SURPRISE!!!!

My dad turned the big 6-0 on May 8!  We had to delay his party by a few days so my brother and Malinda could join us in the surprise!  Laura did a great job planning the party and keeping it from him!  

It took some convincing to get him to the party, but we finally pulled it off!!

Surprised is the least we can say.  He was speechless!

and emotional, of course!  (for those of you who know my dad know it's not hard to get that out of him!)

Happy 60th Birthday to the best dad I could ask for!  He's a great dad to me and Matt and an even better Pa to my kids.  They look up to him in so many ways!  We are all so blessed to have him as a part of our lives!

We love you Dad!!  

Our Little Graduate!

The time has come and gone....Laney has officially finished Preschool at Noah's Ark!  It's a bittersweet time for us.    

She has loved going to school there, meeting new friends, and learning new things!

It's exciting knowing she will be moving on to Emerson Elementary, but then sad knowing that this is it! 

But at the same time, it's time to say goodbye to that chapter of her life.  This is the LAST year that she will EV-ER not have to do something every single day.  

But like Benj says, "Until she starts working part time like her Mom!"  I just say, "If you can do it, do it!" 

(and yes, that's me sitting on the steps with my 5 year old daughter who has stage fright!)

She was very proud of herself for graduating and getting that diploma!!

I started a tradition this year (thanks to Pinterest!).  I bought the Dr Seuss book, "Oh the Places You'll Go" and am having all teachers from preschool to 5th grade (I figured she won't allow me to go any further!) sign the book.  I'm not normally a sap about things, but reading what Mrs. Joray and Mrs. Mead said to Laney brought tears to my eyes.  

We are so proud of you, Miss Laney Dee!  Enjoy your SUMMER break!!

Seymour Mini 2013

Finally....
This year I was FINALLY able to run in the Annual Seymour Mini Marathon!
Two years ago, I was just starting to run and was happy to complete 4 miles without stopping.  I remember watching Tiffany during the race and think to myself, "Yeah, I doubt I will ever be able to run 13.1 miles"

Fast forward to last year (let's just skip over the November 2011 Monumental where I almost broke my leg!)....I was recovering from my injury and just starting to run short distance (less than 4 miles) so I volunteered to work a SAG station.  It was fun, but it definitely made me want to run 2013!

Now to this year....my training was going great and I had a new goal!  I finished the 2012 Monumental in November with a time of 2:09.  I really wanted to get UNDER 2 hours.  Training was great, minus a few "off" days, but that happens.  

Race day was cool and breezy...perfect running weather, but maybe a little windy.  

I felt great throughout the entire run.  

My legs were a little tight and sore due to a workout a few days prior.  

When I rounded Community Drive (where the start/finish line was), I glanced down at my Garmin and new I was going to hit my goal.  

Finish time:  1:58

I was so excited to get under the 2 hour mark.  Now I have a new time to reach!!  

Bring on the FULL 26.2 in November!!