Pre-marathon Ritual and Race Day!

 This is the traditional view to start off every marathon.  But this year we found Sophie's flag too!

 We got Cornhole started as people started to show up.  Spencer is a pro!  The only one that could keep up with him is Ben.  But Ben would sink three bags and Spencer would sink three and they would cancel each other out so their games went on forever.  It was fun to watch.  Brian and John, on the other hand were blowing people out of the water.  It was like making three point shots for them so they started doing trick shots and backing up into the field to see who could make it from the farthest distance.  It was hilarious.

 

  A mum and her baby came over to see what all the noise was about.  We wished we had brought a watermelon so we could feed them the rinds but we forgot to buy one.

 Then it got dark and everyone left.  I stayed overnight to drive the guys to the starting line.  Spencer, Mason, Troy Davis, and a couple more of their friends slept up at Jillyn's cabin.  Mandy slept at her friend's cabin.  She has a group that runs together.  Here are our guys getting things together before they try to get some sleep.

The next morning they woke up and were ready to go!

 Brian doesn't like to run with a shirt because they chaff.  So he just wore his garbage bag until he warmed up.  It was about 50 degrees that morning at 6am.

The first person we saw come across the line was Spencer.  Apparently, Mason and Mandy were both ahead of him but 1 minute.  David had fun watching and waiting from a tree.

Then John came right after Spencer.  Then Brian and Josh.

Right here I am going to put the video of them crossing the finish line but it's taking to long to upload because I Facebook Lived it instead of just recording in.  Sorry, Soph.  But, I don't want you to miss the blog.  So I'm sending it without it.

Josh ended up taking 5th in his age group!

 Then an hour and a half later...

 John went home and showered and then came back to see Joel and Konnor finish.

 We are very proud of all our runners.  They did a great job. 

 As we were walking out we remembered that we hadn't gotten a family picture yet.  And right at that moment our good friend Officer Gage Schimbeck walked up and talked to us.  So I asked him to take our picture and these are what we got...a stranger, a selfie and a good one.  Thanks Gage!

 Finally!

Carol Nan Beckstrand Hess

Aunt Carol Nan's funeral service was wonderful.  We all laughed and cried.  I'm sure she loved it.  Everyone praise how wonderful she was and great memories were shared. 

 I have to give Shayne credit for this amazing picture of the headstone bench and the casket. 

And of course no family get together would be complete without a picture of the three amigos.

Time to Decorate!

It's my favorite time of year again!

 Every year I try to add something new.  This year I got a better strobe light for the spider on the roof and found this creepy crawly.  Fun huh?

Happy 18th!

 My boy is now unofficially an adult!  You're not officially an adult until you're 21 but you can go to jail at 18.  So, close enough.  My present to him was Itunes cards because he had one before Sophie left and I used it on music for her to take on her mission.  Oops.  So I owed him.  

Ben and David gave him three new NECKties each.  SIX new ties!  These were not just any ties mind you.  Not only were they neckties instead of bowties but they were also WASHABLE ties!  Yep.  Pretty Cool.  Josh said, "Great 6 ties that I'm not going to wear until my mission."  and I said, "Yep, go ahead and pack them in that suitcase!"  Best ties ever!  I was so happy to find these.  They were definitely a blessing from having Sophie out on her mission.  If anyone needs ties for missions, go to www.tiecoons.com.  Cheap and washable!  AMAZING!  I wish I would have though of that.

 When Sophie sees this box she'll laugh because it's exactly the same as hers, down to the wrapping paper and bow.  Although she didn't make that face when she was taking her's out of the box.

 Later on that night, Josh got a new Bullwhip and Coupon's for free Frosty's from Sophie.  (She didn't send them, I just bought them and gave them to him from her.)  Not the most exciting birthday but we have family coming into town next weekend for Matty's baptism so we will have a big party for him after he finishes the marathon!  Happy Birthday Squash!  I love you!