Sandbox, Hose Nozzles and Half Marathons

Laura's been having a blast playing in the new and improved backyard. Here's some video of her learning to use the nozzle on the hose and some sandbox fun. She doesn't understand that I am watering the plants, and not the rocks.



Also, last Saturday I ran my first 1/2 marathon. It was a good little run, and the weather was really nice at the start. Thanks to my handy GPS 'Man Watch', I put together my little race log (you may have to scroll down a little. Blogger is being weird.

Mile	Mile Pace	Cum. Time	Mike's Thoughts
1	06:39	06:39	Oh, this is easy, I can do this pace forever. I am glad I rested a little before the race, because it is really paying off.
2	06:56	13:35	Ok, that was a little optimistic. But I still feel great, I'll just let some people scoot by.
3	07:00	20:35	Yeah, 3 miles, I've settled into a nice pace. This isn't too bad.
4	07:38	28:13	Woah! Hey wind, where did you come from? Oh my back, I've been running with you for 3 miles. Well, only 3.5 miles of bucking this headwind.
5	07:33	35:56	Wow, that powerplant is tall. Maybe it will shield the wind. Nope.
6	07:43	43:29	Hey there's the lead pack coming back from the turn around. Must not be too far away. My little voice of reason says "No, they are just that fast." As usual, that little voice is right.
7	07:39	51:08	I can hear the music from the turnaround. There it is! Wait, that was just a turn in the road. The turnaround is another 1/4 past that.
8	07:28	58:36	Ahhh Wind at the back, life is good.
9	07:39	1:06:15	A lot of people behind me. Good for the ego.
10	07:31	1:13:46	The wind at my back, all is good.
11	07:39	1:21:25	Hmmm, the wind must be easing, because I am getting a little worn out. I'm sure those white (brown) caps on the river are some sort of mirage.
12	07:47	1:29:12	Nope, back into the wind, and it wasn't a mirage. Hey, why back up hill at the end. Someone has a bad sense of humor. Only 1.1 miles to go.
13	07:56	1:37:08	Beep Beep. Watch says mile 13. so close. Wait, the race mile marker is way up the road. The watch lies! I hate you watch. Legs getting heavy, hoping I look better to the onlookers than I feel.
13.1	6:58	1:38:56	They call my name down the stretch, I see Emily, Laura, and Anna waving. Adrenaline gives a little boost. I glide through the finish line back at my starting pace! Watch says 13.24 miles in 1:38:56.
Car			I push Anna and Laura up the hill a half mile in the stroller as a cooldown. When's the next one?

Anna's Baptism

Anna was Baptized on her 6 month birthday, and nearly all of her family came to celebrate.

As usually, Anna was smiley and curious to what was going on.


She stayed pretty relaxed, although I did have to sneak a bottle in during the service.


They don't skimp on the oil.


Mommy and Anna at the baptism.


Laura was very excited, she couldn't wait for the cake when we got home. And yes Mandi, the smirks are the same. It's in the DNA.


Mimi, Bumpa, Mommy, Daddy, and Anna.


As a very big surprise, Mimi and Bumpa gave Laura and Anna a sandbox for their 1/2 birthday. It was up to daddy to get the sand, and when told that, Laura asked if we could go to Menards to get the sand. I said sure, "Sure, we can go to Menards this afternoon to get sand." Laura said: "Let's go to Menards RIGHT NOW."

Of course, it was naptime and within 2 minutes of getting in the car, she fell asleep. Fortunately Bumpa came along and watched her while I ran into Menards to get the sand. All ended well.


"You scoop it!"


Sophie came over to join in the fun.


Ella too.

Little 4 Legged Friends

Yesterday the kids has 2 special 4 legged friends stop by.

The kids caught a baby turtle and kept him for observation for a little while. They liked picking him up and once Laura realized he wasn't going to bite, she even enjoyed petting him. He was safely let go at the end of the day and is on his way to the pond.


The other guest was Ms. Niemi's new puppy, Chloe. Chloe is a Prague Ratter and even though she is only 2 pounds, she is almost full size. All the kids thought she was a lot of fun, and Laura loved having a dog around that was smaller than her.


Little puppy making the rounds to see who will pet her.


Laura loves her new sunglasses.


Here's Laura from the other day learning about Pedal Power! She's just starting to get used to the idea of riding the trike, but she is having fun.

Mimi and Bumpa are here!

Mimi and Bumpa came to visit on their way up north from Florida. We all went to the zoo together we saw the dolphins from the dolphin stadium. We also saw bears, otters, gibbon's and a whole lot more. Laura really enjoyed showing the animals to Mimi and Bumpa.

Bumpa, lets go! Let's see dolphins!


Let's run Bumpa!


Laura was captivated by the dolphins.


Here favorite trick was when some boys walked close to the tank and the dolphin splashed them. "The dolphin splashed the boys!"


The trainer swimming with the dolphins.

Oh Dear Laura...

The spring humidity brings out some lively hair...


Oh dear, does my hair look like that?


Mommy! Help me, comb my hair!


See Anna, when properly tamed, curly hair can be beautiful!


Anna loves playing with the big sparkly blue fabric.


For the 2nd straight year, we have a mallard hen laying eggs in Emily's flower garden.
Laura says: "Hen is a girl duck."


Laura says: "Drake is a boy duck."

Happy Birthday Auntie Katy

Have a great day Katy!