crawfish

We had our annual crawfish boil on Sunday afternoon.  

It was the perfect day.  

I think we should make it a Sunday afternoon tradition every weekend in April.

let's play ball!

My sweet boy is playing baseball this season.  We play a lot in the backyard but this is the first time he has played for a team.  Luke is a natural athlete and is good at most sports.  Baseball is no exception.  

Coach has played him at first, third and short stop (all position he loves!)  Saturday his favorite thing was making three outs in one inning.  Two pop flies and one grounder to third that he threw to first. 

He is having a lot of fun!  It helps that he has a fun team and a great coach.

I love that smile...

bird museum

Friday was the second grade bird museum.  For the last month the kids have been researching various birds.  Then they had to write a report and give a presentation.  Reagan chose the hairy woodpecker.  She had a great time learning all about her bird AND figuring out her costume/presentation.  She did a marvelous job!  I am so proud of her.

storytime

 One day there was a very pritty lady.

She had a wonderful smile.

And wore very pritty clothes.

She had a VERY pritty purse.

She loved to take pictures.

She was also very smart.

She helped a lot of people.

And that lady LOVED the cubs.

AND that lady...

 Just so happens...

To be...

MY MOTHER AMY!

Aouthers note:

you are the best mom ever I love you

Love, Carsyn

crawfish

It's that time of year again...  crawfish season!  Beachys (and another family) hosted a boil at our house on Saturday with some newbies (they bought the crawfish party package at an auction).   It was fun and so delicious!  

he's screaming for someone to help him!

see ya soon little fish....

 time for Michael to give a lesson...

6 AB

In the wake of all the sad Boston news I wanted to revisit our Boston Marathon experience from 2007-  or as I like to call it.... "6 years after-Boston"...

I think of it often because it was definitely a turning point in our story....

Dale was one of those crazy runners.  You know the type...  one of those "running is my life and the only real form of challenging exercise" people....  In 2006 he decided to run '6 in '06" - basically 6 marathons throughout the year so that he could qualify to run the Boston in '07.  He had to run a qualifying race at 3:20, which he did, no problemo- remember... he's crazy.  He ran his qualifier in 3:06- yahoo!

Next step... he began training to run Boston.  He really wanted to run it sub 3.  Two weeks away from race day he saddled up the kids in the double jogger and headed out for a short run.  Something crazy happened and he hurt himself- it was deep hip pain.  He was hurt as in, cannot even walk.  After seeing 2 different docs and having x-rays and an MRI he was told NOT to run.  Somehow he knew that if he didn't run Boston then he would never be able to do it again.  So he took a few days off, did some rehab and took some advil.

Boston weekend arrives...  Dale's parents shuttled all of us out there for a long race weekend.  It was FREEZING but we had a fun time.  Dale was on meds and doing ok.  He was ready to run.  The night before the race there was severe weather.  It was a nor'easter!  Hundreds of people were dropping out.  Dale decided to run anyway.  Amidst terrible weather conditions and a severe injury he ran through the streets of Boston.  It was not his best time but it was his most accomplished!  I am so proud of his 3:49:45 and his determination.

That is the last time he has run (not true, this year he ran around the block a few times).  His last "real" running steps were across the finish line.  It has been a long road since (including 2 reconstructive surgeries) but the whole running race has taught us many things.  Mostly that we are Dale is not invincible.  We should not take our days for granted....

the Beachy group- we even made t-shirts...

it really was freezing- we wore long underwear, coats and trash bags!

see him raising his hands (on the left)?!

we saw all the sites!

the Freedom Trail should be on your bucket list.  it was very cool...

the kids got t-shirts to prove it!

april

It's finally April!  Winter is behind us, school is back in session tomorrow and the flip flops are out!  I couldn't be happier.

March was a quick month.  So much time off.  It's amazing that I got everything accomplished- my goals that is!  I completed every last one:

~ read The Great Gatsby (it's not as great as I remember)

~ send birthday cards

~ try boxing (fun but difficult- went 3 times!)

~ see a movie (Olympus has Fallen- terrible!  DO NOT see it!)

~ get a new phone (iPhone5!)

~ try a new recipe (too many to name)

~ have a date night (even got 2 in!)

My April list is not terribly difficult- should be a great month!

- read A Wrinkle in Time

- have lunch with Dale

- have lunch with a friend

- clean the office

- switch out clothes (winter for spring/summer)

- volunteer at Ditto

- visit the range

- have friends over for dinner