Kansas Winter - So Confused

On January 28, 2013, I left work at 4:00 p.m. to pick up the kids and take them to the KSU Dairy Bar at Call Hall and celebrate the 73 degree temps.  We picked up our neighbors to take them along for the celebration.  The following day, January 29, 2013, snow began to fall and we went from sun to snow in the blink of an eye.  Gotta love a Kansas Winter. Right?

Keenan's First Reconciliation

This past Saturday Keenan celebrated his First Reconciliation.  He was pretty nervous all morning and couldn't seem to sit still once we got to church.  I had spent time with him during the week going over some handouts that were sent home with him from his Religious Education class. We talked about if the act was an "accident" or on "purpose."  We also talked about the two kinds of sins etc.  The look of confusion and indecision on his face was priceless.  I think by the end and before the big day he finally had it worked out and was ready to go.  When we returned to our seats, after waiting in a fairly long line for the confession which didn't seem to help with his nerves, Keenan turned and said, "Wow, I am glad that is over."  Next stop, First Communion.  Yay!

Weekend - Redefined

There was a point in my life, probably before children, that I associated weekends with relaxation.  I have managed to redefine the weekend and it is now defined as chaos.  Between running kids to birthday parties, sleepovers, play dates, practices and games, getting caught up on housework, kids homework and getting my runs in, I am always exhausted when Monday rolls around and ready for a real weekend.  

Kira and Keenan had busy weekends with basketball and wrestling.  Keylee had a busy weekend being their biggest fan.  Kira had a basketball tournament and her team placed 2nd.  I wish my pictures were better but I am still trying to figure out my camera. I have only had my camera now for three years so I am hoping this will be the year I get it figured out. 

Below are super-fans Keylee and Darci.  Darci had a full day of basketball with her son playing in the same tournament but that didn't stop her from coming back to the gym to cheer on Kira too.

 Keenan got 1st place at his wrestling tournament this weekend.  The Manhattan club was the host of the tournament and, as always, the tournament was well done and well attended with wrestlers from all over.  Below Keenan is wrestling a kid from the Topeka club.

Keenan got the pin for the win.

Keenan being coached up by two of his coaches Jeff Sturdy (above) and Shawn Bammes (below) Oh, and his Dad adding in a few suggestions too.

Keenan is also playing Rec-League basketball this Winter.  I signed him up which means I also signed Joe up to coach.  However, in the picture below, there might be some confusion as to who is the coach.  Keenan is on the end of the bench shouting out some orders to his teammates while Joe is all smiles taking it all in.  

The picture above is yet another blurry pic but this time I cannot blame it on the iPhone.  Nope, this time the problem is the same as mentioned above.  It is me not knowing how to use my fancy camera with a million settings and I never know which one is the right one for indoor sports.

Christmas 2012

Christmas in Dodge City:

Before we open gifts the grandchildren always sing Silent Night and place Jesus in the manger which is shown just above their heads in the picture below.  Then,  our kids did a little prayer presentation before everyone opened the gifts.  Keylee is reading her prayer below (clearly getting help from Kira, Keenan and even Joe)

 Joe's brother, Mike, gave Keenan his first BB Gun and protective eye-wear. We wouldn't want him to shoot his eye out.

Christmas at our house in Manhattan:

The kids were pretty excited about their gifts from Santa.  Keylee wanted a Furby so she can use the iPad app to interact with it.  Behind Keylee is the American Girl Doll box which Keylee asked for the doll "Kit."

 Keenan wanted all things Skylander.  He was very excited to get the carrying case and battle arena.

 Kira asked for a variety of items this year ranging from clothes, boots and the Darth Vader alarm clock that she is holding in the picture below.

Overall, they seemed very satisfied with the treasures that Santa brought them.

Yoga Christmas Party

My friend, Angela (the one I ran Dallas Marathon with), and I hosted a Christmas party for some others that we often run with.  Most of the people in the group complete a full marathon or a half-marathon in 2012 and we wanted to celebrate.  There were several people who could not make it but the few that did seemed to enjoy the experience.  For many in our group, yoga was something they had not tried in the past.  Angela and I have both taken classes at Orange Sky Yoga and the instructor/owner Jessa Voos (standing next to me in picture below) is amazing.  

I prefer the type of Christmas party where workout attire is preferred :) I get tired of dressing up for holiday events so this was the perfect party for me.

A Winning Weekend

I would definitely classify last weekend as a winning weekend.  Keenan took first place at his wrestling tournament in Junction City.  Kira's basketball team, 5th Grade Lady Cats, took first place at their basketball tournament in Riley where they beat Clay Center in overtime.  On Sunday, we did the Santa Brunch at our Country Club where the kids were able to visit with Santa and eat so, for Keenan, it doesn't get better than that.  

I do not love my iPhone camera. Sorry for the blurry sports pictures. 

Back from Dallas

As my few followers know, the NYC Marathon was cancelled so I scheduled a make-up marathon in Dallas.  The problem with the Dallas Marathon was that it was more than a month after the NYC marathon which meant more long runs on the weekends. The good thing about the Dallas Marathon is that it happened.  Angela traveled to NYC with me and also to Dallas.  My friend, Tanna, traveled to NYC to run but opted out of the Dallas Marathon.  Angela and I had a very fast and very fun trip to Dallas.  We left on Saturday around 11:00 a.m. flying directly out of Manhattan.  Approximately one hour later we had landed in Dallas and we were at our hotel by 2:00 p.m.  We picked up our race packets, ate dinner with a couple other friends running the race, watched the disappointing Heisman show, then ran on Sunday morning and flew back home after the race on Sunday evening.  

Angela and I on our way to the airport

At the Expo

Very cool decorations in front of the Omni Hotel

There were two others, Bob Stamey and Krista Caffey, that we knew from Manhattan that were also running so we met up with them for dinner and in the lobby of the hotel before the race. 

Pretty lights and holiday decor that we saw on our way to the race start

Angela and I post-race.  

Angela has been such a great training partner.  She is very disciplined and keeps me on track.  We have logged many miles together and I couldn't ask for a better running partner and friend. Thanks Ang!!

I know it sounds silly but I am so glad to have this marathon behind me.  The cancellation of NYC was so disappointing but Angela and I both had a great race in Dallas and we both achieved our best race times yet. It was 26.2 long miles but I completed the race and my goal with a time of 3:50:29 and Angela finished 3:51:42.