Holidays

I keep waiting for an overwhelming desire to update my blog, but it never seems to come. Until it does, I'll continue blogging at the current sporadic rate.

This year for Thanksgiving, we went down to visit Ryan's family in Logan. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Alisha's house and played Wii Sports.

Here we are with all the nieces (and nephew):

Hunter, Brooklyn, Hannah, Sara, Savannah, and Autumn


Ryan had to work the day after Thanksgiving, so we drove down to my Grandma Rae's so he could fly out the next morning. Since I was up early to take him to the airport, I decided to get in on the day-after-Thanksgiving shopping craze. My brother Spencer came with me, and I think we hit about 10 stores between the 2 of us.

That night, we visited temple square to see all the lights.

Here I am with my mom and dad.

I went home the next day so Ryan and I could see each other. With him working nights, our time together has dwindled. We took advantage of the opportunity to decorate the tree. (We've only been married 2 years, and this already seems like de' javu; I had a very similar picture LAST Christmas.)

Ryan had to work on Christmas Eve . . . how lame is that!!!??? I decided to go home earlier with Amber & Philipp rather than chill in Boise by myself, and Ryan made it to Soda Springs at 5:30 on Christmas morning. Yay! That was my best Christmas present.

During the festivities, mom's glasses broke, and it took four of us to fix them: one to hold them together with pliars, one to drive the screw, one to hold the light, and one to take the picture. :)

My sister's cute boys getting a free ride with Uncle Ryan.

This is a nativity I made for my mother this year, and since I'm not real crafty, I have to show it off. I am slowly becoming domesticated, but the list of things I still need to accomplish is pretty long: learn to sew better, take up canning, update my scrapbook, clip coupons, have babies, cook anything from scratch, decorate my home all cutesie, and keep a better blog. But the nativity was a step . . .

On the 26th, we went to visit Ryan's family and stayed a few days. We were spoiled this year with more than we needed, and we are so grateful for the blessings we've received. Now we are excited for the new year and what 2010 will bring. OK bye.

Fall Fun

Several weeks ago, we went to a pumpkin patch and corn maze outside Boise. Here are some highlights:

First, we took a hayride through the fields. It was so nice to get away from work and traffic and the city for a few hours.

I love this photo because it looks like it's in black and white, but those are actually white pumpkins. I didn't know there was such a thing!

We walked through the corn maze for awhile but failed to get lost. It was not quite dark out, and we had a map . . . I know, we're no fun.
Ryan: "Which way now?"

Then we searched for a pumpkin to take home with us. It took awhile, but we finally found the perfect one. . . .

It was love.
But, poor pumpkin met a sad end after Halloween.

Ryan looking mischievous . . . (Notice that we did not carve our pumpkin. That was too much bother for us, so we drew him a face instead).
Heave, ho! :(
There lies poor pumpkin at the bottom of the hill. Ryan's brilliant idea. Boys!
I was crushed. So was pumpkin. :(

Top of Utah Marathon

Ryan has been training for the Top of Utah Marathon for MONTHS. To prepare, he ran about 50 miles per week, with a long run (about 20 miles) each Saturday. He worked so hard for it, and on September 19, he finally did it! He's run the same marathon before, 7 years ago. Here's how he did this time around . . .

The first 14 miles of the race are in Blacksmith Fork Canyon, so you can't see the runners. My pictures from Mile 14 didn't turn out, but when we saw Ryan at the bottom of the canyon, he had a big smile and said, "I'm feelin' good!" After 14 miles. That kid!

Running through his hometown at mile 18.

The night before the race, Ryan wanted to drive through the end of the course. That's when we noticed the signs Patti and Josh had put up for Ryan. They were all along the course.

Mile 21-22. It wasn't until here that he lost momentum. I think

that would have been me at mile .2.

Almost to mile 25. He had a big hill to climb here.

Here he is with less than a mile to go. (Notice the big smile).


Approaching the finish line. He finished in 3 hours and 3 minutes, not as

fast as he would have liked, but still AMAZING. He wanted to beat his

previous time of 2 hours 52 min. Maybe next year . . .

Half-smiling after the race. 26.22 miles in 3 hours

will do that to a person, I guess.

Ryan said that when he got close to finishing, he heard someone yell, "Running Ryan!" It was an old friend from college, who we later ran into. He told me that Ryan used to run with him and a few other guys. Ryan would say, "I like running with you guys. It's a nice cool down." I am so proud of what Ryan has accomplished as a runner. When he was 8, he got rheumatic fever, which can damage the heart. Not only did he escape that consequence, he now runs marathons! Patti, Ryan's mom, said as we were waiting along the course, "You know, he's a miracle." I know! I love you, Running Ryan!

Labor Day with the Bagshaws

For Labor Day, we went camping in the Sawtooths with the Bagshaw clan. Grandma and Grandpa Bagshaw even came, and it was good to see them. Although it was a little chilly for little us, we had a FABULOUS time. See:

Just down from our campsite at Redfish Lake

oooh, aaaah

On the first day when everyone arrived, we went to the fish

hatchery. The adults had just as much fun as the kids.

Looking for Fish

Amber getting squeamish with the bait

Landon's Catch at the Fish Hatchery

Mom's Catch . . . oops.

Brandee, the fish whisperer

Ryan's new friend
My new friend
The kiddos checking out Landons' fish

Mom and Dad locked their keys in the car on Saturday night, but we found someone at church who helped us break in. This wasn't the first time that's happened to us while on vacation.

Later, some of us went hiking up in the mountains.

MaKynzee did not enjoy the entire 4 miles.


The view we were rewarded with at the end



Those of us hardcore enough to make the hike (notice most of
the women are missing). Grandma and I rock!

Us on the hike


On Sunday evening, we went on a drive to Alturas Lake. Here we are.

