if I'll ever run a marathon again, but if I do, I don't want to let myself walk for one second that isn't a water break. I want to know if I have the inner mettle to achieve my goal of qualifying for Boston.