Race. Concert. Family.

Why do I get the sneaking suspicion that nobody is blogging anymore these days?

Both Will and I have wondered this for the past few weeks.

"It's just because it's summer and people are busy." is what I said.

But deep down, I have this feeling that blogging has gone the way of VHS and music cassette tapes.  Facebook is the new norm. Micro-blogging. Tweeting.  Tumbler.  I admit that getting on my facebook to post a photo or an update is much easier than sitting down for an hour to type a blog.

HOWEVER...

Facebook will never replace our little online world of family journalism we've created here.  Our blogs date back to 2003. This is our history; our diary.  Sure it might not document what I did at 2:53 pm last Tuesday like Facebook does, but it does get more of our hearts and souls here.

With that said.  An update.
_____________________________

Will's Race

We spent from the 29th - 9th in Utah for both Will's 100 mile race (The Wasatch 100 Endurance Run), and also my house concert in SLC.

Will finished the race in just under 34 hours.  He did FANTASTIC! So proud of that guy!!

Will and I have been teased before that we are both a couple of "over-achievers".  This was said in humor, but we also tease each other about this as well.  In both his running and my music, we go to the extreme.  And we both really fully support each other 100%.

Both of us spend a lot of extracurricular time working on our "hobbies" (if you can call them that), and it is not easy.  Will's sport is a time consuming one - when he goes out for a "run", it's not just a few miles.  It's like 7 hours later...plus the recovery time.

But when we both get to see each other in our element, the race or the concert or whatnot - it's SO gratifying.  I feel so attracted to Will when I see him accomplishing his goals and running his races. He is so strong and amazing to me.  And I couldn't be prouder.  It is the same for him when he sees me perform my music. Yes it's a lot of work to accomplish my music, but when I'm up on stage - he is just all smiles and so proud of me as well.

I always worry about him when he's out there running. I wonder if he's drinking enough water, if he's falling asleep on the trail (he's done that before), if he's in pain, if he has encountered any dangerous wildlife, etc.  It's a huge relief to see him at the aid stations and to know he's doing well and if he needs anything.  And thank goodness for his awesome pacers - my brother, Mike, and his wife Emmy.  They paced for a little more than half of the race.  Nice to know he was being watched out for....

More pics....

Flowers that Preston picked for me at the Finish....

This was us 4:30am....no judgment please. lol

It's a bird...it's a plane....no, it's SUPER crazy runner Will!

After the race....

Here is a video I put together from Will's race...

The Concert

So along with Will's race, a few days before that I had a soldout concert at my friend Michele's home.  She does a concert series every other month at her house, and it was my first time being a guest there.  I've been to her house a dozen times before, but just not playing for 40 people all in her tiny living room.

Her concert series are usually all solo piano only, so I felt really lucky that she was so gracious to allow me to get an audio system put together so I could use my backup orchestral tracks. I really think it made the concert super awesome, and the audience really enjoyed it too.

I apologize, these aren't the best photos, because they are from various peoples' mobile phones at the concert...

My friend Dixie (whom I dedicated "After the Storm" to on my album), with her husband.....cancer survivor and lovely woman.

My featured cellist, Dwight Tanner, and I after the concert. He performed "Secrets" with me.

Dinner after the concert...

Here is the full video concert footage if you want to watch it.

 

Michele and I went to her favorite bakery and she forced me to eat chocolate bundt cake!  All right, all right, I ate willingly.

The Boys...

The boys had a fun time playing with their cousins - who had a huge playroom FULL of trains and toys....seriously they were just playing the entire time. We also went hiking, went to the park where there was a lake, and also visited MORE cousins! (Mark/Laura)...

We also went up to Brigham City to see the new temple open house.  It was a really nice experience. What a beautiful building...

Back in Seattle...

So we're back at home. Here are just a couple of cute shots from my mobile this week since we've been back....

I had to snatch this photo of Preston with his arm around Taylor in the double stroller....

Oh I almost forgot, we stopped in Pendleton to spend some time with my 84 year old grandmother twice on our way to/from UT. This is her playing tag with Preston.  She is so rad.

I wanted to re-arrange my furniture a bit today, so I flipped my piano around so I could see out the window while I play.

Before

After

Oh, and I also finished up my video shoot for the "Moonlight" video....

Moonlight also got this:

So in November, Will and I will be making a weekend trip to Los Angeles again.  We haven't had a kidless getaway in a long time, so we are making this trip into a little romantic getaway for us as well. Aside from the night of the awards show, the rest will be all lovey-dovey. :)

What's coming up for Us

We have declared the month of October Family-Only Month for us.  We have been so busy this summer with music, races, travelling, and more that our family has really been taking a backseat.  No more.  Will and I have both agreed that the entire month of October will be family only obligations.  We've agreed to say no to work stuff, music stuff, and non-essential church stuff.  We are making time for US! Woohoo!  

We sat down as a family the other night and made a list of all the things we want to do in October.  Pumpkin patch, play together, go to the park, camping, paint the house....were all things on the list.  The boys are excited. :) As are we.

That's it for now!