Seattle Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon

Last Saturday was the big day we'd been training for for the last 6 months. Marnie came to my house straight from girls camp on Fri. She took a shower and we left right away. We headed to Seattle and checked in to our hotel and met up with Marnie's friend Terry who's been training with Marnie the last 6 months also. We went to the Expo at the Qwest Expo Center downtown to pick up our packets that had our numbers and t-shirts and goodie bag. It was fun to shop around. We all bought a fanny pack that fits under your shirt but carries what you need when you're out running or bike riding. I wore mine for the race and even carried my camera a long the way.  There were lots of fun t-shirts to read like -

Does this t-shirt make my butt look faster?

Who moved the finish line?

13.1 Been there, Run that

You don't have to go Fast You just have to Go

and lots more, I just can't remember right now, but you get the idea.

After the Expo we headed back and ate dinner at the Hotel. Eating some pasta for carbs for added energy for the upcoming race. Then went to bed, we had an early morning coming fast. We set our phone alarms for 3:50. Yikes! Yes I know EARLY!! We met Terry in the lobby at 4:45 am and headed for the shuttle, which just happened to be on the next block. Thankful for the adrenaline, we weren't tired, just excited. The shuttles ran from 4-6am and we were trying to beat the rush and it worked. Got right on the bus with no waiting, and we were off.

All bright eyed and bushy tailed!!

They had water, Cytomax (like gatorade), bananas and bagels for us before the race.

See the porta potties in the background? They were lined up around the block. Right before it started the lines were crazy long. Whether it was the nerves or the cytomax we drank, we each went 3 times before the race started just making sure our bladders were empty before we got started.

This is the tracker they used to track our times during the race. There's an electronic chip inside it.

My number.

We were put in Corral #32. It's based on what you put on your sign up sheet for your estimated time in finishing the race and we put 3 hours. There were 39 total corrals.

It was a little chillie so I'm glad I brought pants and sweatshirt to stay warm until the race started. My pants I put in a bag that was put in a UPS truck and taken to the finish line along with other things I wanted for the when the race was over, but my jacket I still wanted at first, but as soon as I got warmed up I threw it on the side of the road and now it's gone forever. Marnie had told me how people do this so that's what I planned on. All the clothes that people leave behind get donated.

Marnie wrote on her arm the times she wanted to be at for each mile. A 14 min/mile. This is one of her traditions.

There it is, the starting line!!! The race started at 7:00, but we didn't get there until 7:52. Each Corral started every 1 1/2 to 2 minutes apart.

There were 28,000 people total there. 17,500 of which were doing the 1/2 marathon. Can you say massive?

Along the race there were bands playing on the side of the road. This was the first one right before the 1st mile marker.

A Rock n Roll guy at the end of mile 1.

We started in Tukwila and ran through some neighborhoods, then ran next to Lake Washington which was beautiful, wish I would have taken pictures of it. Then at mile 10 we got on the highway and went through a tunnel, which was actually pretty cool. There was a band in the tunnel and it just echoed through the whole thing. Knowing we were getting close to the end too was pretty exciting. Marnie, Terry and I got separated because we all had to go to the bathroom at different times through out and never caught back up to eachother. At that point I had no idea where they were, but I was wishing we were together. Around mile 9 or 10 my feet sure started to hurt, they were cramping and I thought I could feel blisters forming on the balls of my feet right behind my big toes. And my right knee started hurting. I was so hoping it wasn't going to happen, but it did. The last couple weeks of training the cramping and knee pain would come and go. And up to this point I had jogged the whole time which was around  2 hours straight, but because of the pain I had to start walking hoping the pain would go away, but it didn't. Proud of myself though for going that long w/o walking and if it weren't for the pain I know I would've been able to go the whole way having jogged the whole time. So the last couple miles I walked and jogged really looking forward to finishing and being done.

Mile 11 - the home stretch. I tried so hard to start jogging again and wanting to jog the rest of the way. Qwest Field is on the right where the Finish line was. At first you think you're going straight there, but nope the course took us a round about way to get there. The t-shirt that said "Who moved the finish line" sure felt more real than ever. You keep thinking it's right around the corner and it's not, just a little further I kept telling myself.  At the last mile or so I was walking and Marnie passed me. I was so glad to see her. She didn't see me or hear me yell at her with her ipod in, so I caught her and we walked and jogged together to the finish. I wish I would have been more excited, but I think I was in to much pain and I just wanted it to end. Honestly. Just being honest. I felt more adrenaline at the 10K we did a month ago. Marnie kicked it into gear at the end and started running faster. I was right behind her and then she reached back for me and pulled me along so we finished together hand in hand. Yeah we did it! It felt so good to be done.

