Dear Charles....

Today I am sad for your loss. I am sad that I didn't get to come see you on your 90th birthday party because I had moved further away.

I am happy that you are with your wife. You always worried that she was going to pick her 1st husband over you, and I just know that she picked you. Why wouldn't she?

Thank you for treating me like your Granddaughter. You were more like a Grandpa to me than my own Grandpa. Thank you for letting me share a small part of my life with you. I will always treasure my time in St. George with you. You taught me how a real man should treat a woman. I'm so glad you got to meet my husband and that you liked him. I'm so glad you got to meet my little girl and let her run around crazy in your home.

I will miss you, even though you are in the best place of all. The loss of you is bittersweet because I know how long you've been waiting to be reunited with your wife and your mom and your sister. Give my Grandma Reah a big fat hug for me. I miss her like crazy, just as I will miss you.

Love, Katie Jo

Ironman!

Over a year ago my cousin, Clint, signed up to compete in the Iron Man competition that they were hosting in St. George. Trent wanted to go SO BAD and has looked forward to watching him. My other cousin decided to get married the same weekend... but, we decided to stick to our previous plans and head to St. George to watch.

We drove down with Clay and Cheryl and stayed in the condo's. We talked with Clint and his cousin, Paul, the night before. They were pretty nervous cause neither of them had ever swam, biked, or ran the length that you do in an iron man, let alone back to back. HAHA They were both mostly worried about the run. We wished them luck.... goooooood luck! hahah They said their only goal was to not get a glow stick. Toward the end of the race, if it's dark, they start handing out glow sticks. hehe They wanted to finish before that point.Paul is on the left, Clint is on the right

The swimming took place at Sand Hollow. All roads were closed so you had to park and take a shuttle in if you wanted to watch... at 5am! Brenika and I opted out of the watching the swim, that is just too early for us. But, Trent said it was amazing! There were over 2200 people competing in the competition. They all start out in the same place. Trent said it was crazy all the bodies in the water. The water was a nice warm 58 degrees! BRRRRR! They all had good wet suits on, but still! (Afterward Paul was telling us that he doesn't know how more people don't drown. He said people are swimming on top of you pushing you down, kicking you, pulling you... he said it was NUTS!) I could not do that for 2.6 miles. I had to swim a mile once to certify as a lifeguard... uh, and I was cheating a few times by hanging on the edge of the pool. HAHAHA It was SO HARD and it took me over an hour just to swim that mile! It only took Paul just over an hour to do the 2.6 and Clint was only 15 min behind him!Walking barefoot on the asphalt

Get Ready...

Get Set...

GO!!!!!

Then they hopped on their bike's and start on their 112 mile Bike ride.

Clay snapped this RIGHT as Clint drove by... it was a lucky shot. They said there were so many people out of the water all at once that it was hard to see who was who.

They left Sand hollow and biked up and around Snow Canyon area. While we were waiting for them to finish the bike portion we heard other people around us talking. This St. George IronMan is the 2nd hardest route... Hawaii is the hardest. The bike trail is bad because of the hills they have to climb up into the canyon. They make it look so easy!!!! It was fun watching them come in on their bikes and head back up the same road running. There was this one old guy (like in his 60's old) that must've crashed on his bike and dislocated his shoulder. It was sticking out of his back when he came in. About ten minutes went by and off he went running! It was wrapped and he had an ice pack, but he was going to run 26 miles like that! WHAT??? Insane! He did it too... totally crazy.

Paul came in too fast on his bike they didn't get a picture, but this is after he started his run. Thumbs up... I guess that means he was doing okay. HAHA

Here is Clint coming in after the bike ride.

Here he comes on his run...

He was so cute he gave his kids high fives and totally looked like he had tons of energy still... I don't know how! haha

Off he goes!

They said the running was really gruesome. They make them run 2 big circles... and it goes up on the Dixie hill... so they have to do it twice! I can't even walk up that. HAHAHAHA Paul passed Clint on his 2nd time around so that was good that he could update us on Clint when he came in. (I should mention that Paul usually places in the top 3 on regular triathalons... and he trained harder for the Iron Man. Clint is a full time police officer in Arizona, so between his work, family, and church life... he didn't get to train as hard. He's in awesome shape anyway though.) There were a lot of people waiting at the finish line so it was hard to get good pictures of them coming in. It was crazy some of the people that crossed. They would announce their name and where they were from and say "Congratulations, you're an Iron Man!" Then all these volunteers would wrap them in an aluminum blanket to get their body heat back in, and hand them a medal, take their picture, and rush them off to the tents. They had to make sure they were okay and then they could get food or a massage or see their families. There were some people that would cross, and just collapse into a wheelchair and they would get rushed back to a tent where they had IV's and things. This is serious busniess. Insane.Crazy.Serious! Clint's little girl at once point said to her mom..... "Mommy, we don't want Daddy to finish in a wheelchair, right?" No.... we really don't want him to finish in a wheelchair! haha He didn't... he was awesome. Exhausted, a little glassy eyed, but totally fine. His feet hurt really bad today hehe... but if that's the only thing, then that is good. Only a few minutes after being done he turned to his wife and said, "I am never doing that, again." HAHA She was glad.

