Family

I laugh at what our Elmer Family Reunions used to be. Typically they involved Ice cream, chaos, some random outdoor game, chaos, a few wrestling matches, chaos, sleep deprivation, and chaos. Just in case you forgot. I loved every minute of them. My cousins are extended siblings. With life taking over--who knew we had to grow up and be responsible--its been a few years since the typical Elmer reunion has occurred. This weekend changed all of that. With Kevin and Jordan home from their LDS missions, what could be better than a reunion. Kevin spoke in church giving the perfect excuse for everyone to invade my parents house for the weekend. 30 people--now having more "adults" than kids--crammed into every available room in my parents house. 

Oh it was a blast--apart from my sexy man voice and deep rattling cough getting in the way. We played sports, ate food, talked, joked, told stories, and laughed.  Yeah be jealous of how awesome my family is. I am now even MORE excited for it to happen again in December.  As everyone was leaving all the "kids" plastered into one giant bear hug. So funny-but it totally made my day. Oh December would you get here faster!!

Thoughts

"The Road Not Taken" 
- Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
For it was grassy and wanted wear;
But as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I remember sitting in my American Studies Class as a sophomore in high school, dreading the concept of analyzing a poem of a dead guy. Coming up with the "meaning" of the poem seemed absolutely ridiculous to me. I have grown up since then. While I will still never pretend to understand what the author was thinking, I have my own understanding of things. Perspective, maybe is a better term.  

Robert Frost always confused me. But the Poem above seems to make more sense to me now then it could have in high school.  The naive high school me could only ever imagine one road. There is simply one road to follow and I would always know what it would be. Yeah I know.  I'm laughing at myself.  I knew I was going to be in nursing; I knew where I would attend college;  I knew I would be a nurse at the end. 

Since then I have often felt like the traveler. Coming up to a path that splits in two.  Each path taking me down a completely different road. One following "the plan." The other taking me into uncharted territory. While I wish sometimes I could go back to "the Plan." I would not give up the experiences that have changed me. I know more of me. Who knew right? 

I stand now, once again at a crossroads. Wanting so badly to go down the simple road. Just once. But that would be too boring. I'm always up for another adventure.

Stooges

Its true to 3 Stooges have been reunited once again. Both Jordan and Kevin have returned from their LDS missions abroad. The reunion took place on Oct 14, 2011.  Karlie, Kevin, Mark and I made the quick adventure to California. Wow, we spent a long time in a car.  But hey it was worth the quality family time and the naps we all got.  Jessie kicked butt at her soccer games. The Boys kept us entertained. Psych Kept us all Laughing. 

Yeah Jessie kicks some serious butt at soccer

Jordan is another brother. Seriously, these 3 have been little brothers, terrors, entertainers, and musketeers since before I can remember.  I didn't know how much I missed Jordan until he gave me hug. Everything is back the way should be. Haha. Now the 3 stooges make fun of each other in different languages we can't understand. I love how they still act like they are twelve.  But I look up to them in so many ways. These guys are studs and such great examples of who I should be.  Yeah, my brothers are sexy cupcakes. What would I do without them?

How many Returned Missionaries Does it take?
1

2

3

Yeah Official Brain Damage after staring at nothing but sagebrush for HOURS

Forgetmenot

I love conference! Nap time, life changing messages, I mean what's not to love. President Uchtdorf is one of my speakers. His talk in the relief society broadcast was one I really needed to hear.  Let's face it. I forget things really quickly. I blame the blonde side of my personality. So what better to help me remember than a picture!

Pink

A while back I somehow got the idea to run a Half Marathon. After failing the first time I was bit determined to do it. So I signed up for the Pink Series Half Marathon. Today, I ran it. The crazy adventure began at 0500 when I woke up and met up with Amberly.  After an entertaining drive up to Park City, I got my bag of goodies and proceeded to the buses. Now what should have been a 20min drive ended up being 45 min. The bus driver was obviously lost.  For a while. We arrived and watched the snow fall around us. Yeah I was COLD! The race didn't start for 45min so everyone was doing a happy dance trying to stay warm. 800 women all hopping up and down was quite comical to watch.  I forgot my gloves and some sweet lady gave me her extra pair. Which is good because my hands were popsicles. Luckily I found my pace the first mile and just kept going for a while. My pace and magic playlist kept me going until mile 9--the 2 mile hill run. KILL ME NOW! Oh it hurt. I then walked/jogged for the rest of the race. But my stubbornness/competitiveness took over in mile 13 and I sprinted the last little bit. Sweet Amberly was there to catch my running moments. I loved the sprint at the end. My body needed to go that fast after a slow pace for 13 miles. Ugh I wanted to die when I stopped but it was AWESOME! I can't wait to do another one. Even though right now I am icing every muscle I have and will walk funny for a while. Bring on the next race! 

Final Sprint Home!

My Oops that Wasn't the End Sprint

Don't Judge the Appearance!

Pretty Drive on the Way Home

Total Time 2hours 35mins

Pumpkins

You know it's Halloween time when the pumpkins come out to play!!

Timp

With Kevin being home, it was time for some good quality bonding time. Is there anything better than Hiking Timp at 0500. I love hiking and don't get to do it enough. We watched some movies and headed out. Hiking up and up and up and up some more. We were on the side of the mountain when the sun came up. SOOOOOO pretty. Due to my work schedule we had to head down early. I will get to the top soon. If anything I need more pictures. 

This is what I saw 3 minutes after being home. Gotta love these boys