Grand Valley Marathon

Allie ran a marathon, Becca and Molly half, and Jane 5k. One of them might actually do it again, someday.

Loading the car.

Is she thrilled, or what?

Or what.

Enjoying the scenery at the rest stop.

That picture better not end up on your blog.

Molly trying not to throw up.

Walking to dinner.

Palisade Cafe and Grill

Can you read that sign on the left?

A picture tells a thousand words.

We all wanted to move here.

Becca is the first to check out the port-o-let.

Cute cabins lined the entire course.

Touching the world.

Our hotel room. Do you know how long it takes for four giggly girls to go to sleep?

Trying to keep warm. It was freezing!

The "squatcho" stretch.

Whose big idea was this anyway?!

This is nuts!

Seeking shelter from the wind.

Allie found her girlfriends from church (minus one).

Allie decided to remove her coat at the beginning of the race, and hands it off to Becca.

Stretching those calves.

Does this really need a caption?

And, they're off!

Staying together for the first part.

Becca coming in for the last leg of the race.

Almost broke a sweat.

Looking good.

Almost there, giving everything she's got.

Hooray, she's done.

Where can I sit?

Becca warms up following "after race shakes."

Here comes Molly. Apparantly Allie was just ten minutes behind.

Is that a smile of relief?

Molly walking to the finish.

Allie (left) sprinting to the finish.

Allie tried to catch up to this girl the whole race. It was neck and neck at the end.

Hail the conquering hero!

So glad it's over.

Sore muscles left Molly crawling back to the hotel room.

Becca had to help Allie off the floor.

Molly shows off her blistered feet.

Waiting for Mom to return with the room key.

Can I shower first?

The shirt is a Mother's Day gift from Jane.

Baptism Day

Marie was a little angel all weekend. We're so proud of her. Thanks everyone who was able to make it a special day for Marie.

Sunday Dinner with Grandma Jane and Papa Randy

My parents came to visit for the afternoon. The cat Tessa is holding showed up in our backyard on Saturday. The kids thought it was a gift from God. Strangly enough, the cat allowed the kids to do just about anything to him, including dress him up, push him in the shopping cart, and throw him down the slide. He stayed for two days and then vanished again.

Marie's Birthday

Finished just in the nick of time.

Happy Tax Day, everyone. Here are the cupcakes I made for Marie's class. The idea came from a book my mother-in-law gave me titled, Hello Cupcake! I have to admit these cupcakes were not Marie's first choice. She really wanted the princess ones, but I just didn't have the strength. (That, and I'd probably have to drive to another state to get all the ingredients.) Perhaps next year...

Ben and Grace Eating Lunch

Ben and Grace asked me if they could eat lunch outside. Here is the view from my kitchen window.

Musuem of Science and Natural History

My dad scored some awesome tickets the weekend of my birthday. Had a great time, but you know me--I don't take a whole lot of pictures.

Is it Spring Yet?

Two weeks ago was our first sunny day in a long long time. Although it was a mere 45 degrees and there was still snow on the ground, it felt so good. After church, the kids decided to sun bath while I made lunch.

The Brontosauras

I had a really weird moment the other day. When I opened the garage door, I saw this car parked in front of my neighbor's house. For a split second, I thought, "Oh, Mom is here to pick me up." Totally bizarre, but funny. For those of you who don't know, this 15-seater commuter van was our family's mode of transportation for the last 10 years of my childhood. Some days, I drove it to school when the maggot was out of commission.

Do you know what it is like to back out of a high school parking lot driving this?! And I was grateful because it sure beat what I usually drove. I remember being really disappointed my senior year when I didn't win the "Ugliest Car in the Lot" yearbook competition. For once, I thought I had something in the bag.

St. Patrick's Day 5K Run

A few weeks ago my girl friends and I ran the Shannon O' the Green 5K. We looked pretty silly, but had a blast. Despite the obnoxious head gear, cold weather, and heavy layers, I was able to shave two minutes off my time (compared to when I placed 3rd in Seth's school meet last fall).