Robb's big race!

Saturday, January 7th, 2011 was Robb's big 13.1 mile race day! In order to have race done by park opening, I dropped him off at 4am! Robb was all hopped up and I left in my Pj's missing my bed, but knew I would be back in it soon. Or thought so. In my early morning, groggy haste I forgot my room card and my cell phone. I got Robb dropped off no problem. I didn't even get lost on my way back. But the darn security guard drilled me what room number, the name it was booked under why I was out at 4. Finally he let me in and I went to the room to try to knock and wake up one of my sleeping parents but not Max or the neighbors. I guess I was too quiet but another security guard must have seen me trying to knock on my parents window and came to tell me to go back to the front gate to have them call the room. When I got there the guard said why didn't he just open the room for you? And proceeded to call the other guard. Seriously. By the time I got back to the room for the guard to let me in my mom was awake (sorry mom) and let me in. Yay back to sleep for me!
Robb signed up for me and my mom to get text messages when he hit milestones which helped us know when to get to the race and know how he was doing. At 8am we woke everyone up, again, to go cheer Robb on at the finish line. His race started at Epcot, ran to and through the Magic Kingdom and back to Epcot. We got there with maybe 20-25 minutes before he ran past. This is my only picture.





He said his race was about 28,000 people. He did pretty well for not training and felt good which is the most important. Max and I wore our medals so we could get a picture of all of us with our medals! I am sporting the cheesy grin to encourage Max to smile, that is how we are doing it these days.



After our photo opportunities we got in the car to head out and let Robb shower up yet we just sat there literally in the same spot for 25 minutes then decided to stay at Epcot and start our day there. Robb was a great sport about walking more without a break. One of the cool things about being at Disney at this time is that it is still decorated for Christmas. It might be even more magical if that is possible. Here is the tree at Epcot!



It's funny I always despised Epcot when I was growing up. I felt so bored there. It has become one I like more each time I go there. I hope to go there during sept/oct when they have the wine and dine event. Hopefully I am not pregnant then, too!





When Robb and I where here 4 years ago to run the half marathon together we went through the Norway ride but didn't stay for the 5 minute video at the end and Robb and felt guilty since so we went on the ride again and this time stayed for the video. The video freaked Max out. It was a scary movie talking about Norwegian history, back in the Viking days and such.


We ate a fabulous lunch at Italy. We had pizza cooked in a wood burning oven. It was yummy! We checked out Mexico and the Finding Nemo ride then headed back so Robb could clean up and Max could nap. I tried to be diligent getting Max and myself naps. Robb got to work on his game and my mom uploaded the days photos and googled while we slept. Since we had a hopper pass we decided to head to the Magic Kingdom to take in the parade. We tried to make the most of each day. Friday my moms pedometer said we put on 9 miles and Saturday 11 miles.





We watched the lit up electrical parade which kinda puts our holidazzle to shame went on It's a small world ride, caught the fireworks while on the dumbo ride, rode the carousel and headed out!


Bad picture but you can tell Max was loving it.


This is the tree at Magic Kingdom!





Cinderella's castle! So magical!

Running Fun and Max's first Mickey!

Friday, January 7th, 2011 was very historic for our family. Not just because we were up early but we had two first time racers. My mom and I got out the door for our race by 5am and got to Epcot with plenty of time. I brought shorts for the race not thinking how cool it would be that early. I was a little cold and my muscles were tight by the 6am shot gun blast. It was a nice run. There were 5500 racers and the namesakes Buzz and Woody were out to send us off. My mom and I were actually inline to get our picture taken with them when they were wisked off to get the crowd excited at the start line. We were bummed after standing inline for about 30 minutes we were about 5 people back from getting our picture. Anyway, the race gave us some behind the Disney scene sights and the. We got to run around the inside of Epcot and finished by going past the "big golf ball" into the parking lot again. Robb, Max and my dad were there to cheers us on to the finish and bring us home. I, unfortunately don't have any pictures from the race.

We rushed back to shower and get Max a quick nap before we headed out to his race.
As you can see he was calm, cool and ready to kick some toddler butt!





We got there as they started the 100 meter dashes. They had about 5 waves of maybe 20 racers going at the same time. It was pretty cute. Here is Max and Robb doing some pre-race stetting.





And, the whistle to start the racers! Robb got to run with him and I had our little video camera that I ran with to capture the moments!











Our little racer got a Mickey Mouse Medal for finishing! Way to go, Maxers!





Then, we had a cool down on the soccer lawn.





And this was just a fun shot!





Since, Max was jazzed about his race, he got done and said " more, do racing again?" we thought we would try to get some of the energy out by starting our Disney adventure by going to Hollywood Studios. So we headed out. Max was getting a ride out and thought he would take advantage of his new found height by touching ALL the signs he could. I thought it was cute especially with his shirt saying I did it on the back.





It was a nice day for a park, probably high 60's. Max saw his first Mickey and I think he liked him. We asked Max if he wanted to see Mickey and he said "yes" so we waited in line and watched the other kids meet Mickey. When it was Max 's turn he just went in for a safe handshake. Then gave Mickey a hug. Cute stuff.











Hollywood studios has some neat rides and our collective favorite was the Toy Story Mania interactive ride. Max even got a small nap while we waited. What I love about Disney is the details. They try to keep you entertained during the wait. The whole time you are looking around the room noticing all the small details. Then we went home for a spaghetti dinner and got to bed early. It was a long day and Robb's race was the next day!

