Hurry up Christmas, Katelyn NEEDS her camera!!!Saturday, November 14, 2009
Top 10 Reasons Katelyn Needs her Own Camera
A photographer in the making? Possibly. She is petitioning hard for her own camera and her petitions have not fallen on deaf ears. The childrens digital camera has already been purchased and tucked away for Christmas. Shh, don't tell. In the meantime, I will rest assured that my camera will soon be just that, MY CAMERA and little hands will not sneak it away for a session of self portraits. If she wasn't so darned cute....
Hurry up Christmas, Katelyn NEEDS her camera!!!
Hurry up Christmas, Katelyn NEEDS her camera!!!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Girlfriends Run is Done!
It's been two weeks since the big run. It was an amazing experience.
I was a bundle of nervous energy the morning of the race, but once we got going, I tried to just put it in perspective...I was just out there on a nice Sunday morning going for a nice long run with over a thousand of my girlfriends. The weather was perfect, the course was nice and flat and the scenery was beautiful. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Before the race even started, I ran into a bunch of people I knew from a variety of places and instantly I knew it was going to be just fine because I was going to turn it into a social thing, and that always makes working out more fun! One of my favorite parts of the day was seeing all the dads and kids and families along the race route. It was also fun to cheer on the leaders and other friends that passed us on the way back. It was such a great encouraging environment.
The highlight of my day was seeing my own family along the way. They had made me a poster and cheered me on from three different locations. Damon and Megan even rolled it out right before the finish line so we could run through it, it was priceless. My mom and dad were there and my mom was so proud of me she even teared up!! Wow mom! To think that my finish line would have been a half way point in a marathon is sort of out of my realm of thinking! I have absolutely NO DESIRE to EVER run a marathon. In fact, I really want to buy the t-shirt that says "13.1 isn't half of anything" because I couldn't agree with it more! I was sore for about three days, just in my quads, but it was really painful. What's the saying? No pain no gain??
To think it all started with a friends suggesting it and me of course saying, NO WAY, I'm not a runner. But sometimes it just feels good to prove yourself wrong, or just have a goal and go for it. I still don't consider myself "a runner" and I'm not sure I will do it again, but to start out barely being able to run 3 miles and to pretty much run 13, it was a feeling of "I did it!" There were women in all ages groups, there were runners, joggers, run/joggers, jog walkers and walkers and it really didn't matter, we were all there encouraging each other and being encouraged by those along the course.
I just watched a video clip that the organizers put together from the run. It actually shows footage of Lisa and I crossing the finish line and in an instant I was right back there! I was feeling the excitement, the accomplishment, the comraderie (if that is even a word) of girlfriends all around me. I was also feeling the pain, fatigue and soreness, but the excitement certainly trumped pain!
It felt great to cross that finish line. It felt even greater to cross it with my girlfriend!
I was a bundle of nervous energy the morning of the race, but once we got going, I tried to just put it in perspective...I was just out there on a nice Sunday morning going for a nice long run with over a thousand of my girlfriends. The weather was perfect, the course was nice and flat and the scenery was beautiful. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Before the race even started, I ran into a bunch of people I knew from a variety of places and instantly I knew it was going to be just fine because I was going to turn it into a social thing, and that always makes working out more fun! One of my favorite parts of the day was seeing all the dads and kids and families along the race route. It was also fun to cheer on the leaders and other friends that passed us on the way back. It was such a great encouraging environment.
The highlight of my day was seeing my own family along the way. They had made me a poster and cheered me on from three different locations. Damon and Megan even rolled it out right before the finish line so we could run through it, it was priceless. My mom and dad were there and my mom was so proud of me she even teared up!! Wow mom! To think that my finish line would have been a half way point in a marathon is sort of out of my realm of thinking! I have absolutely NO DESIRE to EVER run a marathon. In fact, I really want to buy the t-shirt that says "13.1 isn't half of anything" because I couldn't agree with it more! I was sore for about three days, just in my quads, but it was really painful. What's the saying? No pain no gain??
To think it all started with a friends suggesting it and me of course saying, NO WAY, I'm not a runner. But sometimes it just feels good to prove yourself wrong, or just have a goal and go for it. I still don't consider myself "a runner" and I'm not sure I will do it again, but to start out barely being able to run 3 miles and to pretty much run 13, it was a feeling of "I did it!" There were women in all ages groups, there were runners, joggers, run/joggers, jog walkers and walkers and it really didn't matter, we were all there encouraging each other and being encouraged by those along the course.
