Take Me Out to the Ball Game

We have been here for three years now and we have never gone to an Indians Game, until now. Since they are only a Minor League team tickets aren't as expensive and you can just get them at the gate so you don't have to plan too far in advance. We have been kicking the idea around for a while and finally decided to do it. The weather was nice so we packed some snacks, stuck the blanket and stroller in the car and headed downtown. When we got there some really nice man just handed Brady tickets saying that his friends wern't able to make it so he didn't need them, we lucked out. We sat on the lawn, watched the game, and ate snacks. The kids were hyper so they didn't really want to sit and watch but that was the nice thing about the lawn seats. All in all we had a good time and right as the last fireworks were booming overhead they told everyone to hurry home because a tornado warning had just been issued. We got back to our car without one drop of rain but it poured they whole way home...it ended just in time. The best part was the impression it made on Caden. We just signed him up to play T-ball and I have been telling him he gets to play with the big boys because he didn't quite make the cut off but they let him play anyway. So the day after the game it was "meet your team day" for t-ball, right before we left he asked, "do you think I will be on the team we watched last night?" I told him probably not and he was pretty bummed, but after a while he said, "do you think they will at least have fireworks at my games?" I love how enthusiastic he is. Who knows maybe if he is anything like his Daddy someday he will play a game where there are fireworks after.

My adorable little gang

Teahing him all the tricks

Watching the Fireworks...Caden's favorite part

All Good Things Must End

I still feel like I am playing catch-up from my little "Twilight" hiatus so this happened a couple of weeks ago but am just getting to it. Caden recently finished his year of preschool at our local YMCA...have I mentioned lately how much I "heart" the YMCA? Anyway, they had a little ice cream party so they could go and see their friends one last time and say good-bye to their teachers. It was really kind of sad for me. He really loved his teachers (the younger one may have even been his first "crush") and he has made some really good friends, most of whom he may never see again. He will be attending one more year of preschool before he is off to kindergarten so some of his buddies may be in his class next year and we will probably see his teachers in the hallway from time to time so I was able to dry my eyes before too many tears fell. I captured some of the fun moments however it was kind of open house style and none of the boys were there when we were so we just have a bunch of pictures with girls--maybe he prefers it that way, who knows.

Caden with his teachers, they were absolutely wonderful.

Enjoying his ice cream

Surrounded by friends

Kamrie

I just realized that I hadn't posted these pictures. My wonderful and talented friend who enjoys photography has been taking pictures for practice and all of us as her friends are reaping the benifits. She really does an awesome job and I love these pictures. If anyone wants pictures taken and live close let me know and I will get her contact information for you. ENJOY...

The Campout

I came home from mutual Tuesday night to find this in my front room. Actually it wasn't this exactly...Brady wasn't in the pink sleeping bag yet and everyone was still awake. This was actually a few hours later when things had settled down a bit.

We got sleeping bags for the kids so they could have their own for camping. Then one of our friends got the whole camping set for Caden. Dad thought it would be fun to have a little campout in the back yard (I don't really know if what we have qualifies as a backyard...aren't there certain measurement specifications you have to meet before you can call it that.) anyway, before it was time for sleeping the weather turned a little sour and forced the campout indoors. It turned into kind of a movie party and everyone had a ball. Kamrie ended up in her crib, by request, when she just couldn't stay awake anymore but wasn't quite sure what to do with herself. That's when daddy took over the "butterfly bag." When I went to bed a little after midnight I could still hear Caden rusteling around in the tent, he was just too full of excitment to sleep. What a fun night to remember.

Proof that he actually did sleep that night.

New Arrival

I just wanted to send out a great big CONGRATULATIONS to my brother and sister-in-law, Casey and Danielle. They just had baby #2. Her name is Ellie and I hear she is just as adorable as her big sister. We are happy for you guys and we can't wait to meet her.

My Return...

I'm back!!! I have totally been neglecting my blog and most of you will understand and probably even be thrilled to hear why...here it comes...I just finished the "Twilight" series!!! I can't really put into words how great these books are. I didn't read them for a long time because they really didn't sound like something I would be into but I was so very wrong. That could be a post all it's own but I don't think I could write something that hasn't already been written. I will just say that I have joined the many fans that can't wait for the next book.

