Jingle Bells

Here is G singing his favorite Christmas carol -- with his own personal take on the lyrics (Oh what fun, a choo choo ride)! Merry Christmas!

Buffalo Alley 10k

Here's a photo of Chris and I getting ready to cross the finish line at the Buffalo Alley 10k in November. Took me a 1:19:47 to finish, but with a 500+ ft climb over the first mile and then hill after hill I was still happy with the finish. Looking to come in under an hour next year. Of course, still need to finish a marathon or two between now and then.

Breakfast with Santa and Shamu 2008

Human Race

Today Nike+ launched the first global running event. 25 onsite locations in 25 cities around the world. The rest of us were invited to "run where you are." Some companies, such as 24 hour fitness, Starbucks, and RoadRunner sports, hosted events in the local area. Chris, Meg, and I ran around my neighborhood. 6.65 miles according to my iPod Nano with Nike+ sport pack. I ran until the elephant on my chest made me stop. But I shaved 6 minutes off my 4 mile time from last week and we finished the whole shebang in 1'10". Not too shabby.

Now comes the training for the marathon. Another 10k in November (the first mile of which is straight up 500 feet!) and then the big day in January. I'm actually doing it folks! Anyone else out there up to joining me in my mission to get fit again and test my endurance????

Drinking the koolaid

Evidently I have been drinking the koolaid a little too much. Check out what a group of my neighbors and I are up to next month. Come Oct. 3rd I get to experience life a bit like a USMC recruit in bootcamp. Oh my.

Just Did It!

Today I ran my first race. I haven't run seriously since I was in college when I was a cheerleader. Wow, do I feel old. However, I also feel very good. I finished the 4 mile course in 48:12, meaning I averaged a little over 12 min for each mile. I walked 25 minutes of that time also (kept waiting for the darn 2 mile marker to show up and it just wasn't there). Considering I ran a 5k course with the hubby a little over a week ago in slightly over 48 minutes I would say that I am getting better.

Getting better at running is a good thing because I have committed to run the Carlsbad Marathon on January 25. I have paid my registration fees and Chris has signed up to run with me. Yet what is even more important than running a marathon to know that I can do it is to run the race while raising money for very worthwhile causes. Many people sign up with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training, and while that is a worthwhile cause, personally I have two other charities that are near and dear to my heart. So I have devoted myself to raising $5,000 for Global Orphan Team and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I am committed to GOT because they are committed to helping the orphans in Guatemala and that is a cause I just can't say no to. I am committed to the Livestrong Foundation because I have known too many people that have fought cancer and the Livestrong Foundation is actively getting the word out to EVERYONE that something needs to be done about this disease (and I am donating money for the Livestrong Foundation in the names of my good friends Cynthia Vissers who is a daily testament to how to live strong with cancer and Anne Marie Gutshall who passed from colon cancer this winter).

What I need from all my friends and family is support over the next 5 months as I train my body to compete in an endurance sport (never done one of those before). But I also am asking for your financial support for these two causes. If everyone I know gives up 1 dinner out from one month (figuring a dinner out costs about $50) I can easily meet my goal and donate substantial amounts to these worthy causes. I will be flooding your mail boxes with letters of personal request, but I thought I should also forewarn everyone. Over the next 5 months I want nothing more than to meet or exceed my goal of $5,000 for Global Orphan Team and the Livestrong Foundation. Thank you for your help. I'll be sharing my journey with you (if not my aching muscles).

Play date in the back, back yard

Does the summer get any better than this??? Picking dandelions in the yard. Snuggling with Daddy in the grass while having a snack. Feeling safe enough to "run" away -- just around the corner. Learning to hold a butterfly while not letting your sister touch it.

Life is good!

Playin' with the doh

Elena is the sculptor in training, learning to make "snakes," "logs," and other assorted cylindrical shapes. Garrett is the mush-master, mixing all the colors and then stamping the concoction with his toys. So much fun.

randomness

This one's for you, Cynthia!

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/humanrace/publicRunners.jsp?sitesrc=tafpledge&userID=617107677

Race with Nike+ in the Human Race 10k on August 31st. Nike is using this event to support three charities, including the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I'm pledging my 10k for Cynthia, one of my inspirations on a daily basis. Chris is running with me and we are trying to get lots of friends and family to sign up too. Run/walk where you live -- WE CAN EACH DO THIS!

Spending Time with New Friends at the Zoo

Well, we've only lived in SD for 6+ months now so we've decided it's time to start making some friends in the neighborhood. There is a weekly happy hour on Friday nights for everyone to get together, imbibe, and share some pot luck and we actually went this week (Thursday night since Friday was the 4th). There we got to know some neighbors better that moved in earlier this year and some that moved in a couple of weeks ago. Two neighbors shanghi-ed me into working out early mornings this weekend while Chris was stil around to watch the kids for me and my body thanks them for it. A group of us also planned an outing to the SD Zoo so that we didn't have to take our tikes by ourselves.

Here are some photos of our adventure yesterday:

Lucas, 2 1/2, checking out the monkeys

Jordan, 5, Lucas's sister, keeping her eyes on the monkeys

Sydney, 4, pointing out the wallabies

Lucas and Jordan checking out the wallabies

Garrett found Pumba -- or at least a distant relative

The SLR gang

(from left to right: Lauren, 4 as of today (or LoLa as my two call her adoringly), Meghan, 16 mos,
Jordan, Sydney, Elena, and Lucas)

The girls with big smiles for the cameras -- Sydney and Elena are working to make their dimples bigger

Silly faces, take 1

Silly faces, take 2 -- Garrett decided he could finally be in a group shot if it was going to be silly

Here's to a great day at the zoo!

Thanks Stacy, Karna, and Betsy for a grand and wonderful day! When are y'all up for an excursion to the Wild Animal Park???

Horsin' Around

Saturday Meghan, Ben, and Nathan came up to spend the day with our family. My new neighbors had told me earlier in the week that the base stables had pony rides for only $2 so we decided to check it out. Let's just say that everyone decided that it was the best $6 dollars we ever spent and we can't wait to go back!

Check out our carrots! We are ready to feed the horsies!

Um, maybe I'm not so ready to do this -- that horse is big!

Feeding the horses is good. Get on his back? Are you serious???

Why did I wait so long to do this? I'm ready to take another stroll along the trail!

Who me? Afraid of horses? You must be kidding -- I'm a natural cowgirl! Giddy up!

First Love

Although these photos are from April, I never got them uploaded. Elena asked for her buddy Zach this morning, so I thought I would create this page for her to look at while she misses him this summer. Zach and Jacob -- your #1 fan is anxiously awaiting your return!