Saturday, June 18, 2011

Mark's 1/2 Marathon

Mark ran a half marathon today...and he did awesome!  He decided about 5 weeks ago that he wanted to do a 1/2 marathon rather than a triathlon this summer.  So in 5 weeks (he was already running 6 miles easily) he trained for a 1/2 marathon.  Amazing!  Way to go Mark.  We are so proud of you. 

Much of his run looked like this.  His run was out in Peculiar. It was a benefit for the high school.  He chose this run because it worked out best in our summer schedule of vacations and several activities that we have planed throughout the summer.  It was a small race, less than 500 people, but that did not bother Mark.  He had the girls and I out there cheering him on every step of the way. 



He finished about 2:10 and 20 seconds.  He ran the whole thing.  That is a long time to run!  He hydrated well, walked through the water stations (which is encouraged) had his energy gel in hand and completed a 1/2 marathon! 

The race started and finished at the high school, on the football field and track.  The girls had fun at the end running on the football field. 


Pure exhaustion...

Mark perked up at the end after resting for about 30 minutes, and having several bottles of water.  When he crossed the finish line he could hardly talk, but he did tell me never to sign up for a 1/2 marathon...hmmm.. we shall see.  He was hot and tired at the end, proud of his accomplishment, even had his Dad there in spirit at the race.  He wrote his name on his shoes and his date of birth and death.  Tom would have been proud...and we are too!  Way to go Mark!  We love you. 

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Saturday, June 11, 2011

No Time to Blog...

Trying to get ready for this garage sale. 

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

One Week Later

and completely potty trained!  Way to go Addison. 
She has done awesome.  Last Wednesday she wore panties over her diaper to school, but after breakfast the teachers took the diaper off and she just wore panties all day and went potty all day.  Thursday I sent her in panties and Friday too!  She had no accidents at school and did great at home in the evenings. 

I know once she was ready she would just take off.  I have had the little potty in the bathroom for several months, she has sat on the potty several times and tried to go potty many times, several of her little friends at school are potty trained, so I know when Addison was ready our (Mark and I) job would be easy.  I never thought it would be this easy..we basically did nothing.  Addison decided to go potty on the big girl potty and has not looked back.  Yes, we have bribed her with M&M's and a sticker chart, and they both have worked wonders. 

Over the weekend she had a few accidents (pooping in her panties) which was lovely to clean up :)  It only happened twice and Sunday afternoon  when she was playing she stopped and said "I have to go poopy" and of she went. 

She is doing so well that she does not need to be reminded every 20-30 minutes to go potty, she just goes when she needs to.  Of course we all go before we leave the house and before bed, but otherwise she just goes on her own.  Last night after dinner she headed up stairs ( I assumed to play) but she was headed to the bathroom.  She yelled for me to turn on the light and then told me to go away.  She climbed up on the potty herself, was in there for almost 10 minutes (pooping of course) and yelled when she was done for a little help. 

Her sticker chart is full and she wants a new Minnie Mouse, so it is off to the Disney Store we go!  Thank you Addison for making it so easy.  You are a champ! 

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Hot, Hard, and Hilly

and glad it is over.  This is how I feel about Hospital Hill.  Remember my previous post with all my goals...well I met one of them.  I ran the whole thing.  I knew early on I was not going to be able to meet the other goals.  I ran the first mile in 9:43, I was over 20 minutes at mile 2 and over 31 minutes at mile 3.  By the end of mile 3 I had already tackled 3 large, long hills.  So, instead of beating myself up over not meeting all the goals I had made for myself I focused on running the whole race.  Stopping at the 4 drink tables, drinking 2 cups of water in about 10-15 seconds and moving on.  One hill at a time.  The last hill was the worst and I owned that hill.  I ran hard and fast and actually passed people going up the hill!  The last 1/2 mile was down hill and I tried to turn it on to finish strong, but there was no turning it on in this race.  I had tried several times prior to that and it was just too HOT and HILLY.  I did finally turn in on after I saw Mark and the girls.  They helped me finish strong, almost sprinting into the finish line.  My official time (although I am not pleased) was 1:06:46.  Hospital Hill is a serious race that even the most experienced runners want nothing to do with...and I ran it and I felt great about the accomplishment and experience.  One year ago I was not even running.  I started the couch potato to 5K about this time last year and could barely run 3/4 of a mile without stopping.  I am proud of what I have achieved this last year.  Race Day is the best. 
I am only smiling because I can finally see the finish line.  Lauren was thrilled to see me and have me a high 5.  Addison smiled and waved as I went by.  Mark took lots of pictures.  Thank you Mark for dragging the girls and Landen down to the race.  He knows it means the world to me to have them there. 

My running partners, Adam and Jessica, Landen's parents.  They are in town this weekend for the races and decided to join me for this race and do the 5K.  They did great! 

