Childhood Buddies, Chicago's Urbanathlon & A Visit from "Flat Sarah"

Jeff had the opportunity of living in the same area (and even the same house) pretty much his entire life. Because of that, he was able to grow up with friends from baby stages clear up until graduation and church missions. They were able to attend grade school together, participate in athletic activities, go out on group dates, learn with, get in trouble with and form long lasting friendships together. When this group of boys were seniors in high school, they put a time capsule together filled with pictures, inside jokes, video interviews (talking about their future wife and family life), and a few other things. They put it in one of those huge popcorn canisters, sealed it shut with duct tape, buried it and vowed not to dig it up until their 10 year high school reunion. It would be a guys night out afterward...

And dig it up they did.

There were a few items that didn't make it through the weather all those years, but the majority of them had been preserved (thanks to good ol' ziploc bags). Here's a picture of the group back in high school. I think this was taken in 1995.

Through the years, they have kept in touch with each other. They've attended each others' weddings and continue to get together whenever there's an opportunity. 

The year they would all turn 30, they decided to do something a little more challenging--something they had to work for and could accomplish together. They hiked and were able to reach the summit of Mount Rainier. Wish I had a better picture of this...

Even though all of them haven't been able to make it, that experience got the bowl rolling and some of them have been able to do some type of race at least every other year since then. 

They did a triathlon in Utah.

(2009)

Spencer got to be there for that and got some good time in with Grandma and Grandpa Kirkham.

This is from the Dirty Dash in Midway, Utah.

(2010)

Saryn was able to go with him that time.

 She even went to the football game that evening and still talks about "Shakey". And I guess, it's OK that my daughter is wearing red. : ) I thought twice about putting that shirt in her bag while I was packing her. : )

In October this year they participated in Chicago's Urbanathlon (that's urban-athlon).

Since we live here, I made a point to bring the crew down to support the guys. My cousin, Tonya lives here too and I asked if she would be my city buddy for the day. I was so glad to have her there with me! The kids were too!

We parked just in time to see Jeff, Dave, Tom and Jeremy right before they were headed to run the bleachers in Soldier Field Stadium (where the Chicago Bears play).

Sydney brought along Flat "Sarah" that her friend Brooklyn mailed to her. She's been our adventure buddy for a little while.

The guys in Soldier Field

Jumping/crawling over taxis

Crawling up a net over a city bus.

Jeremy and Dave after they all finished.

Jeremy, Tom, Jeff and Dave

The fam

Documenting the outing with Flat "Sarah".

Push ups in Millennium Park

Another fun reason to be in the city was I got to meet up with my cousin, Amber and her husband Travis, who were celebrating their anniversary in Chicago. It was so fun to see them!

We met up at The Giant Bean and tried taking some self-group shots.

I got to spend time with a cousin from my moms side (Amber) and a cousin from my dad's side of the family (Tonya)! How cool is that?

This was probably the highlight of the day for the kids--feeding the birds after finishing up our picnic.

Syd, Flat Sarah and the Bean.

On Michigan Ave. admiring the view.

We found part of the Salt Lake Temple built in to one of the radio station buildings here (I forgot what the name was). There's a piece from many famous buildings (like the Taj Mahal and other well known buildings) as part of its structure.

Sydney with Sarah. The building that Jeff works at is the distant far right one.

The kids and I--do you like Saryn's coat? It's reversible and I bought it for the other side : )

A tired crew

The skyline

This is in case you forgot that we now live in the windy city...They say the name comes from the politicians--and there may be some truth to that, but if you ask me, the city is still pretty darn windy!

It was a fun day with fun family and great friends to share it with!!