More Labor Day stuff....

Mike and I hiked Donut Falls Labor Weekend. I've never done this hike so I was excited to do it. It's a super easy hike, not even a mile long. I think everybody and their dog had the same idea. There were so many people on the hike! I should have known it would be so crowded with it being an easy hike and Labor Day weekend!

Mike hiked to the very top of the falls. I was not about to do that with my pregnant belly. I was happy to take pictures of the event.

The crowds didn't stop the moose from making an appearance. Very cool to see and a great way to end the hike.

I got lucky

**About a month late. Just haven't had the blogging bug I guess.

Labor Day weekend my mom and I headed to Midway, Utah for the Swiss Days 10k. I've felt great throughout my whole pregnancy and have continued running. (Kind of a pathetic waddle, but I'm still trying to plug along.) And since this is one of my favorite races, I figured why not run it?

The elements couldn't have been more perfect that morning. The weather was nice and cool. It was overcast and I was feeling good physically. I took it slow and enjoyed the beautiful scenery Midway has to offer. The course has nice rolling hills and wasn't crowded so I could run whatever pace I so desired. I crossed the finished line just before the rain started, the race volunteers handed me my race results and was shocked to see....

I got fourth place in my age group and finished 5 seconds faster than the last 10k I ran 4 weeks earlier? What?

Last year when I ran this race, I ran it with super fast people and finished a good FIVE MINUTES faster than I did this year. FIVE MINUTES faster but I finished in eighth place in my age group. I guess I got lucky this year.

Shout out to my mom to got FIRST PLACE IN HER AGE GROUP! Wahoo K-style! You are awesome and my running inspiration!

uh...

Holy cow. Did you read this? Or did you see it on the Today Show?

I pray that my sweet little girl is NOT 19 pounds when I give birth to her.

Oh man. Can you imagine having a 19 pound newborn?

Crazy I tell ya! Just crazy.

**Mike doesn't think it's a true story. I do! It was on the Today Show for crying out loud.

Favorites....

I'm not an excellent reader, but I love to read. I'm not posting this to show off how many books I've read. Trust me, I have plenty of friends who have read many more books than I have, and are much better readers. But occasionally people ask what my favorites are and if I have any recommendations, so I thought I would share a few of my favorites.

***I usually end of reading trendy books, so I'm sure many of you have already read these books. But in case you haven't here's my list.

In no particular order some of my favorites include:

The Book Thief by Markus Zukas

Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult other good books by this author: Vanishing Acts, Plain Truth, Salem Falls (She has a ton of others but these were my favorites)

Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Peace Like A River by Lief Enger

These is My Words by Nancy Turner

Follow the River by James Alexander Thom

Here are some other books I've enjoyed but I wouldn't classify as favorites:

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addision Allen

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

Left to Tell by Immaculee Llibagiza

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

The Shack by William P. Young

A Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

Some of the saddest, most depressing books I've read. In case you are into that...

Go Ask Alice anonymous author

Me and Emma by Elizabeth Flock

Lovely Bones by Alice Seabold

Blackbird by Jennifer Lauck

The Story of Edgar Sawtell by David Wroblewski

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

I'm currently reading, Escape by Carolyn Jessop. It's oh so interesting. I'm only 30 pages in and hooked.

My cute friend Jen, has read more books than anyone I know. She always writes a quick review of the books she has read, on her blog. She's a great resource for finding books. Click here to view her cute blog.

Ok so I shared, now it's your turn. Either leave a comment with your favorite books, or make a post of your own on your blog!

Sorry my list got to be longer than I thought, I got started and more of my favorites kept popping into my head.

Newport

In August we spent a week at the beach with Mike's family. It was a grand time! We played on the beach all day, ate donuts, played games, and much more. Seriously what could be better?

More of the trip included, Disneyland, Bocce, awesome facial hair, beautiful sunsets, running 5 miles along the beach, watching dolphins, body surfing, Newport Temple, walks along the pier, riding bikes to get donuts, playing with nieces and nephews, watching the surfers, reading and laying out.

I could get used to this kind of life.

Ahhhh...finally

I've been working on this book for almost a month.

This past week I read the last 600 pages.

It was by far one of the best books I have ever read.

Worth every 973 pages.

I couldn't get anything done this week because every spare minute was spent reading this gem.

I'm so sad it's over but maybe I will actually clean my house, go grocery shopping, pick up fallen fruit in the backyard, be a wife again, get something done.

Thank you Allison and Farner for recommending this book; I loved it.

Have you read this?

What did you think?

What are you currently reading?

Please share your thoughts...

Bummer

Dear Dave,

I've been a big fan of your music for many years. Today is my birthday and I was REALLY looking forward to seeing you in concert tonight. Your concert would have made my birthday one to remember. I'm so saddened to hear you have postponed your concert due to a "strain on your vocal chords." Please get better soon so Mike and I can go to your concert. I'll forgive you for canceling as long as you reschedule soon.

Much love,

Laura

PS Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I've been feeling the love today, my friends! I feel so lucky to have so many thoughtful, caring, considerate people in my life.