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On April 10, I ran my first half-marathon - 13.1 miles! My goal when Stephanie convinced me to do this back in January was to actually run the enitre time without having to stop and walk. When we started training, I was running only 3 miles 3-4 days a week. As those of you who live in this area know, it was a hard winter. However, the training had to go on! We ran in below zero weather, blowing wind, snow, on ice, and pretty much any condition you can think of. On one particular morning, it was so cold that not only did we have frost on our jackets - which happened frequently - but frost was in our hair and on Dozer's (my dog and our running partner) hair below his mouth. It was hilarious as he looked as if he had a full beard. Well, it was worth it! Not only did I run the entire race, but I did it in 2 hours 10 minutes - for an average of 10 minute miles! I am proud of that! We ran through Brown's Park and that is where my family was cheering us on. Dozer was there too - wondering why he couldn't be running with me. He did actually run that far with me once. He couldn't jump into the car afterwards because he was so worn out though! In the picture above, I am so proud that the older woman was ahead of me (thanks for capturing it Kris)! Notice she is wearing the white bib? She was running the entire marathon! Maybe I can do that someday!?

Stephanie crossed the finish line in 2 hours 6 minutes - beating the goal she had set for herself!

My big finish! My parents, Kris, kids, Kris' parents, Kris' sister and brother-in-law were all there to congratulate me!

Me with the "Becker" crew. Kyle had several family members all the way from Chicago and K.C. come down to race. He raced too - the 5K - and finished 3rd in his age division.

I have come to love running. Sure, there are still days when I don't want to go or get out of bed to run, but I always feel better after I have. We already have the next race planned: The Bolder Boulder. It's a 10K in Boulder, CO on Memorial Day weekend. My whole family is going for the weekend. I'm excited for the race and to spend my 13th anniversary with Kris in the mountains!

Happy 7th Birthday!!

Last week we celebrated Matigan's 7th birthday. Since it was the middle of the week, we didn't actually celebrate until this past weekend, but she did get a gift the morning of her birthday . . . A pink MP3 player - just what I wanted!Decorating the cake for the big day.The end result. She chose a soccer ball - what she loves right now of course with a girlie twist - pink and lime green!Chocolate cupcakes for Matigan and Elliott to decorate. The end results: ladybugs, flowers, hearts, stars, and ????
Making a wish . . .

Yeah - new clothes!

Pink basketball

A more mature suitcase (she requested this because her other suitcase was Care Bears).

Hope you had a great time Matigan. Mom and Dad are so proud of you and the young lady you are turning into - hope 7 is a great year for you!

Just a Little Easter . . .

A few photos of Easter at our house. Of course it was another busy weekend. 3v3 soccer most of the afternoon on Saturday with a trip to Salina after that, so egg decorating didn't happen until about 10:30 that night before Easter - the second picture is of Elliott who couldn't/wouldn't be woken up to decorate the eggs.

Luckily the Easter Bunny still made it to our house despite our late night!

After church, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa D's house for lunch and the annual Easter egg hunt. A few years back, my mom started this hunt where the kids have to find a certain number of eggs and then get to "redeem" these eggs for prizes. They love the hunt and all the gifts they get. It was something I think my mom was just going to do for one year, but the kids didn't forget and ask every year now if she is still going to do it. Being the great grandma she is, she certainly wouldn't tell them no!

Ahhh . . . coffee while I watch the kids look for eggs.

Easter 2010