1/2 Marathon and Oregon Coast

A little over two weeks ago I ran a half marathon that I have been training for. I have to say that when I woke up that morning I was dreading it, the weather was chilly and wet. The rain held off the whole time I was running though, and the temperature ended up being just about perfect for the layers I was wearing. Jared and kiddos were great supports. Our friend took this picture right after the race... I think Jared was more happy than I was with my time!

Our friend also took this picture. I think I may have been the most popular runner... I for sure had the most vocal cheering section and the most signs.
My goal was to finish in 2 hours and 10 minutes which would be 10 minute miles the whole way. I was really happy when I stopped my watch. Nine minute miles... I took a picture for proof!
How could I not run fast with a cheering section like this? Jared drove the kids all over the coarse and he and kiddos would hold up their signs and yell for me as I ran by.
It was an all women's half in our little city. We got a crown as we finished! I can say after this race I would definitely do another half, but have no desire to do a full marathon... 13 miles is only half way!
We went straight from my race to the coast to spend the rest of the weekend with these two (and their cute dog).
Girl Jessica and Boy Jessica (or Brian, or Ryan) were great hosts at the beach house. We had a great time playing games and eating and talking. When the weather was nice we were on the beach, flying kites.
or digging (girl Jessica is really nice to let Claire boss her around a little).
We also built sandcastles. By we I mean mostly Jared and Ryan.
It was quite the fortress.
Jessica and I finally gave up on sticking around to watch it be crushed by the waves, but the boys stayed out for the event.
We had a nice walk in the morning and Jared and Ryan had to do some chicken fighting,
and teach Claire and Jacob how to do the same.
It was a beautiful weekend. Thanks Girl and Boy Jessica!

Preschool Program

In April Jacob and Claire had a preschool program. They sang a bunch of songs, most of them about Jesus (they go to a Christian preschool). They were so excited... mostly Claire, Jacob seemed much more excited when he wasn't on stage.

He noticed that his friend had on a "Cars" T-shirt. Claire knew all the actions and words (so did Jacob, I have heard them all at home, but he seemed to have forgotten them).
The shakers were really fun for all the kids, but Jacob must have grown weary of them by the time the song was over.
This is exhausting! Claire is SO happy with herself and looks at us after every song with a big grin.
Jacob just can't quite stay standing.

"Oh, I have gel in my hair." Claire has her classic 'see how good I did' face.
"Wow, look at my shoes."
"That shirt has Lightning McQueen!" He really spent ALOT of the program bending over looking at this T-shirt, once he leaned so far forward to see it that he fell right off the risers.

The whole group.
It was a very cute program and Jared and I spent a lot of it laughing. It was really funny to watch how cute they were and how differently they both responded to being on stage. (I realize this was a lot of very similar pictures, but I assure you it is only a very small sampling of the pictures I took).

Happy Birthday Jared!

I am now married to a man who is one short year shy of 30 (30 is really old). I am so glad I found him though, and so glad he chose me. He is my sweetheart. He is always good for a laugh and always up for a good time. Jared has a adventuresome spirit and I love it!

He is such a good daddy... these two love him; I am pretty sure that they think that the world revolves around daddy and he is responsible for the sunshine and every good thing in their lives.
Claire is his little princess (and she knows it).
He is quite handsome (and he thinks he is quite cute).
Jacob is his miniature, and he loves it.
Sunday was Jared's birthday and we had some friends over to celebrate. All of the kids flock to Jared, they think that his games are the most fun. He is really popular with the children.
I asked Jared what he wanted for dinner and he said "cornbread" (thanks for the help). I asked him what kind of cake he wanted and he said "baseball" (not exactly the question I was asking). Remember how I said he thinks he is cute?
So he had a baseball party. With a baseball cake.
and baseballs made out of ice cream.
I think he liked it!
Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Tulip Festival

Warning: This is a picture intensive post (compared to the number of pictures I took it is not really that bad).

My mom and my Grandma came to town and we took them to the local tulip festival. It was a great time. There were basically tulips as far as you could see.

Jacob had a very clear idea of where he wanted his picture taken... and this was not it.
There was every color of tulip you could imagine.
A rare picture of my Grandma.
Mom.
We wore our rubber boots... they were perfect.
She wore the sunglasses the whole time (and an attitude to accompany them).

Waiting
Waiting with the attitude.
This giant slid was made out of PVC pipes, Jacob got to the top and wanted to turn around but there was a huge line up the ladder behind him so I am made him go... turns out it is the slowest moving slide EVER so there was no reason to be nervous. He loved it.
It was the Wooden Shoe tulip farm, so we had to have hot dogs, or Bratwursts for lunch.
They had rubber duck races... Jacob and Claire really loved it!
Kiddos also got to ride a funny cow train that they pull behind a little tractor.
They loved it and now whenever they see a small tractor when we are driving somewhere they yell "Hey Mom... it is like the silly train!"
They had a lot of these.


This one was my favorite!
It was a beautiful and fun day... we will be back next year!