5 Days Til Race Day!!!

Well, the end is near! I completed my final "long" run last night. I attempted it early Saturday morning, but after 5 miles into the run I got caught in a thunder storm. Thankfully I was with Leigh so we decided to hang out in a stranger's open garage and then sprinted to her parents' home where we caught a ride home. I was completely drenched! My shoes are still drying out. We were able to get the run done last night (in the rain, but no lightening) and I feel as ready as I can be for the 25K. I don't know if I will ever do another, but overall the training experience has been wonderful! I think back to those cold, dark, and snowy winter nights and think, "WOW! I did it!" So...Grand Rapids, here I come!!!

Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves.

It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go.

It helps us to find out what we are made of.

This is what we do.

This is what it's all about.

~Patti Sue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

Fun Friday and Super Saturday!

Our temperature got above 80 degrees on Friday so I bolted out of work with my students and headed straight to daycare to pick up the kids early. We headed home to fill up the pool for some water fun in the sun!

Russell was "fighting fires" with the garden hose!

Sloane had a ball with her new watering can.

Saturday started with thunderstorms and lots of rain so the kids were trapped inside until after lunch. I had to keep them busy in order to keep them out of trouble. We had fun pulling out art supplies, puzzles, and games.

Russell was a very serious artist at work!

Sloane started out clean, but by her 3rd portrait she had painted knees and hands along with lots of paint on the floor.

Sloane also enjoyed putting together her sequencing puzzles set. She refused to clean them up until Daddy got home to see her hard work.

My Baby is 3!

Sloane turned 3-years-old today! For the longest time she wanted a "Dora" birthday party, but a month ago she changed her mind and was quite adamant that she wanted a "Strawberry Shortcake" birthday! So today was a "berry" special day for our little girl!!!

Sloane loved her life-size Strawberry Shortcake balloon. She played pat-a-cake with it and had many conversations with it in order to introduce Strawberry to all of her baby dolls.
She also loved her birthday cake!
Her and Russell both snuck little swipes of frosting with their fingers!

Opening presents was the highlight of her day.

She received two Disney princess barbie dolls - Ariel and Belle.

Strawberry sunglasses!

Dora Lego's!

Building a Dora playground.

Russell received new Lego's too - Spiderman Lego's!

The final gift...

A Dora castle with ALL the accessories!

Russell loved this gift too.

Singing to Sloane. Russell added the "cha, cha, cha" after every line of Happy Birthday!

Time to make a wish!

Mmmmm...this cake is "nummy" Mom!

I love you Sloane! Happy 3rd Birthday BIG girl!!!

Crazy Michigan Weather

We had a fun week enjoying the highs and lows of Michigan weather. Monday it was sunny and 65. A perfect day for grilling and taking an evening walk to Dairy Queen. Thursday was 86 and hot...perfect weather for the sprinkler and Popsicles. Saturday brought us snow flurries with a morning low of 38 degrees. We managed to enjoy both the high temperatures as well as the low, however at this point we are enjoying the warmer days a bit more!

On Monday, My mom and dad stopped by on their way home from Florida. After a yummy dinner, we enjoyed a trip to our local DQ!

On Thursday, the kids were geared up to enjoy some fun in the sun (and heat). We had the sprinkler going and the kids enjoyed filling up buckets of water to splash around in.

Popsicles were a must after all the fun!

On Saturday, Sloane and I headed to Birch Run for a shopping trip with my mom. Sloane received an early birthday present from Grammy and Papa...bitty baby twins! She hugged them the entire drive home!

Once we arrived home, she had to take her twins for a ride in the new double stroller from Uncle Keith! She strolled them around the block while stopping to check on them from time-to-time. What perfect gifts for a miniature mama!

27 Days!

I have 27 more days until race day on May 8th! I am getting extremely pumped about running my first 25K. I am also getting nervous!!! I ran 15 miles yesterday morning and felt pretty good. The last few miles were tiring, but thankfully my running partner (and friend), Leigh, kept me going! I don't know how people run long distances alone?!?! I joke that I should have a t-shirt made for her with the word "COACH" on the back. I could never get through my Saturday morning runs without her! With race day nearing, I am hoping my muscles and joints remain uninjured and my shoes intact!

These shoes are made for running.

And that's just what they'll do.

One of these days these shoes are gonna run right after you!

Pray for me May 8th!!!

Spring Break Fun!

This week has been so much FUN!!! I had the week off for spring break so we took the opportunity to have a LOT of family time. We went to the zoo, had play dates with friends, visited the bounce house, went out to eat, played at the park, made cupcakes and cookies, watched movies, and so, so, so, much more!!! One of our biggest adventures was at Royal Oak's Beaumont Hospital. Aron had to under go nose surgery to alleviate some sinus problems, so the kids and I took him. What fun it was to explore such a BIG place! Russell and Sloane did not believe me when I told them they had both been there before. The elevator was a hit, but the most fun they had was in the hospital cafeteria. Maybe our next playdate will be there :-) Back to work Monday and only 10 more weeks until summer vacation! Whoo - hoo!!!

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Happy Easter!

This week brought sadness to our household after the passing of Aron's Grandma Sophie one week ago. We were in St. Joe for the funeral mid-week and headed back on Friday to celebrate Easter with Aron's family. The house was quiet and sadness loomed, but Russell and Sloane pulled through bringing a ray of sunshine right where it was needed! It is amazing how the laughter and smiles of children can bring happiness to all who are within ear shot. We spent the last two days enjoying the beautiful spring (and summer) like weather. Along with celebrating our faith behind the meaning of Easter, we also spent time remembering our beloved Grandma Sophie and Auntie Karen. The following pictures will tell a story of Easter filled fun and memory making! Happy Easter to all of our treasured family and friends!!!

Friday

A day at Auntie Karen and Uncle Dave's Beach.

It didn't matter that Lake Michigan felt more like Lake Superior...Russell still dove in and was wet from toes to neck. Mac was right by his side enjoying the water, waves, and sand!

Sloane only got her toes wet, but she enjoyed building sand castles and running along the beach. We are sure Auntie Karen was smiling down upon us as we enjoyed an 82 degree April 2nd day!

We headed to Aron's dad's home Friday evening for a family dinner and fun at the nearby park. The kids LOVE the BIG slide!

Bevie had lots of treats ready for the kids...coloring, paints, and Easter treats! Thanks Papa and Bevie for a great time!!!

Saturday

We woke up Saturday morning ready to head to downtown St. Joseph for some fun on Silver Beach! First up...the new Carousel! Sloane chose a flowery horse while Russell insisted on the Lakeshore Lancer horse. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Grammy enjoyed a ride too!!! What a fun day!!!
Next...Curious Kids Museum! Sloane played Operation.

Russell enjoyed exploring the water tanks.

Both kids were eager to climb the rock wall.

Last...Easter egg hunt on the bluff. The rain came down just as the hunt was about to begin. We got completely SOAKED and walked away with NO eggs. Major bummer, but it is always fun to splash in the rain!

Grammy and Russell tried to stay dry as we made our way through the rain and back to our car!
Sunday

Time for church! The kids were dressed in their Sunday best for a morning of praising with Papa and Bevie!

HAPPY EASTER!!!