Disney Half

For the third year in a row, I ran the Disney Half Marathon.  Like last year, my running buddy Valeria ran with me.  This year we were joined (sort of) by my friend Jacob from Vistage and his buddies.  We met them for photos before the race and then saw them aftewards - but Jacob runs too fast for us, so we didn't see anything but dust for the race.

HOWEVER, it was a great race, Val and I both got PRs!  While this is supposed to be more of a fun race than anything esle, we ran pretty hard - my time was 2:17 - and Val's was 2:14!  We rock!

Yes - it is dark when you start running - I think we are all certifiably nuts to be up voluntarily at this hour!

We are ready in our running skirts and hats - I love Valeria's Minnie Mouse ears she pinned on her hat!

Even though we didn't take too many photos this year (last year we stopped everywhere!) you HAVE to take a photo as you run through the castle at near dawn.  It's really cool to be running (one of my favorite things to do) through the Happiest Place on Earth early in the morning.  It's quite an experience.

And since this is Anaheim, you also get to run through Angel Stadium.  Last year they had a game that day so we had to run around the stadium - this year we got to run on the warning track.  They have the jumbo tron going so you can see yourself up on the screen - that was awesome.  And there are a gazillion girl scouts cheering you on.  My friend Trisha and her girls managed to find me amongst all the thousands of runners - she said it was the red ribbons on my braids!  My braids are my trademark hair-do when I race.

Here I am with the Angel Girls - now they are fresh and pretty, and I'm all gross and sweaty, but it was fun regardless

Here we are after the race - Disney gives you some serious bling for the medal!

And the after race toast - the reason I run (LOL)

First Day of School

I can't believe summer is over and it's time to start a new school year already.  This year Katie joins her brothers at La Purisima.  We now have THREE kids going there - yikes!  Zachary is in 7th, Nicholas in 2nd and Katie in Pre-K.  It is going to be an exciting year - Zachary will be on Student Council and continue with band and sports, Nicholas is set to take his first communion this year, and there will be some changes in store for our baby girl as she adjusts to a more formal pre-school environment.

As has been the tradition, on the 1st day of school I like to take a photo of the kids in front of the house so we can see how they grow year after year

Here is Nicholas with his friend Jacob, and then with Miguel and Tommy

And with Sophia, Shannon and Maggie.  Nicholas is definitely popular with the girls!!

Nicholas and Fiona are neighbors for the 1st day of school

Zachary had a big role to play the first day of school, celebrating all the birthdays from the summer.  As the Commissioner of School Spirit it is his job to do all things fun - definitely in his element!  When they announced the student council, he got one of the loudest cheers from the student body.  It is going to be an exciting school year!

My little girls first official day of Pre-School.  I hope she is going to have a good time - it's hard to believe how quickly she has grown

But it looks like she is going to fit right in - playing on the swings with her friend Samantha