Happy birthday baby girl! We love you!
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Mother's Day 2015
This Mother's Day was a special one! I definitely felt the love from my crew and I was especially thankful the kiddos posed for a few photos despite the almost 90 degree heat! I'm so grateful for the little people in my life that call me mama--I'm the luckiest!
Saturday, April 25, 2015
C & Q's Super Birthday Bash!
We had a blast throwing Carter's 4th and Quinn's 2nd Birthday Bash. Of course we had all the essentials- family, friends, food, and fun and it was quite a hit! Happy birthday kiddos!
Photo booth fun!
Cake!
Superhero Training!
Hulk Smash!
Capture & Web the Daddy Villains!
Bubbles, presents, and fun!
Carter's 4th & Quinn's 2nd Super Birthday Bash!
Monday, April 6, 2015
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Easter 2015
Although the snow was completely melted, this year's Easter was still pretty chilly! Fortunately the cold didn't keep the Easter bunny from coming so we enjoyed a short outdoor hunt for eggs. Carter wanted to "find them all" but we convinced him to leave a few for Quinn. Easter has become one of my favorite times of the year in New England as the visual signs of the earth's rebirth and spring reinforce the importance of the Easter holiday.
These flowers bloomed in the yard just in time and were a small miracle considering all the snow that was on top of them for months.
Hunting for all the treasures!
Our little bunnies were pretty upset they had to stop hunting to pose for the camera.
And who could forget Easter brought this big boy's 4th birthday (and a new scooter!)
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Phoenix Marathon
The Phoenix Marathon was a great race. From start to finish the entire experience was fantastic. The race started early at 6:30 AM so I was up by 3:30 AM to catch a bus to the starting line. The race began in the Usery Mountains of Mesa which were beautiful but a little chilly. Fortunately the race directors had fired up lots of heaters and bonfires so I spent the pre-race hours huddled around the heat along with hundreds of other runners. As I was chatting with a few people, many were surprised I had come all the way from Boston for the race. I told them it's pretty hard to find a race in the Northeast with decent weather in the winter and they began to understand!
When it was time to start, the race directors set off lots of fireworks which looked especially neat in the early morning hours. I was thrilled to get running and see what the course had in store.
The first half of the race was my favorite--lots of downhill, lots of adrenaline, and cool temps. The only unfortunate hiccup I ran into was accidentally shorting out my right ear bud at mile 2 so I had to run with one working earphone the WHOLE race. I met my parents at mile 14 for a new water bottle and was feeling strong and confident. I was shocked by how fast the first half had flown by and I hoped it would continue that way. As I made a left turn after seeing my parents I faced a massive headwind. The weather forecast was calling for rain and wind so I was expecting the wind to hit at some point, but I was definitely surprised at how strong it was (I finished before the rain came though). Fortunately I learned from Baystate to get behind a tall man and conserve energy as much as possible. I stuck to that plan and it worked well for the stretches that the wind was in our face. The wind was definitely still mentally challenging and unfortunately did slow me down, but I think I managed it as best as I could.
During the second half of the race I was still feeling strong, but I could tell my quads were worn out from the downhill and nerves, and I was having trouble fueling while running because my mouth was extremely dry. I had to stop to fuel and stretch a few times, but I figured it was a short term loss for a long term gain. I definitely hit a mental wall around mile 18 as the miles seem to pass slower and slower. I kept my legs moving though and soon enough I remember coming up to mile 23. At this point I told myself, "You trained through the worst winter in Boston history--this is nothing! Suck it up and finish!". I caught a bit of a second wind for the last three miles and finished my last mile at 8:20 pace.
At the finish line I couldn't have been more excited to see my family and friends. They helped me finish strong and getting hugs from them brought tears to my eyes. I was a little disappointed by my time 3:35.25, only because I needed to be under 3:35 to qualify for the Boston Marathon. It was still a best time for me though and a really great race. I learned a lot about racing and what strategy works for me and I'm excited to run another one! My time did auto qualify me for the Chicago Marathon though so I'm looking forward to that race in October. For now I'm happy with how things came together and I'm hungry to train (in the sun!!) and get faster!
Both kiddos loved the medal and were so proud of mama. Even now when Q sees any race photos she cheers and claps her hands!
Marathon pain is REAL! The finish wasn't pretty and I definitely puked afterwards, but there's something about the marathon that is so inspiring!
