Piano Duet

Ollie started fiddling around on the piano. Darby quickly joined him. It wasn't too long before they were playing and singing their duet. 

Race Report - Lake Sammamish Half

Last year a few friends from high school and one from college signed up for the Lake Sammamish Half Marathon. They wanted me to join them but I felt it was tiny bit too early after having Bo. This year I was excited about it and signed up as soon as I could. When I signed up I also thought it wouldn't conflict with the boy's basketball. Unfortunately it did. I ended up missing Brody's game but still made it to Colts. Four friends from high school and one from college also ran in this year's race. We planned on meeting before the race but I didn't have my phone with me so it as partly lucky that we found each other. I didn't find Kara & Jamin but they both found me later in the race. 

 Pre-race picture.  It was a beautiful morning but it was VERY cold waiting for the start. 

Haley, Kari, Me, Devon

I felt great for most of the race.  My feet were slightly frozen at the beginning but they warmed up quickly.  I was keeping a pretty good pace while still feeling good.   At mile 12 I started to feel a little more sluggish but this was also when the course started to get annoying.  We had one mile left and they had us running crazy loops at the parking lot.   I would have preferred to do that at the beginning.  

Overall this was the best I have felt after any 1/2 marathon (i've only done 4) and it was also my fastest. 

After photo.  

We did not plan it this way but we are in the exact same order as our before picture. 

 

 

Kara, me, Haley, Devon

(Kari hadn't finished yet) 

Even though I didn't run with any of them it was still fun to see them before and after the race.  Now I have to decide what I'm going to do next.  

My official time was 1:46:40.  I had an average pace of 8:08.  

Unfortunately it doesn't beat my sister's best time.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

As part of our preschool playdate the kids read The Very Hungry Caterpillar. They also did some cute activities and had a caterpillar snack. Ollie wanted a picture. 

Ella & Ollie 

 

More Muscles

Bo loves showing off his muscles and often does it at random times. Its so darn cute! I had to get more pictures of it and a video. 

Green Eggs & Ham

It was Dr. Seuss' birthday on Monday so we had Green Eggs & Ham for breakfast. It was such a production I only managed to take one picture. It was still a lot of fun to have an excuse for a yummy breakfast.

Running with Daddy

Brad's on a little bit of a running streak. It started in Vegas. Sunday morning before church he went for a run.  

Darby & Ollie wanted to go with him so as soon as he got back they joined him. 

Viva Las Vegas!

Brad was invited to a convention in Las Vegas for the Tailored Living Company. A lot of their businesses sell Onrax so Brad felt it was important to go and cement a few of the relationships he has with this people.  He also thought it would be fun if I came along.   How could I say no?   I was dreaming of reading a book and laying by the pool.   Then a few days before we left Brad told me/reminded me that I was actually going to be working. 

We had to do some planning to get the kids taken care of, but fortunately both grandparents were able to help us out tremendously.  Brody & Colt stayed at our house with Grammy & Fafa so they could go to school.  Ollie, Darby & Bo went to Grandma Shari & Papa Bobs. 

We left on a Wednesday night.   

Brad checking us in to get our rental car. 

If I had to pick the things I wanted to do on this "vacation" it would be the following. 

1) sleep in (or at least wake up when I want to since sleeping in for me is until 7:30 or 8:00)

2) go for a run

3) not prepare any meals

4) lay by the pool

5) read a few books

6) work on some writing

7) be active (as in doing or seeing something) 

8) drink fancy beverages

9) Hang out with Brad (talk about our kids but talk about other things too)

I got to do all of this except for #8 (but I did drink lots of wine)

The trip was awesome for these reasons and more. 

I went for a long run Thursday morning.  Brad joined me at the end and ran a few miles with me.  He took this picture of me at the end of my long run.  I'm in the neon shirt and bending over to catch my breath. 

 

The view from our room.   Right by a golf course.  

We weren't on the strip and it was so nice to be away from the real part of Las Vegas. 

Brad and I stopped by the convention and met a few people.  We had quite a bit of time before we had to be back for a Vendor Showcase and the scavenger hunt.  So we decided to check out the Red Rocks.  It was awesome!  We only wish we could have stayed a little longer to explore.  There were so many trails we could have walked along but we just didn't have enough time.  We did take lots of pictures. 

After Red Rocks we got dressed up and went to the Vendor Showcase.  Brad did what he does best and talked and talked and talked.  It was all great stuff for his business.  I stood by him and looked cute, or so that's what I tried to do. 

On Friday I went for a run again and then Brad joined me.  We went over to the convention for lunch and then Brad attended some informational sessions.  During this time I sat by the pool and read some books, did some writing and relaxed.  It was heavenly.   

We went back to the hotel and got dressed up for an awards dinner they had.  We were definitely outsiders since this is for their business but we still had fun and met some nice people.  The best part was they had a dance floor.  My legs were twitching when the music started and I finally convinced Brad to join me.   I had SO much fun dancing!   This wasn't even on my list but it was a great end to a quick vacation. 

The only downside to this whole trip was the 4:50 AM wake up call to get to the airport.   It kind of canceled out our two mornings of "sleeping in".   

We missed our kids but definitely enjoyed our time together.