June 5, 2016
Summer is so much fun! The boys had a great time being free and running through the sprinkler. Boys being boys and enjoying the lovely summer weather! Tyler even went through the sprinkler on his pogo stick and Brady enjoyed ‘sitting’ on the sprinkler. Then they both started to fill up water balloons using the sprinkler.
June 4, 2016
I said I would never do this again. But here I am, 5 years after I ran my first. I finished my 2nd Dam to Dam 1/2 Marathon! And it turns out I disliked this 13.1 miles just as much as I did the first time around. But I did it, did it for myself, and I’m proud!
The weather was better this time around and I do feel like I may have even ran it faster than what I did 5 years ago. I did all of my training and the actual race all by myself. That takes some major dedication. I am glad that I did it. I could not have done all of the training without the support from Lee and the boys. They showed me each day, and at the end of each Saturday morning’s long run, how proud they were of me. Their pride kept me going. I also want my boys to see how much exercise means to me and hope that they will always continue exercise in their lives.
Lee dropped me off at Merle Hay Mall at around 5:30 the morning of the race. That meant I had to wake up at a little after 4:00 AM. He came back home and drove in with Mom and the boys to head to the finish line. I was able to call them when I had about a mile or two left to tell them that I was close to make sure they were at the finish line.
I LOVED to hear them cheering for me as I was making my way into the finish line! With the extreme exhaustion and proud moment, their cheers brought tears to my eyes. I was so happy they were there for me.
I would love to say that I will never run a 1/2 marathon again. However, I said that after my first one, and well, here’s my second. Unfortunately, I have gotten very bad plantar fasciitis after this go around, so more than likely, I will not be doing another one. And that is just fine by me! :) But, I am so glad that I can say that I have run two 1/2 marathons!
Giving a thumbs up to my fans as I was making my way to the finish line.
My top supporters and fans!
I was so glad my mom was there again to watch me finish for my 2nd time. She has always shown me the importance of exercise, as I hope I am doing for my own kids.
June 3, 2016
The Aurora Heights park that is close to our house got new equipment, which includes a zipline. We took a bike ride up to the park and had a great time on the zipline!
I had my last day of school on June 1st, so on June 2nd the boys and I headed up to Cedar Falls to spend the afternoon with Grandma and Delaney! We enjoyed a walk to the park and time playing at the park. We absolutely love that we are close enough to take day trips to see them! And it was a great way to spend my first day of summer!
Delaney sitting on her potty seat outside.
I signed the boys up for their first season of Summer Swim Team. It was so good for them!!!
They had practice 3 mornings a week. We really enjoyed those mornings! They also swam in 5 meets. They swam in their first two meets while Lee and I were away in Hawaii. One Home meet and one in Grinnell. Then they swam another Home meet, a meet in Knoxville, and then the Conference Meet. Each meet they were beyond excited for and each meet they bettered their times. It was actually really amazing at how much they improved in just 2 months!
Tyler really improved his stroke and became a very good swimmer. Brady began the season hardly be able to make in one length of the pool and finished the season swimming one length with no problems at all. Both of them tried to swim new strokes in the meets and didn’t just stick to free style.
We were so very proud of their dedication and excitement this swim season. We look forward to next summer’s season!
June 2nd, 2016
First swim team practice!
Brady
Brady
Tyler
Brady
Learning how to stream line.
Tyler
June 9, 2016
Signing up for their first swim meet!!!
June 28, 2016
Brady
Brady and his buds, Jackson and Hudson.
Passing time in between events.
Tyler and Hudson ready for their relay.
Tyler-breaststroke in a relay.
Brady ‘diving’ in from the boards!
Brady
Tyler diving in from the boards.
Tyler
July 5th, 2016
Brady
Brady
Tyler
Tyler
Brady is the goofiest. Even when standing in line waiting for his event—he dances and couldn’t be happier! No nerves here!
July 21st
Last Swim Practice
We were sad for the season to end. But they learned so much and had so much fun doing it!
July 23rd
Conference Meet in Grinnell
Brady-butterfly
Tyler
Brady
And one of the things that they got most excited about, I don’t have a picture of. These boys came home with so many ribbons from their events at the meets. They were always so proud and happy to receive ribbons for their outstanding swimming!!!
