Victoria Marathon Weekend

This weekend, Pam and I took the kids up to Victoria, BC. It was my third trip to this very beautiful little city on the coast of Vancouver Island. Other than the really long drive and ferry ride on Thursday and then again on Sunday, it was really a splendid weekend. Along the way, we:

Imitated art

Held some really cool bugs

Climbed some humungous trees!

And ran a couple of races. 

Pam did awesome (as usual). She completed the half marathon in 1:25 and secured her spot in the "elite" field at the upcoming California International Marathon in December. I didn't have a stellar day but it was a lot of fun. I finished my fourth marathon in 3:50. Not my fastest or my slowest, but considering my injuries and a trip to Europe during this training cycle I'm not upset. Next up for both of us is the Autumn Leaves 50K on October 29th where Pam will be doing her impersonation of Medusa while running and I will be doing my best not to get lapped by her on the 10K loop style course! 

Final 2011 Beach Trip

 Way back in January, we purchased a weekend at the coast (Seaside, OR) at the Salem Multicultural Ball's silent auction. This past weekend, we finally got around to using it. We spent Thursday evening and Friday hanging out on the beach as a family:

Then on Saturday morning, Debbie and Ming brought their kids out for the day as well. The kids played awesome together. In between rain showers, the kids:

Had fun on the beach

Watched a movie (or two)

And played a video game (or ten)

Sunday afternoon, we all packed up headed home and got back to reality. It was a nice, but short, little getaway from Salem.

Mom and Dad's Awesome Day

On Thursday August 29th, Mac and I decided to cash in our Father's Day Groupon for a helicopter flight from Newberg over the Willamette Valley.

Our craft

Ready for take-off!

"We're flying!"

Hovering low

Soaring high

Getting a sneak peak at Heizer Farm's corn maze

After checking helicopter ride off of our bucket list, we decided to check out the candy making monks in Amity. We arrived at a quaint little chapel in the middle of nowhere.

The church had four beautiful stained glass panels depicting monks, but there was a lady in there who was praying and I wasn't sure if snapping photos was in line. So instead, I posed with Our Lady of Consolation.

In Amity, consolation can be found in delectable confections made by the monks. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, we rang the mysterious doorbell, not knowing what to expect. A very solemn guy in plain clothes (and a bit of a mullet) led us into a plain room with shelves lined with goodie boxes. We fairly quickly picked out a pound of fudge, a pound of praline fudge, and a box of truffles.

"Are there ever tours of the chocolate making facilities?" I ask as Mac forks over the cash.

"No," our very chatty attendant responds, and with that, our chocolate purchasing is complete, leaving Mac and I to contemplate whether or not or companion was a monk or not.

Afterwards, we headed off to Blue Goat for a delicious local grown meal.

"All of the main ingredients come from a 20 mile radius" or server tells us as we are munching on a calamari appetizer.

"Really? Where does the squid come from?"

"Umm, not the calamari." Then he sees our hummus. "The garbanzo beans aren't from around here either. But all the meats and vegetables." Though we had a few things that weren't exactly "farm to table" dinner was superb and they have a huge wood fired oven to make yummy fresh bread. I recommend the place highly (even the frozen calamari from California was delicious), but save room for dessert - both offering were to die for! We didn't even have to open our fudge!

Too Cute!

Need I say more? :)

Second Tooth

Megan's first adult tooth is growing in nicely, but we don't have to say good bye to that gapped grin just yet. On August 26th out popped tooth #2.

"What do you think the Tooth Fairy will leave me? " Megan asked.

"I don't know but I am so excited to find out."

"Me, too, Mom, but you are being sarcastic and I'm not!"

But everyone was super excited the next morning to find a one dollar bill and a small box of multi-colored sequins from the Tooth Fairy. Gosh, I can hardly wait to find out what Megan will get for tooth #3!

Liamisms

August 18th was Liam's half birthday and he tried to use it for leverage.

"Mom, how many presents do I get?"

"Mom, can we go to Chuck E. Cheese?"

"Mom, can we make a cake and have ice cream?"

I finally had to put my foot down: "Liam, you don't get anything on your half birthday. Your Mom and Dad give you a hug and say 'Happy Half Birthday!' and that is it."

"Uuurg!!" Liam's frustration mounted. "But it isn't happy if we don't do anything!"

So Unhappy half birthday to Liam, who is now four and a half, but still young enough that life's not fair, especially when Megan gets to do everything and Liam never gets anything. ;)

****

Earlier this month, I was trying to mediate a "discussion" between Mac's parents.

"I don't know why you are getting involved," Mac informed me, "You are playing with fire."

Liam was suddenly interested. "Why are you playing with fire."

And so I explained to Liam that playing is just an expression that means you are doing something dangerous.

After which Liam demonstrates his comprehension: "So when you are playing with knives, you are playing with fire."

Ummm, yeah. :)

There's always lots of silliness when Liam is around.

Emergency Summer Update...By Request

So what have we been up to in the last 8 weeks since losing a tooth?

We ran through Zion and Bryce,
We earned another buckle (and another Top 10 finish at Western States),
We made a fashion statement,
We learned to play Go Fish
We celebrated the 4th of July with old friends

We got personal with the sharks at the Newport Aquarium

We got clean after a good day at the beach
We celebrated transformation with Team Optimus Prime
We played with cousinsWe went to the zoo
We were eaten by dinosaurs!

We made magic potions at Timothy Lake.
Went to a wedding
Developed a love for light sabers
and very reluctantly danced with Daddy.

Hope you've been having a good summer, too!

(btw - blogger is possessed; it turns your font blue and underlines things for no reason)