Paul, the Iron Man!

Clint, the Iron Man!

I can't believe he did it once. I can't believe people are that crazy. It was amazing. I'll admit... totally got teary eyed a few times. It was awesome watching him do that. It's a once in a lifetime experience even just to watch it and know someone who was actually competing! There was even a 76yr old man who finished the race!

It was a fun weekend... thanks for letting us tag along Clay and Cheryl. And thanks for being insane, Clint! As we were leaving today he said... "Well, this was fun.... we should do it again sometime, except maybe someone else should do the Iron Man." HAHA

Memory Monday??

I know my blog is so boring.... I haven't been doing fun things lately... just everyday stuff. So... maybe I'll do a Memory Monday? HAHA

So my Grandpa Meibos, my mom's Dad, has been in the hospital for 2 weeks now. He had a major stroke, and he is now in the Rehab facility at UVRMC. Brenika and I went and visited him this morning. He looks much better than he did. He still has issues swallowing and talking. He lost a lot of his coordination from the stroke. They're working with him on it. He blew Brenika kisses though... so I think he'll get better over time!

So... that got me thinking about my "other" Grandpa. See... my Grandpa Lamb died before my parents were married, so I only had 1 grandpa growing up. When I lived with Charles in St. George, he became like my other Grandpa. I always think about Charles anyway.... but now they're both stuck in places they don't want to be. Grandpa Meibos looks like he HATES sitting on that bed in Rehab. He can't do what he wants... he knows what he wants and what to do... but his body won't connect. That has to be so frustrating. Charles is the same way. He's in a care facility, and he can still get around pretty good, but it's not where he wants to be. He wants to be with his sweet sweet wife that passed away almost 10 years ago. He tells me everytime I see him that he just wants to die. He laughs about it, but I know he means it.

ANYWAY... long story. Here are some pictures I took of Charles when I lived with him.

This is Charles and his dog, Lucy. He got her from the pound after his wife died, right before I moved in. She was the sweetest little dog. She always sat on his lap. I gave him this picture in a cute little Dog Frame I found at Target. He still has it sitting in his living room now.

Charles would tell Lucy to "come up here" and pat his chest... and she would jump up and lay her head on his chest. It was so sweet. She wouldn't do it to me or anyone else, just Charles. Lucy got ran over by a car and was killed a few months after I moved home. After that, I think is when Charles got worse and needed help to move out. I really think that pets like a dog or cat help people live longer.

One day I came home from work (at like 6pm) and Charles was wearing these glasses. He had gone to the eye doctor that morning and they told him to wear the glasses outside. Well, he wore then ALL day, inside, even when the sun went down. I had to laugh to myself. So, I took a picture, cause it was just too funny to see him watching his TV with those huge glasses on.

I have tons of other stories about Charles I should write down before I forget. Like the time he thought I stole his remote from his bedroom, or when he locked me out of the house a few times, or when he made my sister put a bandaid on his naked bum, or when he pooped the bed. HAHA It was definitely entertaining to live with him. I'll always cherish those moments.

I love my Grandpa's.... I'm fortunate to have them, and so glad they both got to meet Brenika. Someday, I'll get to meet my Grandpa Glen. I imagine he was exactly like my Dad and his brothers.

Back to reality....

I hate coming back from vacation. When I'm on vacation, I don't think about the real world at ALL! Maybe that's a bad thing? I don't check my email, I don't get on facebook or blogs, I don't think about my bills I have to pay or things I have to do. I just vacation from everything. So... coming back to reality totally sucks!

We had so much fun in Vegas. I am a loser and only took 1 picture. HAHA Here is a list of highlights from our vacation to Vegas.
*Brenika and Wyatt playing... they LOVE each other. I've never seen Brenika so amused by anyone except Wyatt. (Happy Birthday today WYATT!)
*Walking from the Venetian to the Bellagio... I am so. not. 20. anymore! HAHA
*Brenika being scared of the Bellagio fountains.
*Laughing at the people who would stare at us on the strip because it was midnight and we had our baby out and about and she was wide awake.
*Changing rooms at the condo because of a water leakage.
*Eating at IHOP one morning and realizing they charge like $3 more than the one at home!
*Getting a total deal... or should I stay steal?.. from the Carter's and Fox Outlets! hehe
*Fighting about where to eat dinner HAHAHAHAHA and laughing that husbands should always listen to their wives.
*Oh the drama drama drama.
*Packing up the car by myself with Brenika cause everyone else was at Nascar! (Man, that sucked!)
*Taking my little princess to MGM to see the Lions and eat at the Rainforest Cafe... fun mommy/daughter date!
*Passing all the cars parked to watch the race. Holy CRAP there are some huge Nascar lovers out there.
*Being so glad I didn't go to the race when Trent told me about the rubber that kept hitting them, and seeing how dirty everyone was and how their ears hurt. HA
*Visiting Jenny and Easton and knowing I'm not the only person with a wild child running my household! hehehe He is SO CUTE Jenny!
*Visiting Charles and watching his face light up while watching Brenika run around his house.
*The coyotes that were howling right outside our condo in St. George. Brenika thought it was Britney howling and would NOT go back to sleep!
*Realizing how BADLY I want to live back in Sunny St. George after coming home to this nasty cold inversion yucky weather! BLEH

It was such a great vacation.... I have always loved the Vegas.... not sure why. I look past all the yuckiness about it.... but it's definitely harder to look past it when you have a baby in your arms (or stroller). :) Next time I go to Vegas, I think I'll find a babysitter haha

Memory Monday... hehe

Man it's been a busy 2 weeks so I didn't get up another Memory Monday post last week. Bridal Shower, Baby Shower, Brother's Birthday, Baby blessing, Family in town, MAN.... it's like craziness on my end of town!!!!

