Happy Birthday America: Part II

For Rod's next Idaho Fourth of July experience, we headed to Leadore, population 90. As a kid, my family would come to Leadore for the 4th to celebrate my Aunt Julie's birthday. Her middle name is literally "independance." I loved Leadore 4th of July's because anyone who wanted to be in the parade can, because Julie's birthday cake always had sparklers instead of candles, because Leadore sometimes lit dynamite instead of fireworks (depending on the budget that year), because the fireworks would usually result in a brush fire and all the kids got to help put it out, and because our family would all gather at the cabin after the fireworks to let off our own fireworks and roast/burn marshmallows.

It was nice to see that not too much has changed. After the Fireman's Breakfast, we (and the rest of the town) went to the parade.





My uncle's car after the demolition derby.

The Leadore democrats' (who knew?) poorly planned float. They were shoveling horseshit our the back.

My nephew on his motorcycle.

Tiny chilling at the cabin.

After the parade, my dad and adorable cousin, Ashley, drove all of us up to see the family ranch, which consists of a lot of really beautiful land, an abandoned cabin, and a handful of some really cool classic cars and trucks. The drive involves a few river crossings, locked gates, and other obstacles.

That did not stop the census, though.



While we were away, Amanda fixed us all a good Fourth of July BBQ. Yummy!







My Grandma's old store.

What's left of the old bank.








We got the family fireworks started early.

Ashley with Lupa.







The Leadore fireworks--actual fireworks this year--were relatively uneventful. No dynamite, no brush fires.

Then, time for more family fireworks.

And, of course, Julie's birthday cake, sparklers and all.

Love Enduring

We spent the last weekend in June in Louisiana to celebrate MawMaw and PawPaw's 60th Wedding Anniversary. We flew into Baton Rouge on Friday and spent the afternoon catching up with Dad/Mr. Pete. After lunch at Z's, we headed straight to the Royal Standard. I am addicted to that place. I walked out with several new purses and a scarf. Rod is going to cut me off next time. We met up with Stephen and Elise for dinner at X. I was worried with all the oil spill problems that there would be a lack of good sea food. Amazingly, the sea food was still plentiful.

The next morning, we headed to New Orleans for the anniversary festivities at the Palace Cafe. The food was good, the company was even better. It was so nice to see the entire family.

After lunch, Elise, Stephen, Rod, and I headed to the warehouse district for shopping. We got there a little late, though. Most of the shops were almost closed. After we perused a couple of shops, we stopped to get drinks on the patio at X.

That night, we got dinner at X. The food was fantastic. And we were sitting at a table next to Triple H (from WWF) and Yeardley Smith (the voice of Lisa Simpson). There were a couple of other pre-teen Disney celebs that I should probably know, but didn't.

The next morning, we had beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde before heading back to Baton Rouge. Back in Baton Rouge, we had a quick visit with Mr. Sterling before heading over to MawMaw and PawPaw's to deliver the Kennedy Rose that we bought them for their diamond anniversary. Eddie, Patti, and Terri were all over there so we got to visit everyone before flying home.

The next day, we were so exhausted we just wanted to spend a quiet night at home. We actually contemplated skipping our first Red Butte concert of the year: Todd Snider and Mo Fro. We pulled it together and, in the end, we were really glad we went. We snuggled and had a great time. It was one of those really perfect nights where you just fill so completely loved.

Here we were trying to take a picture of the two of us. It took us eight tries to get one with both of our eyes open.

Ragnar Wasatch Back

June 18, was the beginning of what ranks amongst the best months of my life. The six weeks leading up to my 30th Birthday were a wonderful series of events that made me feel totally confident, powerful, and loved.

To kick it all off was the Wasatch Back Ragnar race, an 190-mile relay race from Logan to Park City. Our day started with Rachel blasting Black-Eyed Peas, "I Got a Feeling." I was the first runner from our van, and even though my first leg was only 4 miles, I was SO HOT. I don't know whether it was the heat (my last leg was longer, in the same heat, and with a sore knee), but this was by far my least favorite leg. It was on a fairly busy highway. To distract myself, I tried to wave at all the passing cars (we were running against traffic), but less than half waved back. During the run, the team leap frogged me so that just when I was ready to drop, a van full of screaming girls drove past to cheer me on and bring me water.

Even though I had been training much slower than my goal pace due to some pre-race injuries, I still managed to run at my goal pace. :) Our team, Billing Time for Firm Asses ("BTFFA"), was made up of two suburbans full of really cool girls. The other girls in my van were Joanna, the team captain; Rachel M., Joanna's sister; Rachel O.; Cristina, our ringer; and Jan. Megan, Van 1 captain; Allison, Lauren, Sarah, Noella, and Cristina were in the other van.
Joanna, our fearless leader, was the first to rock our butt custume.

We got a lot of attention. While she was running, the rest of us decorated our suburban with "Run Your Asses Off."