I just watched a video clip that the organizers put together from the run. It actually shows footage of Lisa and I crossing the finish line and in an instant I was right back there! I was feeling the excitement, the accomplishment, the comraderie (if that is even a word) of girlfriends all around me. I was also feeling the pain, fatigue and soreness, but the excitement certainly trumped pain!
It felt great to cross that finish line. It felt even greater to cross it with my girlfriend!
Tamara invited us over for our "last supper" before the race, I ate A LOT!
Damon is running backward trying to take a picture of us!
Megan ran out to run with me for a bit...it was so encouraging seeing my family cheering me on!
Lisa being goofy!
see ya at the finish line!
Megan and Damon held the poster for us to run through right before the actual finish line!
My awesome and supportive family. Katelyn is upset because I tore the poster :)
We made it, friend!
Nicci, me, Amy, Lisa and Tamara after the race
Me with Sarah Miller (our salmon creek running scheduler) and Lisa
Nicci personified the word girlfriend by running with Tamara even though she was a bit injured and didn't officially enter the race, she ran almost the whole thing!
Megan took this picture of us post race!
I know you can't see it, but my name is on this list. I finished about 10 min behind my goal and it only bothered me for about two minutes! I let it go and enjoyed the moment!
Kristi and I after brunch after the race
Darcy (another salmon creek running buddy) with Sarah and myself
The party after the party at Lapellah, yummy breakfast! Kristi, Sarah, Ashley, Julie, Ashley's sister, me and Michelle...great job ladies! Ashley gets the trooper award for crossing the finish line with the worst injury! You are a champion in my eyes Ashley!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
One Week from Today!
Yes, the big week is finally here! The Girlfriends half marathon is a week from today and I have to say that I'm more excited than nervous. That fact alone is a complete miracle, but then again, I have six days to get those butterflies humming! I am so thankful for a group of girlfriends that have all helped me with my training. The list is very long and it makes me smile whenever I think about it. When I say help, that means a word of encouragement all the way to advise for training, all of it has helped prepare me.
So, is the next goal a full marathon, NO WAY! To be honest, I'm looking forward to getting back to my normal workout routine. My spin classes and cardio/weight circuit training classes are calling my name. To be honest, I feel like I'm in better shape after doing those classes than all this running. BUT, it has felt GREAT having a goal and working hard to get there. I NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER thougth I would do this. I have never run longer than a couple miles before, so each long run was the longest I have ever done. This Sunday at the race will be the longest I've ever run at 13.1 miles! My knees are not liking the running and my feet are quite sore, but I will press on to the goal I have set for myself. It is going to feel amazing crossing that finish line and seeing all my friends achieve their goal as well. If anyone out there is considering doing this, GO FOR IT!!! I am not a runner, if I can do this ANYONE CAN DO THIS! It has, however, taken quite a bit of training time that I was not quite prepared for. Some of these ladies with really little kids, WOW, I don't know how they are doing it, so thank you husbands out there for supporting us and allowing us to achieve this goal!
The countdown is on and I can't wait to check this one off the bucket list!!! Let's go get em girlfriends!
So, is the next goal a full marathon, NO WAY! To be honest, I'm looking forward to getting back to my normal workout routine. My spin classes and cardio/weight circuit training classes are calling my name. To be honest, I feel like I'm in better shape after doing those classes than all this running. BUT, it has felt GREAT having a goal and working hard to get there. I NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER thougth I would do this. I have never run longer than a couple miles before, so each long run was the longest I have ever done. This Sunday at the race will be the longest I've ever run at 13.1 miles! My knees are not liking the running and my feet are quite sore, but I will press on to the goal I have set for myself. It is going to feel amazing crossing that finish line and seeing all my friends achieve their goal as well. If anyone out there is considering doing this, GO FOR IT!!! I am not a runner, if I can do this ANYONE CAN DO THIS! It has, however, taken quite a bit of training time that I was not quite prepared for. Some of these ladies with really little kids, WOW, I don't know how they are doing it, so thank you husbands out there for supporting us and allowing us to achieve this goal!
The countdown is on and I can't wait to check this one off the bucket list!!! Let's go get em girlfriends!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Gebhardt Gathering
My cousin Matt and his family visited from Ohio in June and what a great time was had by all! Matt's sister (my cousin Sarah) lives in Sherwood/Tualitin area and hosted a gathering while they were visiting. Matt and Tonya have two girls Alexa and Aeryn who are almost exactly a year older then both of my girls. They had a blast playing together. We are so thankful they made the effort to visit us out here and we hope to see them again VERY soon!
