Kids Triharder Triathlon

One of my favorite things I've watched my kids do is run the aquatic center's Kids Tri Harder Triathlon.  2 years ago I was able to photograph it for them and again this year I was and it's just an awesome event and so fun to watch the kids push hard to get through such a hard thing.

Ella's group started first this year and I don't remember the distance except for 8 laps across the pool I believe it's 2 miles bike and 1 mile run.  It was pretty big.  She swims so gracefully and it made my heart happy to hear another person comment on what a good swimmer she is.  She just glides across the pool.  

Thankfully I got to watch her swim and see her off on her bike cause I didn't see her again until she was finished.  I felt bad I wasn't there to cheer her on, but she made it regardless.

A little rosy faced, but feeling happy for her hard work.

Lincoln's group went next which is why I didn't get to see Ella bike or run.  I was watching Lincoln swim. 

And thankfully his dad was there to help him transfer to his bike. 

And off he went like he was a turbo machine.  I'm pretty sure he felt like one.

And he was so proud of himself and said, "That was worth it!  I wanted to quit but I just kept telling myself, you have to keep going." 

Sweet Molly got herself off in the water.  I mostly got to watch her ride her bike.  She's such a trooper and tried her very best and did so great!!  I was so proud of her.  Sadly I got to watch her the least so we don't have a lot of pictures.  Good thing the ones we got were super cute. 

Alissa was last but not least.  I'm pretty sure she had butterflies like crazy but this point. 

She pushed herself and did pretty fantastic.

The final stretch is always the most rewarding!

So, so proud of these 4 kiddos who tried their best and did something hard.  They were all pleased with their own performance and I'm sure would do it again.  

We decided not to stick around for the free breakfast and got ourselves a Jamba Juice.

Gotta love it! 

Braithwaite Reunion 2019

It's been a few years since we've done a Braithwaite Reunion so this year Dustin and I just started passing the word that we were going to go camping at the Salmon River property over July 26th.   Knowing this and knowing how much we love camping, we pretty spontaneously purchased a new camp trailer!  We are excited for the new adventures that we will find using it and the blessing it will be for us to have as we make memories together as a family.

Before long all but one of the siblings and mom was up there and even a couple of his aunts and an uncle.  It's always fun to see them and spend time with them.

The first day was spent driving to the river and stopping for some ice cream at the Challis Junction.

Day 2 was spent floating the river for the kids once and for dad, twice.  They all had such a great time.  It was so very hot I was lucky enough to spend the day taking a nap in the trailer with Grace since we didn't get much sleep and I knew we couldn't take her in the raft on the river or have her in the sun that long.  This is one of my favorite things to do at the River with cousins though!!  Glad my kids could experience it. 

During the free time that day, I just passed the word to the kids to come up with some skits and they did a fine job presenting some cute things.  Our scouting nephews took charge of the fire and the camp songs and it was fun.

Sumo wrestling boys did a fight skit. :)

Day 3 was spent at Bayhorse.  Another favorite place for our family.  Dustin rode the ATV with Molly since it was her birthday along with Boone and his boy Christopher.  We drove the car and met them there and spent the day kayaking, fishing, relaxing in the hammock and picnicking. 

Such a fun day spent by the lake and it was so much cooler up there too thank goodness.  Most everybody left that day so it was just us with Dustin's nephew Dave and his kids and wife Alesha.

We woke up the next day and decided to trek to Altourous Lake which we had heard about many times but never seen.  It was gorgeous and somewhere we will likely venture again even though it was quite a ways from camp.   In between hail storms we got in the lake and swam and picnicked. 

In the car waiting for the storm to pass. :) 

A deer came so close to check us out. 

We drove to the other side of the lake which was even more fun and got swimsuits back on and into the lake again for a few minutes.  I love these pictures of my beautiful babies.

The water was cold but so refreshing after enduring some very hot days. 

We even took a pretty good selfie family picture! 

On our way back we stopped at Cove Hot Springs and again slipped swim suits back on.  It was just one small hot spring off the side of the road and was perfect for soaking just a small amount fo your body.  We drove a little further up the road to Sunbeam and the kids enjoyed soaking a little more there.

Gracie and I just watched. :)

Alissa did some cool poses for me. 

Blurry but this is the new box somebody put in at Sunbeam for soaking in a more regulated temperature tub.  My kids loved it and will remember it for a long time. 

As much as I love reunions, I love it when my little family can be together spending time and building memories with their siblings.  They have fun together and I know they enjoy these times we have as a family.  We are so very blessed!