Day 157 - Half Marathon Time

We did it!  This is my favorite pic.  This is right at the end of the race, just steps from the finish line, getting encouragement from our number one fans.  The kids and Dad, spent time at McD's playland while we were running.  It was great to be able to run a half marathon with Dawn.  We walked this same half marathon in 2007, this was the first one for both of us.  In the years in between we've gone on to run half marathons, and even a marathon for each of us. This was the first half that we RAN together.  We had great running weather and a good time catching up with each other as we ran along.  I loved it!  John got in his own half marathon of mowing when we got back to the cabin - 3 hours worth.  We enjoyed a relaxing post-race meal with our friends to end the weekend, which included another few hours of playtime for the kids.

Day 156

Still catching up on my posts, still about 2 weeks behind . . .

The Annual Gymnastics Spring Show was today.  The instructions from Teacher Renee were that their hair must be fancy with lots of hairspray, water, and gel.  I had fun french braiding the girls' hair and we even put on some make-up including purple eyeshadow.  Haley was worried that she couldn't "keep her eyes open gently" so she didn't want the eye shadow.  They would have had sparkly hair, but the nozzle was gummed up.  They both had a great performance.  It was so cute to watch and to see them smiling and doing their routines.  Their good friend Katelyn was performing too.

After the show, we took a beautiful ferry ride over to the cabin and met with our good friends who moved last summer.  The kids were so excited to see each other and they got in lots of hours of outside play in the knee high daisies.  My friend Dawn and I headed down to Port Angeles to pick up our half marathon race packets, then we enjoyed a big pasta dinner.  No turning back now!

Day 107 - Norman Rockwell this isn't

This picture makes it look like we had a wonderful blissful time snowshoeing - not exactly!  Just before and after this shot was the only time period where everybody was happy.  The lodge is only about 50 yards away up over the crest of the hill in the background.  I had just gotten the girls down to this area where it was not as windy.  Up on the hill behind us is a big open area where the wind was blowing at least 30 mph and it was snowing, though just on the verge of raining.  They don't call it Hurricane Ridge for nothing.  John was at the car getting the sled so we could drag the girls back from our snowshoe walk if needed.  The walk would have been downhill, so we were anticipating them needing help on the way back.We didn't even get that far.  Hannah was set on sledding and throwing a major tantrum.  The sledding area was closed for the day and we couldn't get her to understand that sledding wasn't allowed on the XC trail.  We should have never brought the sled out, she never got over her fit and we had to go inside.  Turns out her double layer of socks were wet and so were the top of her pants underneath her snowsuit, so that is likely the source of her uncooperativeness.  How she got her pants wet under bibs that come way up her back, I'll never know.  The whole episode seemed to only take 5 min, but we were actually out in the snow for about 45 min.  Just before this picture was taken Hannah had said twice, her exact words, "I could really get used to this".  So, I know she enjoyed the snowshoes, I think it was more the elements that we were battling.  Haley did pretty well, but could benefit from growing bigger so the shoes aren't such a big percentage of her little body.  Since we probably won't get back out on the snowshoes until next winter, she should be better able to handle it then.  I'm optimistic that they'll do great next winter.  We may need to work on getting them better shoes, actual hiking boots instead of cheap snowboots that come off and let in snow easily.  I just can't imagine spending that much money on a pair of shoes they'll only need a few times a year.  When we are on dirt hiking trails, their tennis shoes have always been fine, so really no need for hiking boots in the summer.

Later in the afternoon, back down at sea level, we all got more outside time.  John did his usual lawn mowing.  The lawn mowing at the cabin is work.  It is lots of area and an old old machine (not a riding mower).  Mowing just the bare minimum around the house takes 1.5 hours.  I snuck in a 4.5 mile run on the trail that I will run my half marathon on in June.  We took the girls hiking down in our gulley and even tried to get back up the hillside on a steep deer trail.  We didn't quite make it, but the girls were impressed with finding a "secret" passage way.  After that, we all took turns with the flying wheel toy. 

A great active day to make up for the days on either side of it.

Day 16, 17 and 18

Lots of family active time this weekend during a trip out to the Olympic Penninsula.

Day 16
We went to Railroad Bridge Park, a beautiful former railroad bridge that is situated on the Olympic Discovery Trail, a rail trial that spans from Port Townsend to Port Angeles. We have been vactioning in this area for over 10 years and never knew about this park until I was training for a marathon earlier this year. The marathon course takes you right over the bridge. As it has been raining nonstop for days, there was lots of water rushing under the bridge. I can never get tired of watching it and the sound of the water was so loud, I could have sworn we were close to I-5. Nothing spectacular about the energy spent and calories consumed on this walk. It was close to dark and our 4 year old was not finding the "joy" in being out in nature. 30 min.

Day 17
Playing the snow, sledding and snowshoeing at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. We are having an El Nino Winter in the Northwest which translates into rain, rain, and more rain and very mild temperatures. Not sure how this is going to translate into snow for the upcoming Olympics in Vancouver, but enough snow does seem to be falling in the mountains. We usually get snow at or near sea level at least one or two days, but so far nothing. The girls were overjoyed to see the snow as we were winding our way up the mountain. You would have thought that it was Christmas. Haley kept squealing in her cute little high pitched voice, "It's a Winter Wonderland!" The girls had plenty of time to sled and make a snowman, and then they got interested in digging a hole. John and I took turns heading off down the snowshoe trail by ourselves. I was freezing, so this was the only way I could think to get my extremities warm. The mountain was "closing" early due to an impending snow, so John and I each only got a 15-20 workout, but it's a great one. You can't beat the scenery and the way back is entirely uphill. It is a great trail and I can't wait until the girls get their own snowshoes and can join us, maybe later this winter. 2 hours.

Day 18
On this day, we visited another former railroad bridge on the Olympic Discovery Trail - Morse Creek Bridge. More stunning scenery across the river and a nice stroll down the newly paved trail. Afterwards we took the girls to a playground in Port Angeles, quite a nice one. It's one of those playgrounds that is fully fenced and has lots of structures to climb on, looks very similar to a castle or fortress. The trail then playground was our way of getting some exercise in for the adults. Although, we did have a chance to climb around on the playground as well. 20 min at the bridge 1 hour at the park.