Boston Marathon 2010

Darren and I had a great time at Boston this year. This is my fastest marathon time so far- 3:13. It was also the hardest race I've ever done. And the coolest. We traveled this year with several couples- both Threshers, Fellows, Olsens. Everyone trained hard and did well. Will I do it again? Probably. But it might be fun to do another city- like Chicago or New York. Or anywhere in Hawaii.

First five pictures are taken in the Boston Commons park/garden.






Next four pictures are taken of the Charles River. This was the view outside of our hotel room.





Following two pictures are of the whole group out to eat/play the night after the marathon. The first picture is of all the runners in our group.



Me at the final turn just before the finish line appears. Probably one of the hardest points of any race that I have ever done. I think there was about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile left at this point.



JFK Memorial Museum (or something like that). I just wanted a nap!


Red Sox game.




Street performers. I'm spacing the area of town we were in. I can tell you that it was cold, though.



Expo. I think we visited here three different times. It's a fun place to go in anticipation for the event.

Ethan is 9

Ethan is one AWESOME kid. I missed part of his birthday because Darren and I were traveling back to Vegas from Boston on that day. But, lucky for all of us, G&G Bailey were taking fabulous care of the kids and they made sure to make our birthday guy feel special. He woke up to presents, a yummy cake that grandma made, and decorations. Grandma took donuts to the school for Ethan to share with his class. Then we were home later to top off the day. Ethan's birthday party was fun- the weather was perfect for the jumpie and pinata. His friends stayed late and played wall ball and football in the street. Our neighbor's father had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance just as the sun was going down. The firemen that had responded let the kids tour the fire truck. Exciting and fun! (ps- her father is okay) We love you, E-Train!

I Love This Face- Nash- May 2010

Thank heavens for skin. Easy to wipe off...fixes itself if needed...protects everything beneath...fairly stain-resistant...

I love this boy, messes and all.

Ripe 'Ole Age of 7- Blakers

Blake turned the BIG 7. I can't believe how much personality he has acquired in that short of time. His moods can range from super lovey-dovey to confident and cool. He seems to be the ring leader of "ideas" with friends at school and in the neighborhood. I'd probably worry more about him if he wasn't so smart. (Maybe that is why I should worry!) We were watching him in a flag football game recently and one of our friends asked if Darren or I were as confident as a 2nd grader as Blakers. I don't recall making friends as easily or smooth talking my mom quite so well. I don't remember making money selling rocks or outwitting older neighbor friends. Come to think of it, I'm not sure where the charisma comes from. That makes sense, though, because Blakers is unique and that's what we love, LOVE, L.O.V.E. about him. Happy birthday, Bud!
We celebrated *serious* on Blake's birthday. April 2nd happened to fall on spring break. We slept over at Red Rock Resort so that Blake woke up to presents at the hotel. Better mention that we had already eaten out, hit the arcade, and gone to a movie the night before. That morning took us to breakfast, bowling, Kid Quest, and the pool/hot tub (f-f-f-freeezing), another movie, more food...
We threw a friend party a few weeks later. Ethan and Blake both celebrated with friends on the same day. We rented a giant jumpie and did a pinata. That was a recipe for fun in their minds and they were satisfied with just that. Yeah! Two seperate birthday parties in one day!

Fun to Run April 10, 2010

So... the original plan was for Darren to push Nash in the running stroller while he ran with Keaton and Blake in a 1K race. Then Ethan and I were going to run a 5K. As our luck would have it, both Nash and Keaton were up all night with a sudden case of the croup. Here's what really went down- Darren stayed home with the sicklings. I ran the 1K with Blake while Ethan hung out at the start line. Blake did fabulous and was proud of his finisher's medal. Then Blake got a free ride in the running stroller while Ethan and I ran/walk/complained the 5K. I was glad that my boys were excited about doing the race. I hope I can talk them into another one...

Never-ending Spoil

My mom always did special things for us on holidays. Green eggs and ham on April Fool's, coloring placemats on St. Patrick's Day, door bell ditch on Valentine's Day, etc... I am finding that I am doing these things now and I have come up with a very serious question: Does it ever end? I was going through photos to post and I had to seriously think about why on earth the kids were unwrapping presents at the end of a treasure hunt earlier this year. What were we celebrating in these photos? I finally realized that the pictures were of the the loot that Cupid had stashed. This was after a jack-pot Christmas and followed by a generous Leprachaun and friendly Easter Bunny. I write this as I am planning their birthday parties that will be held on the SAME day (different times) so that we can take advantage of the ginormous bouncie/slide/obstacle course that we rented for the celebrations. I am to blame for this madness. Some day- and I feel it coming on soon- I will gently wean my little ones off of this spoil coaster and settle in for simple stuff. Wish me luck.

Has one year SERIOUSLY gone by?





I am a slacker. Nash is now 14 months old and I have yet to show him off in an updated post. What can I say about the world's most fabulous baby? This is a child who can bring a smile to my face no. matter. what! He is a smarty pants and a heart breaker already. I can count on a snuggle with is head on my shoulder. Nash loves to blow kisses, play with his brothers, read books, go outside, play with/look at/mimic doggies, check out birds, throw balls, eat chocolate chips, jump on the "jump jump", and laugh in a devilish tone. He says doggy, book, bye bye, ball, ma ma, da da, blankie, what's that (whas tha) and supercalifragilisticexpealidocious (I told you he was smart)! We love, love, love him.