Nana's, Accessories, Bears and Parades

Hangin with mom at the parade, wondering what all the fuss is about. I don't see anything exciting...


This is getting ridiculous. I am cold, the hot chocolate cup leaked, I feel like a mummy, and the Harley riders make my ears hurt!


Racine Historical Society, at night.

Can you find me under all of this. Daddy thought mommy was being overprotective, but it was pretty cold!

I am just dealing with this hug, hoping it will bring some kind of treat or time playing with mommy.

Let me introduce you to my bear backpack from the Smoky Mountains, Blackbeard.

Sometimes, Blackbeard scares me.

This is when I wish I had Blackbeard to save me from the stuff my daddy does to me, like stuff a caterpillar down my shirt.

Really, I am happy with the hat and scarf my mommy made me.

Oh, I just had the best time playing with my Nana. I think I wore her out. Better get her some 5-hour Energy for the next visit.

CHOCOLATE!!!

Hot Chocolate 5K in Chicago with Rachel and Heidi. This race was so fun and the end was great cause they gave out Ghirdelli fondue, hot chocolate and chocolate bars!!

Park Visits, Pumpkin Farms, and Pretend Play

Playing with real cookies and Mara's pretend kitchen.


At a local park that we just found out we can bike to from our house.

On the trail to the park.

Another visit to the pumpkin farm.

Not too sure about sheep.

We play hide-n-seek outside our house in these bushes (or whatever they are).

I caught her!

Another park that we bike/run to from our house. This one is much better because there are no nearly as many kids there, thankfully!

Summer Wrap-up

Just hanging out, playing with Titi Rachel's old phone, looking cute and grown up.

Ready for the jump...

Jumping!

Imagine our surprise when Mara got this amazing outfit in the mail from Gretchen and Gary and the twins! THANK YOU!!

Trav does such an incredible job at doing Mara's hair. Really, he did this!

Danskin Triathlon

Rachel finishing up the Danskin.


Nice Stride!


Finishing up the Danskin, about to begin my stride.

Heading out on the bike.

On Sunday I completed my third Triathlon of the season and it was my best so far. My goals were: swim under 19 min, bike higher than 17.3 mph, have better than an 11 minute mile, and have a better overall time than any other triathlon. I accomplished three of the four!!! I biked 17.7 mph, had a 10:15 minute mile, and posted my best time of 1:37:04 (14 seconds better than my last tri three weeks ago). I just missed my swim goal by 9 seconds. We are still throwing around the idea of doing another one in 3 weeks in Lake Geneva; I think that I will have to check out the course, because there is a hill on the run called 'Killer Hill.' We'll see!

1, 2, 3...

A biking trail Trav found right by our house.


Mara and Trav heading out on the trail.


Mara and Rachel at Illinois Beach State Park. We ventured here one Saturday while Trav was stuck in So. Ill/KY with work.

At the lake at the state park.

Mara counting to 10!!!!

I'm Your Hero!

For Daddy...

Mara and her smoothie mustache.

She has to eat with her kitty by her side.

On the road again...

The triathlon season has begun, with my first one being the Trek Women's Triathlon in Pleasant Prairie. I did this one last year and have done the course 4 times already, but am always nervous beforehand. So much so this year that I slept maybe 3 hours last night, even with Tylenol PM. Needless to say that the lack of sleep and poor morning nutrition did NOT help my race, but I am fine with the results; I have only been training consistently for 3 weeks.

Pre-race, in my new bike shorts! My what a difference they made!

Family pic before my wave went off!

My in my wetsuit coming out of the water, running to the bike. My best swim time by 50 seconds, but I felt exhausted!! Can't you tell from my face? HA HA!

Mara enjoying her breakfast while watching the bikers come and go.

On my way back to the transition after the 12 mile bike. Not my best, but my bike is sure a beauty! Even had someone tell me it was the 'prettiest' they had seen all day, out of over 1600 others!

On my way to the finish line from my 5K run, completing the triathlon. Good Times!

Dedication and fun times

Wanna share my saltine? I only licked it once!


HA HA HA...


Playing in the tent. Nothing like an uber happy child!! So loving that!

Dress up with Mommy's purse, my purse, mommy's necklaces (which are actually medals), mommy's belt and bracelets.

At church with Pastor Jerry praying over me when I was dedicated.

Family pic

Strike a pose....

VOGUE!