Rebel Race 2013

This past weekend Will and I ran in the Rebel Race again. Awesome, awesome, awesome! This one was a lot harder than last year's and there was so much mud! Most of the race was through the woods, too, so it was beautiful. But because of that, the trails were narrow. It was hard to pass anyone, and there were waits at many of the obstacles. But still a blast. We came out pretty plastered in mud. My sister, niece, and nephew came along to watch us run and watch our kids while we ran. So she got a lot of fun pics of us.

Stretching before the race.

Getting ready to run

Two cute little cousins (Daniel & Liam) hanging out together.  

Amanda chilling with the girlies.

Will crossed way ahead of me (of course)

That is one hot muddy guy!

Crossing that very last obstacle.

Oh yeah, I got muddy!

We are rebels, baby!

We waited in line for about an hour for the rinse off area, and then the pump to the water cut out. So we went home muddy. I took a picture of how muddy I was even after rubbing off as much dried mud as I could. 

I can't wait for our zombie race in the fall!!!

Cunningham Falls

So the last Park Quest adventure we went on was a little over a week ago. Some friends of ours were going to Cunningham Falls State Park and invited us to join them. So we did the quest there. We went on a little hike to find the quest clues, then went swimming at the lake, and for a hike up to the waterfalls. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the lake or the falls, but it was beautiful and so much fun.

Finding a clue. On the clue it told us there was poison ivy right next to the box. Way to tell us as we're standing in it after it's already too late!

Climbing these super steep steps to go to the other side of the highway to complete the hike.

Walking across the highway on the bridge

The Magleby chickadees on another cute bridge. If you look closely you can see Belle on the bridge, too.

Yet another bridge! :)

Packing this little guy out. (If I don't get selfies there were never be evidence of myself on our family trips. :) )

This trip came shortly after coming back from Utah where we visited family. I was having a really tough time being away from them after the trip and was kind of down. Spending time with friends made it feel fun and happy again. 

I remember a few months back when I was reading my scriptures I had one verse in particular that spoke to me. It's a random scripture and one I don't think would normally pop out at me, but it did at this time. It was Ether 6:3 in the Book of Mormon. 

And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.

When I read it, the impression I got was like a metaphor. Heavenly Father was telling me that He has blessed our journey here in Maryland to be bright by blessing us with good friends (the stones). I have truly enjoyed our time living here in Maryland, and as I reflected back in that moment I could see how it could have been a dark time if we hadn't made so many awesome friends to be with us on this journey. It was a dawning on me of a great blessing that Father has been bestowing upon us that I had not recognized the significance of earlier. 

I love it here in Maryland. I love the beauty, the diversity, the many different styles of thinking. I love the political aspect and being near a power hub. I love the open-mindedness. I love the trees and rivers and greenery. I love so many things about being here in Maryland, but I recognize now that if not for the friends we have made I believe all of those things would have been darkened. This time could have been a miserable and lonely experience instead of the delight it has been to me. 

So to you friends who read this and have been there for me, know that I love and appreciate you. I am grateful for the joy you have brought into my life. 

Park Quest

This year we signed up for Park Quest. Yearly the state of Maryland gives out "passports" with 24 state parks and quests for each one. When you complete a quest you get a stamp in your passport. It also gives you free access to those parks. At the end of the summer they have a big celebration for those who have completed at least ten quests.














A little over a week ago we completed our first task. We hiked to the top of Weverton Cliffs along the Appalachian trail.

The kids were troopers. Belle has always been an amazing hiker. I'm pretty sure she came out of my womb hiking.

Evee and Liam did pretty awesome, too. They both hiked the majority of the way, and it was a two mile pretty steep and rocky path. People along the way kept telling us we wouldn't be able to do it with kids or because we were all in flip flops. Don't tell us Flythes we can't do something! Anyway, Will and I hiked Ensign Peak in Utah in flops!

Belle and Evee found some mushrooms on the trees they were sure were fairy homes.

The view from the top was incredible. It overlooked the Potomac River, and we could see 3 states at once: Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

 Afterward we stopped at a dairy and got ice cream. Belle even got to bottle feed one of the calves.