Triathlon 2011

Back in June Quinn and I decided we were going to do a Triathlon in Boston this year, and be a team. Quinn's brother's family that also lives here in Boston does it every year. We decided that Quinn was going to do the quarter mile swim and the 10 mile bike, and I would do the 3.5 mile run. I started training back in June, although my training wasn't very religious since we were busy getting ready to move. I did at least accomplish a new first in my life time, and that was to run a mile without stopping. I know that sounds pathetic that I didn't even do it in highschool, but glad I finally did it. I realized that a big part of running is a mental thing, and I just kept pushing myself to run, and it wasn't that bad. Anyways, on to the day of the triathlon.


(Clarissa and cousin Nichole)
The triathlon was on September 10, at Cape Cod. We went down the night before and had a pasta dinner at Olive Garden, and then rested up for the big day, at least that was the hope. Clayton and Sarah woke up several times in the night, sleeping in a new place does not work well with my children. Plus, we had to wake up at 5:30 am, and leave by 6 so we could register, and start the race at 7:30. Everyone looked at our kids funny because we dragged them to the beach still in their pjs, but I wasn't going to wake up earlier than we had to.

Clarissa and Clayton were also given swim caps, which they just thought was fun to put on Sarah's head. The kids had a great time playing at the beach while Quinn and I did the race.

Quinn did a great job with the swim and the bike. I survived the run, and actually shaved 3 minutes off my time from when we did this 6 years ago when we lived here before. It's not hard to shave off 3 minutes when you are running very slow and averaging a 14 minute mile. My goal was to run the entire thing, even if it was slow. I only walked for a couple of blocks for a water break. I was glad I ran the whole thing, but at the same time, after the fact, felt like I could have and should have run faster. I guess that's what next year is for!

We took a few pictures after the race. We took this one, and realized we were standing right in front of an ambulance, luckily we didn't have to ride in it.

Much better background.

Not a great family shot, the sun was in our eyes.

Sarah was also extremely tired and hungry, so she was happy that we were done.

We had such a fun time doing the triathlon, and were glad that lots of family and friends did it. Quinn and I realized we are out of shape. We totally got wasted by all the other individuals and teams in our group, we came in last place of our group, but 2nd to last place of all the teams in the triathlon. Like I said, we are already looking forward to next year, and hopefully we can train a little better.

Creative Clayton

Clayton loves playing with these instruments, and building different ones, I think this is one of the biggest ones he made. This is actally a set I had when I was a kid, I'm glad my mom kept it, all my kids love it, even Sarah.

Clayton always climbs over our couch, even though he's not supposed to. This time he got stuck, and I was tempted to leave him! I rescued him just after I took the picture.

I don't remember why this picture was taken, but I think he looks like he's up to something!

This was on our move to Boston. I was driving alone with Clayton and Sarah, and I heard a little voice from the back saying "me draw, me draw". Not much you can do about a boy with a pen when you have hundreds of miles to drive and you don't want to stop. Luckily he didn't draw on his clothes, or anything else that couldn't be washed off.

Couple of House Pictures

I thought I'd post a couple of pictures of our house, more to come, once I get it clean enough (and keep it clean) to take a picture, so who knows when that will be!

Couple different views of our kitchen, however, we now have a new white stove.

The kids bedroom.

We really like the house we live in, and feel so lucky to have found it. My kids especially love the fact that we have lots of friends that live right upstairs from us. We live in a two-family home, we are on the bottom level, and our land lords live upstairs and have 6 kids, ranging from age 13 down to 3, so it's perfect for Clarissa and Clayton. We also love that we are a 2 minute walk from Clarissa's elementary school, and Quinn is also a 2 minute walk, in the other direction, to the bus stop. We can't believe we have already been in Boston 2 months now, we are starting to feel a little more settled.

Wagon picture

I found the picture of Clarissa in the wagon, I think she was about 7 months old. It's fun to look at both her and Sarah doing the same thing and compare them at the same stage.

Creative Clayton

Clayton outside with the bright sun!

Clayton wishes he could go to school with Clarissa, and was very sad every day that we took her to school for about the first week. There are times that I think he is ready. Like when he packs his own snack.

The first time I had to pack Clarissa a snack for school, Clayton insisted on packing a snack too. I gave him some pieces of cheese, but he packed the rest. I love how the fruit snacks and especially the gatorade got put in a baggy! Oh, how I love this kid!

He is finally ok with not going to school, he's stopped asking every morning, but he still packs himself a lunch or snack most mornings as I'm getting Clarissa's ready, and carries it around in his little back pack.

Smiley Sarah

I tried to recreate a picture with Sarah that I have of Clarissa when she was a baby. I don't have time to try to find the one of Clarissa, but I wanted to post this of Sarah.

The picture I have of Clarissa is one of my Mom's favorite of her, because of the expression on her face. Sometime I'll have to find the other one to compare, but for now, here is Smiley Sarah!

Sarah loves to eat black beans, and loves to give herself a facial with them.

And for those of you who have not met Sarah, she is "smiley" like this all of the time!