He/She and pedicures for three

I've recieved 4 pedicure's in my life. They've all been gifts from mom or my sisters. Linny suggested we go with the French. Ooh la la. The bottoms of my feet are doomed, never to be soft again.
I'm pretty sure I'm the Meg Ryan of placing an order in my family. I'm not big into eating out since what I make at home is so delicious...rivaling my favorite restaurants at half the price. I finally place a picky-ticular order, then realize I'm not even that hungry, cancel it and decide to split with mom. We then got a slice of Great Harvest Bread after and it was perfect :>
It was HOT out when we came downtown to pick up our packets. The atmosphere was very festive and I was excited for Todd and I to be doing this together. I made a few purchases at the vendors. The sunglass guy and I became friends and he cut me a deal before I even had to ask! Probably because I'd been there for 20 minutes trying so many on. I b0ught three :>
All the sissy's came up for a pasta feed.....my Ravioli Lasanga (because I prefer my meals over eating out), Sara's salad and Linny's most delicious rolls. Here's the secret before a race that I learned over the course of a few marathons. Stay away from dairy and fruit the day before. That really limits my favorite loves but has worked for me ever since I tried it. We stayed up late sitting in the hot tub and exchanging gifts. Sara, Jamie, didn't you girls get any?
This person above kept a stake out all night in this chair. It was really buggin. Especially when people would come up to the darkened room and not even notice he/she was there! Is it a man or a woman? Hey Buddy!
We made Cody do his gorilla man walk to see if this person in the chair would budge or crack a smile. Didn't work. Although he/she did scare Cody when he came up the next morning to drive Sara and I to the start. I do think he/she also scared Bundy when he emerged from the basement, but Trace was oblivious to this intruder in his home.

Ogden Valley Marathon

Dad got this idea in his head..."Wouldn't it be great if the whole family got together and did the Marathon?". So after signing up all his daughters and a couple of the son-in-laws, Annie and himself.... we probably had the largest family in the event!

Sara started the 1st leg of her Marathon relay with me up near Causey Resevoir. It was chilly at 6:30 a.m. There were plenty of bonfires to warm out legs and to my joy, plenty of potty's!!! Once the sun came out it warmed right up....and then kept on warming up. We shed our gloves pretty quick and were glad we'd worn sunblock and sunglasses.
Usually we get to see the not so green parts of Utah in the dry, hot months of August, but this was lush and beautiful. Snow capped mts and river run off through the canyon. Gorgeous! This was such a scenic course. Great aid stations and water stops. I'd have to say even better than Portlands. It's easy to have a PR amidst all the energy. Knowing that would not be the case I still was thrilled when I was running faster than I'd predicted given the altitude and the amount of training I'd done (or hadn't done :>). Mile 13 came and I was on track for a qualifying time, then mile 18 and still it was in sight. Then mile 20 came, and so did the lactic acid in my quads. It permiated the entire muscle and left me rethinking my goal time of 3:40.

Painfully I ran in the last 6 miles. Todd was there the last 1/2 mile and ran in with me, helping me complete my 8th marathon in 3:51. It was warm that day, high 80's. My dad and Todd and cousin Rachel ran the half. Mom, Linny and Jamie walked the half. Sara and Cody did the relay with friends. It was fun seeing everyone at the end

The post race eats were the best! Jamba Juice, fruit, and Great Harvest Bread with butter and honey. YUM!! Todd has contracted the marathon bug!

Memories of My Mother

Let me start by saying I have the most wonderful mother in the whole world. I can only hope my children have the same relationship with me as I continue to share with my mother. Over the years she has been a role model, confidant, friend and spiritual counselor. I cherish her for many reasons but on this day I cherish most the mother she molded ME to be.

In nearly every room of my home there are memories of my mother. From vacation mementoes, pictures, antiques or books, journals and cards. I collected a few items from our trips abroad and displayed them below. I think each one of these conjours up wonderful feelings of the times spent together on these vacations. From picking out the porcelain doll in Oberamergau Germany, the carved plate from Switzerland or the Buddah mom and I discoverd together :>

My journals are now a habit that was formed by my mother's example and started when I was 16 years old. I have several volumes and even my own children have one they want to write in. It's amazing to re-read some from when I was first married. I'll read things that I would have never been able to remember, details, dates and feelings that are preserved in these precious books.

Cannon Beach holds a place in every one of the Skeen girls hearts. Mom and dad bought the most quaint cottage there right before Todd and I wed....ahhh, those were the days. I miss it terribly, but we had a good run while it lasted. This is the only coastal destination we take our family to. These traditions started when I was still in highschool and I have carried them over to my own family. I remember the long walks from the cottage into town for waffle cones and jelly beans at Bruces....hikes at Ecola Park, bike rides around Nehalem Bay and who could forget the crabbing and the screams. But the one on one times with my mother in our cozy cottage, and walks through town....it almost hurts to recall.

Although my dad has been the primary force behind any running and cycling strongholds in my life, my mother has supported me just as much. Last year she gave me this gift. It sums up my love for running perfectly.

Having grown up in a family of four little girls my mother always had us in dresses and curls. I was so happy to be able to have the same fun with my own daughters. Raggy ringies shall live on.....although they are quite snarly....just ask Kennedy!

But the end result is as darling as can be! My mother knows the art of making you feel special by making a normal holiday magical!!! From gorgeous table settings, to party favors and games. My children love when we have "parties" and it's amazing what the smallest extra gesture can do to make them feel special. Even today my mother shares these ideas with anyone she can. Aren't all girls supposed to feel like princesses?