So.... remember when I thought I was cool and I pierced my nose? HAHAHA This is the only picture I have of it, and you can't really even see it. Oh well, to document such idiotic things we do when we are young and carefree!

It was only in there for 2 weeks, and I even went to church with it in! HA... oh the rebel I was.... SUCH a DORK! I still think they are SO CUTE... but I did it twice, and won't do it again... yeah, it took me 2 times to learn my lesson. {SMACK SMACK} I do like my hair color in this picture though.... Colorsync is the BEST!

Back Again... Memory Monday... Christmas in July

It wasn't July... it was actually Christmas, but how cute are we?!?! HAHAHA I miss this old store, and these girls. We were the best ever!!!!!


Sorry I missed a few weeks... my printer was MIA.... but I FIXED IT! YAY

St. George Birthday Weekend!

So Trent and I took a mini weekend getaway to St. George for his birthday and before I go back to work. It was nice to get away. I was going to take lots of pictures... HAHA. I did get a few but not as many as I would've liked.

Brenika's first long car ride... it was an adventure I tell ya!

Hanging out in the Condo.... Brenika playing on her tummy....

Trent cookin us dinner... yummy steaks!

Me... crocheting...for like a few seconds until Brenika wanted my attention...

We went to visit Charles. He was all decked out ready to go to a wedding reception, so the lady that was taking him took our picture! I'm so glad... I don't have any other pictures of me with him.

He was SO CUTE holding her! He has a hard time cause of his hand, but he was so in love with her. He even gave us some cash to spend on her... which I did! HAHHA I love Charles... and am so blessed to have been able to live with him for a few years.

This is my friend Kami... we went to see her cute baby Ryker... he is adorable with TONS of hair.. he puts Brenika to shame! I forgot to take pics so I stole this from her blog. HAHA Jenny was there earlier but had to go home before we could make it. I got to visit her earlier that day though... I love these girls!

On the drive home we stopped at Ashlee's house in Cedar. (My friend that makes all Brenika's super cute flowers.. hehe). I forgot to take pictures there too... but it was nice to visit with her for a bit. We have the type of friendship that even if we don't talk for a while, it picks up right where we left off.. and we could talk for hours! I am SO LUCKY to have such good friends I made in St. George...I think they're the reasons I miss it so much down there!

When we got home we celebrated Trent's birthday with my family. I wanted to do this cake for Trent since it's his first birthday being a Dad! (And since my cake was a pregnant belly cake.. HAHAHA)

We put everything he likes to do on the cake... fishing, helicoptors, softball, and cars! He is such a good Daddy!!!!

We love you!!!

Make a Wish!!!! (Probably for a house? Or maybe that money someone owes us? HA)

27 YEARS OLD!

I LOVE that all my family lives here now... everyone was there! All the nieces and nephews get so excited about birthday's! They ALL wanted to be in the picture with Uncle Trent!

My sister wanted to take some cute pics... it was funny trying to get them to all behave during these pictures!

I think Brenika was the only one that just sat there! HAHAHHA

So that was our weekend... it was so fun and relaxing, and much needed!

St. George!

This weekend I went to St. George! I couldn't decide if I should go when it snowed, but I had been planning on going for so long that I just went! Trent had to work all weekend, and then I was trying to get Becca or Brette to go with me, but they both had to work too! BLAH... haha so I drove by myself! AND I get on the freeway... and I'm like.... CRAP I forgot my camera! I was so mad! The drive wasn't too bad.... it only took me 4 1/2 hours to get there instead of 4! I went to my friend Jenny's baby shower! She is so cute and pregnant! I spent some time with her and her husband afterward. Her nursery is all cute and sporty! I miss her so much!!!! Afterward I went to visit my Uncle Charles who I lived with when I lived down there. It's good to visit with him, even though I almost cry everytime. He lives in an assisted living place now, so it's really hard for me to see him like that. I took him his favorite treat, chocolate covered raisins, and we watched part of the BYU game together! He cracks me up... he totally yells at the TV! HAHA Then I drove back up to Cedar City and stayed the night with my friend Ashlee. I hadn't ever seen her little girl, Maddy. She's so freakin cute! I was chasing her all over the house and she was laughing hysterically! She looks just like Ash! It was good to spend time with her. I totally miss living in St. George! I mostly miss my friends and I'm so lucky to have made such good close friends down there! They were there for me during one of the hardest times of my life and I love them for it! They will always be 2 of my closest friends! I love you Jenny and Ashlee!!!!