On our last day before leaving, we all split the cost to rent a

boat and took turns riding around the lake.

Dad and Lukas on the boat. Such cheesers.

Us. Do we look cold? (Because it was!).

Part of the beautiful drive home. Good-bye mountains!

Achatz Family Fun

Summer school ended last Friday, which leaves me with mixed feelings. It was the BEST teaching experience EVER. My students were GREAT, classes were small, and we had oodles of FUN. It was my happy little teaching moment before reality hits in the fall. On the other hand, it has been nice this week to sleep in and have the time to do something (ANYTHING) from start to finish. Next week, the meetings in Nampa begin! Thus, my summer ends as soon as it began. Poor me.

On Saturday, Ryan and I took Spencer’s kids down to Pocatello. Amber babysat them all week (what a trooper), and we were going that direction, so they went back with us. High points were Lukas’ near-accident and subsequent potty break on the side of the highway and flying goldfish in the back. I’m not sure we are cut out to be parents after that mere 4-5 hours. Seriously, though, we love Luke and MaKynzee. Any kids are tricky for me.

After dropping off the little ones, we proceeded to Downata for Ryan’s family reunion. We swam and swam (and swam) and then camped for the night. All Ryan’s siblings and nieces and nephews came. Little Savannah, who just turned 7, followed me around. We decided she’s the only one of our 11 nieces and nephews who prefers me. Victory! Playing keep-away and PIG with the Achatz men was NOT a victory for little us, but it was still great. I am still getting to know the family, so it was good to spend a little time with everyone.

I’m lame and don’t have any pictures from Downey, but it was the highlight of the trip for me.

On Sunday, we went to church, and EVERYONE kept hoping we were new to the ward. Fortunately, we aren’t planning to relocate to Downey anytime soon, much to their displeasure. We then spent a few hours with Mom and Dad Bagshaw. It was their 30th wedding anniversary. Yay, Mom and Dad! We love you.

On Sunday night, we camped at Bear Lake and then spent all day Monday on the lake. The siblings and kids and Kristen’s boyfriend (one of them?) came again. Those Achatzes sure know how to recreate. They just keep playing and playing . . .

Soaking up the Sun

Hunter and Braden, the littlest Achatzes

Ryan water skiing behind the jet ski. I had never seen him do it before,

so he finally got to show off his skills. Yep, he's a pro!

Motorcycle Mayhem and Misc.

Here's a better post for you non-readers: fewer words, more pictures.

Our 4th of July weekend was a frenzied one. With the first semester of summer school over, I had Friday the 3rd off, and Ryan switched that day with someone else, so we took off for Logan that morning.

That first night, we watched fireworks in Logan with Patti, Josh, and Kristin. They were pretty great!

Patti, Josh, Kristin, Heather, and Ryan

Watching fireworks with Kristin

After that late night, we had to get up early the next morning so Ryan (and Josh) could run the 15K Freedom Run up Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Patti and I dropped them off and then drove down to watch for our runners.

Here comes Ryan! Look, he's floating in this picture . . .

Approaching the finish line, pushing hard.

When we saw where he was (about 10 back), we knew he'd be disappointed. In a previous year, he took 2nd overall in the same race. But he got 3rd out of his age group, and there were about 550 runners. That's amazing! He's totally going to rock the Top of Utah Marathon in September.

About 20 minutes later . . .

Here comes Josh! Yay, Josh! I couldn't have done it.

Later that day, we watched part of the Hyrum parade with Ryan's fam.

Ryan with Braden, Natalie's youngest.

Savannah, Brooklyn, Sarah, and Autumn watching the parade.

We left the parade early to make the sojourn to Soda with Ryan's motorcycle. I was hesitant about taking the motorcycle all that way, but Ryan insisted it would be fine. Stay tuned . . .

Here we are, riding along. He is so cute . . .

After Preston, we started having issues. . .

Awhile later, the motorcycle refused to go further and had to be abandoned under a tree on the side of the highway.

RIP

We assumed Ryan's parents would later come for the bike and take it back to Logan. Meanwhile, I'd continue driving Ryan around (which I love!). BUT, Walt and Patti rode up the next day, and Walt, a mechanical genius, fixed the motorcycle easily. We went about 60-ish all the way to Boise . . .

The Achatz motorcycle clan on the way to Pocatello to get parts. I'm following in the car. That's how I roll.

In the middle of nowhere on the way to Boise, it started pouring. Ryan jumped in the car to put on more layers. He's still smiling!

Unfortunately, the motorcycle catastrophe seriously minimized our time in Soda with my family, but c'est la vie. My mother had been working hard for months on the town's production of Hello Dolly! and my dad was a star (ish) in it. On the program, he was listed under "men." This meant he played everything from waiter to painter to stage help. He was a little out of his element but a good sport . . . and a good laugh for the rest of us who never would have thought we'd see dad on stage, singing and dancing.

Dad getting in costume before the show. Ooh la la.

Mom getting in touch with the motorcycle woman within.

Ryan wanted to conk out on the evening of the 4th after his run, the parade, the motorcycle mayhem, and the play. Luke just wanted to say hi.

After Hello Dolly!, we watched Soda's version of fireworks. I realized I haven't been in Soda for the 4th of July since high school, the summer of 2009. I have been everywhere else in my travels:

2 in Rexburg

2 in Jackson Hole

2 in Canada (they didn't celebrate the 4th of July, though - rude)
1 in New York City
2 in Vegas

It's been fun. I was blessed to have lived in so many diverse places during my single life.

Anyway, for being Soda Springs (no offense meant), the fireworks weren't too shabby.

After our long drive home with the motorcycle (Ryan was such a good sport; he didn't compain at all!) and a weekend with little sleep, we were happy to get home. Sometimes you need to regroup after a "break."