Running, running, running

I run. I have been running regularly since Kel was born. My first run was with Joi Warburton who was my Visiting Teacher in the 23rd ward. (She was also the person who introduced me to aerobics classes and workouts at the gym.) I have ran a million 5k and 10k races, and yearly do at least 2 half marathons. Once a friend of Greg asked with sarcasm if with all this running I do, would I ever get to where I was going. I thought then and still do now that he should stop wondering about why I run and focus more on why he didn't run.

2011

We actually had fun taking pictures this year. The weather was beautiful. No one was tired or hungry (yes, big kids are cranky when they are tired and hungry too.) We took more pictures and am waiting for our super duper photographer friend Brandy to upload them to us.

Here's our yearly update.

This year

1) Jesse bought his first house. Fell in love with a dog named Henley and got Henley a wife named Leila. He works for the Hilton Hotel, and we love the employee discount when traveling.

2) Kel is wrapping up his service mission. He is registered for college in January.

3) Luke spent the summer and part of winter being a lifeguard. He also had surgery to lengthen his leg, and in 10 weeks will have hip replacement surgery. He also better get registered for college! His plans are to take classes and see what being a paramedic is all about.

4) Michael started high school at NWCTA (where I work.)

5) I am in my 8th year teaching, got to go to girls' camp, got to come home early because of tornado like conditions that blew over and destroyed campsite, and is now teaching Sunday School.

6) Greg taught Sunday School, then was called to the High Priest Group leadership, and is in his 27th year teaching.

That's it for us. It's been another crazy year with lots of wonderful happenings such as

- seeing my sister become a Mom and marry a great man.

-seeing our nieces and nephew have babies and more babies

-seeing Mason get engaged to someone much prettier than him.. Love you Shelby...

-saying goodbye to Braden as he leaves on his mission.

We anticipate 2012 as a great year with much to look forward to.

Greg and Hoai My Winder

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50's Dress Up Day

Today was the 50th day of school. Amy Valentiner (pink jacket) got us 4 to dress up. She's a fun friend and kindergarten teacher. At lunch, the kids danced the hand jive. I am sure glad to work with such fun ladies - Amy, Laura, Noelle.

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We Dance!

I love to dance. Please don't mistake that with thinking that I am any good at dancing. Sometimes in Zumba class, I see myself in the mirror and wish I could throw a rock at the reflection. Once my little sister told me that I look like a chicken pecking at the ground when I dance. I also find dancing very difficult. I have to work at it and concentrate on the choreography as I move along. Perhaps that might explain why my concentration could be mistaken for a pecking head.

Despite all that, I love dancing. I love to teach my students to dance. Despite popular belief, I have been able to "sell" dancing to most of the boys I have taught. (Sadly, only Luke and Kel - 2 out of my 4 sons - actually dance and enjoy it. Michael and Jesse would rather get a colonoscopy). This year, my awesome principal has allowed my students under my direction, to pull of flash mobs at lunch time. This is the link to 3rd lunch when the kindergarten students (that I also teach PE to) performed right along the high school kids. Notice how I only have 5 girls in the whole kinder class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcwUlGIluZE

This link is of first lunch. This was the biggest group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHtLBn66f3g

The dance is to the song "Pause" by Pitbull... I have an edited version of the song if anyone wants a copy so that you can dance along!

NWCTA Flash Mob

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s7ga9Z4qLc

My September 11

It was Tuesday. Every Tuesday at 5:30 am in 2001, I taught aerobics at 24 hr fitness. A regular attendee to this class was my close friend Heidi Wixom. As I was instructing the class and doing aerobics, I saw Heidi through the large glass windows walk across the gym floor, running about 25 minutes late. She paused to look at the overhead televisions by the cardio area. Rather than glancing at them, she stopped midtrack and stared. Quickly after that, others joined her. What was just Heidi watching the news in a moment became a gathering of early bird gym friends standing and staring at the television. As I taught and became distracted by this, Heidi and I made eye contact. She mouthed to me the words, "Come here, NOW!" I announced to the class that I had to walk out and they should come with me.

As I watched the North tower burning on the TV, I asked Heidi if it was a movie. She stated that she thought it was live news. As we spoke, another gym member went to get the remote and we finally were able to hear the reporter. There we were, all gathered together watching as the second plane crashed into the South tower. We gasped in disbelief completely unsure of what we just witnessed.

Heidi broke the silence and announced she was going home. One by one we agreed and departed. Upon arriving home, I found Greg standing infront of our bedroom TV. He was staring with shock in his eyes and a tie he couldn't quite put on as he got ready for work. We discussed what we should do. Greg debated going to work but decided that if his students were there, he needed to go. As Jesse's teacher, he would take Jesse with him.

We woke our children and told them what had happened. Jesse was in 7th grade, Kelly in 5th, Luke in 3rd and Michael in kindergarten. I kept the elementary kids home.

I remained glued to the television all of that day, at times with tears streaming down my face, at other times sobbing uncontrollably. I kept my children close and became ever more protective of them from that point on.

What Did You Do This Summer?

For posterity sake's...this is our typical summer
1. Beach trips
2. Mountain trips
3. Girls camp
4. Scout camp
5. Dinner out
6. Movies
7. Netflix
8. Gym trips
9. Mall trips
10. Redbox

This summer I went to the Hermosa Beach twice and is leaving for Redondo Beach Wednesday. This trip will be with my cousin Kim and kids. I also went with them to Tuacahn and spent the night in Pine Valley. I also went to the gym every day and took fun classes like cycling, zumba and yoga. Today I felt bored which confirms to me that it's time to go back to work.