Moraga Triathon

After doing a fair amount of running and races the past 3 years, I decided to give the local triathlon a go. I'm not too sure what I was expecting but I really had a good time. I've never been a strong swimmer - or every enjoyed swimming but that's started to change since last summer. I was doing some fairly regular (once a week or so) swimming and it was, if not good, at least tolerable. I finally got a bike this past September so have started to do a bit of riding as well. After running a marathon in mid November, though, I've been in full "off-season" mode as far a serious exercise. So going in, I wasn't too confident in my fitness level.

In the end, I did better than I thought I would. The swim was slow and steady. The bike proved that I need to ride more since my legs were burning on every hill and in the higher gears. The run was good and I passed a gob of people but my legs felt like jello after biking.

I think I'll keep doing this local tri but not sure I'll ever venture out to other or longer ones. We'll see. I do enjoy mixing in a bit of variety into my running though.

Spring Break-Can't Wait for School

I can honestly say this wasn't my favorite Easter/Spring Break. This was Kate's first Easter, and hopefully she won't recall what really happened. Our General Conference weekend was mixed with the baseball draft and a rainy-day Easter egg hunt. Blake was so disinfranchised with the egg hunt that he found eggs then gave them away to on-lookers. This photo is of our kids plus cousins in Grandma and Grandpa's sun room.



The cousins left, and we spent the next two days cleaning and organizing the house. Chris worked the entire Spring Break overnight, which left me calling insane asylums looking for vacancy.

Friday the younger four kids and I went to the Jelly Belly Factory. I would have enjoyed the trip if I hadn't had to hold a hungry baby for an hour in line. Saturday we went to the San Francisco Zoo, which was beautiful. Chris asked me how the Tiger cages were looking as this is where a Tiger escaped and killed a teenage boy a couple years back. The cages were looking fairly sturdy, and the Tigers were looking pretty docile. I guess this was the point of the week I enjoyed the most.

Kids and Kate

Well, only at certain points in your life you get to have your photo taken with all your siblings. Your wedding, graduation, and infancy if you're lucky. So who is lucky? We'll let you decide.

Kate the Great

So, This is Kate at three months old. I haven't taken a lot of photos of her because I think this is when babies look a little funny. But, I tried to catch her in her element-the exersaucer. Work it baby, work it. Her head is finally pretty stable despite her disdain of tummy time. But show me a baby today who sleeps on their back and enjoyed manditory tummy time. They are all just functions of the system!

Winter in Orinda

I never imagined having a snowball fight in the backyard, but that's what happened this morning. Every couple years we'll get a dusting on the surrounding hills. I remember it snowing once as a kid but I'm not even sure that was snowball worthy.

Blake and I took a bit of pre-snow time on Saturday morning running in the local Bah Humbug 5k. We both ran personal bests: me at 19:10 and Blake about 35 minutes. I had a great photo finish sprint to the finish with a high school kid, outpaced the 60+ guy in the last 1/2 mile, and ended up 2nd in my age group. Blake had a fun time and is pleased to have a new t-shirt to add to his school rotation. He continues with his sprint, walk, sprint approach but I think that just means I need to get out with him on a few slow paced training runs.

Racing Weekend

After Pam's big week, the rest of the family, sans Josh, got in some exercise as well this weekend. With a little encouragement from grandma - who organized the first time NorCal Kids Triathlon- Blake, Abby and Megan participated in their first triathlon. Megan swam while Abby biked as part of a team with their friend Emma. Blake, although hesitant at first, had a great time doing all three events. Pam was there in great 5 day post-partum form to help assist. The kids all enjoyed themselves and it was definitely a big success.

Really steep hill

Abby headed for for the finish

I missed the event while up in Folsom running a marathon along the American river. Pam had encouraged me to get one more marathon in this year - hoping to earn us a trip to Boston in the Spring. While a Boston qualifying time was not quite there (missed by 3 minutes), I had a great race posting a new personal best of 3 hours and 18 minutes and finishing 8th overall. I was lucky enough to have a friend meet me and run me in the last 6 miles and, finally, keeping up a steady pace with my slowest mile only about 35 seconds slower than my fastest. It was a max effort kind of day so if that's the fastest marathon I ever run, I'm pleased.

Kiss me, Kate

We were thrilled to welcome Katherine Paige into our family on the 9th. She arrived without incident and weighed in at 6 lbs 14 oz and was 19 1/2 inches. After having very eventful deliveries with the other four kids, it was refreshing to avoid such nasties as forceps, chest compressions, ICU stays, etc. We feel very blessed that Kate has arrived healthy and in perfect form. The kids are loving her up and taking turns holding her. Two days ago while Kate was at the hospital, Megan was busy nesting here at the house. She set up the pack and play crib with full bedding as well as the car seat all on her own.

Caught her with the eyes opened

Ready to travel

The girls put in a lot of work this week but are looking great.

I love grasping reflex

Faux smile