1/2 Marathon

 After meeting my goal of running a 5k and 10k and a triathlon I decided to start training for a 1/2 marathon.  September 1st in Lake Forrest.  

It was hard.  Which is funny because I had run 12.1 miles on my regular route with no difficulty.  Here are my theories, I run a very flat route and at the time a 10 minute pace.  

The 1/2 was either up hill or down hill with no flats.  The path was also tilted to the left or right making my knees ache.  For the first 6 miles I was running a 8:50 pace.  I finished the race at an average pace of 9:30 2 hours 4min 55sec.  

My goal was 2hour 5 min.  So I am super proud of myself.  

Point being I was running way faster than I had ever ran before.  It was also HOT.  Why tell you all of this.  Because when you see the pictures of me at the end you will realize how wasted I was.  I was ready for the race I swear.  

And I can't wait to do it again. 

 Anyone what to join me?

 Did I mention the cobblestones of death?  No

Well we had to cross them 4 times!  Look closely there are big gaps all over.  

Ankle breakers.  

Not advisable to run across them.

 See wasted.

 Too tired to put my medal on.

 But I did it.  

In 7 months I went from non runner to 13.1 miles.  

I ran the whole way besides the bathroom break.

Amazing feeling.

Did I mention I took 3 place for women.

And 4th of 25 overall.

Seriously amazing.

 My girlfriend Sara stepped in the week of the race and ran with me.

August 2012

 In August I turned 30!

Tyson totally surprised me and got our amazing friends to watch the kids and we headed North. We stayed in Avila Beach.

 Went to Hearst Castle.  I have really wanted to go ever since we went and missed the last tour of the day.  This time we were successful in seeing the inside.

 Such an amazing trip.  We got home late Saturday night.  Then on Sunday we headed over to our friends house for the monthly cookie night only to find out that Tyson had changed it into a surprise party with all of my friends.  I felt so special.  But I don't have any pictures of the event.  Kristie do you?

Aiden's angel kisses.

 Concert in the Park with our dear friends Holly and Forrest.  They are also the rockstars that moved into our house for a couple of days to watch the kiddos.  I can't thank them enough!

 Not sure where this gem is from.

 Or this one.

July 2012

 4th of July Fireworks were awesome.  We walked a block up onto the river trail and we could see 3 or 4 different shows.

 Gotta have glow sticks.

 One day I looked outside to find the boys having a picnic under the neighbors umbrella that hangs over the fence.

When it's raining what do you use?

 I can't remember where she got the black eye.

June 2012

 The Boys got into golf.

 Father's day.

 Fathers day cake.  Lemon drop cake yum.

 Cupcakes for Aiden's end of the year party.

 Gami and Nola

April 2012 Liam turns 4!

 In April Liam turned 4.  His best friend Greyson also turned 4 3 days later.  So we had a joint Mario party and it was a blast!  Party prep is so much easier with a friend.  I love that Liam is so much taller just like Luigi.  And it's an L, too perfect.  This is the picture for the invite.

 Nola's first and only pigtail.  She pulls them out so fast.  And since she has such little hair I accept.

Liam's actual Birthday opening presents.

 Liam's Birthday cake which I love.  Only bummer is due to time constraints I had to stack the cake the day before and it started to sag a bit.

 Kristie (Greyson's Mom) was a huge help making this cake.

This is the only picture of the awesome star cookies.

 Bounce house of course!

 Chocolate mustaches!

 Sister Ledbetter is the boys Primary Teacher.  We LOVE her! 

A fantastic day with fantastic friends!