We have been having such a ball here. The weather has been nice with rainy days mixed in now and then. Caden finished preschool for the year and Brady got through his finals, so now we are just enjoying some time together. We have had some cook outs, a camping trip, went to the Indy 500 Parade, and spent plenty of time in the sun. Have I mentioned before how much I love summer???

I have some pics to share of all the fun things we have been doing but I will get to that tomorrow hopefully.

Here are the promised pictures.

Caden enjoying nature.

The kids chillin in the bike trailer. The big boys just before their ride.
Kamrie at the fountain, waiting for the parade to start.Our little family watching the parade.Kamrie and one of her favorite pals, Jonen (Jon)

Kamrie with her other favorite pal, Liny (Lindy)

The "Mini" Recap

I DID IT!!! Saturday was the day...we got up bright and early, (about 5:30 a.m.) got ready, and made our way downtown despite all the road closers. We had a little setback because we forgot our dental school parking pass so we had to search for a parking place, but we finally parked and started our warm up walk/jog to the starting line where we met up with the other 35,000+ participants. I was placed in Corral X, which was really far from the starting line so we didn't actually start the race until about 30 minutes into it. Once we actually crossed the starting line we had to do a lot of weaving in and out of people because we had started back with the "walkers." Because of all the weaving, our first mile took us longer than ever but once we passed a bunch of people we were able to settle into a better pace for ourselves. There were bands by the side of the road playing all kinds of tunes, people lining the streets cheering everyone on, and even kids standing with their hands outstreached waiting for a high 5. These little highlights and more made the race so memorable. Just after starting mile 6 we entered the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (for those of you who don't know, this is where the famous Indy 500 and NASCAR Brickyard Race take place). The track (speedway) seemed to last forever but we made it out and had just under 5 miles left. Things were going great and then I hit the wall...at mile 11 I hit a point where it seemed like every step was an eternity. I kept looking for the "12" mile marker and it seemed to be avoiding me. I ran for what seemed like days when I finally saw it in the distance I thought to myself, "Only 1.1 miles left I can do that, no problem." It was totally a mental struggle for the rest of the race. My body kept wanting to stop but my mind continued to override that desire. When there was about 1/2 mile left I gave myself a few seconds to walk, I was worried I wouldn't get going again but I did and Iwas surprised when I had enough energy to sprint (at least the closest thing you can do to sprining after runing 13 miles) the last 1/4mi. When I saw the finish line I can't explain the flood of excitment that ran through me. After crossing the finish line there are tons of volunteers handing out bottles of water, medals, bananas, apples, chips, gatoraide, and cookies. They dote on you, tell you great job and congrats, and make you feel like a million bucks. After that you get to go to the family reunion area to meet your family. This was definitely a highlight for me...As soon as I came through the gate my amazing husband and beautiful kids were standing there with flowers and open arms. It was so great to have them there and feel the excitment they felt for me. I loved this experience. Although at times I haven't always looked forward to the training, I loved it. I loved the anticipation building up to the big day, I loved the actual race, between mile 11 and 12 I wanted to die, but I loved it. I am so amazed at what your body can do when you train it and I'm even more amazed that I was able to do it. It is not just something I hear about anymore It is real for me. All of you that told me you are thinking about doing this...DO IT! I couldn't be more excited for those of you that are training, you will love it. Oh, I almost forgot, of course all of you I'm sure want to know how I finished...well I am proud to say that I came in 7225 place. Okay so that makes it sound bad but my goal was to finish in under 2 hours and I did it...my final time was 1:58:18. Here are some pictures of the big day.

The Finish Line before the heards started crossing.

Caden and Kamrie watching and waiting for me to run by.

The moment they had been waiting for. Brady said he actually got a little motion sick scanning all the heads as people ran by.

A couple of us from the dental group that ran, after the race. There were actually quite a few of us...I wish I had a picture with everyone in it.

My training partner and friend Aimee and I just after finishing.

I guess there are pictures taken as you actually cross the finish line but they aren't up on the website yet so I will have to post them (if I can) when they are up.