Refueling

Nicole, Andrew, Allison, Jo and P (showing off her belly button)

Best buds with best buds

Yeah, we are classy!

Love that girl!

Aaron and Broc chatting it up, boring Nikki.

Heather, Mom and Dad

It would not be race day without a trip to Red Robin to fill up on french fries and milk shakes. 

No matter how tired we are, we can always eat!

HAULIN' ASPEN 2012

Our 3rd Haulin' Aspen race was so much fun! By fun, I mean that it was fun when the torture of the race was over... I have to admit that I was not prepared for this one. Thankfully, a few months before the race I decided to downgrade from a marathon to a 1/2 marathon. Even still, I was sorely regretting the one-run-a-week prep while struggling up the LONGEST hill, miles 5-7. It was also quite hot, which made the run even more challenging.
The finish line a welcome sight, with a great cheering section, good food and a cool stream to soak our feet in. I was proud of each person in our group for finishing, especially Sherisa who ran her FIRST race ever! Thank you to our support crew; Broc, Emmarie, Mom, Dad, Pepper, and Nikki.
I am already excited about next year's race. You should meet us there, the first weekend in August, 2013!

Thank you to Sherisa for the following pictures.

Aaron is so jaunty after 13 miles!

John

and Pat, winning awards as usual!

So glad I made it!

Pepper and Auntie Nikki

Jo was a little tired from running so fast!

Beautiful mom and daughter.

first row:Aaron, Jo, P, me, Nicole, Allison

second row: Sherisa, Pat, John, Andrew, Ralph

Hug, Hugging, Hugged

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3

4

Many things can be said in a simple gesture such as a hug. In photo #1: A hug brings conspirators together to share secrets. In photo #2: A hugs body language suggests lets me go, or fall to the floor. On photo #3:A quick hug hello before dodging off to other interests. In photo #4: A hug represents true love and tolerance, the ingredients to a future lifelong friendship, if only they survive the hugs.

Bend Weekend

Lounging on one of the decks

So fun to see Allison, Andrew and Nicole

Playing pool with Em

Sebastian had a blast in the mini pool

Sebastian was good at entertaining the girls

We congregated again in Bend this year for the Haulin' Aspen run. This trail run has now become an annual tradition and we happily have recruited a nice sized group. It is a fun run because there is a 7 miler, 1/2 marathon and full marathon, so every level of runner can participate. Also there are always some wonderful family members in the cheering section, which is very important! Besides us there were my parents, Jo's parents, Aaron and Nikki, Ralph and Heather, Allison, Andrew and Nicole, Sherisa and Broc and Emmarie.
The house that my Mom found for us to stay in was awesome! It was large with two levels and a separate TV/game room, lots of decks, and the kids favorite, a HUGE bathtub. The view was amazing as the house is up on a hill above Bend with a lot of large picture windows. There were so many places to relax, watch the Olympics, nap, and eat, it did not feel crowded even with a large group.  I think it was a unanimous vote that that this house needs to be reserved for next year. Great job Mom!
Unfortunately, when I returned home I realized that I hardly took any pictures. I think I was pictured out from the earlier part of our vacation. Sorry to not provide a picture of the view for you. This time you will just have to trust me...it was amazing.

99 Bottles of ROOT beer...

In desperation, when Sebastian had finally tired of the DVD player and was at his wits end with this BORING traveling stuff, Jo started to sing. Jo can do pretty cool voices and every 10 bottles of root beer, he would change his accent and singing style. He is pretty entertaining and it did the trick. About 10 minutes away from our destination, Sebastian even joined in.

On the Road Again

After unpacking, cleaning, organizing, doing six loads of laundry and repacking at Katrina's house, we started the next leg of our vacation. This time we were headed to Bend, OR for a long weekend and a trail run, the Haulin' Aspen. Sebastian came along with us because he was meeting up with Grandma Pat and Grandpa John, then heading with them down to California to visit Peter, Joy, and the girls.
This picture pretty much sums up how the traveling went. Pepper is a natural at being an annoying little sister. She was bugging Sebastian whenever she was not sleeping. Sebastian was quite good natured about it at first and would sweetly say, "No Pepper, no." When that did not work he would ask, "Can't you make her stop?". I had this weird deja-vue moment, remembering this exact scenario, except that I was that annoying little sister begging for attention. I think I remember my parents saying, "I can't wait until you have kids of your own....". The other part of the trip that brought back memories was when Sebastian started asking, "When are we going to get there?", before we were even one hour down the road. All kids are the same, and yes, I deserve some payback for all I put my parents through. Unfortunately for them, they did not have DVD players with headphones for us back then...

Sebastian

On our way up the coast we stopped to take in the view and get these handsome pictures of our nephew. He was so much fun to have along on our trip!