When it was time to start, the race directors set off lots of fireworks which looked especially neat in the early morning hours. I was thrilled to get running and see what the course had in store.
The first half of the race was my favorite--lots of downhill, lots of adrenaline, and cool temps. The only unfortunate hiccup I ran into was accidentally shorting out my right ear bud at mile 2 so I had to run with one working earphone the WHOLE race. I met my parents at mile 14 for a new water bottle and was feeling strong and confident. I was shocked by how fast the first half had flown by and I hoped it would continue that way. As I made a left turn after seeing my parents I faced a massive headwind. The weather forecast was calling for rain and wind so I was expecting the wind to hit at some point, but I was definitely surprised at how strong it was (I finished before the rain came though). Fortunately I learned from Baystate to get behind a tall man and conserve energy as much as possible. I stuck to that plan and it worked well for the stretches that the wind was in our face. The wind was definitely still mentally challenging and unfortunately did slow me down, but I think I managed it as best as I could.
During the second half of the race I was still feeling strong, but I could tell my quads were worn out from the downhill and nerves, and I was having trouble fueling while running because my mouth was extremely dry. I had to stop to fuel and stretch a few times, but I figured it was a short term loss for a long term gain. I definitely hit a mental wall around mile 18 as the miles seem to pass slower and slower. I kept my legs moving though and soon enough I remember coming up to mile 23. At this point I told myself, "You trained through the worst winter in Boston history--this is nothing! Suck it up and finish!". I caught a bit of a second wind for the last three miles and finished my last mile at 8:20 pace.
At the finish line I couldn't have been more excited to see my family and friends. They helped me finish strong and getting hugs from them brought tears to my eyes. I was a little disappointed by my time 3:35.25, only because I needed to be under 3:35 to qualify for the Boston Marathon. It was still a best time for me though and a really great race. I learned a lot about racing and what strategy works for me and I'm excited to run another one! My time did auto qualify me for the Chicago Marathon though so I'm looking forward to that race in October. For now I'm happy with how things came together and I'm hungry to train (in the sun!!) and get faster!
Both kiddos loved the medal and were so proud of mama. Even now when Q sees any race photos she cheers and claps her hands!
Marathon pain is REAL! The finish wasn't pretty and I definitely puked afterwards, but there's something about the marathon that is so inspiring!
Phoenix Marathon Finish Line, Mesa, AZ
Friday, February 27, 2015
Phoenix Trip 2015
We took our "annual" (hoping to keep this an annual thing!) trip to Phoenix to spend time with our good friends--the Prices, run the Phoenix Marathon, and get. some. SUN! It was cooler than usual, which was a blessing for the race, and we had the best time!
The first day of the trip, we put on our shorts and sandals and spent as much time as possible outside. I loved waking up early to watch the sun rise over the desert on my morning run. We reunited with the Prices to play at a park and the kids played as though they had never been apart. They really are best buddies even though we live across the country from each other.
Day 3 was race day! I felt great, but unfortunately half of our crew came down with a stomach bug. Poor Carter, Chris and Angela were really sick but everyone came out to support me!
We finished up race day with a double date with the Prices and then I was ready for lots of sleep! Our last day was Sunday where we went to church and had our last meal at the Prices. We were sad to go but recharged to attack the Northeast cold.
Phoenix-- we'll be back for ya next year!
Desert Ridge, Phoenix, AZ
The first day of the trip, we put on our shorts and sandals and spent as much time as possible outside. I loved waking up early to watch the sun rise over the desert on my morning run. We reunited with the Prices to play at a park and the kids played as though they had never been apart. They really are best buddies even though we live across the country from each other.
Lunch date!
C(3), Riley (4), Q (1), Callie (2)
On Day 2 we took it easy and played in the pool. It was no surprise that the kids loved being in the water and would barely come out for lunch.
Day 3 was race day! I felt great, but unfortunately half of our crew came down with a stomach bug. Poor Carter, Chris and Angela were really sick but everyone came out to support me!
Phoenix Marathon Finish Line, Mesa, AZ
We finished up race day with a double date with the Prices and then I was ready for lots of sleep! Our last day was Sunday where we went to church and had our last meal at the Prices. We were sad to go but recharged to attack the Northeast cold.
Phoenix-- we'll be back for ya next year!
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