Jacob Gridley, the most qualified marathon swimming support crew person I know

Jacob is 13 years old, but he's not your typical young teenager.  Just like many teenage boys, he enjoys learning and mastering extreme sports: snowboarding, unicycling, pogo sticking, etc...  But what makes him stand out is that he has exceptional endurance.  He has run six half marathons and is aspiring to run a full marathon very soon.

Jacob finishes the 2011 Pocatello Half Marathon

 A recent example of his extreme endurance:  Three days ago he ran the Pocatello Half Marathon, then two days later paddled solo in a kayak, nearly 20 miles in grueling conditions, the length of Bear Lake. Jacob is one of the most experienced kids his age, in long distance lake kayaking. Here are some examples:

• Paddled nearly 9 miles in the 2011 Antelope Island to Black Rock race for marathon swimmer, Greg O'Connor, director of the Boston Light Race.
• Paddled 21 miles in the Great Salt Lake for my English Qualifier.
• Paddled 19 miles - the length of Bear Lake
• Paddled over 12 miles to Fremont Island and back.
• Paddled 10 miles in the Deer Creek Open Water Marathon.
• Paddled over 8 miles in my record setting Antelope Island to Black Rock marathon swim
• Paddled 6 miles in the 2010 Slam the Dam Grand Slam
• Navigated over 7 miles in my 2010 Bear Lake width crossing
• Many training swims where he was my support for swims ranging from 4-10 miles

All this starting when he was 10 years old!

With all this experience that he's gained, he is probably one of the most qualified people I could have with me on the boat as I swim the English Channel next year. He's demonstrated that he's got the physical and mental endurance.  He's already got a significant resume built up as a valuable support crew member for marathon swimmers.  I'm honored to have him on my team!

Don't you worry, there's someone out there for you too!

Don't you just hate those people who seem to have it all?   Trust me I don't have it all.  I have a yard full of weeds, the carpet in the house all needs to be replaced, and I'm about 20 pounds heavier than what I'd like to be at STILL!  But I must say, I DO have the woman of my dreams!  I feel bad for people who are still finding the love of their lives and I don't mean to come across like I'm snide, but "I'm sure there's a babe out there for you too."

Mt. Harrison ride/hike/snowshoe

The annual tradition of Cycling from Albion City Park to Mt. Harrison was again completed!  Got up at 5:30am and got everything ready to go up there.  I packed snowshoes this time because I knew that the snowpack up there was going to be insane!  I was right on, cause they were definitely needed.

I left at 6am exactly from the park and the sun was just coming up as I got to the turn off the highway up to Mt. Harrison.  Took several breaks for pictures.  When I got about 2 hours into the ride, the smell of the air was extremely refreshing!  That alone was worth the trip!  If I could can that air I'd be a millionaire.  Loved it!




Once I got past Pomerelle, I hit my first snowbank on the road that required carrying my bike.  Then I got past the gate on the road and crossed over a couple more snow bank patches on the road.  Then I got up to Lake Cleveland and from there I stashed my bike and hiked/snowshoed the rest of the way.  I did about 3 miles of hiking/snowshoeing.

I was nervous about seeing a bear up there.  Then when I get about 1/4 mile from the top.  I saw a big hole in the snow with tracks coming from it. Man was that thought enough to pump my blood even faster!  I got to the outlook and noticed that this time, they had locked the deck around the building.  I took pics, but no vid from that point since my camera battery was dying and wouldn't let me take vid from that point on.  It was a perfect day.  No clouds, not very windy, and I left early enough in the morning that it wasn't hot.  Plus it wasn't that cold despite the snow.

Absolutely perfect ride!  The last time my butt sat on that saddle was last year when I did this ride. I've been focusing so much on my swimming that I really had to blow off the dust on my bike and get it oiled up for this ride.  I was sure I could make it, but I knew it would take time.  It sure did!  And most of it was because of the detour in my planned trip.  I back country'd a good portion of it.  What an adventure!
Here's all the pics/video in Picasa:

Jacob turns 13

It's official, I now have two teenagers in my house.  Just a month ago, we became a family where diapers were no longer on the shopping list.  But with the older boys getting bigger and eating more.  The money saved from buying diapers goes right to buying more food!

Jacob is a joy to our family.  He is a really hard worker and is great at helping us out.  He is so nurturing to the younger brothers especially Oliver.   He has especially been supportive to me in my swimming adventures as a support crew captain.  I love Jacob!

Yesterday we were able to spend the day at Lagoon and I took a bunch of pictures and video.  You can seem them here:

Happy Birthday Oliver!

Oliver was born four years ago today.  What a joy he has been in our family's lives.  Here is a short 2 minute slideshow of his life as a 3 year old.

Flashback of scary spitting laughing man on the wall of the cabin

For some reason I remembered this creepy toy on the wall, with the laugh.  I think Grandma had a rule that we could only pull the tie once a day.  It kept us kids entertained.

Happy Mothers Day

Yesterday my Mom and Dad came over for dinner.  Austin, Jacob and I were busy making chicken, mashed potatoes, fruit salad, rolls, pumpkin pie.  We were in the kitchen for hours!  But it was like thanksgiving and it was delicious.  Cathi was able to just read to the little ones while we made dinner.

I sure love Cathi.  She is a fantastic Mother!  We are currently attending a dance class on Saturdays for four weeks.  We've learned Foxtrot and Cha Cha.  She's so patient with me.  I occasionally make a mistake and step on her foot.  Plus I wear my normal everyday boots which are steel-toed.  Not the best dance shoe, especially for her.