october

Fall is my favorite season. I actually rode my bike more this fall than in the past few years which surprised me as I thought I might be too pregnant-sick. Turns out that the only time I felt normal was when I was riding, and as soon as I got back home the nauseousness came back. I also got a new SL Specialized Enduro...which I was a little nervous about at first because it's a lot heavier than what I'm used to but I learned to love it, especially on technical stuff.


Riding in Midway with Emily.


Most of my rides were up around the "alter" in Provo Canyon. I'm not sure of the name of the trail.












Kara and I on the Zen Trail in St. George.

jaime's wedding

I've been waiting to post this until I could get my hands on the cd of photos but I think I better just get it done (and show the pics from the photographers blog). Justin's sister Jaime got married August 21. The day before was the backyard reception which was just beautiful. It wasn't over done, and every detail was well thought out and beautiful. Good job Jann! Jaime's dress and necklace were so neat and fit her style perfectly. Plus she (along with all my sister in laws) is so so pretty. She has an effortless and natural beauty. Oh, and I was also able to design the invites which were letter-pressed. So fun. Her hubby Scott is an awesome skateboarder and is such a good guy - we are excited to have him in the family.

lp and dd

September is filled with Justin trying to get his fill of fun for the year. It actually drives me nuts. He spent the first half of Sep. in Lake Powell on three different trips back to back. I came down for a few days for the family trip but mostly only managed to make myself sick for a week afterwards because of all the sugar I ate. Justin took the kids down early though and they had a blast without mom. And lets face it, I had a blast without them!

The next week I went up to check out the Dirty Dash in Midway. Our friends put it on and I planned on just letting Ellie and Cody run the kids race, which they did. But then my friend Angie texted me and asked if I'd be on her team. It was 6 miles of muddy fun, obstacles, swampland, and a huge slip and slide. Other friends were up there and watched the kids while I ran (Justin still in LP, mind you). This will for sure turn into a yearly tradition.

red rock relay

A couple weeks ago Justin and I ran the Red Rock Relay, a team race that lasts about 24 hours and covers 186 miles through Southern Utah. Our van consisted of us, Justin's friend Ryan, Justin's dad, my friend Alissa and her friend Angie. We started the race at Brianhead where the first runner rides the lift to the top and then starts.


Once everyone in our van finished running we would pass the baton to the next van. We would then have a 4-5 hour break. The other van had two of Justin's cousins, Jeff and Jess, and Brenen and Lindsey - and some of Jess' family. Our entire van was feeling very underprepared but I think everyone surprised themselves and did really well. We each ran three legs, one Friday morning, one in the middle of the night and one Saturday morning.


The race ended in Springdale, just outside of Zions. What a finish line eh? We hung out for a while waiting for the other van to finish the race and ate some grub from the Whiptail restaurant. Pictured is a spaghetti squash enchilada with goat cheese. I have craved this literally everyday since. I've got to figure out how to make it.

Our group minus Alissa who couldn't be found, and Lew, who we dropped off earlier in St. George so he could watch Calley play tennis. Can't wait til next year!

don't forget cody!

Cody started preschool three times a week (though he usually only makes it twice due to our poor commitment skills). I love to walk with him there and back so I can listen to him talk talk talk about the funniest things. He usually brings the dolly stroller on our walks and pushes it to school which is pretty funny. He also insists on taking the stroller to take Ellie to the bus stop and walk the neighbor girl home. So far I'm not sure he's learned a thing! But he seems to be having fun and it's been a good time to do homework while the kids are gone. In the first picture he's showing me the 3 on his shirt that means he is 3.

kindergarten!

My most dreaded day has come and gone! I was very nervous that I would be an emotional mess, especially not having Justin in town to see her off on her first day. But it all happened so fast and Ellie was so excited and happy I couldn't help but be happy for her. She is loving the bus, making friends, and comes home singing new songs everyday. Afternoon session has worked out well so that I can go to school in the morning while Justin is still home, and then I can come home, get her off to school and go back to another class and get home in time to get her off the bus. I don't think she has figured out yet that I am in school which is good because she really didn't like the idea that I was leaving her to go to school last semester.


Morning breakfast in cute dishes and a crown that says "5 1/2", a very important age. Hugging Cody good-bye. He said "Ellie is taking forever." Now that he has started pre-school he is okay about her leaving.


We went to see my mom at UVU before school. Cody looking at Ellie's bus at the stop light. We put her on the bus, then raced the bus to school to help her get off and get to class. Waiting with Sierra, her primary friend that I am so glad is in her class too.


Cute girl - I just love love love her so much! Her poster is full of drawings, friends (Molly), and she even had me scan her blankie - probably her most prized possession. And she gets to ride a few block with Courage (he's in the morning session) before he gets dropped off.

peace and quiet

Goodness I missed Utah this summer. I never felt like I could get away - because no matter how far you drive, well, there's just more Texas. More buildings, more stores, more heat. I took the kids up South Fork a few days after getting home. After our little hike we threw down a blanket and I read a book while the kids played in the stream and the dirt for a good 2 hours. I wish I could do something like this every week with them.

family photos

A few weeks ago we had our friends Carolee and Britton over for Sunday dinner. We took them Cedar Hills, TX, the only town I found all summer with any sort of charm, to get some ice cream afterwards. Carolee has a degree in photography and with camera in hand she started taking some pictures of the kids eating ice cream. Twenty minutes later we had a photo shoot on our hands and these are a few of the really fun images she captured!

private

So, I guess I'll join the private club. To receive an invite please send me your email to: courtbankhead@gmail.com

family home morning

This was a good one if I do say so myself. ;)

my favorite part of the day

One of my favorite parts of the day is when Cody wakes up from a nap and walks out of his room with his lambie and blankie all sullen. He walks right to me and leans against me and whimpers. Then I get about five minutes of uninterrupted snuggle time. I feel so blessed to be home with my kids. These past few years with Cody and Ellie have been priceless. Being an only child it's been so rewarding to watch them interact with each other and see how much they rely on each other for support. They remind me of a mini husband and wife. So cute.

9 years

I don't like to get sappy on this blog but I will say we had a great anniversary. I love that we are able to share each others interests (i.e. biking, skiing, running). It helps keep us connected and gives us something in common other than our kids and the day to day stuff. We always get a little giddy when we are able to go biking together.

oh flip!

I just found this - a list of a TON of the best shopping in Dallas. I know I said I wasn't a shopper - but that's mostly because cute shops are hard to come by. My bucket list of things to do before we go is growing by the day, and time is running out!