I'm so in Utah!

I was talking to one of my BFF's, Cara, the other day and she said I needed to blog about our conversation. It started with I am soooo in Utah.
1. The radio. How can you go from Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N Roses to Criss Cross's Jump Jump. I mean REALLLLLY? What is with that. They also tend to get stuck on a song that's new and play it over and over and over. If I hear California Girls one more time....
2. Utah really does know how to eat. There are so many good places to eat. In Seattle I was not really a fan of eating out since I am picky and didn't really LOVE anywhere. Here, it's a whole other world. Mormons can eat and are good at it.
3. THE DRIVING- I mean realllllly. It's bad. Really bad. I have to drive into Provo for school every day. I have to leave an hour early because I NEVER know if there is going to be an accident. For 4 days in a row I was stuck on the freeway due to rollover accidents on 1-15. It's CRAZY! And can I say the exchange students driving in Utah....Ill leave it at that.
4. Wandering Kids-I don't know what it is but Utah has wandering children. I see very young, 3 or 4 years old, children wandering around by themselves. I know I just came from Seattle and I don't let my kids out of my sight, even to go next door to grandma and grandpas, but COME ON!!!!
5. All dolled up- In seattle my besties and I would meet up with the kids in our yoga pants and t's. No problem. No make-up, hair in a pony. We were good to go. In Utah....NO WAY. These girls are dolled up ALL THE TIME. I think it's a good thing, but don't make me do it. I like my slobby Seattle look most of the time. Thank you very much.
6. Very kid friendly- I have to give Utah props for being so kid friendly. In Seattle we would have to search for things to go do and usually end up at the play space at Mcdonalds. Utah has sooo many kid friendly and usually cheap or free things to do. Props to you Utah.
7. The weather- so unpredictable it makes me crazy. So far I am ok, but give me a couple weeks when it goes from 80 one day to snow the next and I may be losing my mind.
Oh, Seattle. I miss you!

We've moved, we've camped, we've educated!!!

Sam just finished up his second semester at the BY. He is really loving it. It's hard to get back in the swimg of things but he's has done well. He has turned out to be quit the anatomy student and they have asked him to TA for his second semester in a row now. We're so proud of our little anatomy nerd. ;)

We finally moved into our own house the end of July. We all feel so much better being settled.

I start school on the 24th. I've decided that while we are poor and out of our minds anyway...I was going to do something I have always wanted to do. I'm going to cosmetology school.

I thought why not. It's BEAUTY school right? How hard can it be. I showed up for the regisration and they handed me an entrance exam. I laughed. They didn't. I had to take a test of 100 some odd questions to get into beauty school. Do you know how long it has been since I solved a problem like 7n-4r(8)=

A LONG TIME. Apparently lots of people fail it and I am a super star for only missing one. Who knew?

For Fathers day this year I bought Sam a tent. It was fairly out of character since I LOOOOOATHE camping. I mean a motel 6 with no room service is rough enough don't you think?

But as part of the gift I shocked even myslef by saying I would go camping...FOR 1 NIGHT.

So we just got back from out first ever Eastman Family camping trip.

Sam promised it was "easy camping" and there were no animals around where we were going.

Imagine my surprise as we pull up and I see this...

Ummmmm, I'm sorry...WHAT???
I followed the kids like a hawk picking up every skittle every piece of tiny trash. I was sure a bear was going to eat Lucy in her sleep since she had skittle slobber all over her pjs.

Why oh why am I not in a motorhome like those people to the side of us??

couldn't be trusted for 2 seconds. AMEN for pack and plays.

The river was very fun and only about 6 ft from where the car was.

I told the kids I would pull them across the river...

it got away from us a little and I was saving my children from flowing down stream before I knew it. (Sam was standing on the side laughing and yelling as both the kids were SCREAMING their heads off)

Mom, I have to pee...like NOW!!!

jammies and smores...

Bed time...which was really

deflating mattresses, bathroom trips, growing pains, noises and not much sleep.
Sam kept telling me there was NOTHING to worry about. But when he made me wash off my smelly lotion and made Henry sleep on the inside of the tent I came apart. Nothing to worry about??? For the love a bear is going to eat us all.
Sophie then proceeded to stand up and announce she was going home!!!

But my kids think I am "so awesomest" cause I know how to start the fire and save them in the river. That's all the matters. Mission accomplished

Team Carter!!!

I ran a 5K with my friend Heather today. I joined Team Carter up in Clinton, Utah to run with them for Carter. She is truly amazing. Her strength and her family were awesome!!!
http://www.teamcarterjay.blogspot.com/

WE DID IT!!!

It wasn't pretty and it wasn't fast but we did it. We finished in 1:54 min.
I have never been so tired or so proud of both of us. I am hooked. We are going to stick with triathlons!! The kids also did their little triathlons. Henry started to cry and got embarrassed during the run and I had to carry him running across the finish line. Like I hadn't worked out enough that day.
Sophie was a RIOT. She didn't even want to get dressed after the swim.
"Mom, let's GOOOO!" she jumped on that bike swim suit and all and took off. She is new on the bike and had a little run in with a driveway and through tears told her dad, "I want that medal. I'm still going".  That's my girl!!!

Sophie is 6!!!

I can NOT believe she is already 6. She is such a blessing in our family. She really is a good kid and has been an easy kid for us. She is a funny kid as well.
All she wanted for her birthday was new bedding and a barbie razor scooter. I had the hardest time finding the exact ones she wanted but worked my magic at the last minute.

For her party she wanted to go get makeovers with her girl cousins. We went to the local beauty school and then headed to the cutest little bistro and boutique in Highland called Dear Lizzie.
It was a hit!!!

Here we go...

We are leaving for California to do our first triathlon in the morning. I still can't figure out what I was thinking when I said I would do this. Heaven help me.
I have trained a TON, but poor Sam is so busy with school he has no time to train. He will still kill me though. I just pray I finish with out crying or laying down in the street.
Life around here is hectic as usual. Sam is gone ALL.THE.TIME. Sophie had her last day of school today so we should calm down a little. We head to the gym for our work out everyday. I have been so blessed to be staying with Marc and Paige and can ditch kids while they are napping or playing so I don't have to haul them everytime. I am going to miss that sooooo much. Paige and I just trade off whenever we can and ditch kids at home. A little piece of heaven and has helped a ton with Sam being gone all the time.
We have really enjoyed being here. All the kids get along so well and we each have our own space to call our own. We are truly grateful to them for all their hospitality and to the girls for giving up their bachelor pad for awhile.
We are off in the morning. Wish us luck!!

TAAAADAAAAA!!!