Still here, but we get out ocassionally (Nan in Blanding)

Just because we live in the greatest place on the planet, doesn't mean we have to be such snobs. Sorry we took a little while to sign on.

Hello from the Bartons in Blanding. We are always busy, but not too busy to talk to family. Christmas was good here, even though I (Nan) was a little bit of a Scrooge, leaving most of our Christmas decorations packed away. I just didn't feel like tracking down all our nativity scene "action figures", even if they are kid-friendly.

Our big accomplishment for the year was surviving--I mean supporting--Britt's training to compete in the Florida Ironman. We are so glad it is done, but what an awesome accomplishent! I was able to go cheer him on, while the kids stayed in Blanding with Grandma Carol lynn. He did really well, especially for his first Ironman. I say first, because even though in the minutes after the race, he said he wouldn't do that again, he is now thinking he could do better. . . later.

You would think Florida would be warm, even in November. It was not! The morning of the race, they were all standing around waiting to get in the ocean. When I say all, I mean 2400 competitors from all over the world, 12 from Utah, six of those from Blanding! The temperature was probably high thirties with a nasty wind chill besides. And then, after the pros got a 15 minute head start on the rest of the pack, all 2400 of those crazy people in wetsuits jumped in the ocean at the same time.

I was taking pictures, and there were more than a few who came out of that water with black eyes and bloody noses. And then there was the guy they pulled from the water who was Britt's age, from Calispell, Montana, that they were doing CPR on. Britt's sisters Jennilyn and Shondell were there with me, and they were freaking out because they were scared too death it was Britt. The guy didn't make it, but we had to do a lot of internet research to figure that out.

Anyway, the 2.4 mile swim took about an hour and 15-30 minutes. When they got on their bikes, after stripping out of their wetsuits, we knew the 112 mile bike split would take a lot of time to finish, before the 26.2 marathon which would finish the race.

Britt's sisters went shopping. Kayleigh Fisher (Dr. Mahana Fisher's wife) and I drove to a spot on the bike course, and waited for our guys to pass. Sorry, I didn't get any pictures. I honestly didn't recognize them until just before they passed.

I know I am talking too long. I'll tell more about it later. I will also post the web site info. There is actually a link where you can watch Britt cross the finish line.

Anyway, like I said, it was awesome. We brought back T-shirts for the kids that say Florida Ironman. We told the kids maybe we would add some words, so it would read "My Dad's an Ironman." The cute thing is, whenever I wear my shirt from Florida, Olivia will point to the word IRONMAN and say, "My daddy is an Ironman."

More later. Love you all. Thanks, Drew for starting this.