happy birthday to ME!

i had a great birthday today.... started my day with a nice 7 mile run along the shoreline of Cozumel before the cruise ships started to arrive.  Ross decorated our condo with balloons.  The kids enjoyed playing with the balloons :)  We did a little window shopping in town and spent the afternoon snorkeling with a private tour guide. after rinsing the salt water off in our condo pool - we went to dinner at a nearby pizza place where we were the only ones in the little restaurant (we ate dinner at 5pm and i think that's early for dinner here).  the pizza was delicious!!!  then we had some cake at home


one of the photos taken on our snorkeling adventure

having fun!



jilly with our tour guide - she didn't want to look at the fish under water but was perfectly happy floating on top of the water as we snorkeled along the reefs

jilly relaxing at the beach yesterday

jillian was not sure what to think of the boat (it was a glass bottom boat)


helen is having fun!

appetizers at a nearby pizza place - you can see the little kitchen in the background

the whole gang outside the restaurant

mama's birthday :)


37!!!!  i'm getting old!

from 18 to 81

helen's artwork was featured at the local coffee shop last week.  she was very proud that her pink cat was chosen for the display

we've gone from 18 degrees to 81 degrees in a matter of a 48 hour period.  we've been waiting ALL winter for this warm, tropical air :)  Happy Spring Break!! 

hoping to get caught up on my blog a bit - i realized that March zipped by me without making an entry.... finishing my training for the Boston Marathon and following the kids every weekend to a District Swim Meet, 8 and under State Meet, 9 and over State Meet, a quick trip to DC, boys off to Zone Swim meet in OH with Aunt Erin, and a Regional Swim Meet in Minnesota.... March was certainly busy!


boys doing some snorkeling at Chen Rio Beach in Cozumel

helen gives the snorkeling a try... minus the snorkel :)

these Mayan boys were facinated by our boys... they were not sure if they wanted to help build a sand castle with our boys

jilly coloring on our back porch before lunch

best $10 spent so far --- 3 hours of entertainment at a Wipeout-like course



not the "best" end shot - sorry!  - by i was trying to show that even helen gave the Wipeout course a try!
jayden tries the tube

jayden made it to the top of the climbing wall !

Happy Easter Ice Cream treats!

Cozumel hosts a 70.3 (Half) Ironman each year and these signs are posted throughout the island - very cool!  We've seen lots of runners and sweet tri-bikes on the island.  although we've figured out that most running takes place before 7am (daybreak begins here around 5am... although the parrots start singing around 4:30am - sigh) and biking seems to take place in the evening.  it's been fun to watch the cruise ships dock in port around 6am.  we've been spending the morning in the pool at our condo and exploring a new beach every afternoon.  On Easter we went to Mr. Sanchez beach and today we explored Playa Azul Beach.

the Easter bunny brought the kids a few treats and i forgot to take a picture of them on Easter morning :(

Portland Marathon Race Report

Portland Marathon Race Report (October 7, 2012) - we'll i'll be honest, i'm writing this race report on February 28, 2013.  I've had good intentions to sit down and write my race report and post my photos .... BUT...

2 shirts, 1 tree, 1 white rose, 1 medal, and a special coin --- my marathon bling!

super yummy, healthy pizza place

my collection of race bibs over the last few years.

someone (Jilly Jayne) did NOT want me to leave for Portland - so she dumped out my suitcase!

my marathon medals - all 14 of them!  and a few other medals from other races.