Now don't get me in trouble for stealing these pictures. We are going to buy them, but I couldn't blog without them. It wouldn't have felt complete and I didn't want to wait. I didn't take any pictures at the end, so I needed these to show how we finished.

Sisters finishing together. I love it. I can't stop looking at them. Everyday I keep going to the website where these are and look at them over and over. I still can't believe I did this, but I'm so glad I did and can't wait to do it again. That reminds me of another t-shirt that said" I know, I know, I said I'd never do this again". It's so true. Even though I was in a lot of pain I want to go and do it all over. Maybe hoping I'll do better and not be in any pain next time.

Right after you cross the finish line, they give you water and your medal and you pose for the picture. They had more Cytomax, bananas and granola bars, which I love, so I ate one right away and drank a lot. Oh it felt good to be done. You just want to lay down and rest, but it's more important to keep walking and stretch out. We found Terry who finished a few minutes before us. She had her mom, sisters and niece there at the finish line waiting. So cool. I think that was one thing we were missing. Next time I want someone there at the end waiting for me. But we had eachother, I was glad for that.

As soon as the race was over the sun miraculously came out. It couldn't have been any more perfect. It stayed cloudy and cool just for us, then warmed up just when we needed it too. Your body sure does cool down fast when you stop. They gave out solar blankets for everyone to help them warm up. Marnie and I walked back to our hotel with them wrapped around us looking a little like homeless people and we got a few weird looks from people passing on the street.

Our mom and her best friend Joyce met us at Southcenter Mall after we made it back to our car at the hotel.  I hadn't seen Joyce since my wedding. It was fun to see her again. We all went to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory to celebrate. A perfect way to end the race. Knowing we burned hundreds of calories, we could eat anything we wanted, haha. We actually saw lots of other people there that were in the race too.

So fun. I'm so glad Marnie talked me into doing this with her. Just wish we could have stayed together the whole time to enjoy the whole thing together. Now we're out to convince the rest of our family to all do it together next year. I'm hoping to convince Jeremy also. He was my running partner the last few weeks before this. So we'll see. Here's to hoping.

And btw no blisters or chafing. Woohoo. And I was only sore for 1 day after. By the 2nd day after I was totally fine, not sore at all.

♥Thanks Marnie, Love ya and glad we get to share this experience together.♥

Visitors

Jeremy's grandparents and his Aunt came to visit us last week. We are so glad they were able to come. We miss them a ton. They came to see us and to see where we live and then go to Canada to Butchart Gardens. The last time they were in this area was for our wedding 11 1/2 years ago. Jeremy's mom wanted to come too, but she had surgery scheduled for this same week. It would have been a lot of fun to have her here too.

We took them to our favorite beach, Kayak Point.

G'ma Laurie sent games for the kids, so of course we got them unwrapped and started playing them right away. They were all Toy Story games. This game is like ker plunk, but with aliens in a spaceship. G'pa is a very strategic player.

After church we hung out and ate yummy food and took silly pictures.....

(the boys wanted nothing to do with the camera, of course. Maybe it was because MJ was behind the camera.)

Monday while the kids were in school, Jeremy took the day off work and we went site seeing. We went to Anacortes and Deception Pass. Walking across the bridge is pretty freaky, especially when a big truck drives by.

One cute couple.

The kids had a blast swimming in the pool at their hotel.

Just chillin'

Who does this look like? Any resemblance of g'ma? This is an ad in a store front window of Burberry right across from Jeremy's store at the mall. I had to go take a picture of it and show her while she here. It's pretty crazy how much they look alike.

We wish they could have stayed longer. It was so good to see them and spend some time with them. We had a great time. We'll see them again in August when we go to Utah for Jeremy's brother's mission farewell. He just got his call a couple weeks ago to Morristown, New Jersey. So until then....

Fishin'

The boys are really into fishing. Why? I'm not sure, it's a lot of sitting around doing nothin'. They've gone a few times so far this spring/summer and still haven't caught anything, but they sure are patient and keep thinking any day will be their day. The funny thing is, is that everyone around them seems to always go home with at least one fish. Jeremy's so frustrated, and I try not to laugh. The boys are having fun though I guess, and that's what it's all about.