After our van's first round, we met up with van 1 briefly in the parking lot of Snow Basin. We grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading out to East Canyon, where we had planned on sleeping. The drive to East Canyon was so backed up, though--it was seriously absurd the number of cars parked on a highway in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night--that we made it there with only enough time to sleep for about 1 1/2 hours. We were directed by one of the volunteers to sleep behind our suburban, which didn't sound like a smart idea, but we were all so tired we listened. About forty minutes later, just as we were about to fall asleep--it was SO loud in the parking lot--another volunteer started yelling at us. He threatened to disqualify us if we didn't move our sleeping bags immediately. Apparently the first volunteer was misinformed, and there was some requirement that all sleeping take place only on the grass. Well, there was no grass to be found. Joanna and I eventually found a median next to the bathrooms. I closed my eyes for another forty minutes, but didn't sleep a wink.

I was the first runner for our night shift. As strange as it may sound, I was really looking forward to this leg and it mostly met my expectations. It was my favorite leg. It was marked on the description as easy. So when my leg started as a straight up hill climb, I fully expected to be at the top of the hill soon and spend the rest of my leg running downhill. Well, that didn't happen. Other than a very short downhill, the whole four miles were uphill. The stars were beautiful and it was a nice, cool night, though. I was pumping my new playlist. If running at night wasn't so dangerous, I would do it all of the time. The race rules required us to be lit up like Christmas trees. All the bugs zipping at my headlamp looked like a warp speed scene from Star Wars.

After all of the adrenaline, it was hard to sleep in the car. We all just drove around cheering on our runners and pondering the meaning of life. At one point, we forgot to turn the car off while we were chatting. The car died. We had to get jump-started. :) It didn't take too long to find someone to help us, but we still missed Joanna at the hand off.

The next morning, when we finished our overnight leg, we slept in the park. It was loud, but we were exhausted. At the hand off, I was sore. My knee killed from the straight uphill leg of the race. It was hot too, perhaps even hotter than the previous day. But it was my last leg and I knew the end was in sight.

Here are our Ragnar princesses. They had the toughest legs of the race, and totally rocked it.

We all met near the finish line to run over it together.

It felt awesome to finish. Before I actually ran the race, I was excited to be done so that I never had to run again. I am not a runner. Afterwards, though, I was so siked, I was ready to sign up for the next Ragnar. I may be crazy, but I loved it! I loved spending that much time with so many inspiring women. I loved pushing my physical and mental boundaries and proving to myself that I am capable of so much more than I think I am.





After the race, we went to Parr Brown's VIP suite for a few drinks and to bask in our accomplishment.



Despite the fact that I was dead tired, Rod and I went to our friend Dave's 30th Birthday party in his super posh pad in Park City. His girlfriend sure knows how to put on a great party!

The next day, I slept, hobbled around (though less than I thought he would), and went to Megan and Dashe's place for a very yummy, relaxing BBQ. It was an inspiring weekend!

Although we did a lot in the second and third weeks in June, I didn't take any pictures. There was the Salt Lake County Bar dinner, one of the best lawyer parties of the year. I love seeing all my work and school friends in one place. The open bar and dancing don't hurt either. I managed to win a massive scrapbooking basket at the silent auction.

The next night was book club at Alisha's. The book was Born to Run, another book I've been meaning to read, but haven't. I have been on a reading boycott ever since I got sucked into the Hunger Games series. I really miss reading, but I just don't have time for it with everything on my to do list. I guess I'll make up for it in Africa.

Somewhere in there was the YLD Closing social at Estes.

Rod also treated me to a couple of really nice home-cooked meals. I love mussels!


It was nice having this piece of quiet before the next few crazy months.

June: Family and Friends

Although we were ready for a break when we got back from Lewiston, that was not in our plans. Instead, the next night was the last official event of Kimmie Palooza: drinks at Z'tejas and Sex in the City 2. Even with the excess amounts of tequila and great company, there was no saving that movie. It was truly horrible. I wish I had stopped watching after the season finale. I liked being able to write the characters' future in my head instead of having the much sadder details spelled out for me.

Later that week, I had my first Ragnar team meeting, which consisted of G&Ts at Ally B's house. You got to love the mid-week cocktail hours with the girls. We have such a cool team.

My weekend started with a work party at Dan Jenson's. It was the opening event for Parr's summer associates. We have a really great class this year. I'm excited to get to know them better. Melinda, Dan's wife, really outdid herself with all the food. There were enought leftovers to feed an army. I left straight from dinner to Idaho.

Rod didn't come with me this time. He had a lot to catch up on at home. It was nice, though, to spend time with my family just like old times. My Grandma's health has improved so much. She was walking all over the place. We spent the moring going through her "basement", going through all of the clothes and toys that I had stored there. It was so fun to look at all my old barbie furniture and baby blankets. After that walk down memory lane, we went to out to the farm. Zach is getting so big! And he is such a Grandpa's boy.

Later that night, I took Mom Dena and the kids out for a belated birthday/Mother's Day dinner. Afterwards, Jayde and Ryan introduced me to their new pet. Lupa is too cute! I couldn't help but foot her in my purse. :)

When I went out to the house to bring Lupa back, they had to show me how "well" Lupa got along with Kitty.


Kitty looks so vicious when she yawns.
The next morning, before heading out of town, I met my dad at my Grandma Sauer's. Her health has not been so great lately, but she seemed to be in better spirits.

I spent the trip home catching up with old friends. I made it home just in time for dinner with Susan, Kevin, Patrick, and Sam. Susan and Kevin made us a great Paella. We sat outside eating and talking until a huge storm chased us inside. That didn't stop us from visiting though. I love my friends!