Landen and Lauren picked up right where they left off several months ago.  They adore each other, have a blast together and are so much fun to watch together. 


Addison watching all the kids in the fountains...

Addison was scared of the water.  She watched Lauren and Landen for the longest time and thought she wanted to get wet, but she decided not to. 

So what's next?  A few weeks off, a break and then I will decide!  Thanks again everyone for the support.  I could not have done it without you. 

Friday, June 3, 2011

Hospital Hill


  • I am ready
  • I am totally psyched tonight!
  • I have been very nervous
  • I will conquer each hill one by one.  There are LOTS OF HILLS!
  • I love all the support I have gotten today.  Facebook messages and text messages.  Thank you everyone. 
  • I have hydrated well.
  • I carb loaded today.  My favorite part :) 
  • I will wake up early tomorrow
  • I hope to stay cool tomorrow.  Not likely...
  • I can't wait to see Mark and the girls (and Landen too) at the finish line.
  • I have SEVERAL goals
    • Run the whole race.  10K
    • Run a 10 minute mile (62 minutes)
    • Run under one hour
    • Run the same speed as my first 10K (58:32)
    • Run faster than my first 10K
  • Wish me luck! 

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Potty Training

Things are getting serious around here...


Lets go Addison! 

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Memorial Day Weekend

We topped off the weekend with a Royals game Monday afternoon.  It was a 3:00 game and we actually stayed for the whole game!  The girls loved it.  We started at the playground and met up with Jen, Steve and Claire.  The girls had a ton of fun with their cousin Claire. 
Lauren loves to get sno cones at the game.  She always gets them with Killian.  Luckily I convinced the girls to share one.  So sweet huh? 


Lauren is awesome at posing for pictures these days.  Don't you love that skirt?  It is a 3T...yep that's right...a 3T. She is tiny..and it fits her perfect. 

The playground was a hit.  It was not too crowded early in the game. 

These three had so much fun.  Claire loved holding Lauren's hand and Addison had to do whatever Lauren was doing, of course. 

Addison was a little scared of the seats.  It she moved ever so slightly they would start to fold up and squish her.  We sat in our seats for a few innings and enjoyed some chips and juice the I brought in. 

Lauren actually loved watching the game.  She was totally into it this year.  And she loved the fireworks.  This is huge!  The past two seasons she has been very scared of the fireworks.  Early in the first few innings when we were at the playground there were 2 or 3 home runs hit, which meant fireworks.  Lauren went running to see them this year!  She is not scared anymore.  Yea Lauren!  After a few innings Addison was getting pretty bored in the seats so we started to head out.  Lauren was sad because she wanted to stay in the seats and watch the game.  It was hard to tell her that it was time to walk around again because Addison was bored.  

Mark and Steve toured the Hall of Fame and we decided to sneak in and cool off.  It was actually very cool and lots of memorabilia. 

After the Hall of Fame Mark and Lauren went back to watch the game while Addison and I headed to the playground.  It was packed and Addison had a hard time trying to get around.  But, she still had fun and did not want to leave. 

One more stop at the caroseul for a second ride, this time with Mommy.  It was a great day at the K.  Can't wait to go back in June for Commerce Day at the K when the Royals play the Cubs.  Mark is so excited to see his Cubs play! 

We also enjoyed a movie this weekend (Hangover 2.)  Mark went golfing, the girls (plus Killian) went to Orange Leaf (yes, again,) we enjoyed pizza with Jessica and Killian, Mark got a long run in (10 miles) and I did 6.  We had friends over Sunday night for a BBQ and also got some things done around the house.  It was a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer! 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Graduation (Pre-K Style)

I can't even believe Lauren has graduated from Pre-K and will be starting Kindergarten in August.  Her school put on an amazing ceremony and the kids had so much fun.  The kids did the Pledge of Allegiance, sang a song, recited the Gettysburg address (well the first sentence anyway,) and sang a song about the 50 states.  Their graduation ceremony was complete with Pomp and Circumstances, cap and gown, and a diploma. 
Killian, Lauren and Seth.  Best buds for a long time now. 

Lauren did awesome walking in.  She had a smile on her face, she laughed and giggled and was so grown up and cooperative.  No bit of shyness in her tonight. 

Ms. Marina is her Pre-K teacher. 

So proud (her and us!) 

There was a balloon release at the end and the kids made a wish. 


Addison was getting pretty tired at the end. 

Crazy Seth. 

Killian of course. 

Lauren did not want to wear the hat so Addison did. 

Way to go Lauren.  You have learned so much this year in Pre-K.  You can count to 100, you are starting to read very well, you are starting to do addition, you can write your name perfectly.  You know your address and phone number and much much more.  You are going to love Kindergarten and you can't wait to start.