Heck YES for Running!

So last Saturday, I ran my second 5K. I walked my first one, boo to that. I would so much rather run a 5K or any race for that matter. However, the walking was pretty fun to watch. My Aunt Margaret kicks trash at speed walking and is probably in much better shape than I am! Anyway, I went to Cougar-ville (Provo) to participate in the Rex Lee Run. It was a nice 5K through the BYU campus. Brooke and I ran it together and it was awesome. It's so much nicer to have someone to run with, because she will keep you going and vice-versa. Anyway, we finished in about 32 minutes (#526 for me and #529 for Brooke, not bad for not really running a whole lot). I was so proud of Brooke! She did so well! This was a great motivation to get out there and run and train more for the Wasatch Back Relay. It is in June and it will sneak up on us if we're not careful. So anyway, that was pretty sweet and I really enjoyed it. There were a lot of people who ran and that was also great to see, because the money raised went to cancer research, so I thought that was pretty neat!
I'm hoping to do a few more races throughout the summer besides the WBR.

Big News!!

"I hope they call me on a mission!" I just wanted to formally announce, that come fall, I will no longer be known simply as Dallin Cowles; but rather, Sister Dallin Cowles. Catchy!
Yes, you read that correctly. I will be serving the Lord for 18 months (after I take a vacation to the beautiful islands of Hawaii with the family).
There will be an opportunity to guess where I will be serving. I think I might give each continent a guess (minus Antarctica, there isn't a mission there--no one lives there!) Whoever gets it, or comes closest will get a special prize from me! (I don't know what that prize will be, something good though.)
I'm so excited for this opportunity and am so blessed to have had such wonderful examples in my life to help me make this decision!

So that is the BIG news! "Big, it's gotta be BIG!"

J-J-J-Joseph!!

So, this is my 25th posting. (I knew you'd be proud Brooke! I've had this blog since when?...July 2005?) I have officially hit the quarter-century mark...impressive for me.
Well, this has been an eventful week. Monday: I started my new job; Tuesday: went to work, then went to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Awesome...more below. Wednesday: went to work, then went to the March B-day Bash at Classic Skating in friggin' Sandy (it was fun though); Thursday: went to work and relaxing at home tonight!

So, on to Joseph...it was awesome! Very fun and entertaining. Heidi Louise Belnap forgot about a test, so there was an extra ticket. Erin called me on my way home from work and asked if I wanted to go. Of course I did, so I headed down to SLC. I have only seen a few Broadway productions and Joseph was on the list of those I wanted to see, so I was excited for the opportunity. I only knew one of the songs, but I must say the entire production is very good.

Moab...or as we like to call it, Mobe

This last weekend I went to Moab with Darby, Tara and Michele (Tara's sister). Darby and I were the camels (support group) and Tara and Michele were the runners. They ran the Canyonlands Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and I am so proud of them! Mike Nielson (he's an Aggie) won the race overall with a time of 1:11:59.4; now that's impressive! Go Aggies!


Tara and Michele coming down the final stretch!

It was a great time. We made it all the way to Lindon as our first stop. We had to replace Michele's brake lights. After that, it was smooth sailing all the way to Moab. We stayed in a quaint little cabin near the Hole 'n the Rock about 15 miles south of Moab. Don't worry, we did stop by the petting zoo and see the exotic animals.

So anyway, I just wanted to give a shout out to Tara and Michele for running and finishing the race!

Ow, Ow! Can I get a woot-woot?!

Donut Falls! Hmm...Donuts.

Last Saturday (3/4/06), I went with a group snowshoeing up Big Cottonwood Canyon and we hiked up to Donut Falls. So pretty! To check it out, go to http://www.climb-utah.com/WM/donut.htm

So, we had been snowshoeing for about ten, maybe fifteen minutes and we get to this really steep part. There were two options: (1) run/go down the steep hill (way fun); (2) keep on the trail and go down a gentle slope (boring). Tara had already gone down the steep portion because she likes to run/slide down the mountains. I surveyed the scene and after listening to all the other girls complain that they were not going down that steep part, I started down the hill. I was doing pretty good and was yelling out "I got it! I got it!" and then...yep, you guessed it, FACEPLANT and a slide into home! SAFE!! "Uncle Elmore Socks, what did she do?!" I gave Tara a good chuckle. She said I looked like a little kid running to her parents really excited. I sure am glad that I can make a total fool of myself, it's good times.

I missed Tara's shining moment, but she told me about it. We decided to sled out (not a good idea because it wasn't very steep so we walked most of it). Anyway, Tara was going along and lost her sled and when she went to retrieve it under the tree, she sank. So, just picture a ballet dancer with her leg propped up on the bar. Yep, that's about the position that Tara found herself in the snow.

We decided to go sledding by the road on our way out. It was a bumpy ride. Tara and I went down on one sled and Matt and Naomi were on another and Chris rode solo. So Tara and I go down and I'm in front. Snow is kicking up in our faces. Tara thinks we are done with the ride and then...the last jump. We fly off the sled and land on our behinds! OUCH!

Anywho, if you want a good hike, snowshoe or otherwise, and sledding escapades, I would suggest Donut Falls.

I need a hero!

One of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon is that of Abinadi. What a stud! I have been studying the BofM quite intensely since the beginning of the year (new year's resolution) and just finished this section in Mosiah. Wowser! It was so neat to read again.
One thing that I really like about Abinadi is that he tells the people of King Noah how it is. There is no beating around the bush and no sugar coating going on. He calls them out on it, and they don't like that. Isn't that how most people are? If they aren't doing what they are supposed to and someone actually says something, they don't think "oh they're right", they get defensive and try to justify their behavior like Noah's people did. Great story!