When Hale Freezes Over

Some people protest that they will run a 5k in January when h*** freezes over. So the name of this race was fitting. In Orem we have an old theater called the Hale Center. For a fund raiser they inaugerated the first annual "When Hale Freezes Over 5k".

After I was registered for the race we had many days that were horrible and I was regretting my registering for the race. We had many days with snowy, slushy and icy roads, cold temperatures and poluted inversions.

Believe me the 24 hours before the race I decided to back out hundreds of time. However I had invited my friend Angela which turned out to be the reason I went over that morning. Her feelings had been the same, we both were hoping the other won't be there and we could go home. But we were there so we ran the race.

Here is everyone before the race. It was a balmy 26 degrees.It might be hard to believe but the weather, roads and race were wonderful. I found out that I like running in the colder weather. The race was really well organized. The route was a little tough because we ran down to 1200 West and then had to run back up the 4th South hill, but even that turned out better than I was dreading.

The participant package was great for the $15 fee. I figured if I even walked it would be worth the entry. All participants got an actually wearable T-shirt and tickets to 2 plays this season. I then won a 2009 deluxe season pass to the theater's 6 plays. When they announced that prize I thought how much I would love to win that, but I didn't hope since I never win drawings. I was elated, I almosted teared up.

Here I am running (in red sweatshirt):And my finish time:The Hale Theater annouced that they are going to do a second race on the hottest day of the year called the "Highway to Hale 5K". Anyone up for a race?...

Chocolate Dipping

My Mother, Carla, and my Grandmother, Menita, were both expert candy makers. Mother spent at least a week making her Christmas chocolates and was well-known for her professional-grade chocolates. I on the other hand was too busy licking spoons and sneaking samples to take learning seriously. Now it is too late.

However for years I've gotten together with my friend Christi Stone, her 3 daughters, some of their cousins and friends to make chocolates. I keep trying to tell them that they know more than I ever did but they insist I have to be there. We got together tonight for FHE and had a great time.

This year we did it at Christi's house and for the first time I enjoyed dipping and not worrying.

Only 3 fingers allowed

Sarah, Christi, Shelly, Sara (not pictured Brooklyn)

The aprons are part of the tradition

YUMMY!

Playdate with Summer

Today I spent a couple hours playing with my favorite 5-year- old, Summer. We had fun reading books, coloring and playing in her fort. Her face split into a huge smile when I walked in. I'm always amazed at how happy she is to see me. She gives me so many hugs and loves while I'm there if I could just store them up I'd be set. I love her sweetness and energy.

Hiking in the Haunted Hoodos

Well actually I just pretended the hoodos in Bryce Canyon were haunted, since it was Halloween and the sky was onimously threatening rain. I had a great time on this hike.


I got to hike Snow Canyon the next day and Kolob Canyon on Sunday. I spent a couple days at my friends condo in St George which was a great location to get to all these hikes. It was so fun to get away for a weekend.

Happy Halloween

Since I don't get to dress up this year for any Halloween festivities. I thought I'd wear my costume on my blog. I had a lot of fun putting this together a couple of years ago. For years I never seemed to have a good costume so I decided to make one and since then I've only had occassion to wear it once. Happy Halloween.

A Field Trip for UEA

I probably should have worked today, but instead I played hookey and went to Hoogle Zoo, lunch and Gilgal garden with the Nelsons for UEA. It was perfect!! I won't mind paying the fiddler tomorrow for playing today.

Hiking Stewart Falls

Click to enlarge photo

My neighbors, the Nelsons, and I hiked Stewart Falls yesteday. It is a short 4 mile roundtrip hike but very fun. We let the almost-3-year-old Abbey set the pace and so it took us a while. She hiked all the way to the falls and over half of the way back. After walking a mile she told me that she thought "this is very fun".