Ragnar Relay 2010

I don't even know where to begin! This was one of the most fun/amazing/incredible experiences of my life. I participated in a relay race from Ventura to Dana Point. That is 200.4 miles! Each member of our team ran three legs of the race. Each leg was about 3 to 10 miles long. My legs were 5.3 miles from Moorpark to Simi Valley, 7 miles from the Santa Monica Peir to Manhattan Beach, and 6.1 miles in Huntington Beach. Our team started at 6:30 am on Friday morning and we didn't finish until 8:00 pm Saturday night. We were supposed to get some sleep in there but I am sleep challenged so I didn't sleep a wink. We pulled our sleeping bags out on the Santa Monica pier (there were lots of others 'sleeping' there as well.) Some members of my team actually slept but I just kept thinking "I am on the Santa Monica Peir in a sleeping bag trying to sleep." Ya, I never slept. Plus I was the next runner so I was getting anxious about my next run at 2 am! Our team captain's awesome son came and rode his bike with me so I wouldn't be alone with all the bums on Venice Beach. I gotta admit that during the race I was thinking in my mind "never will I do this again!" But after the race I was thinking "bring it on for next year!" The running was fun but the BEST part was driving in the van with 5 other awesome ladies and having a great time.

Our team was the Dust Bunnies. I never ran in my bunny ears but I did run with the bunny tail - it made me faster.

A middle of the night exchange at Redondo Beach.

Here is my running my last leg (notice my bunny tail.) The last four miles were pretty rough - they were down a canal in Huntington. BORING! Plus I was pooped. But it was a huge rush finishing all of my runs.

Our awesome team Captain Debbie. She was sooo much fun and ran the longest leg in our van: 8.8 almost at the end.

Celebrating by the surfer statue.

We debated cheating (not running all of our legs) but we didn't! WE DID IT!!!! We were one of the last teams to finish but we finished! Honestly! A good chunk of teams didn't finish so we were pretty proud of ourselves. Our goal next year is to finish in the light.

I was a little sore on Sunday but not too bad. I am so glad I did it. I will definitely remember this forever. Thanks gals!

The Little Red Hen

Carly's kindergarten class put on the Little Red Hen play. Carly was really excited because she got the part of the Little Red Hen. She practiced her lines a lot and did a fabulous job! By the time we saw the play even Mac had all the songs and lines memorized. It is an adorable play and we were really proud of our Little Hen! This is Alisa's scrapbook page that I took from her blog - thanks Alisa!

The other kids got to sit down during the play but Carly reminded us she had to stand up the whole time. That was an important/hard job!

Great job Carly Cars!

Crazy Hair Day

This is what we came up with for this year! Carly couldn't help herself and had to pose for the pictures. Such cutie pies.

End of an Era

Mac got these Lightning McQueen shoes for his second birthday and he has LOVED them. I must admit I am not the biggest fan of character shoes but his love for these shoes was pretty sweet. I think he thought he was invincible while wearing them. As you can see he wore them with a lot of heart, clear through to his socks. I was sad to see them go! I felt like I was throwing out part of his childhood. But, it was time to move on! We didn't keep the shoes but I had to take some pictures to remember them.

Note the bald tires.

Happy Birthday Brad!

Our Bubba is one! On one hand this year has flown by, but on the other hand it feels like he has been in our family forever. His latest big accomplishment is mastering walking. While we were in Utah he decided he was done crawling and has been walking ever since. I love this picture - he looks like he is about to punch the air really hard.

It can be challenging getting a picture of Brad since he LOVES to try and grab the camera.

Memories from the first year: that cute little baby laugh, a CAT scan, a chipped tooth, not sleeping through the night, loves yogurt, strawberries, and peas, loves playing the piano and being outside, loves swinging at the park, loves his brother and sisters, and of course loves being held!

Easter

Easter is one of my favorite days of the year. I have so many fun memories of Easter at my Grandparents house. It always smelled so good and Grandma always had a special treat for us. We had a great time celebrating Easter in Utah with family. It was a tad cold but that is Easter in Utah for ya! The cold didn't phase the kids during the Easter Egg hunt. It is amazing how searching for candy can just warm you right up.

Mac has caught on to the 'get as much candy as you can as fast as you can' philosophy of Easter Egg hunting. Brad, not so much.

He was happy with his one green egg. He thought it was a ball and kept throwing it and laughing. Finding eggs everywhere!

Analyzing the loot. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa McAllister for such a wonderful Easter!

It's a Party!

We had Brad's birthday party in Utah. We had a little piggy cake, cousins, and presents. A perfect party!Mac is really into blowing out candles lately. Since Brad couldn't care less we let Mac have at it.Brad was pretty calm about the whole cake eating experience. He is basically a professional eater so he took it like a champ.All done! Victory! He got lots of help opening his presents. Mac took right over playing with them. Ahhh brotherly love. We love you Bubba!

Cousins are the BEST!

There is nothing better than playing with your cousins. Age and gender do not matter; cousins will accept you unconditionally. Here they are making up a play. Gotta love Carly's facial expressions.

Mac with his new cousin Avie and cute cousin Shelby. We love our cousins; we wished they lived CLOSER!

Kindred Spirits

Brad and his cousin Shelby LOVE food. We caught Brad feeding Shelby after she had finished eating. Brad shoved food in as fast as he could and she ate it all. It was pretty funny.

Some Pre-Birthday Fun

Kate and Melinda came to see us while we were at my parents. We got to play lots with them and take some rides on the four wheeler. They brought gifts for Brad and he had lots of fun opening them. Of course his favorite thing to play with at my parents is the fireplace! I know I am biased but that smile with the dimple and blue eyes just melts my heart.

...and of course the box is just as fun as those dang cute shoes.

Trips vs. Vacations

McKay and I decided (sometime in the 24 hours we were driving) that you take trips with your kids. Vacations are when you go without your kids. :) Needless to say, we LOVE our kids. This is McKay after a few days of our "Trip."