Doesn't it look peaceful?

Pinewood Derby

Last month was the Pinewood Derby for the boys. And this year was Mason's first time. They had a great time getting them ready and were really excited to see them race. They unfortunately didn't win, but did great anyways.

Mason put a lego driver and flames on his car.

George painted his orange and black with a snake decal and used the weights in the front to look like an engine.

Their cars racing each other.

This is most of the entries. It's always fun to see how creative the boys are and what they come up with, or should I say what their dad's came up with. It's so funny 'cause you can always tell who's dad helped and did pretty much everything.

It's pretty cool how it's all computer generated nowadays. They're each given a number and then they race like 10 or 12 times or so and then the computer puts them in order of who won the most 1st places. All the boys were really good sports and had a great time. It's something they look forward to each year of scouts.

Mother's Day

Better later than never right? These are my mother's day gifts from the kids this year. I love the homemade gifts I get each year. I think it's my favorite part.

Mason's card says:

Dear Mom, I love you because you are the best person ever. And you do lots of things for me. You are the best best best best best best person ever. p.s. Happy Mother's Day! Love Mason

MJ's card says:

Dear Mom, Thank you for making me a good kid. You're a special person. I love you.

From MJ   to mom

I just love how precious my kids are.  I love being a mom. (most days)

Reunion with my best friends from High School

Yesterday we went to Wenatchee to see my best friends from High School. Only Sarah, Aubrey and I went to our 10 year reunion 5 years ago, so it was so much fun all being together again after all this time. Thanks to Sarah planning this 6 months ago and to Facebook for keeping us all in touch, we were all able to be there. Sarah flew here with her family from Indiana, Aubrey lives in Ellensburg, Emily lives in the tri-cities, Mari lives in Wenatchee, and we came from over the mountains.

Emily, Sarah, me, and Aubrey

Sarah and Emily with Paige

Ethan, Sam(in red shirt) Mason, MJ, and Kaylynn playing in the water.

All the kids getting eachother soaked from the pool and the hose.

Hanging out eating our hamburgers.

Austin, Sarah, Mr. Jackson, Halle Mae and Aubrey

Mari and 2 of her 3 kids. Ilsa 5, and Clara Rose 3. She also has a 15th month old boy Johnny and she's pregnant with her 4th due in August. Her husband Alan and Johnny weren't able to come.

Aubrey and her 2 girls Halle Mae 31/2, and Kaylynn 5.

Emily and Paige, 4 months

.

Sarah and Jeff with Benjamin, 6 months. She also has Ethan 7, and Sam 3.

MJ and Kaylynn became best friends right away. They're soaked from all the water and having a blast.

The 5 of us all together again after 15 years.

And with all our kids, minus Clara who didn't want to be in the picture.

Hanging out in the orchard next to Emily's house.

All the kids got ice cream cones.

We went to Aubrey's house after the bbq to see her parents Phil and Susan. Sharina and Jeremy were there with there 3 kids, Elijah, Jade and Olivia (standing inbetween MJ and George). They're the same ages as my kids 10, 8 and 6. And TJ her younger brother was also there.

The kids played games in the backyard and ate popsicles.

It turned out to be such a nice day, besides the 90 deg. weather, visiting with everyone and hanging out was a blast. We can't let too much time pass before we do this again. I'm so thankful to have such good friends that has lasted all this time and we can still get together and it feels like just yesterday. I have such great memories and did so well in school because of them. Friends make all the difference and we were very blessed to have eachother.

Apple Blossom

I was so excited this year for Apple Blossom. I think the last time I was home for it was 1997, crazy. It's just one of those fond memories of tradition that we did every year and now here I am finally taking my own family to it. The parade, craft and food fair and carnival. This time though all the kids actually participated in the 1 mile run before the parade and Marnie and I did the 10K run. I've never done that before, I was either watching the parade, or in it (every year in HS as an Apple-ette), I never had any desire to run. But this year was a little different since Marnie and I are training for a 1/2 marathon in Seattle next month. I'm so glad she talked me into it. I was hesitant at first 'cause I didn't think I was ready, but it turned out to be great. I surprised myself and actually jogged the whole time. Marnie walked most of it and I stayed right next to her up until the very end, the adrenaline kicked in and I got excited to finish and I kind'a left her. I don't think she minded though, I hope. I finished in 1 hr 27 min. which is, yes, very slow, but I didn't care. I wasn't doing it for the time. I'm just glad I finished, I jogged the whole time and it was really fun doing it with my sister. I didn't have my camera, but Marnie took pictures with her phone, so hopefully one of these days I can get copies.