Racing and sightseeing in Orlando!

Okay, so we got home last night but I am going to attempt to hit the highlights of our recent trip to Orlando with my mom and step dad.

We left on a blustery Thursday morning, January 6th. I had worked an evening shift the night before, Robb waited up for me Last minute packing and Max was out of sorts and up until 12am so none of us got much sleep. We were up at 4:45 for our 5:15 pick up, thank you Jason! We got to the airport and to the gate without much fuss. We were bring Max's carseat with because we would need one in Florida and I had heard that it helps the kiddo to relax on the plane. However, I did not hear that it needs to meet special regulations to be used on the flight. So, at boarding our carseat was taken away, the bright spot here being we didn't need to pay to check it. Max did awesome on the flight and we got to Florida about noon. We scooped up the rental car and headed to my parents timeshare. We were pretty tightly packed into the car so it was necessary to drop some of the luggage off. Then the big plans for the day were to go to Disneys wide world of sports to pick up race packets for our four races! Robb ran the half marathon, my mom and I ran the buzz and woody best friend 5k and Max ran his first race, a 100 meter dash. Disney race packet pick up is a well oiled machine and we were in and out in less time than it took to park and walk in. Next stop was the local Walmart for some necessities, snacks and sandwich ingredients. By the time we got back to our timeshare we were all pretty tired. I laid out our race numbers and noticed that they had our name printed on them.








Pretty cool. Then my mom noticed she and been given the wrong bib and she was David 1859 instead of Mary Kay 1759. So, my mummy and I headed back to swap the bib. I guess she didn't want to be David for her first race! When we got back from that it was bedtime. Our 5k was the next morning at 6am, we needed to be there by 5:15am which is 4:15 MN time. Another early morn! Yikes I thought vacation was supposed to be where you made up for the early mornings not got up even earlier!

Oops! I forgot to mention that we also went to Downtown Disney for our first visit. We spent a fair amount of time in Legoland and got dinner at the Earl of Sandwiches. I highly recommend it.
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Maxwell made a Funny

After his bath yesterday morning.
Mommy: look Max your fingers and toes are all pruney! (showing him his fingers and toes)
Max: should we eat 'em?
Mommy: ok, hehe! (pretending to eat his toes)
Max: no silly mommy!


Max: ah! What's that?
Mommy: sounds like a train.
Max: ah! Thomas is here! Gotta open the door and see him!

There are SO many cute things he says. I just love every minute being with him!

Blessings on this Thanksgiving!

So, you've noticed that I am not posting very much. It's always my goal. I read all my friends blog and day dream about what I would post if I were posting. I thought about that and have come up with two reasons (er, excuses). One, I used to have a desktop computer that I did everything on. I love a desktop. But when Max came we have to make room ( which i happily did :)) for him so Bye bye went my computer room. Robb sweetly tries to teach me the ways of laptops ( which I used as coasters and kill) then he tried getting the iPad ( really for himself and his work, but for me to try to blog on,too) and I love the thought and the work involved in getting these devices to me, however, I am a desktop kinda girl. I miss my desktop. This typing on the iPad isn't the same. I know, silly to complain about, right. Poor me. It just cramps my style.

Reason numero dos, is that I have been harboring information that I didn't want to blab just yet. Yet, all I can think about is how to say it. So, here goes... We are expecting a sweet baby end of May/early June. I am in awe. I really was nervous if we would be able to conceive after the miscarriage earlier in the year. Then once we were pregnant it was seeing if the new regimen would get us farther than the last pregnancy. Now here we are 12.5 weeks along. I have had several doctor appts and everything seems like it's going well. I have a swelling midsection and the nausea has been non-stop for about 5 weeks. Although, I'll take that as a constant reminder of just how blessed we are to be here.

As, I think about this Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season, I feel blessed to be right where I am. That my family is healthy and that we are together ( or will be after I get home from work). So, each of you I am thankful for, too! I hope your day is spent well with family or friends and counting your blessings! Happy Thanksgiving!
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Scenes from a Second Birthday!

On November 23rd, 2010 our baby... Now little man turns two! How crazy is that. I lay awake in bed the night before seeing if I can recall what it felt like two years previous. What an amazing day, as has each day since been full of joy and wonder. I am amazed at what this kiddo learns, says, does everyday. We are blessed beyond belief to get to witness this.





So, Max at 2 years old loves fruit and yogurt for breakfast. But, his all time fav is still pancakes. And he will ask for them on a daily basis.

His two loves are trucks/cars and puppies. He has a whole slew of both and they accompany us most places. What is really fun is how his imagination has really emerged over the last month or two. Now playing with trucks or puppies is very playful and bright. He makes them talk and copies what he has seen.

He loves to read and sing songs. He is starting to direct songs to..like instead on the wheels on the bus he wants the wheels on the tractor or the wheels on mommy's car. It's pretty darn cute.

He talks a mile a minute! Although, if you are just meeting him it might take a few minutes for him to warm up. I love his sweet baby voice. And the way he says please when I ask him how to ask nice. He turns to put his cheek on his shoulder and give an angelic "please".

I could seriously go on and on but here are some pictures from his family birthday party last Saturday!









I know this one is blurry but I love the intensity!





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