Triathlon Mom

I can cross another one off of my BUCKET LIST and enjoy the benefits of losing 50+ lbs (and doing all I can to keep it off). Today I completed The Saguaroman Triathlon. It was awesome. It was an Olympic Distance (1500 m swim in Saguaro Lake, 30 mile road bike & 5.5 mile trail run).
Setting up my bike the morning of.

Waiting for shuttle to take me to Keyhole to start the swim. I was most nervous about the swim and knew if I could finish swimming a mile in a lake, I would be o.k. The swim was definately the most difficult part of the triathlon for me!!! I am definately not a natural in the water and a mile felt like forever. The transition to the bike was at Butcher Jones cove.

The bike is definately my strong point. I could bike forever and really enjoy it. Lucky for the me, the ride portion is where I try to ride weekly, so I knew the course well.
This is the view on the way to Saguaro Lake from our house (about 18 miles away). As soon as you head into Usary Recreation area, it becomes brutally desolate in the Tonto National Forest, but beautiful at the same time. I love living so close to lots of boating, biking and trail running (and warm enough most of the time to enjoy it!!) It was 95 degrees today ~ April 26.

The run portion of the race was brutal. They should of called it a trail hike not run. It was rocky and steep. At the beginning, most of the people around me had to walk because it was just too steep to run. I think this worked out to my advantage. I can keep up with hikers, but probably not running on the flats (just ask my 1/2 marathon friends). Hayden thought it was pretty cool because we ran through a tunnel under the road ~ I was grateful we didn't have to run up the road!!!
Racing to the finish.
Even the last leg to the finish was steep, but I didn't finish last by any means, so mission accomplished!!! It feels so good to have finished a 1/2 marathon (London's run in February) and an Olympic Distance Triathlon. Two things I have wanted to do for a long time. What will I think of next to test myself???? Any suggestions?????

MCKENNA & MACIE

McKenna & Macie ~ Best Buds since 2nd grade!!!
They love it that their brothers play on the same soccer team so they get to play at school, soccer practice and travel to tournaments together.
They can hardly wait to go to Hawaii together. What a dream come true. How many 8 year olds get to go to Hawaii with their best friend????
This bouncer was set up during the soccer game in Prescott. While McKenna & Macie were playing one of the kids waiting in line asked, "are those two twins?"

Mile High Classic

Goofy Kids!!!!

Reilly's regular last season tournament was in Prescott, AZ. The kids had a great time and did pretty well (they won both on Saturday and lost both on Sunday.) Now we finally have a month off from SOCCER. The next tournament is in June in Newbery Park, CA. The kids are excited about that one and of course the final tournament in HONOLULU (if we can get plane tickets.) All of these airlines going bankrupt have made traveling to Hawaii difficult. All of us that had plane tickets, no longer due and they have doubled in price. We are taking donations (just kidding)!!!


The kids went golfing at a golfland type of place in between games on Sunday.

Max

Not a hot tub I'd like to get in after all of those kids!!!!!Reilly's team horsing around at the hotel pool.

Alamo Lake with the Grimmer's

The Grimmer's & the Ferrell's spent the weekend 4-wheeling at Alamo Lake. After a long & dusty ride, the kids wanted to take a walk and check out the lake.

Boen, Chandler, Hayden, Reilly, Avie & McKenna.
David shows the kids his AMAZING rock skipping abilities.

Hayden & Avie picked so many wildflowers for Melissa and Jessica that I'm not sure there is a flower left. We had bouquets of wildflowers on the picnic tables.

Pretty Girls ~ McKenna & Avie

Zaharis Science Camp

Reilly & Roland go to camp. The 5th graders at Zaharis went to Science Camp and Roland went as a chaperon. They had a great time (even though Reilly had a hurt leg from a dirt biking accident and Roland came down with the flu!!!!)



I think they are highlighting the amount of snow!!!

Hayden's Princess Party

Once upon a time there a beautiful princess named Hayden Sophia. For her Golden Birthday (her birthday is 04/04/04), she was so excited to be turning 4 that she invited her friends to Hayden's Castle for a day of princess makeovers. Queen Tricia was the up-do extraordinaire and gave the 4 little princesses the hairdo's of their dreams.

Princess Emma shows off her beatiful new manicure.

Princess Brynn is just gorgeous.

Princess Abby takes it easy while she awaits her turn at the beauty parlor.

The royal feast was macaroni and cheese (the birthday girls favorite) and strawberry parfaits. The 4 little princesses had Strawberry Cortcake (a.k.a. Shortcake) for their grand dessert. It was a fabulous party and the princesses had a ball.

Preschoolers at the Zoo

Hayden's preschool class spent a day at the Phoenix Zoo. They had a great time. Hayden's favorite was the elephant. The lion was pretty cool too.

This peacock thought the kids were all-right (or wanted a snack).

I wasn't sure if this was the class or an exhibit!!!