That was incredible

I just had the best most uplifting and supportive experience in my 41 years.  Well it was actually a few weeks ago but we have had a busy month.

I was able to participate in the Harmon's Best Dam Bike Ride.  Not only that but we had a team of five and raised over $3000.00.  My team-mates made it so much easier I am so glad they stayed with me.  Lori was my pusher and kept me going and Aunt Betsy was my tail she would announce when other cars and bikes were coming from behind me.

It was suppose to be 103 the day of the race luckily we had a cloud cover so it made it so much nicer.

Aunt Betsy and Lori and Me

I rode the 45 mile this year and I am shooting for 2 days of forty miles next year!!  Aunt Betsy was able to do both and Kristina did 75 miles the first day and 70 the second!!  She also got me a little discouraged she passed me after riding 72 miles and eating lunch.  Aarrgh I could have kicked her off her bike.  :)

Kristina and her hubby Brian who joined her the second day

What was so fun this weekend was the support that I received from everyone on the ride.  I had a jersey that read "I ride with MS", because of that everyone would give me encouraging words and tell me to keep it up.  Oh I am so grateful for those fun words they really did help me get through the race.  

What also helped was knowing that I had support from my sponsors people that I didn't even solicit gave me donations.  It was so nice to see the emails saying there was donation in my name!

I really did enjoy the race and the time I had with the girls.  My Aunt Betsy has done the ride for many years she does have others that are impacted by MS as well.  When I decided to make a team I told her I would not be offended if she didn't want to join me I just wanted to give her the option.  She decided to join me and I am so glad that she did.  We had a campsite together and the boys and Clark joined me the first night.

There was an excellent irrigation ditch that the boys were able to float down.  Which was good because it was hot and they had an awesome time and met lots of other kids too.  It was shallow enough that I didn't worry about them drowning.  Woohoo. 

My moms cousins from Hawaii happen to be in Logan visiting their daughter and were able to come down and join us for s'mores one of the nights. The boys left on friday so I was able to relax and get ready for the ride on saturday.  It was PERFECT.

Aunt Betsy and Lori came on friday night we chatted the night away and got a good night sleep for the early morning Saturday.

On Sunday I was able to wish my teammates a good ride and then pack up my campsite and head to the Alpine Church for the end of the service.  

The Perfect Weekend!!  Thank you for supporting me!!

Summer Vacation, California Land

We couldn't have had more fun!!!!

We surprised the boys and took them to Disneyland and Legoland California.

I was nervous Clark wouldn't like it but he said he did.

We were able to enjoy cousins in Moses Lake and cousin in Seattle. Saw movies and went on a fun Ferry ride.  Oh and did I mention the weather in Seattle never got over 85 degrees!  Much better than today at home it is 102 ugh.

Yes they were a little confused but t. figured it out

Disney vacation started with a treasure hunt around Alderwood mall. The boys finally figured out all of their clues and we left the next morning!!!

This is the Gordon-Taylor clan headed to orange county via san francisco.

This was T. and I when we first got to the hotel and yes He is being a good sport and is an inch taller than me.

The Disneyland Hotel had a small room but the amenities were incredible.  We were able to get into the parks at 7am everyone else could come in at 8am.  Oh so worth it.  We were able to get into all of the fun rides before everyone else.

We would run around the park until breakfast stop and eat why the lines filled up.  By the time they would taper off we would be putting away our trays and go out and enjoy more of the day.

Waiting in line to get in the cars at radiator springs

Perfect scenario.  It never got vey hot it was warm but not Hot.  I also implemented the hankerchief on the wrist cool down method.  It worked like a charm. We would play with the family until after lunch and then go off on our own.  When you go on vacation with family everyone gets pulled in different directions so this worked well for our sanity and kept the peace with the family.  Well at least it did on our end.  

Watching the Color of the world was awesome the colors and the water displays were fun it does make for a long day so I highly suggest a nap around four, wake up when the temperature starts to drop.

fun with yarn

So my Aunt Carla is thinning her stash of yarn.  Woohoo bonus for me. Now I have way more project than I want but it will be fun the yarn is gorgeous.

The fun part about this is I was also able to help Aunt Carla finish a project.  I had gotten a pattern for a really cute hat from her and the brim was a bit tricky I was able to help her with the construction of her brim and showed her the fun way to use the foam sheets instead of the cool whip lid.  Now my cousin also has a really cute hat.