Will Run for Chocolate

Did you watch the video and get all your questions answered? If not here is a little more in the way of an explanation. Here we go. . .

12 runners, 2 vans, 189 miles, everyone runs 3 legs each over a 27 hour period.

Here is our team "Will Run for Chocolate". Notice there are only 11 of us, someone is always running.

Everything happens in the van eating, sleeping changing clothes and lots of laughing.

Everyone takes their turn running and the van cheers you on, brings you water, honks obnoxiously (the locals love it I'm sure) and takes pictures. Because posterity definitely needs to remember you sweaty, sleep deprived and in need of a real shower.

Along the way you keep track of the teams "kills" the number of people you passed during your run. Yep, that's 2 big ones for me!

Our 1st van began at 9 am Friday morning and our last runner finished 2 pm on Saturday. So yes we run at night in the very fashionable (required) safety gear. My 2nd leg finished at 3 am, it is such a weird feeling running in the pitch black by the light of a wimpy headlamp. Don't worry mom it is VERY safe.

And finally all 12 of us finally get together at the finish line, smile, flex for the camera and then head for the nearest restaurant. The idea is to eat all the calories burned in one sitting. See it is "fun!"

I love my running friends and this annual race. I love that I did not have a stress fracture this year, made it way more enjoyable! I love that my in laws volunteered 5 hours at the finish line in the sun for our team. I love that Nick held down the fort and I returned to clean bathrooms and bathed boys and flowers on the table.

Not so "good" nights

Jamison learned to climb out of the crib.

For safety reasons we put him in a big boy bed.

He's 2 and constantly gets up.

We put baby locks on the inside of his door.

He got it opened.

We tried another kind of lock.

He laughed at us and then got it opened.

This what it has come to.

I don't know how to explain this new bedtime routine to a babysitter.

Nick and I will be the last people in America to see Harry Potter.

Do you want to run a relay race?

Here's a video to explain what I did this weekend. More to come!

Weekend Warriors

We've spent many a Saturday this spring and summer sprucing up the landscaping of our yard (and ruining our backs). Fun times include pulling weeds and roots, planting, hauling dirt and bark, fence building and endless trips to the hardware store. Surprisingly these 3 cheer when they find out it is another work day. Partially because they like to help and partially because they know we'll be too distracted to notice how many snacks and TV they've helped themselves to. Jamison is our right hand man and no matter the weather he insists on the yellow rain boots and work gloves. In my opinion there is no better feeling than working hard with your hands and then being able to stand back and have something to show for it. Maybe this is why I dislike laundry so.

Boy Heaven

Day 1 at Cub Scout Day Camp:

whittling with pocket knives, BB guns, archery and pirate sword fighting

Oh man, Carson is going to have a miserable week!

Summer Lovin'

This guy is loving the summer sunshine and all the outdoor playtime. Slip 'n slides, picnics, Popsicles, he's a fan already. Looks like we'll be adding stain remover to the shopping list this week.