I guess this is going to seem fairly anti-climatic after those tulip pictures, but here's a few pictures of the ridge to river race that took place last weekend while Jess was frolicking at the beach:We slept in a cabin at a boy scout ranch that one of my co-workers arranged for. It was about 10 miles down the canyon from the ski resort where the start line was. We got up in the morning and headed up the mountain, and this is the view:

Then they shot the gun and we raced:

The thing with the race division we were in was that we could only use "recreational" cross country ski equipment, this means no "skate style" technique can be used, so you pretty much just go for a jog wearing skis and carrying poles. Not all that recreational it turns out. Nor is it that fun trying to ski down a mountain in edgeless plastic skis with soft floppy shoes for boots. I had snow jammed so far down into my ear from one wipeout that I couldn't get it out until it melted and ran out on its own. Luckily, the race was organized with a down-hill leg, where the cross country ski guys pass of to downhill skiers who actually have real skis and boots. Our man Pat (bearded mountain man seen below) made it down in just over 8 min. I took 45 on my skis! So downhill ski passes to runner to biker to canoes (by now we are all on the Columbia river) and then we all pick up the canoe and run to the finish line together.

Post race victory poses:

Tulip Festival

The pictures speak for themselves! I'm telling you Skaggit Valley is the place to be. Jaron and I decided that this was one of the prettiest places we have ever been. Check out more pictures here!

The Race, The Park, and The Argentine Girl

This weekend Jaron participated in a team race with his co-workers down in a place called Wenatchee. He left Friday night and got back Saturday evening. The race included cross country skiing (which was Jaron's main leg 3 miles) (click on the link then scroll to team 408) for photos or wait till I (jaron) get them up (which was Jaron's main leg 3 miles), downhill skiing, biking, canoing, running, and a sprint at the end (which Jaron also did). They did great, placing fifth in their division! (team peanut butter in the open rec division). I'm hoping Jaron will do a blog on further details with pictures from Brad's camera because it really did sound like a lot of fun!

While J was in Wenatcheee, Olivia and I joined our friends Meg, Jane (Pictured below), and Grey (The Singley's newest addition) in a venture to Seahurst park in West Seattle. It was a gorgeous day, and is such a beautiful park. We had so much fun walking on the trail that skirts along the Pudget Sound and throwing rocks into the ocean.

I have no idea what she is laughing at in this picture, but talk about a whole-hearted laugh!

By the way did I tell you that we adopted an Argentine?? Oh, well we did. Spur of the moment type thing. Here she is.
Ok Ok so she's not an Argentine, but she is wearing an Argentine outfit, so thats close right?
This last picture is totally random. Annette brought over some beautiful roses last Sunday and I just felt like my house looked better with them in it. I also took some of the flowers still looking alive and healthy from Jaron's beautiful bouquet and put them in a short, square vase. I liked the table setting and just thought I would post it for fun. You know, some days I feel like I'm just a little girl still playing house.
Ok one more, feelin picture happy today:
Just tryin to make you smile

Tagged

Olivia Grace Brown

I've been tagged a few times now and not yet replied. Well, instead of learning about me today for the tag, I'm going to cheat a little and do a tag about Liv! So here's
Ten Reasons Olivia is The Joy of my Life:
1.She's so enthusiastic about life: She started walking at one years old, and now that the waddle has warn off (sniff, sniff) she runs enthusiastically almost everywhere she goes.
2. She is an expert at making me laugh daily. The latest funny thing that she does is stomp on the ground when she is frustrated. Its so cute. I hate to laugh when I know she's frustrated, but its just so cute.

3. She jabbers all day long. I know that one day she'll just start making sense, but at the rate that words (well her words) come out of her mouth, sometimes I think she should write a baby novel. Lucky for me, I know her little language for the most part, and usually can understand what she wants.
4. She is so good at just chilling in the running stroller three times a week for 40 minutes a session. She is one of the only babies I have ever met that is so content to be in a stroller for so long.
5. She wastes Jaron. Olivia used to get scared when Jaron and I would wrestle, now she joins with me in attacking him. Her latest move was pulling his eyelid up with her left hand and firmly poking him in the eye with her right hand. Good one Liv!

6. She's the center of the world. Or at least she thinks so. Everywhere we go she thinks everybody is there for her, kind of like the Truman Show. When we leave the check out stand at the grocery store she turns around and waves at every one who is behind her in the store, smiling and twinkling her eyes all the way. Its the same story at Restaurants, church, etc.

7. She Loves her Daddy! I know that Olivia loves me so much, but really truly she is a daddy's girl. When he gets home, its all eyes on him, and as far as she's concerned nothing, not even me, is coming in between her and him. When strangers come over, its him she goes to to shy her little head into as she clings onto his leg. When she has a pretty new clip in her hair, its daddy she wants to show. When she looks around behind her and starts to run forward, its daddy she wants to chase her. When her bum is stinky, its daddy she wants to change her. . . ( ok so I just through that one in).

8. She has the best eyelashes. One of the most common compliments Olivia receives is that she has such beautiful dark, long, eyelashes. I seriously didn't know that eyelashes like that existed. They are like an inch long!

9.She is already a good example to me. About a month ago I taught Olivia how to fold her arms and clothes her eyes to say a prayer. Sometimes when I am about to feed her breakfast, lunch, or even a snack, if I forget to say a blessing on the food she gently reminds me by folding her arms and looking at me patiently. These have been some of the most precious and humbling moments for me as a mother.

10. She is so observant of everything around her. Just like her Daddy, Olivia is so aware when something in the sky or on the ground is moving. Jaron has often been known to spot many a conspicuous deer on the mountainside hundreds of feet away, while driving, out of his peripheral vision. Olivia is the same way, but not only does she notice moving animals, she waves and acknowledges them. When Jaron and I take her on walks she tries her hardest not to miss waving to a single bird in the sky.

Good Times

Three days ago Jaron walked in the door two hours early from work with these two wonderful items.














He's the best. Although, he really might end up regretting that he gave me a whole box of Haagen Daz ice cream bars. Eating these delicious bars has turned into a nightly tradition. So, if I start looking a little plumpy here in a week or so, you'll know why! :) Thanks again Jaron :)

Yesterday, thanks to Meg and Brad (who babysat Olivia for four hours!), Jaron and I got to go see the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers in the opening game of the season. I've never been huge into baseball, but it was so much fun! I felt so patriotic. The beautiful field, the stealthy stadium, the crowds cheering or booing, dancing, singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", eating hot dogs, cheering "Ichiro! Ichiro!". Ah, it was gloriously fun!

At some point in the game, Jaron said to me "Oh, I miss Liv. Don't you miss Liv?". I pretty much just started laughing. "Nope, can't say I do". Am I a terrible mom? I was so happy to be on a date with my husband with out having a needy 16 month old to take care of and divert my attention elsewhere. Thanks again Brad and Meg!

Happy Spring! :)

Go Mariners!!