slc marathon / GREG & BRE AULLMAN

I am super late posting this one.

But, a little over a month ago, my sister Shari and her family made the drive from Omaha-ish area (I don't know for sure where they live) to our end of the world so my brother-in-law Ben could run the SLC half. It was on a Saturday...the only Saturday I had off that month, so I decided I would make the trip down to hang out with them. It was a perfect day for driving. Not too hot, and only a little rain. The worst part was trying to find a place to park. (The finish line was by the Gateway). Anyway, I got down there a little after 9 (i think...it's been so long!) And made my way through the crowds to find Shari and the kids.

I arrive to find the boys strapped in the stroller and Lilli tied to the stroller to keep her from running off. (haha, not really, but Shari must have threatened her because she was actually sitting calmly next to the stroller) Of course when I show up, the first thing I do is release them all from their bonds and let them run wild. Shari was waiting for Ben, so I thought it would be okay for me to let them run around.

Of course the first thing they want to do is go where they're not supposed to. Don't worry. we caught Aidan before he made it too far into the lane of traffic.

Alex was a little grump-o-la! (if you can't tell) He wanted to run around like a maniac, so of course I let him.

The drama queen herself insisted on having the umbrella, even though it wasn't raining, and kept smacking everyone around her with it. You'd never guess where her younger brothers get their attitude from...never...

I was there for maybe 20 minutes before we spotted Ben. So we all cheered him on as he came down the last stretch before rounding the bend to the finish line. I have to admit. Watching all those people running (old and young, fat and thin, fast and slow) kinda almost motivated me to do a half (or at least a 5K). I just need to find someone to wear matching running gear with me and either tutus or colorful wigs. But it was still pretty cool to be a part of that and to hear all the cheers for these people they didn't even know. Very motivational!

While we waited for Ben to find us, the kids took me on an adventure. They climbed rocks, ran on fake grass, started yanking on the chains that are supposed to be "keep out" markers, and almost got in trouble by the security guards. Good thing when I spotted the security dudes I acted responsible and said, "NO! get back here!" then when their backs were turned let them do it again.

Ben got back and brought with him some creamies and other treats and goodies. The kids loved the creamies, and made huge messes. The saddest part of the day was when Alex's fell off the stick. It was picture perfect. You see it all the time on TV, but it's even better when it happens in person. He of course started crying, and I had to try not to laugh...especially when he tried to eat it off the ground. Don't worry. it was totally sanitary!

After cheering runners on for a little while longer, we decided to head back to the hotel. Lilli and I brought up the rear of the group and she kept me pretty entertained with her, "and this my friend..." stories. I learned that dandelions turn into sunflowers, and Jesus owns some parking lot in SLC.

The course runs right by the entrance of the hotel, so we stopped out front to cheer on some more runners (we were actually watching for some of Shari & Ben's friends from Georgia who were also running the race.) There was some music playing on some big speakers, and I look over to see Alex with his ears plugged. I don't know if it was too loud, or if he just didn't like the music. Either was it was pretty cute.

Inside we chilled in the room while Ben showered and got ready to go out to eat. The boys ran around and were crazy while Shari cleaned up their stuff. Lilli was content to watch her weird cartoons and draw me pictures, while Alex found the one button on the alarm. It was pretty funny. He was just messing around and all of a sudden some loud Spanish music came on. He jumped and looked at us and then started laughing. He thought it was pretty funny. Let's face it. It was! Alex had laid down with his blanky, but once Alex got bored with the alarm, Aidan decided it was his turn.

Once that got old, they decided it would be funny to attack me. Aidan is a lot nicer, but Alex can be brutal. He would pinch my cheeks and my nose and my eyes, so i would pinch his back. He thought it was so funny, and got me pretty good a couple of times. He's a funny kid!

Aidan wouldn't sit still for me to get a picture of us. I'm surprised I got Alex!

Once Ben was ready we headed over to Rodizio Grill, and boy oh boy was that delicious. The last time I had been there was after Shari and Ben got married. A lot pricey, but super delicious! I even tried chicken something (i want to say heart, but now my mind is blank) Some random body organ, and it was kinda gross. But I did try it! Anyway, thanks Shari and Ben for treating.

After lunch, I took Lilli to the bathroom where she spent about 10 minutes telling me story after story (while she was in there) about all the pets she wanted. (a dog that was brown and could talk just like scooby doo!) Quite entertaining.

When that was done...the kids were a bit restless after sitting pretty still for about 30 minutes, so we went out front where there was a fountain. I gave them all the change I had in my wallet so they could throw them in the fountain. When I ran out they started picking up rocks, twigs, grass, cigarette butts, etc. etc. to throw in. Don't worry...the fountain wasn't clean to begin with...right...It was pretty funny. The kids were able to release a lot of energy while I did my best to keep them from falling it. (Though I have to say it would have been quite funny if they had...and to be honest...the kids probably wouldn't have minded too much!)