Ah, ha, ha, I just wanna be a race star!

In honor of Joshua's birthday, I'm finally posting some of the photos and videos from the Star Valley Half-Marathon.

So you all know how Joshua and Briana got here Friday and Joshua decided that day to run the next morning.  We later learned from another race star, Nicolina, that Joshua's lack of actual training was supplemented by his tree climbing job, and not just the Erickson mental and physical toughness that all y'all so frequently demonstrate.

Joshua and Briana got up earlier than we did to be there for the start of the race.  It was also in the middle of hay season.  But we did enjoy taking time to support Joshua and cheer for him.  James rode his bicycle along side from Grandma's house to the end.

After the race and the cool down, we all hurried home to quickly change to go to a funeral where all the Berezays were.  Lorraine Berezay, Bishop Berezay's stepmother, had passed away.  Lorraine's daughter, Diana Heiner, lives in our ward and had taken care of her mother for the last three months of Lorraine's life.  We gave all the Berezays quick hugs as the viewing time was ending, then slipped out to work in the hay.  Well, actually Briana and I made strawberry jam while the guys did the hay.

After the guys were finally done, we went to Crow Creek to fish.  Joshua wanted Briana to try out some fresh caught trout.  Because of the very wet spring and summer, the grass was over 6 feet tall by the creek. Those of us with hay fever allergies, Briana, James and myself, were completely miserable, finally resorting to waiting in a little more protective environment of the car.  But Dad, Joshua and Grandpa managed to overcome the grass and catch a couple of fish.  Which we did prepare the next day.  When Joshua asked her how she liked it, she said it was a little difficult to separate the fried taste from the fish taste to fully determine the fish taste.  I realized, that yes, so often I'm just tasting the fry taste.  We'll have to try more grilling - so thanks for the awareness, Briana!

So Saturday was a very full day.  Joshua was a trooper with whatever recovery pains he must have been feeling.  He moved stiffly on Sunday, but still with a smile on his face. 

We enjoyed Sunday with Briana and Joshua.  They came with us to our marriage class during Sunday School.  We proud to show them off!  After dinner, we enjoyed watching Pele', which was James' favorite summer movie that we shared with almost anyone who came to visit.

We were so grateful that Joshua and Briana took time to see us before they moved.  I know that their same determination and enthusiasm is blessing them in their new location.

Someone asked who he was as he ran by - I had to proudly say, "That's my son."

Hooray!