Pentathlon Performance

The men-folk at work (all three of them) decided not to do the Big Swim this year. Instead, Seth found himself being roped into a pentathlon instead. A co-worker, Mr. U, put this casual-unofficial-grassroots-just-for-fun race together, the day of the big event there was a wild and rowdy crowd of 5 competitors...and about 10 spectators/support crew.

The general idea was: swim, shoot (archery), kayak, bike, run. Obviously speed was crucial, however...there were time bonuses and penalties in the archery.

It's always fun and games before the race...
And then it was time to swim...
Seth was out of the water first (with another former college-swimmer-guy nipping at his heels). Then archery time, Seth had a penalty and a few bonuses and ended up breaking even - (sorry, not posting the picture, Seth was in his next-to-nothings).
He jumped into the kayak...
And raced around the "point," at which point Hazel and I "raced" across base (if you consider going 10 mph "racing") to meet up with Seth in the next section...
He jumped out of his kayak, attempted to get water from the support crew and sped off on his bike.
Still looking energetic (and still in the lead!), Seth pulled up on his bike and took off running.
Seth hates to run. H.A.T.E.S to run. It was a while before we saw him again. But he crossed the finish line first. Due to his stellar running, Mr. C and Mr. J came in shortly after Seth. Followed by Mr. F and the race director, Mr. U (who curiously had a 7 minute time bonus - now we know why the race included archery!).

Everyone waited with great anticipation as the time bonuses/penalties were added in. When the final minutes were added and subtracted, it was discovered that third place, Mr. J (a superstar runner) had come in 58 seconds behind Seth, but had a one minute bonus. Thus crushing Seth's victory by 2 seconds! Sniff. Sniff.
Mr. F, Mr. J, Seth, Mr. C & Mr. U

Mr. F, unhappy with his results, has demanded a rematch. He is challenging the "mer-men" and "Robinhood" to a sprint triathlon. Looks like we have a race to look forward to in the spring!

Eighteen Months

25 pounds (65%)

31 inches (30%) ??
(very questionable as she was kicking and screaming, the pediatrician thinks she's a bit taller...I agree)

sweet. sun. sand.

We patiently waited, all summer, for school to start and for Labor Day to come and go.
Because, we know that the weekend after Labor Day is wonderful at the beach.

Friday was a little cloudy, which made it a little chilly, but well...it didn't stop us!
Hazel l.o.v.e.d being in the water with Daddy. They practiced jumping waves and diving under big waves. (Yes. She really did go under a few waves, on purpose).
Each time, she'd giggle and squeal. I could hear her from the beach. Her giggles were enticing, and soon I found myself out in the (freezing) water.
Saturday started out with a traditional walk (twice) to the Fractured Prune.
Oh.
Sweet Deliciousness.
Doughnuts Divine.
We sort of forgot (beach amateurs) that we needed cash, so we worked up an appetite making the walk twice.
I love you, Mrs. Prunella. Lemonade. Sand.
Mmm, maybe we need to go back.
Saturday was gorgeous. Warm, sunny and p.e.r.f.e.c.t.
We quickly realized that the weekend after Labor Day is Toddler Weekend. It appeared that other "young" families had the same idea. I have never seen so many toddler/babies/preggo ladies at the beach.
It was awesome.
Hazel enjoyed playing in the tidal pools (the water was like bathwater), Seth dug her a nice little "swimming pool" at one end. And she had a blast swimming/splashing all over.
After a long day at the beach, walking through the sand is just too much.
This little girl laid down and was NOT moving.
But then we told her there were swings. And Dad promised her an "underdog"...
I'm not quite sure what "life's lessons" Seth is sharing with Hazel, but I know they are important.
I love their little footprints in the sand.
Thank you Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa for being so generous and letting us stay at your place at the beach!! It's our favorite!!!

cruisin'

Why on earth is Hazel so happy?

She just found out she's got a new ride...
...and she loves it!

car wash

I caught Hazel helping Seth wash the car.
I took some fun pictures,
but the ones after the car wash were even better.

Water Babies

Waterskiing.
def: the act of boating, slaloming, two-skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding and tubing
(we did it all growing up)
It's in my blood. I was born to do it. No, really, I'm pretty sure my mom slalomed with me as a fetus (okay, knowing my mom she was probably doing 360s on the kneeboard instead).

We live 2000 miles away from my parents' boat. Bummer.

We have friends. In Maryland. They have a boat. They like us. Bonus.
We met up the same afternoon that Hurricane Earl was to "feast on the East coast".
He missed.

Hazel has never worn a life jacket before. She took to it, like it was a second skin
(even if she couldn't put her chin down).
I started smiling the minute we pulled up at the dock. I didn't stop. The smile got even bigger when I got up on my first try (it's been a while- don't judge). I didn't push myself as hard as I used to, but I still managed a sweet, body-slamming, ski flying, nostrils-flaring (perfect for water intake) crash on my second or third run.
Still smiling.
Seth was a master of the double-ski. He had fun. Then he was introduced to the wakeboard. Love. Real, honest love. For seven years I have told him all about the joy of boating. All it took was a ride on the board.
He agrees, we need a boat.
It seriously could not have been a more beautiful afternoon. If you don't believe me, look at the water.
Glass. Skier heaven.
We had so much fun. We could have stayed out all night. Really. I would have skied in the dark. Okay, I'm lying. I am terrified of water at night.
Thank you, thank you, thank you B's. (Who, bytheway, are the most incredible skiers I have ever seen) - check out their pics here.

3-0 on the 30th

Happy Birthday, Seth!!

We went to Grandpa's yesterday and celebrated his birthday, as well as Seth's. I attempted to make a cake...I think I need to take a decorating class!
For Seth's 30th, I have always, always, always planned on throwing him a big, awesome surprise party. However, it seemed a little too difficult getting friends to fly in from all over the country and world...so I did the next, best thing. I asked his friends and family to send me the first thing they think about when they think of Seth. I put them all together in a book and gave that to him for his birthday.

He swears it was the best present ever. If you are in that book, please know how much it meant to Seth. Thank you!

We had a pretty low-key birthday celebration, on his actual birthday, but Seth seemed okay with that. He is patiently waiting for the other half of his birthday present. (A new Nikon, that hasn't been released, yet).

I've said it a thousand times on this blog, but really, Seth is a one-of-a-kind, I am so grateful that he picked me. I am so impressed with all that he has accomplished in the first thirty years, and can't wait to see what happens in the next thirty!

Our birthday activity? Attempting to get a little family picture...

Pool Days

pool = happy hazel

ooooorioles!

Go O's Go!
Mmmmm, who doesn't enjoy some good ol' Boogs? (No, not booger... just boog!)
This Oriole is waaaay bigger than the ones in our neighborhood!
It was a great night...until...
somebody realized the O's just weren't going to win.