Zoo 5K

Yesterday I ran my second ever 5K race at the MN Zoo. It was a great day with beautiful weather. This 5K was different from the first in that the registration process was very disorganized, which made for a lot of grumpy runners. Even for those of us who were pre-registered, we still had to wait in line about a half hour to check-in. Nonetheless, it was for a good cause and everyone eventually got their respective numbers and chips (for putting on your shoe to track your time...called "chip timing"). The race did start a half-hour late because of the odd registration process, but overall the race was good. It was fun running through the zoo, though this distracted some runners when you could see an animal (like the bears peaking through their glass cage) and almost caused a few crashes! When we ran past the gazelle "field" the gazelles were running with us, back and forth across the field. It was kind of funny...they would certainly win if they were running the race. 2-legged humans versus fast 4-legged gazelles isn't really a contest! I ran my best time of 32:36. After the run, daddy, grandma Mock and myself walked around the zoo. Needless to say, I was exhausted once we returned home for lunch.

Grandma Mock and daddy looking at the camels cooling off in the water

Julia and Grandma walking through the zoo

We looked at the dolphins ("dolphs") of course and then the fish!

This is just a random cut picture of Julia. I just love her in this Oshkosh B' Gosh dress jumper!

Potty Training

We are slowly starting the potty training. We were on track and then had a falling out due to a lot of traveling when great-grandma passed away a few weeks ago. Julia hasn't been too interested in it since then, but she occasionally tells us she wants to use the potty by saying "elmo" referring to the elmo potty seat upstairs or "ora" referring to the Dora and Boots potty seat downstairs. Sometimes she just randomly says "Elmo" or "Ora" and we have no idea what she means until she heads to the bathroom and THEN says "potty".

We haven't pressured her much since she isn't even 2 years old yet, but are happy to assist when she wants to use the potty. :)

Ice Cream Lover

I was such a proud mommy on this day...

She loves her Culver's ice cream (or "eeeka" as she pronounces it) just like her mommy.

She REALLY loves her ice cream!

Need I say more?

Just some stuff...

I don't have anything super exciting to write (type) about. Our lives are busy, yet fun with trying to enjoy the warm weather when we can (oh, and we work and go to daycare). My next 5K is this Saturday at the MN Zoo!

Julia is starting to exhibit some of the terrible 2's behavior by protesting her mommy chosen clothing or shoes. She has also been increasing her tantrums and crying fits to get what she wants. It isn't too bad and doesn't last long. Mike and I laugh at her most of the time which I suppose doesn't make her happy. The last few nights she hasn't been sleeping well, but today has started a lovely runny nose, so she must be getting sick (again). Cold #2 for the month of August. Typically child health I guess. Here are some pictures of a fun and busy weekend in early August:

Mike and I went to a Brewer game in Milwaukee! We had a great time. We got an awesome picture with the sausage racers (if you are from Wisconsin you know what I am talking about), but you have to wait to see that one.


Cousin Ainsley's (aka: "A") second birthday!!

Julia thoroughly enjoyed Ainsley's swing set complete with fort and slide. We are probably going to have to give in and get one for her sooner or later.

Hi, I am Juliet and I'm a 5K addict.

I signed up for these two 5K runs very shortly after completing my first 5K at the end of July:

August 28th: Benefits the Minnesota Zoo (which we are very frequent visitors and members of)

October 30th:I have heard rave reviews about this Halloween race, but you never know what the weather will be like. Rain? Snow? Humid? Sleet?

Now I want to sign up for this race on September 18th that benefits Special Olympics (sorry for the glaring picture of Dave Ryan-local radio personality):

Do I go for it? Do I make the big plunge and do FOUR 5K races my first year of running and racing? Do I go for the July, August, September, October streak?

We shall see...God will be my guide.

Oh, AND I am also doing this event:

No, I am not walking the 3-day. I am working a shift in the base camp medical tent as a practioner. I would be crazy to do the 3-day and run all those 5Ks!

Grandma Maggie 3/25/1924-8/7/2010

Sweet Dreams, God Bless You, Goodnight Grandma and Great-Grandma.

We will miss you until we see you again. You were an awesome Grandma. Thanks for always being there for us, giving us treats and spoiling us like Grandmas do. So many wonderful memories to cherish and love.

Easter 2010

Christmas 2008 (first time Julia met Great-Grandma Maggie)