Zoo time!

Jason was super great and got us a zoo pass! And we have already taken advantage of it. A friend of ours, Shannon and Broderick, also have a zoo pass. So last week we went to the zoo on Friday and this week we went to the zoo on Wednesday (I suggest Wednesday, less crowded!). It was really fun and the kids really seemed to like it. Broderick is about 18 months old and quickly becoming one of Jillian's favorite playmates. In the strollers side by side they would stretch their arms out to reach the other for hand holding and high fives. So cute! Shannon is becoming a good friend of mine and I am so lucky to have another mom friend to share "mommy woes" with! Here are some pictures of our zoo trips over the past weeks.



This was our first zoo trip, last Friday. Jillian thought the cows were pretty cool, but hasn't made the sound yet. In fact she is still attached to her Doggies, she makes a "woof" sound at every animal she sees! Mahal is the baby Orangutan at the zoo. He is fun to watch and was very playful when we saw him.



Today was pretty warm, but the animals were still out. We were able to see the giraffes today (they weren't out on Friday). An elephant was getting a bath, it was pretty funny to watch, he seemed to enjoy it. And the lion and lioness were really moving around (sorry for the dark picture, flash was not cooperating).

Lily and Jojo!

Tuesday night we watched Lily and Jojo while their mom and dad went to a movie (friends from church). I think Jillian had the most fun of all, the girls were so good with her. They came over around 4:30 and we headed to the park right away. We climbed and slided to our hearts content. The girls were pretty good about holding Jillian tightly as they went down the slide. Then we made our way to the swings (which is Jillian's favorite part!). Jojo was such a big helper and pushed Jillian in the swing, which she thought was just perfect.


After awhile we headed back home and had dinner. The girls ate very well for us. They are the most well behaved girls. They played nicely when we asked them to and they used their manners at all times. It was a joy to have them here, we can only hope Jillian is as nice as these girls. Here are a few shots of the evening.

Trek Triathalon July 11th 2010

This past Sunday, July 11th 2010, I participated in the Trek Triathalon in Pleasant Prairie, WI. It is a race consisting of a 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run. I had NEVER done anything like this in my life. I started training for it 3 months ago (wondering why I thought to do this the whole time). It was tricky at times trying to fit my training into my busy life. Between Jason's work schedule, Jillian's schedule and my mood getting the training in was difficult at times. As the race day approached I was sure I hadn't done enough...but I guess my end time proves otherwise! It all started on Saturday when my girlfriend Anni (a high school friend who lives in WI as well) and I made our way down to Pleasant Prairie to "register" and pick up our race materials. Let the adventure begin...We had mini adventures on Saturday as we were trying to find the Recplex (neither of us had driven there ourselves and didn't think to bring directions!). Once we finally got there, waited in a forever long line to get our registration packet, claimed our places for our bikes. We jumped back into the car and attempted to map out the bike track so we were "prepared"! Well, the map they gave us wasn't the most helpful or best of maps. After a few choice words and several U-turns later we made it through most of the course. Both starving and feeling a little more nervous we headed home to our visiting fans.

Race morning...I was up at 3:45 AM. As I was creeping down the stairs Jillian woke up and I was able to nurse her (which is what I was hoping for) and I was out the door at 4:30 AM to go pick up Anni. I made it to her house in plenty of time and she jumped in the car. We were slowly backing out the driveway while making a mental checklist of the critical items (well, almost all the items). We started cruising along and making our way to the interstate when Anni scared me with, "STOP STOP STOP"! So I pulled over and she frantically pulled apart her bag. We had forgotten the keys to the bike lock...a very critical piece. We could not get to our bikes with out it! So she woke up her sleeping fiance (who was at his good buddies bachelor party until the wee hours of the morning) and he met us halfway back and brought us the keys. A minor glitch to the morning, but none the less a little panicked. Well we made it down to the park and ride, on the bus and to the Recplex with 15 minutes to set up our stuff before the transition area closed. With that under our belt, we headed to the beach with our suits, caps and goggles. I hate to brag, but Anni and I did AWESOME! Here are my times and the break down of my race.

