Spring Soccer

Lydia's first season in soccer. Daddy was the assistant coach.

Heading toward the goal!

Lyds is a powerhouse on the field!

 

Video of Lydia's soccer game!

Mountain Goat Run, May 1, 2011

    

     I finished the 10-mile, hilly course of the Mountain Goat. It was my first time running it but it won't be my last. Next year I'll run it faster because I'll be that much of a better runner. I ran the Shamrock in March with my friend Emily, coaching me through it. I owe my thanks to her for getting my head on straight about my running. I ran the Mountain Goat solo. I did it!! No anxiety. Just a wee bit in the beginning and then around mile 5, I had a brief conversation with myself, asking, "What the heck did I think I was doing? Was I really capable of this?" Well at 1:48:24, I think I am! I did a lot of hill training with my friend and co-worker Margaret. Thank you Saturday morning Mountain Goat training runs. Thank you hills O 'Jamesville for our weekday runs. The hills still kill me, I'm not going to lie. I am not a fan, but at least I can manage them. I know I was stronger on the hills for the Mountain Goat than I was on the hills of the Shamrock. I did a lot more hill training for this race. My next running challenge is the 7@7 Cross Country Challenge in June...7.77 miles of a cross country course that includes "Hernia Hill," the steepest hill you will find in the history of Syracuse racing. When I asked my marathon training coach how long the hill was, his reply, “Carrie, About 200m. Short and steep. You'll be on all fours, so bring gloves!"  I'm looking forward to it. I am hoping to get a few runs on the course prior to race day. My marathon training starts this week, so hopefully this weekend's run will have us running part or the entire course. I'm ready.

http://www.mountaingoatrun.com/

http://www.ymcaofgreatersyracuse.org/Downtown/ymca_triathlon.aspx

 

 

Mother's Day

Lydia made me a beautiful pillow for Mother's Day. She kept getting me to try to guess what she made me by saying, "Mom, it sounds like this, piiii---illl----ooow." I knew better than to guess because then she would have been mad that I guessed it before Mother's Day.

Lydia, my cutie-pattotie. She is at the stage of thinking she knows it all.

Jon, my little munchkin. He has quite the temper lately. Must be from his father.

Look at how sister and brother are looking at each other. I am so glad they get along...90% of the time.

Jon was getting grouchy at this point. I think the brunch at the Sherwood was a bit too long for his liking. He did eat a feasts worth of food though

Uncle Rudy and Ava.

 Let the temper shine! I'm not even sure what he was mad about.

Love this family photo!

Skaneateles Lake

Grandma VanLengen said he looks like a munchkin here. I think she's right. Maybe he can play a part in the Oz Fest this year.  We represent the Lollipop Guild
The Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild.
And in the name of the Lollipop Guild
We wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land!

Add caption

Jon loves dogs!

 

 

 

 

Lydia gets in on the act but she's more unsure than Jon.

"Hey, my sister wants to come over to pet you. You think you can be nice to her?"

Cousin love. And this is what makes Mother's Day perfect every year...our beautiful children.

A visit to the Duck Pond!

A trip to the Duck Pond with Grandma Loop!

April 3, 2011

 

Mountian Goat Training, week 2

     It was the same course as week 1 so my goal was to run it faster this week, and I did! Not by much, but I'll take it. (I was just recovering from strep so I wasn't 100%.) I have also planned a few hilly runs with Margaret in her neighborhood. We ran Barker Hill Road for 5-miles on Monday and my, oh my, was that some HILL. It beat the hills on the Mountain Goat course we've run so far. We are shooting for a hilly 7-miles on Friday since we are missing the week 3 training run this weekend. We ran a fairly flat 3 on Tuesday and my legs were tired. Ok, they felt like LEAD; I'm not going to lie. Today, I relish in a complete rest day. I never quite understood the benefit or glory in them, but today I do. Oh, do I ever! If I don't have a nice firm tush by race day on May 1st, I am doing something terribly wrong. Tomorrow is a planned 4 on a flat, oh, very FLAT road. So flat, that I don't even want to see a wave in the road. Friday is the long hill run and on the weekend I'll probably do an easy 3 in the neighborhood and/or something in the gym. We'll see what I'm feeling.

Mountain Goat Training run

Headed out for my first Mountain Goat Training run...I'll be back to post an update!

Distance: Week 1 is roughly 5.75 miles, with one major climb

Almost Spring!

    

     Happy Spring! Well, almost. It was a great day~ sunny and mild, in the 50's. It was perfect running weather so I saved my run for the afternoon so I could take it outdoors. It was one of the best runs I've had since the end of October and my calf strain. It truly was pure bliss. Sadly, I have to take it back indoors tomorrow with the prediction of rain...and I booked myself a massage appointment for the evening. Oh, the suffering, I know. Thursday, the BIG 4-0 day, will also have to be inside in the wee hour morning since of course birthday plans will clutter my afternoon and evening. Oh, darn again. Friday I have my fingers crossed for decent weather...I want off the treadmill! I wonder when it will start to be light enough to run outside before work...

Peanutbutter Goodness

     Once again the Little Bitty Bakes blog taunts me. Dare I try to make these Peanut Butter Nutter Truffles? I just need to find an occasion to make them because I wouldn't have enough self control not to eat them all in one sitting...

Peanut Nutter Butter Truffles

Makes 20 truffles

• 75 nutter butter bites (about 25 regular cookies), plus additional for garnish
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (any flavor/brand)
• 1/4 cup Philadelphia Original Cooking Creme
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp. canola oil

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

In the bowl of a food processor, chop cookies until small crumbs form.  Add peanut butter and cooking creme; continue to mix until blended.  Form mixture into 1-inch balls; set balls onto baking sheet.  Chill 1 to 2 hours, until firm. 

In microwavable bowl, toss chocolate chips with oil.  Microwave on HIGH for 60 seconds, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth.  Use two spoons to dunk chilled peanut butter balls into melted chocolate; cover completely and place onto cookie sheet.  Top with crushed cookies or halved Nutter Butter bites.  Allow chocolate to set completely.  Refrigerate truffles in airtight container. 

Yum! Thank you Little Bitty!

http://littlebittybakes.blogspot.com/

My 40th Surprise Party!!

Pete was an awesome husband and threw me a surprise party for my 40th.

I had no idea. It was a Thursday night. Genius.

Complete with fabulous 40 party decorations!

I was amazed by all the friends and family who were there.

Fabulous Forty. Looking forward to the next 40!

 

Me and my mama!

Good friends!

Good food!

Good family!

 

Thank you for all the wonderful gifts!

 

 

 

 

Lydia told me I didn't have to sing "Happy Birthday" because it was MY birthday.

 

She was so excited to help me blow out the candles and even waited for me to start blowing first.

 

Thank you all for the great birthday celebration! You all are part of the reason I don't mind turning 40. You help make my life wonderful and exciting.