I'm a big girl now...

Mara went in her potty all weekend! Granted she can't stay dry in between, but we don't really care. She goes when she wakes up, after naps and before bed and only had two times where she didn't go. Oh yeah, she also took a dump in the bathtub. That wasn't so fun! =(

Zit in my ear!

No, that is not the topic of this post, but I sure got your attention. Yes I had one, it was very painful, but there are better things to blog about: Samara.

***Late Breaking News: Mara just peed in the toilet for the first time ever! It was only her second time sitting on the pot!***


Samara and her pink potty. She doesn't get it yet, likes to get off of it and play in the bathtub instead, but it is a start.

Samara and her garage sale treasure: a great little car that makes lots of noises and is tough to get off of without falling!!

HELLO!!

Trek Women's Triathlon

On Sunday, I completed my first triathlon of the season. It was a sprint distance triathlon (1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) on the Ill-WI border. It was great fun. I did it with a friend from high school and a few other friends were also there. Trav and Mara had a great time cheering me on and I was so enthused with them being there! I shaved 17 minutes off my personal best time, so that was awesome! I am scheduled to do another one on August 16th and maybe a few others after that, into Sept. I definitely think that Triathlon's are my new passion. Very empowering!!!


Mara and me before the swim start (first leg of the triathlon).


Me, looking like a stuffed sausage in my wetsuit, about 5 minutes before the swim wave start.


Blue top, black 'pants' (wetsuit) is me, out of the water and sprinting to the transition area, where I peel off the sausage casing (wetsuit), throw on my socks, bike shoes, helmut and sunglasses, and jump on my bike.


Bike on the far right of the frame is me, coming into the transition, ready to get off the bike and onto the pavement for the run portion. I love my bike!


Sprinting to the finish line!!

Long awaited camping photos

The bike trail.

Daddy and Mara resting after a long day. The roof of our new 'tent' (really, it is a portable house) is red, which explains their color.

Mara entralled by the exhibit about the pheasant and turtle at the Ice Age Visitor Center. We had to stop here while hiking because of a downpour. We left after waiting about 45 minutes only to be rained upon again on the trail. What a mess!

Samara and Daddy in the beginning of our hike, the dry part.

Mara's first experience at a lake (I think?).

Mara and Mommy taking a snack break during our 12 mile bike trip.


A random pic of Travis dressed in my swim training gear (Don't ask).