Goofing around! These girls essentially had just met for the first time and they all just clicked! We wished we all lived closer!
All the girl cousins! Thanks Sarah for hosting such a fun afternoon!
And all the LITTLE girl cousins, wow, what a cute group of girls!
What family gathering is complete without a talent show? Alexa plays the violin beautifully and we were all in for a treat when she played a few songs for us!
Megan sang her favorite song "Jesus take the Wheel"
A lovely sunset to enjoy on the drive home!
Monday, September 28, 2009
School Days
Here we are a few weeks into our school year and it's going really well! I have to admit that I was somewhat dragging my heels into September knowing that with both of my kids in school it represented an end of an era and that can be bittersweet. Gone are days at home with mom with no agenda and no where to be. We are on a tight morning schedule racing out the door earlier than we want to but it's going surprisingly well. Megan is happy when she wakes up in the morning and is excited to go to school. Even though none of her girlfriends from last year are in her class, she's busy making new friends and keeping the old ones too! I LOVE her teacher, I'm absolutely thrilled that she's in Mrs. Miller's class. Megan is doing great in school and we are very proud of her!
Katelyn is loving pre school at her own school. Hosanna is the perfect place for her and she's got a great teacher! She's making her own friends and having her own school experiences. My baby girls is growing up right before my eyes.
I've already gotten to volunteer in both their classrooms and I LOVE it. They love me being in there and it's a blast! It's going to be a great year and even though I get a little lumpy in my throat, I'm looking forward to all the school adventures waiting for us!
Katelyn is loving pre school at her own school. Hosanna is the perfect place for her and she's got a great teacher! She's making her own friends and having her own school experiences. My baby girls is growing up right before my eyes.
I've already gotten to volunteer in both their classrooms and I LOVE it. They love me being in there and it's a blast! It's going to be a great year and even though I get a little lumpy in my throat, I'm looking forward to all the school adventures waiting for us!
Katelyn started preschool a week before Megan, so she had her own very first day of school!
Megan and Katelyn together on Katelyn's first day of school.
Mrs. Lo, Katelyn's teacher. Mrs. Lo has taught Megan and cousins Casey and Jake!
Megan's first day of school
The girls' first day of school together...sad and happy all rolled together!
Megan's desk. Her teacher let's the kids sit on exercise balls so they can get their wiggles out while they learn.
Mrs. Miller...we can't wait to see what 1st grade holds!
Just for fun....my sweet little cutie enjoying football season with her favorite team, the bears!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Corrigan Back Yard Fun
The end of June we gathered with my family for a couple of celebrations: Paulette's birthday and my brother and his wife's soon to be baby #3! It was a nice warm summer evening and we took full advantage of the kitchen downstairs. Since my grandmother moved to an assisted living home in November, we had full use of the kitchen downstairs which made it perfect for eating outside on the lawn. It was a great time and I hope we can do it again soon!
A little bit of relaxing
A little bit of croquet
A little bit of back yard soccer
A little bit of ice cream
A little bit of "swimming"
A little bit of beer....wait, you dont look 21....
A little bit of baby Annalise
A little bit of celebrating
A little bit of s'mores
A whole lot of family love...thanks for a fun afternoon Nana and Poppy! We love you!
Kindergarten Memories
What a great school year Megan had! She loved her teacher, learned a lot and made great friends. Her favorite part about going to school was riding the bus with her bestie Allison. We can't wait for all day school next year!
Megan and Allison waiting for the bus
Megan bringing donuts to school the last week to celebrate summer birthdays
Last ride with Miss Karen, the VERY best Kindergarten bus driver!
End of the year BBQ. Katelyn and I joined Megan's class for a yummy hot dog lunch!
Katelyn showing me her "school work" at home
Annual "end of the year stand by the front door" picture
Kindergarten graduation day. I know a lot of people think the whole thing is silly to celebrate kindergarten "graduation" as if they are graduating from something instead of simply just heading into 1st grade. However, I think it's great to celebrate all of life's fun things, so I was pleased to celebrate with all the moms, dads and grandparents. It was a very cute little ceremony!
Megan and Katelyn before the ceremony
Megan's name on the list of graduates
Auntie Paulette joined us for the ceremony
Receiving her diploma
Proud Mama!
Megan and Allison after graduating
Megan and her teacher Ms. Hochhalter
Last ride home for the school year
Good-bye Kindergarten, Hello 1st grade!!!
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