The Hornet

I am actually a bit numb with shock just TYPING this blog post since I never dreamt I'd be a wife of a motorcycle man...but what do you know? Here I am, wife of a motorcycle man. It all started with the rising cost of gas (he drives a suburban to work every day), my neurotic complaining of budget problems, and my husband's desire to drive a two wheel death defying machine. I said no the first probably 35 times he asked, but when he did a full spread sheet on how much gas money it would save (sick that this is what had me sway slightly on the topic...) I managed a "hmmm...we'll see" instead of a "are you crazy? NO WAY!". Well, my husband took the "we'll see" as "go on Craig's list the next day and BUY ONE". I was visiting up the street with my neighbor when I see my husband driving up the road followed by a motorcycle and the guilt was written all over his face. You should have seen my march home AND the look on the poor bloke who drove the motorcycle when he saw MY face. Well, a few weeks and lots of practice later (oh and a new jacket and helmet...which is why I now affectionately call him "The Hornet") he is officially licensed and on the road. Heaven help us all!!

My little fatbaby

A day at the park...

He does not love peas, just like his mama!!

Sleeping fatbaby at the pool.

Elvis or John Travolta?

Okay Caden woke up with the funniest hair the other day and we couldn't get over it! His bedhead is pretty glam.

half marathon, father's day, and the last day of school

The last week has been busy! First of all, it was the last week of school and all the assorted parties and hoopla that entails. I seriously can't believe I have a third grader and a first grader now! We are all so excited that it is summer. I love not having such a rigid schedule and a million things to run around to. Now I just need to embrace the chaos and try and remain calm amidst the arguing, fighting, whining ("I'm bored...what can I do?") and running back and forth to swim lessons.




For Father's day I got Spence a firepit, some roasters and marshmallows (and graham crackers and hershey's chocolate). We had a blast making smores in our backyard. Who says you can't have outdoor fun when you live in suburbia????






Finally, it is my half marathon! I finished and felt strong...it was great. I can't even begin to comprehend running 13 MORE miles, but I can't really think about that, or I will get very discouraged. In the meantime, I really enjoyed the race and was surprised at how NOT unpleasant it ended up being!



I'll throw in a few other pictures of the zoo, swim lessons, Kiara's first piano recital and some friends and anything else I can find since I haven't posted in ages.

Birthday and Running (again)

Okay so you might be sick of me talking about running all the time, but it seems like that is all I am doing as of late. I will not drone on about it for too long, other than to say I am up to 11 miles and I am surprisingly enjoying myself. Yesterday the weather was gorgeous, we got up early and ran in a really beautiful area. The entire run was flat (yeah!!) until the end where there was about a half mile stretch up hill. I plugged in both headphones (usually we talk the entire run, but I needed some Creed to push me up the hill) and made it! I was so proud of myself! It wasn't like I was smokin' fast or anything, but I have to say, running long distance is such a great feeling. Pushing your body longer and harder than ever and realizing how strong you really are... I love it!

Okay, I will quit droning on and on about running...but it is a bit all consuming! Better topic...my birthday!! I turned 31 and let's be honest, is there a more boring number? It wasn't a dreaded birthday or an exciting one, just a boring one. BUT, I did something a bit unprecedented...I hired a house cleaner to come and I left and took the girls to our gym where we swam (Caden sat and watched) and then I ran a few errands and came home to a sparkling house. Spencer thought I was crazy to not spend my birthday money on clothes or something more exciting, but you have NO idea how happy having a clean house made me! I sang "happy birthday to me" ALL afternoon long (much to my children's chagrin). Then, a friend of mine gave me the all time most coveted guest pass to the Nike Employee store and I spent a little too much money on running gear (probably not a good idea to go shopping on one's birthday b/c suddenly I felt very justified in making more purchases than necessary). I have a bag full of returns (the ever present "buyer's remorse" that I am painfully cursed with), but the day of shopping and house cleaning was glorious. There was a bit of guilt as I went to bed thinking about how I was living like a rich person when I don't have the paycheck of one, but it was my birthday and we all need to live like the rich on occasion, right????????? (Everyone nod and say, "Yes, Chelsea", I don't need any more guilt on the subject). Anyway, some of my great friends took me out to lunch at Panera bread (my all time favorite lunch hangout) and so it was an all around great birthday. Who ever said turning 31 was boring? Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me...hee hee.

Da Scoop

Okay, so I was very surprised by my disappointment of not getting selected in the St. George lottery...so disappointed, in fact, that I ended up researching another Saturday run and signing up for the Logan marathon. I have heard it is relatively flat and well organized, so I signed up and booked my flight. My girlfriends and I are already planning the massages, the Mustang convertible rental car, sleeping in, and the hot tub after. Sad that a marathon is my excuse for a fun girl get away...next time it will be shopping, eating out, and pedicures fo sho! I told my girls about getting into the race, and Kiara (my 6yo) enthusiastically says: "Mom you are a rockstar!", I was pleased that I was getting the respect I deserved for this until Emma (my 3yo) says: "Yeah mom, you are a BIG rock!" Unfortunately at the speed I run, Emma might have been more accurate in her compliment.

So the picture has nothing to do with my post, but I like to look at pictures, and well, he's just so cute!! :)

Marathon Insanity

In an effort to get in shape this summer, I joined a running "group" (Portland Fit) to train for the Helvetia half marathon. The group actually trains for the Portland marathon, but that has been of NO interest to me. (Who knowingly CHOOSES to subject themselves to such painful torture???). Well, after agreeing to run in the group with a few of my good friends, I somehow managed to succumb to a whirlwind of peer pressure and sign up for a marathon.

I am in the lottery for the St. George marathon, which with any luck I'll get denied and then I can get the aching pit in my stomach to quit reminding me of my stupidity. I am not a runner, and though I have run hundreds of miles in the course of my life, I still can't claim to be a runner for two reasons: 1. I am slow. 2. I hate it. The ONLY things that keep me running are that it is great for losing baby weight, and I really love the feeling of being DONE running. We find out whether we made the lottery on May 8th. Then I get to look forward to spending my ENTIRE summer and EVERY weekend for the next 4+ months pounding pavement...really, seriously, I mean what in the WORLD was I thinking? I better look pretty freaking HOT in my swimsuit this summer...