Rock ‘n’ Roll Vacation

As many of you know I’ve been training hard for my first half marathon. Well May 19th was the big day. My 1/2 of choice was the Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon in Portland, OR. My first large-scale run and the first I’ve run with friends (Go Team Slow Poke!). It was AWESOME!!! I finished in a respectable 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 33 seconds (right about 50th percentile time-wise of the 10,000 – yeah 10,000! – runners). I’m borrowing the pictures below from my friend Libby (in the purple on the top left), credit goes to her sister/race sherpa Jill except for the one on the bottom right. That photo is compliments of my Dad who came down with Kevin and the kids to cheer me on.

Being the race was in Portland it meant we were close to my folks so we stayed with  them a few days and had a nice visit. Emilie fell in love with my Mom’s ancient cat “The Bug,” whom she followed around everywhere. She also enjoyed making faces at her youngest cousin Owen.

Jack had an awesome time riding bikes with his cousin Mattie. Kevin and I taught the boys (Jack, Noah, & Matty) how to race pedal tractors down my folk’s driveway. We had to demonstrate, of course. Kevin remains the firm pedal tractor/soapbox derby champion. We even took a trip to the old walk-up Dairy Queen that is a feature of many a childhood memory for me.

After a few days in Clark County we headed down to the coast. Kev’s Uncle Ken was kind enough to let us crash at his beach house on Willipa Bay. We got to see some friends of mine from college and play on the beach. Despite all the raining it did the kid’s were not phased and enjoyed splashing through tidepools, turning over rocks, and hunting for seashells.

We ended up leaving the beach slightly earlier than planned, as Kevin’s Grandma had bruised her hip and had some wonky bloodwork and was spending a few days in the hospital (She is home and on the mend now). We figured since we were headed that way any way that we might as well go a day early. Before we left we did manage to swing by the Maritime Museum in Astoria, OR. I never would have guessed the kids would enjoy model ships and fake fish so much. Then again they are pretty easy keepers….a trip to the truck stop gets them all excited.

Back in Moses Lake we had a fun time just chillin out for a few days. Kevin and I even got a night out sans kids…just in time for our 7th wedding anniversary. Nothing says Happy Anniversary like Chico’s Pizza and their new signature beer (compliments of the Iron Horse Brewery in Ellensburg).

The kids went fishing with ‘Pa’ and each caught three fish. One literally flew right out of the water and smacked poor Emilie in the face as she and Grandpa reeled in….fishing with Grandpa can be exciting .

Grandma came home from the hospital while we were there…just in time to celebrate her 87th Birthday! Thankfully Jack was there to help, because blowing out 87 candles is hard work! Well, five candles….but two of them were trick candles. Thankfully, Great-grandma has some experience with those and she showed Jack why it’s important to keep your water glass handy on occasions such as these. Ahhhh, the wisdom that comes with years.

So all that took about ten days to do! Lots of fun but also tiring. Plus there is always all that catch up to do once you get home. Trust me when I say the lawn pretty much needed swathed and baled. I think I’ve finally got everything back on track though.

Here’s on more parting shot for you. This is what happens when you spend too many hours on the road….you get a little loopy and your undies wind up on your noggin’