One Step at a Time

There are some things that need to be mentioned. I would like to share that I ran a mile tonight for the first time in 20 years. The last time I ran was at BYU in the Spring of 1990.

This was not an easy task for me to accomplish.

You see, I am not into exercising.

I have been preparing by walking three miles at the park since early last summer. The first time I walked with my sister, I could barely keep up, and I knew that I was going to faint as I practically crawled up some of those hills.

But I kept at it.

Then there were weeks at a time when I did not go walking.

Getting back into the habit of walking is not easy.

One day I attempted to run.

It was not very far but it was a start.

Then I became strong enough to run up those monster hills.

And I noticed my endurance was lasting longer and longer.

Friends motivated me to run with them at the track.

I love tracks.

It's easy for me to measure my distance.

I was able to run one time around the track. (Three times around is a mile).

Then two times.

And tonight a mile.

I did it one step at a time.

It feels great!

Get Down On It

We went to a Disco Party last night.

I was a dancing queen.

Posing with Betsy.

Goin' to Gammaw's House

If you're in the mood for some good barbecue and sweet potato fries,
just drop by this little place.
John McCain even campaigned here!

For the rest of my life, I will remember this trip to South Carolina as the one that Cozette had absolutely nothing to do with me.

Seriously.

Whenever I tried to hold, love, help, console, or feed her, Cozette would say, "No Daddy do it."

There wasn't anything I could do.

I told Shirley that it was "almost" embarrassing. Shirley laughed. We both agreed that there could be worse things in life than having a little girl who loves and adores her Daddy so much.

On the way to Bill and Shirley's, Cozette must have said 821 times, "I wanna go to Gammaw's and Granpaw's house!"

When she was not repeating that little phrase, she was crying and saying over and over that she wanted her Daddy.

Nikki was the lucky person to sit by Cozette for the entire three and a half hour drive.

I really shouldn't talk about the girl this way.

Please forgive me.

When Brad left to go work this morning, we instantly became best friends again.

Until he returned home tonight!

A view of the Congaree River.

We love going to Congaree Park.
This was Nikki's first trip with us.

Cozette loves her Grandma and Grandpa!

Kayleigh said the best part of our trip was going to the Columbia temple with her Grandparents.
"I loved the ride in the car with Grandma and Grandpa. They are so nice. I will always remember this special experience I had with them. We love going to their house and we are already counting down to spending a week with them at Christmas.
It is always a big party at their house."

Everett said that he really enjoyed spending time with his Grandma and Grandpa.
"Grandpa always buys me Doritos when I come to visit. He knows this is my favorite food. Grandma and Grandpa are special. They are so nice to me."

I asked Cozette to give me a big smile.
She sure did give her very best.

It's always so sad when we have to leave.

Let me tell you something:
These two are very special people.

See you in about 48 days!

Do You Like Tricks or Treats?

I would like to eat this treat.

This little Piglet is a treat.

Having a WWII bomber pilot and a hippie in the family is a treat.

Creating a center piece for the Halloween party was a trick and not a treat!

A fairy godmother granting wishes is a treat.

The Coach smiling at me is a treat.

Being with my Mom and my daughter is a treat.

Playing tricks on Nikki is a real treat!

I like treats.

Not tricks!