Well, I finished the Portland Marathon in 3:39.40.  Another Boston Qualifying time!  I'm super excited!  Boston 2014 - if the cards fall correctly!  More importantly, it was the threat of NOT qualifying for Boston again that really pushed me to the end of the Portland marathon.  The overall course was not too bad - there were 2 major hills along the course - one of those hills being a large bridge.  I've been working with a running coach since August but I knew going into the race that I had a few things to work on.  I heard Jeff Galloway speak at the race expo (I had my picture taken with him BUT i cannot find it - ugh!!).  While i don't follow Jeff's run/walk method, it was really neat to hear him speak and meet him in person.  I saw him at the Disney marathon in January 2013 but did not get to meet him there.  Jeff talked about running mantras and keeping your focus during the period of the race where you physically become exhausted... namely the WALL.  I hit this around mile 23 (typical for me) -- my legs felt like bricks!  I maintained a great pace throughout - starting a little slower (more like my actual race pace 8:10 per mile as opposed to the 7:00 minute miles i seem to log at the beginning of a race due to the excitement) but race nutrition was one thing in knew i needed some work on --- i cut up a few oranges but later found out the fumbling around with oranges in my pocket was probably not the smartest idea.  The Portland marathon prides itself on offering gummy bears but i was a little afraid to try them because i had not used them in my training.  not sure what a shot of sugar would do to my tummy.  But as we approched the downtown area of Portland - i did a little math in my head and i knew that I would be very close to another BQ time.... well my legs had a different idea!  ugh!  mind over legs, mind over legs, mind over legs (i think that's my new mantra now!).  I rounded what seemed like endless blocks of the city before i spotted the finish line!  looked down at my Garmin and saw 3:39.40!  i did it!  not my personal best marathon but i did learn a lot about what i need to work on for race nutrition and learned so much about developing a running mantra. 

i instantly fell in love with Portland the minute i landed, it's so earth friendly, clean, beautiful mountains... and the weather was perfect!  in the mid 60's, i believe.  but much like the Netherlands - it typically rains A LOT in Portland.  but for the marathon - the weather was perfect.  i made about 8 trips to Whole Foods while I was there - it was right down the street from my hotel. 

8 & Under State Swim Meet - Grand Rapids

 http://youtu.be/Mk78tsjl5kY - jayden 100 IM state meet

http://youtu.be/kuwKJyckEvw - helen 25 free state meet

http://youtu.be/F2M0E-jZ5cI - jayden 25 fly state meet

http://youtu.be/-AvDEjsVCOY - helen 25 back

http://youtu.be/hMhuxIks1Zo - jayden 25 breaststroke - an amazing come from behind to secure state runner-up!

 http://youtu.be/xYU_YUpyuIs - helen's 100 freestyle relay team


100IM results board


helen getting ready to swim - chatting with the official :)


jayden = state runner up in the 100 IM

helen back on the starting blocks

jayden - 3rd place in the 25 butterfly

25 butterfly podium finishers

jayden getting ready to swim

jayden = state runner up in the 25 breaststroke

Helen's state bling = 8th place 100 freestyle relay, 11th place in the 25 backstroke and 25 freestyle

jayden's state and conference bling = state 2nd place = 25 breaststroke, state 2nd place = 100 IM, state 3rd place = 25 butterfly  conference 1st place = 100IM, conference 2nd place = 100 freestyle, conference 2nd place = 50 freestyle

he is so happy!  underneath this smile is a lot of drive and determination... makes me one very proud mama!

District Swim Meet - Grand Rapids

Graham swam in the District Swim meet in Grand Rapids on Jillian's birthday.  He swam the 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and 50 butterfly





Graham's ribbons from District (left) and Conference Meet (Grand Haven)
10th place - district 50 butterfly, 7th place - district 200 freestyle, 7th place - conference - 50 breaststroke, 8th place - conference 200 freestyle relay (OOPS - this is Helen's ribbon!), and 3rd place in the 11-12 year old category @ conference 200 medley relay (this relay team also earned a zone qualifying time - zone meet is in Bowling Green, OH)

Graham - lane 4 starting blocks

Jillian got a special cupcake from a parent on the swim team for her birthday :)

http://youtu.be/GxX8tJ2lVA8 - graham's 8 second time drop in the 200 freestyle

http://youtu.be/BrNzagGuJsY - graham's 50 butterfly

Eurobaby turns 3!

can't believe my sweet Jilly is 3 today!  she is getting so big.  i am hoping that Ross forgets that I promised to move her from the crib to a toddler bed :)




love her smile in the photo!

the birthday girl

happy to eat her cake at a pizza place in Grand Rapids







she was so excited to pick out her own cake - Hello Kitty

skyping with grandma and grandpa

the hello kitty outfit that i made for her