Swim (1/2 mile) 14 minutes and 40 seconds
1st transition 6 minutes 10 seconds-here I had to dry off, put on my clothes, socks and running shoes. I put on my helmet and got over to my bike. I started pulling my bike out and it got stuck on the bar. My handle bars wouldn't come out. After much pulling, swearing and almost tears, a fellow rider came to my rescue by pulling the bar up and I was able to pull my bike out.
Bike (12 miles) 56 minutes and 6 seconds
2nd transition 1 minute 35 seconds (hmmm much better)
Run (3 miles) 37 minutes and 5 seconds
Total time 1 hour 55 minutes and 40 seconds

I had been training at a little over 2 hours, so I was very much happy with this time. Especially with the run. I couldn't seem to get myself under a 12 minute mile. But I clocked an average 11 minute 57 seconds (shaved 3 seconds! I'll take it). So I feel as though this first tri was a success. I was also excited to be able to finish the race hand in hand with Anni. She caught me at the end of the run and we were able to finish together. It was an exciting, emotional experience that I think I would do again. It was very rewarding to work at something, race it and see a great finish. I had a fan section and I appreciate them coming to cheer me on. My parents and Jason's mom came up Saturday night so they could be there first thing in the morning. They all missed my exit from the lake and onto my bike by like 15 minutes, but were there cheering me on as I got off my bike and started my run. And of course, they were there as I finished.

Thanks to everyone who supported me through the whole process. I know many of you were thinking of me on that day and I truly believe it helped push me through. A BIG special thanks to Anni, without her veteran race knowledge I would have been lost through this whole experience. I wouldn't have been able to do it without her.

Here are some snapshots from the day...

Here is Anni and I at the finish (amazing that we both managed a smile!)


All my faithful fans...!


My two biggest fans...Jason and Jillian. Without them and their support I would not have been able to do this!

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Anni and I were able to finish the Trek Triathalon this Sunday hand-in-hand!

Very cool=)

Curtains

We FINALLY have curtains on Jillian's window (living in our house now for almost a year!). Auntie Anni helped us make some fun red curtains with cute button accents! Thanks Auntie Anni, your the best=)

4th of July!

Happy Post 4th of July Everyone! We hope you had as much fun as we did this past weekend. Jason and I enjoyed a nice relaxing weeking up North at Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Larry's house on the river! The weather was fantastic so we were able to enjoy some time outside.

We got there Saturday around lunch time. After a bite to eat we ventured out to the river. We all put our suits on and went for a ride on grandpa's boat. Jillian wasn't too sure of the life vest, but was a trooper. We went for a quick ride and then landed on the sand bar. Jillian loves the water and the sand. She could play and play all day if we'd let her! But we had to head home for a nap because we wanted to go out for dinner. After she woke up and we all got cleaned up, we headed to the Dells for dinner. We ate at a yummy mexican restaurant, Mexacali Rose...very good and at a great location overlooking the damn.



Sunday we woke up and decided to go for a bike ride after breakfast. It was fairly warm that day so we wanted to go earlier rather than later. So we all got on our bikes and headed out. We were going great until I was attacked by flies and fell off my bike. Thankfully I landed on my feet and we continued on our way. Once again, Jillian had so much fun...it put her to sleep!


I attempted to put her to bed for a nap (didn't happen!), while Jason and his dad went out for a little fishing action. When they got back, we headed to Lake Wisconsin to a local bar for lunch. They had a grill going and a live band playing 50's & 60's music. We had a couple of drinks, listened to music and headed on our way. On our way home we stopped at Big Jim's (Friend of Larry and Kathy's). He was having a big party at his Alpaca farm. Jillian fell asleep, so I stayed in the car with her until everyone got back. After a drink, some chicken and a quick pet of the Alpaca they ventured back to the car and headed home. Jillian didn't get much sleep that day so far, so we opted to put her to bed early and skip fireworks. Instead, Jason and I dominated in a game of Chicken Foot!

It was such a fun weekend and it was very low key, which is exactly what we needed! Hopefully next year we can see some fireworks! Thanks again Grandma and Grandpa Deibert for letting us enjoy some R & R.