One Year Ago...

One year ago (Nov 16,2008) I took these pics...

Aren't you glad we do not have snow yet!!! I am soaking up the sun filled days that we have had. Can you believe it was in the 60's this past weekend and one year ago, we were shoveling snow?????

Just 10 days after this first snow, on Nov 26th, 2008, we had enough snow to make this...

Weather in MI always keeps us guessing.

5 months

Parker turned five months old last week. He is getting so big. He is weighing in at 17 lbs now. He experienced a lot of firsts this month. First weekend away from mom and dad. He stayed with his Nana and Poppy and his best bud Ty. He ended the weekend with a fever that got worse before it got better, resulting in his first anti-biotics on Tuesday. After the first dose, he was like a different kid...fever gone and happy as can be. He started cereal yesterday, as you can see in the video. He did great with it. He took his first shower with daddy, adn has had a few more since then. He went in the big boy swing at the park for the first time this month too. He is so close to rolling over, but just can't seem to get there yet. He is still sleeping great, two naps during the day and 10 hours at night. He is quickly growing out of 3-6 month clothes and pretty much wearing all 6-9 month.

This month we began preparing for the coming months of eating fruits and veggies, and began steaming, pureeing, and freezing them. We have about 1000 1oz. cubes of fruits and veggies, just waiting to be eaten.



I took advantage of the beautiful day and had a photo shoot outside (probably the last one until spring). Enjoy the cuteness...

Enjoying some tummy time with his buddy Ty

Met My Goal- UPDATED WITH VIDEO

This weekend we participated in the ICEMAN bike race, and although it was called the NICEman all weekend, because we had temps in the 60's, it was one of the most grueling things I have ever done...short of giving birth. Last year Rebekah and I watched as our men participated...this year we decided to join in on the fun. I started training in mid-July, just 6 weeks after giving birth to Parker, with the goal to just finish the race without dying. As it got closer my goal was to finish in an hour. The times for our age category last year ranged from 48min - 1hr 25 min. I DID IT!!! I finished in 1 hr 1 min. I am more comfortable on my bike today than I was just four short months ago, but flying down hills and maneuvering sand, gravel, and trees still makes me nervous at times. I did come out of it with a few battle wounds when I hit a deep pile of sand and flew over my handlebars (I was not hurt). After a minute to re-gain composure, I was up and at it again to finish the race. I wish my fall could have been captured on film. It was a sight to see, I am sure. The girl behind me, after making sure I was okay, said, "it looked pretty". I'll take her word for it.

I love biking for many reasons, but most of all it is something that Chris and I can do together.

Many of the guys in our circle of friends enjoy this sport, but Rebekah and I are the only two girls brave enough to join them. Juggling being new moms (getting little sleep), going back to work, being the best wives ever :), Rebekah taking master's classes, and me having three kids under four AND training for this race was difficult at times, but we made it work. I am so glad we could push each other to new levels.

Chris and Ben were able to see us off at the starting line,
but then had to go to prepare for their own race.
Do you see us? We have our hands raised.

A few last words of encouragement as we wait for the count down.

We kept our eye on the prize...and crossed the finish line...Thanks to all of you who watched our kids, prayed for and encouraged us, and made it possible to accomplish this goal.

We watched as our men crossed the 19 mile marker...what an incredible task. The boys race was 28 miles. I am SO proud of Chris. He trained hard, juggling work, home, and fatherhood, and shaved 20 min off his time from last year. I was beaming watching him cross the finish line. I love you Chris!!!!


The victory pose.

We celebrated with a relaxing morning on the beach with B and B, before heading
back home to our families.

We also HUNG around

Only four more days!!!

Did you see the ticker at the top of my blog...only FOUR more days until the Iceman bike race. I am getting more and more nervous as the race gets closer. Training has been on the decline in the last few weeks, due to it getting dark earlier and earlier. We have had to depend on the weekends for riding. All in all, I feel pretty ready, but nerves are on edge. The weather is supposed to be great...a slight chance of rain, but high of 52. I'll take fifties and rain over 30 and snowy hands down. With only a few more days, I am planning to get a ride in today and Thursday. I have to say that I was filled with doubt when I signed up for the race back in March (6 months pregnant), knowing that it would be mid-july before I could start training after giving birth to our third baby, and being really out of shape. I have to say that all these months later, I am very proud of where I am today. I am not in perfect shape, but confident that I will do well in the race. Managing, three kids, wife responsibilties, work, and training proved difficult some days...but here I am ready to embark on this challenge. Come back this weekend for race results :)