I promise... this blog is still on my mind. I have a ton of draft blogs on my computer that I just haven't had the time to post. But that is coming to an end... Our adventures over the last year have been amazing!!! Be prepared for a ton of new posts in the next few days.
Love,
Chris
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
Changes in Latitude
We're on our way... Over the last few weeks, we packed up the house. We shipped our other car and the camper. We've said our final farewells in Washington. And when we got on the boat today, the final piece of us moving fell into motion.
Before we got on the ferry, we stopped in to hug Grandma Audrey. She was so sweet and had a piece of cake for each of us for my birthday. It has been such a blessing to be so near her these two years. My girls know their great-grandmother. How many kids are lucky to have that?
We gave her lots of extra hugs and kisses and headed to the port in Bellingham, stopping quickly at the grocery to grab some last minute extras for the trip.
Next stop: Alaska!
Before we got on the ferry, we stopped in to hug Grandma Audrey. She was so sweet and had a piece of cake for each of us for my birthday. It has been such a blessing to be so near her these two years. My girls know their great-grandmother. How many kids are lucky to have that?
We gave her lots of extra hugs and kisses and headed to the port in Bellingham, stopping quickly at the grocery to grab some last minute extras for the trip.
Next stop: Alaska!
Monday, October 14, 2013
Running Around -- and Portland Running
Last week was a WEEK! Holy smokes! Our household goods are all packed out and we are out of the blue house. It's strange writing that; we're hobos until we find our Alaska home. But that's not what this post is about. This post is about the half marathon I ran this weekend. Because, why not go ahead and run a half marathon when you're in the middle of PCSing. Right?
Like last year, some friends and I tried to get in the San Francisco Women's Half Marathon. After a massive email debacle got cleared up, we weren't in. It wound up being a blessing, as we are
getting on a ferry bound for Alaska next weekend, the same weekend the half marathon is. But I wanted to keep my training up. I have back to back half marathons in January and February and wanted to run a good half marathon before I left Washington. Enter a conversation with one of my mom friends, who suggested I look at the Girlfriend's Half Marathon in Vancouver, WA. I did and I went for it. Besides, one more trip to Portland is always a good thing!
So after we got everything packed up (and got my hair done one more time by my lovely friend, and got family photos taken, and.. and.. and), we headed south for the weekend. Two hours later, we got to town, picked up our race bibs, and settled into our hotel. Soon, we headed out the door for some REI shopping and supper with Emily! Gotta love that my cousin was right here and we got to see her just ONE more time! But it was a quick visit -- the race was early the next morning.
My plan for the race was to beat my Seattle PR. Simple enough goal, but it's one you still have to work towards. I had a hamstring issue after the Princess Half. Naggy but enough to keep me not running long distances over the summer. But I got a plan together, worked with a trainer to get my hamstring back in order, and got my butt on the road.
On Sunday, I lined up feeling very prepared. The gun went off and down the road we went. A lot of the front end of the run was along the Columbia River. It was so pretty!
At mile 2.5, we tucked in through our hotel parking lot where I got to hug the girls and say hi. Picked the right hotel, Ronnie and the girls just had to walk out our room door to be right there on the course.
We continued down the road, and along the river front park. The route eventually turned around and came back through the hotel parking lot for mile 7. It was nice having my girls out there cheering.
I knew I had the PR in the bag but wasn't sure how the hills were going to affect me. We ran through some neighborhoods and before I knew it, I was at mile 13. And cruising well ahead of my goal. I crossed the finish at 2:46, and shaved a full 28 minutes off of my previous best.
I was so happy to have made it... and made it in time to watch the girls in their race. They have been working on doing a Kid's Half Marathon, a mile at a time. They did great! So proud of them for earning their first "half" marathon.
Like last year, some friends and I tried to get in the San Francisco Women's Half Marathon. After a massive email debacle got cleared up, we weren't in. It wound up being a blessing, as we are
getting on a ferry bound for Alaska next weekend, the same weekend the half marathon is. But I wanted to keep my training up. I have back to back half marathons in January and February and wanted to run a good half marathon before I left Washington. Enter a conversation with one of my mom friends, who suggested I look at the Girlfriend's Half Marathon in Vancouver, WA. I did and I went for it. Besides, one more trip to Portland is always a good thing!
So after we got everything packed up (and got my hair done one more time by my lovely friend, and got family photos taken, and.. and.. and), we headed south for the weekend. Two hours later, we got to town, picked up our race bibs, and settled into our hotel. Soon, we headed out the door for some REI shopping and supper with Emily! Gotta love that my cousin was right here and we got to see her just ONE more time! But it was a quick visit -- the race was early the next morning.