Speaking of Princess...The Barbie birthday cake. Now that was a cake that made a barbie lover like myself go nuts!! Mom, help me make one for my girls :>

Even admist all the complaining she continued to enroll us in lessons. Jazz, ballet, tap, piano, violin, and cello. Now as a mother I can appreciate all the time spent running to and fro and the cost of all these opportunities for growth and development. I do want to take cello lessons again, perhaps when Brody is in school.

During my highschool years mom would ask if I wanted to skip school and go out to lunch and go shopping. Sometimes I'd have to decline if I had a test I didn't want to have to make-up. We always knew if we wanted one on one time all we had to do was ask. She is my favorite shopping partner. My only downfall is my indecisiveness!!!

Trips. I will admit, I had a very privledged upbringing. Traveling to Disneyworld 3 times, Europe 3 times, France, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Hawaii, Mexico, and most recently, Thailand. Those holidays have enabled me to become more well rounded, appreciate the diversity of God's creation, and be a part of many different cultures.
It is with love and appreciation mother that I send you just a few of these fond memories that we both share. I couldn't have asked for a better childhood. You taught me well, I always felt love and support and still do to this day!

Happy Mother's Day.

Love Stacey

Sand Castle Days, Cannon Beach Oregon

Ellsworth worth-y

For the last 3 years I have been pining for a new bike. I think mom, dad, and Todd all agreed after Ironman that I had outgrown the bike I was riding. Still, with 90% of the triathletes on their $4000 Cervelo's and Kestrels, I felt pretty good about my abilities passing many of them on my $5oo Felt! My cousin Tony Ellsworth designs and manufactures Ellsworth bikes. He lives in California but his plant happens to be here in Vancouver. Ellsworth Trail Bikes are the Rolls Royce of off road bikes. High end and beautiful to look at. The names alone draw me to them....Epiphany, Truth, Oracle, Evolve, Witness. Too bad trail riding isn't my thing.

Since road biking is my thing, Tony persoanlly built up a road bike for me. It has been a process and lucky for me our weather hasn't been nice, so it's been worth the wait! Tony shipped it, I had it built up locally and then had a 4 hour fitting process! My friend Barb and I did the Ride around Clark County 70 miles. Riding with friends is so much more enjoyable than doing it on my own. She is training for a halfiron in Hawaii this month and Ironman Florida following, therefore always looking for company. It was my first test ride on the bike and I loved it. One minor adjustment still needs to be done.
To any of my Skeen cousins thinking cycling might be in their future this one rides like velvet....and the family deal didn't hurt matters either :>

Long may our land be bright!

Last year my friend Amy Morgan made these darling dresses for her daughter Cambree and Camdyn to wear in the school talent show. They sang America the Beautiful. They called these their "Oh Beautiful dresses". This year they memorized and sang all 4 verses to "My Country Tis of Thee". I am very proud of them for singing at their school assembly and again that night at Union High to all the parents. In fact, I think our whole family got in on knowing 3 other verses to this patriotic song. Good for them!

May Day

11 years ago Griffin had his first babysitter, one of my Beehives. She was 12 years old and her name was Ashley Chapman. She became a beloved sitter to all my children. I've watched her blossom from Beehive to teenager, Prom Queen to Newlywed. Now her name is Ashley May and she is expecting her first baby boy named Baylor in a few short weeks.

It's a real shock to see her entering that same stage I was, in what seems like just yesterday!!

She now lives in a darling house within our ward and has graciously helped me out from time to time watching the kids overnight when we've been away. She is a fabulous shopping partner, style analyst and confidant. I am blessed to have her as a friend!

Following in the footsteps of our Father

This week at school the kids had "take your children to work day". This isn't really ever going to be a possibility for our kids, soooo after Camdyn's soccer game we headed out to Beaverton for a surprise visit. They LOVE to visit daddy at the station. I think Brody looks like he could get used to this kind of work!
The girls love playing on this old fashion fire truck. Isn't it adorable?



Earlier this year Todd was promoted to Lueitenant and is now stationed at Firehouse 67 in Beaverton which houses both an engine and a truck. This means 8 men at the firehouse, plus the Captian and the Chief are on the same shift. 10 guys in one house is a lot. Many personalities to mesh with and lots of cooking! Todd wowed them with Cumin salad and yummy bread the other day. That's a lot of salad to make!
It just so happened that when we pulled in several of them were right in the middle of a very important volleyball tournament. I think losing team had to do dishes:> The game was interrupted by a call....so it was quickly brushing off the sand and heading out (the above photo leaving the station).
No matter how many people call this a cushy job (volleyball, recliners, workout room, Kelly day's, super fabulous retirement, pensions, 401K's and medical)....the fact is, a firefighter risks his life when responding to a 911 fire emergency. How many 9 to5 businessmen do that? More firefighters die in house fires than commercial fires because of the fact that there are just MORE housefires. One year he did the Stair Climb for MS in Seattle. 69 flights of stairs in full gear breathing oxygen. Now, I love to climb stairs....but not with an added 50 pounds of weight on me! Wait, I did that up and down for 9 months and gasping for air after one flight of stairs.
We arrived as dinner was being prepared. Briskets yummm. I made the crew two batches of kettle korn for an evening snack.
I wonder if they have assigned recliners? "Hey Jeff I had that chair first"....or how about "I outrank you move over".

Dang, I forgot to document Todd going down the firepole. Not many stations have them because they are single story. This is one of the largest and it does have one. It's really cool lookin' too, and they really do use it....otherwise it's running to the back of the station, down two flights of stairs and around to the rigs. Another time.

This has been a special behind the scenes report by Stacey Lake