The whole gang watching the parade.

After the run with their new cute t-shirts. I think we started a new tradition.

Eating at the fair. Kids got snow cones and Jeremy and I ate my favorite - Teriyaki beef and noodles. I don't remember what everyone else had. It was so crowded though we didn't stay long. We headed over to the car show where Preston had his car.

After resting at home for a while, I was tired and a little sore, the kids were begging to go to the carnival so we went and rode a few rides.

The Scrambler has always been my favorite, but now it Maryjane's too. We went on it twice and just died laughing the whole time.

I don't remember what this one was called. It's kind of like the teacups, but you're spinning yourself up in the air. Maybe the Tornado?

A sign of pure exhaustion.

I think we all had a great time and were pretty tired by the time we left Sunday afternoon.

(You give the kids their ipods or DS's in the car and it's always a quiet, pleasant ride.)

Vancouver Temple

We got the chance to got to the Vancouver Temple's open house a couple weeks ago. I was so excited to take the kids and show them the inside and how beautiful it is. Jeremy got off work early and I checked the kids out of school a little early so we could take our time and not be rushed. Unfortunately it rained the whole time we were there. It wasn't suppose to, but it did. I was hoping to walk around the outside and get pictures, but that didn't happen. I got a few pictures from the car instead.

The temple actually is not in Vancouver, it's in a town called Langley which is only 80 miles from our house. So not too far away.

Waiting for the shuttle to take us back to our car down the road at a church. MJ decided to hide and not be in the picture.

I think the kids favorite part was the baptismal font with the 12 oxen. In Primary we've been learning about the 12 tribes of Israel and the blessings promised to Abraham's posterity if they remain faithful, so they got to understand the symbolism of it. And they also liked the mirrors in the sealing room. When you look in them you can see for eternity, never ending, just like our marriage and family.

I hope they remember the way they felt while in there and how special of a place the temple is and will look forward to going back when they're older.

Getting a little caught up on blogging

It's been so long since I've posted I need to play catch up and I thought since I have so much to add and way to many pictures I would just use my Project Life book. And maybe if you click on the pictures you'll be able to see them well enough to get a good idea of what we've been up to. I've tried to add pictures to Facebook of Spring Break, but they won't upload. Maybe I'm trying to do too many at at time. But then I get discouraged and give up. So one of these days they'll be on there. But here are my picture of the day pictures from March 19th to April 14th.

March 19th-25th Highlights:

 - Went to Wenatchee and helped rake leaves

and met Jennifer Holman and her baby Payton (not picured)

 - Finished my first quilt

 - Parent teacher conferences

 - Scouts

 - MJ got her cast off just in time for Spring Break. Yah.

March 26th-April 1st Highlights:

 - Went to Utah for Spring Break

 - Played Wii Dance

 - Baby Isaac was blessed

 - Had an Easter Egg hunt

 - Stayed the night at G'ma Laurie's house

 - Ate lunch at Cafe Rio and shopped at Tai Pan with friends

(plus dinner at In n Out)

 - Saw the movie Diary of a Whimpy Kid and went to

Chuck E Cheeses with all the cousins

 - April Fools. All the cereal was switched by Adam.

 - Woke up to 4 inches of snow. left for home anyway.

April 2nd-8th Highlights:

 - Finished the book series The Mortal Instruments. Great Read.

 - Watched General Conference on the internet.

 - Easter day we went to Anacortes and walked the beach

and walked through some tulip fields on the way home.

April 9th-14th Highlights:

 - Met up with my cousin Emily. We hadn't seen eachother in almost 20 years.

We talked for 3 hours in Starbucks and had a great visit. I thought we looked a lot alike.

 - Went to Kayak Point for a Sunday afternoon walk on the beach and saw a gray whale just off

the shore. It was amazing.

Well how's that for 4 weeks. Now I'm only behind 2 weeks. So maybe in the next few days I'll get caught up completely. There's a lot to share that I want to make sure gets on the blog.