BJ's 50 Miler

My crazy husband was "inspired", "motivated", etc. to run 50 miles. I like to think he just "lost his mind" but this is nothing new to me. As soon as he has done something to make me think he can't get any crazier, he comes up with something else.

As many of you know, he has many running buddies but he has two that just really went the extra mile. I like to call them the Three Musketeers. His friend Bob spent the whole day following BJ to each stop and basically being his personal race support at every station. This was a relay for some but a few crazy people decided to run the whole thing to run a total of 50 miles. They started part way up Mt. Rainier and ran all the way to Ruston, near Tacoma. In the first half of the race, BJ had to change shoes and socks. He literally came into the aid station where Bob had a chair for him, made him sit down and took off his shoes and socks. He then proceeded to wash BJ's feet and put his clean socks and shoes on. Now if that isn't service, I don't know what is. I wish I was there to get a picture of that. I did happen to get this picture when Eric and I met him for the first time that day. As BJ came in to the aid station, he asked BJ what he needed. BJ said sunscreen so Bob just gets it out and starts putting it on him. It made me laugh at the time but as I think of all that he did for BJ, I get tears in my eyes. What a true friend!

His other friend Cody came down to run the last 20 miles with BJ. It sounds insane to say "the last 20 miles". He is such a motivator for BJ. Always pushing him to stay on pace and shouting "You betcha baby".

Running along a river on the sand. That cannot be too easy after all ready running 30 miles.

One of the stations was right by the museum of glass. Eric loved this sculpture outside. They were also doing demonstrations outside where we got to see them make a little glass unicorn. Eric was such a trooper going to the last 5 stations with me. The other kids were busy with other activities that day.

The finish line. Bob ran the last 10 miles with BJ and Cody.

It was hard for BJ to hold back the tears with these two guys by his side after all they had done that day. Thanks Cody and Bob for being such great friends and showing true Charity!

The crazy part now is that he qualified to be in a 100 mile race. Crazy!!! Good Job BJ!

5th Grade Musical

Sarah's school does a 5th grade musical every year. She decided to particiapate. She loved it and got just as excited as her big sister about being on stage. They did the show "Rock around the Block". She got to be one of the school girls and happened to get one of the cheerleader costumes, which was fun because she IS a cheerleader.

We were listening to Sarah sing the "Nifty Fifties" and other songs from the musical all around the house. She had so much fun!

Nice Job Sarah!

Pinnochio, Gepetto's Story
Kate was in the School play in March. She had multiple parts. She loved learning all the fun music and all the the stage hype.

She was one of the good children, an Automaton and the Asian Marionette. Nothing like casting a blond haired blue eyed girl as the Asian Marionette. Unfortunately, I didn't snag a picture of her in her cute marionette outfit.

Kate with Stromboli (he was hillarious)

Kate with the Blue Fairy (also a hillarious girl)

Happy that her brother was there to watch her. She looks up to him so much and he tolerates it just enought to keep her looking up to him.

Look for her in future shows, this girl loves the stage!

1st 1/2 marathon

OK so I'm being brave by titling this my 1st 1/2 marathon. I thought I would never do one again but I know I will. I thought I would never want to do a full marathon but I know I will. The journey to get to this point was something unbelievable. I just can't express how much it has changed my life.
I started running because I thought "everyone I know that runs, loses weight". Well, now that's me. I'm not done yet but I have lost 43 lbs and am still going. A little slower now but I am not stopping. An object in motion stays in motion. I've got inertia now baby!
On Feb 21st, 2011, Presidents Day, I and my loving husband and "coach" finished 13.2 miles. I "ran" almost all of it. Every mile after the 2nd, I walked for about 2 min. then started "running" again. I put "running" in quotes because it is really "jogging" but I like to act like one of the big boys. One day, I will really be running. That is my next goal, to get faster. Now that I have finished this half marathon, I know that I can set a goal and reach it, so watch out I might just be a blur running past you one day, one day long into the future.

As you can see, this was a family event. Justin and Sarah also did the half marathon. Justin all ready being "Half Fanatic" and this was the start of Sarah's "Half Fanatic" qualifications.