Running Update

I have now run 14 days straight. Today was my shortest run with 1.32 miles but I also have determined that I hate running in the morning. It is just not my thing. It takes me a good mile to get all of the aches and pains to go away and then I finally start enjoying it. I do enjoy the coolness of the day and the early morning feel to things though. I have always wanted to be that person who gets in 10 miles before work. I don't think that will ever happen, at least not until I do not have to be at work until 9 or 10 in the morning.

Even though it is hot right now I think I am going to walk in the mornings and really run at lunch.

Long Run on Lower Loop

Last Sunday we headed up to Crested Butte. I did my "long" run on the lower loop. It was a struggle to get it done and I should have taken the time to stop thinking about how bad I felt and to look around. Joe and the kids waited for me to finish at the bottom of Gunsight Pass where the trails ends up.



The girls had a blast playing in the river. They did good about not getting too wet until Lily lost her balance and sat down in the water!

I am so done!

Land of Make Believe - Vacation - Part 5

On Thursday we went to the Land of Make Believe in Hope, New Jersey. I really enjoyed the drive to the place because we took a lot of back roads and two lane highways to get there. It was beautiful. I never knew so many trees and farms existed in New Jersey. It was like being in Pennsylvania - well we practically were since PA was only a few miles away.

The Land of Make Believe is made for little kids. There is one section with a bunch of kiddy rides and another section with a pool, lazy river, and slides.

Here is my niece, Alexa.

Don't I have the cutest kids?

Mikayla loved riding all of the rides. This place was perfect for her.

My sister in law, Sue and Alexa.

My brother in law, Chris and Kyle.

Having fun in the pool.

Can you believe this lady gave birth to twins 18 months ago? She looks great!

Kyle - You gotta love his facial expressions and his "talking"

Mikayla was able to see Santa in July!

Lily wanted nothing to do with Santa.

When I saw this picture the first thing I thought was, Why is Sue holding Lily? Then I looked at the outfit and said to myself, that is not an outfit that Lily has. Oh wait - that is Alexa. It is those blue eyes.

Lily wanted to go on a ride but as soon as it started quickly decided that was the wrong decision.

Mikayla of course had a blast.

We had a great time at the Land of Make Believe and I see us going back next time we are in New Jersey.

That is my last post on New Jersey - it took me awhile to get all of them in. I am glad Joe took so many pictures because I am horrible at remembering the camera and then if I do remember it I forget to take pictures.

Homemade Pancakes

So I am sitting at my desk and I am in need of my 9:30 snack. I brought some homemade pancakes to work and this is what I just enjoyed and boy was it good!

Homemade Pancakes
basic from scratch pancake recipe
plus - wholewheat flour instead of white
ground flaxseed meal
all natural peanut butter (nothing but peanuts)
blueberries

over homemade yogurt with a dash of honey.

I will have to do this again!

Bronx zoo - Vacation Part 4

On Wednesday of the week we were gone we went Bronx Zoo. On Wednesdays it is pay what you can - and that you can. That is my kind of admission. Joe, the girls and I were the only ones who went. No one else wanted to deal with the heat and the twins would not get anything out of yet. It was hot but since there were plenty of trees it was bearable.

We saw plenty of animals to keep us busy. Here is a snow leopard (I think).

The polar bear was really cool. I kept hoping he would dive into the water for a swim but he decided to take a nap instead.

The seals were swimming all over the place. This spot was out in the open with no trees and therefore hot. I really wanted to dive into the water with them.

Lily relaxing.

Notice the big gorilla right behind Mikayla.

Gariffs are in the background.

A monkey's rear-end in the back ground.

Zebra

Mikayla's first animal site of the day. Lily kept calling it a cow. But she is also the one who moos at cows and horses whenever we drive past them on the ranches that surround town.

Lily was being Lily and did not want her picture taken.

We really enjoyed the zoo but I am glad that Joe drove instead of me. Driving over the George Washington Bridge was scary, too many cars, and the car lanes in New Jersey are way too small for me. I prefer the big open car lanes of the west. Then we also got lost so we toured the Bronx on the way to the zoo.

Long Run

I am finally getting back to running. I took a month off and I don't think I helped any of my injuries, but I am ready to get running and I need to get in shape for the full marathon in mid-September. I ran every day this week except for Thursday. My goal was to run everyday with a minimum run of 2 miles.

Today, we headed up to Crested Butte because I wanted to run the Lower Loop. It was beautiful, hot, pretty wildflowers and just great. I was really out of shape. I was hoping to get in 7 to 8 miles and I finished with 6.2. I got a lot of running to do to get back in shape but I will get there.

Vacation Part 3

At Grandma's house you can always find misc. fun stuff. Here is a pair of glasses that she has for Mikayla to play with. Lily kept putting them on and calling them her goggles.



We spent two nights at Joe's brother's house, Chris. We took over their master bedroom and one morning Lily woke up and was playing happily in her "nest" on the floor. I was shocked because she has never done this. I looked over at Mikayla and she was laughing quietly to herself because Lily was being so funny. What a wonderful way to start the day. A little bit later the girls started playing together on the couch in the bedroom.


Chris and Suzanne have a long living room and they have turned one section in the kids play room. Everyone had fun playing with all of the toys.