Phoenix Open...

Every now and then I get to be a Plus One for one of Rusty's work events.  I lucked into this one because Russ couldn't stay the whole day. We always get to be in the US Airways skybox and it was right over the 18th green, and we could see the 10th tee off area too.  It was COLD, well for us AZ people, thankfully I wore a cardigan or I would have been a goner! Phil Mickelson -who we wanted to watch play- was in the last round to t off and they were running behind schedule so we didn't even get to see him.  Thanks US Airways for being such awesome hosts!

It's fun to watch Rusty "work" even on his out of office days. 

Rusty's Second Marathon...

Shortly after his first marathon, Rusty started training for the Phoenix Marathon.  It is a lot of miles to prepare for the marathon.  He ran long runs every saturday with a group of friends.  Hundreds of miles go into the months leading up to the main event.

His cheering section, along with the photog Kelcie! 

Looking strong for the finish!!!

 I knew I wanted to be at the finish with the boys.  Thankfully Kelcie came and helped me, because it was insane.  So many people, and such cranky boys!

 I got very teary when we heard his name, and knew he was coming across the finish line.

 Can you spot him?  I love that in neon orange and at 6'4" he's pretty easy to find in a crowd. When we finally got his attention he came over to the gates and said hello.  Look at that nice shiny medal! 

The race was on Russ's birthday and he ran the half marathon.  So he was the lucky duck that go to go in the runner area and hug Rusty first.

 Our (lame) signs for the runner s

 We tried to get there in time to watch Russ cross, but I just could not get my act in gear that morning!!

 Official time was 3 hours 55 minutes.

 Yes, I dressed to match him. I try to be the best coordinated running team member, since I don't provide any of the running part of the running team.

 Brenner was finally happy once he got some cotton candy!

The only way to get them all in a picture was sitting down! So proud!

Rusty's New Calling...

When our ward was spilt and we became the Highland Park ward Rusty was called as the ward Sunday School President.  A few months went by and our stake was split.  The boundaries were kinda insane and if you drive down my street just two blocks you hit a new stake.  Anyhow, when the new Gilbert Highland West Stake was created Rusty was called to be the 2nd councilor in the Stake Sunday School presidency.  He really enjoyed the men he served with, and what they were doing. And then, the Stake Sunday School Pres got called to be a Bishop...  So, the night I had my annual Ugly Sweater Bunco at my house, Rusty told me we had to be done by 9 because we had a meeting with the Stake President.  Dun dun dun... You guessed it, Rusty got called to be the new Stake Sunday School President.  I am so incredibly proud that he lives his life in a way that he can serve in callings like this.  This was an especially interesting calling coming into 2013 with the major curriculum changes for the youth in the church.  It has been fun learning about the new way of teaching, and watching Rusty go to different wards to support the Sunday School Presidents on the ward level.  Proud of you President Beck.

Good thing he got a fancy new suit for the wedding. As part of the Stake Council he attends every ward in the Stake's temple night, Ward conference and ward council fireside.  He has a lot of meetings, and it has made Sunday's pretty hectic, but we have loved the blessings we have received from his new calling. Although, I still think I am to young to be married to a Stake anything president.

Misc November...

As I am frantically trying to catch up the blog I came across a series of pictures and realized I need to make sure I put them in. So here is a random collection of our November.

Berkley finished his first season playing with Arsenal, he and Max Robison were both on team Swansea. He learned a lot this season, can't wait to see how his talent for soccer develops.

Of course, getting a medal at the end of the season made all the hard work payoff.

We also tried to warm Boston up to baths by giving him an impromptu sink bath.  It worked, he loved it and he finally warmed up to the idea of taking baths with his brothers!

Loving the head massage from his Dad!

Each month Berkley gets a project from school, this month it was to disguise a turkey. I looked on trusty Pinterest and saw a grainy idea for a peacock. This is what Berk and I came up with.  We liked it so much we did Braden's the same way a week later.

Rusty ran in a Half Marathon for Shun the Sun. He did a great job, and it is just the beginning of race season for him.

 Ami and I were faithful Baseball Mom's this season, From scorching heat to freezing cold, fall in AZ can be curious!  The late games were a challenge since they started at 7:45 so Rusty and I had to alternate who went to which game, since the other kids were in bed.

Braden finished his Fall Ball season with some nail biting games. I wasn't sure my heart could take many more games like the last 3 of the season! They made it into playoffs and were one game from winning, but lost in a tight game.  

Stratton and Braden have been playing baseball together since age 7, they have come a LONG way.

Gilbert American Little League

Fall Ball 2012

White Sox

The coach we had was great. Very positive. At the end of the season he gave each player a "game ball" and told a little about how they had improved. Braden has become an avid base runner, he can steal a base before I can even blink! He is much more comfortable in the outfield, but held his own at 3rd for a lot of the season.

Utah Valley Marathon...

After months of training, a few half marathons, and a couple 10K's he was ready.  After running five days a week, hundreds of miles in training he was ready.  We flew up with Braden and Boston ( Berk and Brenner stayed here with my parents and Rusty's Uncle Todd) the day before the race. We got in late due to a very delayed flight. Boston fell asleep just after take off and woke up in time to play with the peanuts bag and look a little confused before it was time to land.  By the way, one of the WORST most TURBULENT flight EVER! By the time we got settled in to the hotel, walked into downtown Provo to find food and got back to the hotel is was past time for Rusty to get in bed.  The thing you don't realize, or maybe it was just me, about marathons is that if the race starts at 6am, then the runner is up by 3am to be awake, and on busses to the starting line! We stayed right downtown Provo at the Marriott and it was nice to be able to walk right down the last mile of the race to see the finishers.

Here he is after he checked in and got his gear.  He was such a good sport letting me document everything.

 After Kelcie, Russ (who both ran the half marathon) and Cindi got to the hotel we walked down the way to eat.  The runners needed to carb load! We found a cute little Italian place, complete with a short wait AND an accordion player! That guy knew everything,  and the food was good! I had the yummiest pomegranate Italian soda ever.

We went back to the hotel and Kelcie and I walked to a store to get some supplies for the runners the next day. bagels, waters, gatorade etc.  We looked pretty strong carrying coolers, and bags of heavy drinks down two city blocks- but parking was a nightmare so walking it was! When we got back we were still waiting for the roll away bed for Braden to come. I couldn't put Boston to bed in the pack n play until it came and Rusty couldn't go to bed until both of the kids went to bed.  FINALLY, after a trip down to the lobby, a call to the manager and another it finally came and we were off to dreamland about 9:30pm, nearly two hours after Rusty had hoped.

I had to take a picture of his piles of readiness.

The next morning I set my alarm so I could be there to watch Kelcie and Russ cross the finish line. Instead I woke up to Kelcie calling me to see where I was! AHHHHH! I didn't change my phone to Utah time! I was so mad! I got the kids up in time to make it there for Rusty to cross.  This is where they finished.  Right across from the Provo Tabernacle that is being converted into a new temple! So cool.

 Here is Cindi, Braden and Kelcie watching for one of the NEON GREEN tanks that Rusty's running group was wearing.

 Boss was loving the weather, and the sights and sounds!

 See the tiny neon runner? That is my very handsome husband coming up to the finish line.

 He did it! And this is also the moment when he discovered Creamies ice cream and his life forever changed too!

 And here is just about the cutest pictures I have ever taken.  LOVE MY BOYS!

Rusty and Russ at the finish

 Very proud of these three. 

Very first Marathon COMPLETE! Final finish time 4 hours 9 minutes.