My plan for the race was to beat my Seattle PR. Simple enough goal, but it's one you still have to work towards. I had a hamstring issue after the Princess Half. Naggy but enough to keep me not running long distances over the summer. But I got a plan together, worked with a trainer to get my hamstring back in order, and got my butt on the road.
On Sunday, I lined up feeling very prepared. The gun went off and down the road we went. A lot of the front end of the run was along the Columbia River. It was so pretty!
At mile 2.5, we tucked in through our hotel parking lot where I got to hug the girls and say hi. Picked the right hotel, Ronnie and the girls just had to walk out our room door to be right there on the course.
We continued down the road, and along the river front park. The route eventually turned around and came back through the hotel parking lot for mile 7. It was nice having my girls out there cheering.
The course then took us away from the river and through Fort Vancouver. Which also meant we started running up hill. Mile 10 held a massive hill (seriously, what is up with the race directors putting hills at the END of a race?!?!). But the scenery was gorgeous.
I was so happy to have made it... and made it in time to watch the girls in their race. They have been working on doing a Kid's Half Marathon, a mile at a time. They did great! So proud of them for earning their first "half" marathon.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Toothless
And not only is she now the big SEVEN... Sarah is also losing her teeth! After being wiggly for days weeks forever, she finally lost her first tooth.
Funny thing is it came out in food: a piece of broccoli did the baby tooth in. Now, where did I put the number for the tooth fairy?
Funny thing is it came out in food: a piece of broccoli did the baby tooth in. Now, where did I put the number for the tooth fairy?
Sunday, September 29, 2013
The Big Seven
Sarah, my baby.... She's 7. SOB!
Boy was she a lucky girl this year. Grammy and Papa came up to visit us before we leave for the Last Frontier. So she had her grandparents here for her birthday and her party. Lucky Duck!!!
We started her birthday with the traditional cupcakes and then opened some family presents. She was sad when I told her that yes, she had to go to school.
On Saturday, we had her birthday party. She decided she wanted a party at the house and do some activities. It's a really good thing we have this huge garage here -- it was pouring down rain and it was cold!!! The trampoline got a good workout, the girls made bracelets, and got their nails done. All in all it was a great birthday -- even if it was the garage instead of the backyard.
Boy was she a lucky girl this year. Grammy and Papa came up to visit us before we leave for the Last Frontier. So she had her grandparents here for her birthday and her party. Lucky Duck!!!
We started her birthday with the traditional cupcakes and then opened some family presents. She was sad when I told her that yes, she had to go to school.
On Saturday, we had her birthday party. She decided she wanted a party at the house and do some activities. It's a really good thing we have this huge garage here -- it was pouring down rain and it was cold!!! The trampoline got a good workout, the girls made bracelets, and got their nails done. All in all it was a great birthday -- even if it was the garage instead of the backyard.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Sarah!!!!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
One More Camping Trip
One more... It seems to be our motto as our time in Washington winds down. One more trip to this store. One more meal at this restaurant. One more hug from a friend.
This one more is our Camping Skills day with Holly and Sarah's Girl Scout troop. I had stepped up to be a co-leader this year; five weeks after I made that commitment, we got orders. It's just the way it goes sometimes. But I wasn't going to not have fun with the girls and the scouts before I left. Ronnie and I hosted a camping skills day at American Lake for the Juniors to earn their Camper badge. We had such a great time!
The girls learned how to start a fire and how to make a one-pot meal. We went on a hike and heard an old story about the Little Mouse (read here: http://www.wnps.org/education/resources/documents/K-5_Q&E/2nd_grade/2-2b.pdf). We talked about Leave No Trace and good camper habits. Most importantly, we had fun!!!
After the Girl Scouts left, we relaxed and fixed dinner. We had decided to go ahead and spend the night out there one more night in the camper. Who knows when we'll be able to have it popped up again.
This one more is our Camping Skills day with Holly and Sarah's Girl Scout troop. I had stepped up to be a co-leader this year; five weeks after I made that commitment, we got orders. It's just the way it goes sometimes. But I wasn't going to not have fun with the girls and the scouts before I left. Ronnie and I hosted a camping skills day at American Lake for the Juniors to earn their Camper badge. We had such a great time!
The girls learned how to start a fire and how to make a one-pot meal. We went on a hike and heard an old story about the Little Mouse (read here: http://www.wnps.org/education/resources/documents/K-5_Q&E/2nd_grade/2-2b.pdf). We talked about Leave No Trace and good camper habits. Most importantly, we had fun!!!
After the Girl Scouts left, we relaxed and fixed dinner. We had decided to go ahead and spend the night out there one more night in the camper. Who knows when we'll be able to have it popped up again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)