I can honestly say I do not know how the people I see out running in the afternoon do it when it is 90 odd degrees. I say this after I went out Sunday AM to do my usual 7 mile run and it was 75 degrees and I was just hot. I ran my 7 miles but it was a bit slower than usual.
It was kind of an interesting run as I totally forgot that the Broadlands triathlon was going on Sunday so I ended up running across and along parts of the course as I ran the streets I normally run along Ridgeway and Claibourne. There were quite a few competitors and they definitely varied between those that are fully invested in the sport and those that are doing their first - but it was great to see everyone involved.
I guess my running now will mean I get up a bit earlier so I am not out running when it is not too hot - which I guess is not a bad thing.
ISHI - Japanese for DETERMINATION. Some would say I am stubborn - others opinionated - but in reality it is determined. I believe it is determination that got me through the challenges I have faced and allowed me to start this new and wonderful life. I will stay determined and we will have as much fun as we can along the way. Read along for the wonderful adventure.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Our First Upgrade
Since Laura and the girls found climbing in a challenge we put on new sidesteps before we do the next upgrade with bigger tires.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Fathers Day Weekend
What a wonderful weekend.
The kids and Laura treated me to a wonderful Fathers Day weekend - two fun days that were oh so relaxing.
On Saturday myself and Laura had our usual casual Saturday AM, went to our local coffee shop and had some breakfast and just relaxed. While there she said that she had some plans and that we would need to be ready to leave by 11. So just before 11 we dropped the top on the Jeep and headed out. She navigated as we headed towards and then around Frederick, MD. We arrived on Black Ankle Rd and I then knew where we were going. Laura had introduced me to this vineyard a few years ago and we loved one of their reds. We had not been able to find it in a while so I was very excited to go visit them.
We enjoyed a wonderful wine tasting and I can honestly say that it was one of the very few tastings we have done (and we have done quite a few) where we enjoyed every wine. We had brought a picnic with us so we sat outside and enjoyed some good food with a bottle of Rolling Hills red. After lunch we sampled some chocolate from a local chocolatier - which was a fantastic way to finish our lunch.
After a relaxing early afternoon at the vineyard we took the back roads down through Frederick and Montgomery counties and took Whites Ferry back home. Laura then laid out her plans for supper which included a fresh garden salad, her very popular roasted potatoes and some wood smoked BBQ ribs and chicken. We decided to open a bottle of Black Ankle Syrah to go with it and it all matched wonderfully.
Sunday I woke up with text messages from Tika, who is in Canada right now. A nice way to start Fathers Day. Kris, Sam and Laura took me out for a wonderful lunch at the Old Brogue, a wonderful pub in Great Falls that we love, and then we went to get the girls some frozen yogurt. We had a great afternoon.
After we got home we called my Dad so we could wish him Happy Fathers Day. It was a great way to finish off my day - the reminder of why I work so hard to be a good Dad to the girls - the fact that my Dad worked so hard to make sure we had what we needed each and every day.
It was a wonderful weekend and one I will remember.
Happy Fathers Day!
The kids and Laura treated me to a wonderful Fathers Day weekend - two fun days that were oh so relaxing.
On Saturday myself and Laura had our usual casual Saturday AM, went to our local coffee shop and had some breakfast and just relaxed. While there she said that she had some plans and that we would need to be ready to leave by 11. So just before 11 we dropped the top on the Jeep and headed out. She navigated as we headed towards and then around Frederick, MD. We arrived on Black Ankle Rd and I then knew where we were going. Laura had introduced me to this vineyard a few years ago and we loved one of their reds. We had not been able to find it in a while so I was very excited to go visit them.We enjoyed a wonderful wine tasting and I can honestly say that it was one of the very few tastings we have done (and we have done quite a few) where we enjoyed every wine. We had brought a picnic with us so we sat outside and enjoyed some good food with a bottle of Rolling Hills red. After lunch we sampled some chocolate from a local chocolatier - which was a fantastic way to finish our lunch.
After a relaxing early afternoon at the vineyard we took the back roads down through Frederick and Montgomery counties and took Whites Ferry back home. Laura then laid out her plans for supper which included a fresh garden salad, her very popular roasted potatoes and some wood smoked BBQ ribs and chicken. We decided to open a bottle of Black Ankle Syrah to go with it and it all matched wonderfully.
After we got home we called my Dad so we could wish him Happy Fathers Day. It was a great way to finish off my day - the reminder of why I work so hard to be a good Dad to the girls - the fact that my Dad worked so hard to make sure we had what we needed each and every day.
It was a wonderful weekend and one I will remember.
Happy Fathers Day!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Kris's Graduation Weekend
I am not sure it means I am older but now I have two kids that have graduated high school.
This past weekend was Kris's graduation and I could not have been more proud of her. Sunday was her actual graduation ceremony and Kim, Luke and Amanda came all the way from Ottawa to celebrate with us all.
It was a hot weekend in Northern Virginia, 90+ degrees and sunny. The "and sunny" meant the Jeep was going without windows at least (I kept the top up to protect my head). We all had lunch at Hunters Head Tavern in Upperville. It is a great place as it is small and cozy, great staff and great food. The drive out was also nice since there was a horse jumpers show on in Upperville so lots of beautiful horses. After lunch we relaxed a bit before heading to the Patriot Center at George Mason University for her graduation ceremony. It was a little bot funny that she was having her graduation ceremony there as she will be attending GMU in a few weeks.
It was an evening event and I think that helped to make sure that people kept on time with speeches and the like. When Kris marched out we were quickly able to pick her out and she saw us right away. She said it helped that Laura's dress was a very vivid color :-)
The commencement address was great - given by a former Stone Bridge Grad who had just graduated from the US Naval Academy. She was a great speaker, entertaining and a great message for the kids (and for adults) about passion, motivation and finding time to enjoy life. I hope the kids, including Kris and the ones sitting next to me, took it to heart.
It was late by the time we finished but we found time to get some pictures of the new graduate. We were also so very proud of her and our now anxious to see where she will head in life.
We love you Kris
ConGRADulations
This past weekend was Kris's graduation and I could not have been more proud of her. Sunday was her actual graduation ceremony and Kim, Luke and Amanda came all the way from Ottawa to celebrate with us all.
It was a hot weekend in Northern Virginia, 90+ degrees and sunny. The "and sunny" meant the Jeep was going without windows at least (I kept the top up to protect my head). We all had lunch at Hunters Head Tavern in Upperville. It is a great place as it is small and cozy, great staff and great food. The drive out was also nice since there was a horse jumpers show on in Upperville so lots of beautiful horses. After lunch we relaxed a bit before heading to the Patriot Center at George Mason University for her graduation ceremony. It was a little bot funny that she was having her graduation ceremony there as she will be attending GMU in a few weeks.
It was an evening event and I think that helped to make sure that people kept on time with speeches and the like. When Kris marched out we were quickly able to pick her out and she saw us right away. She said it helped that Laura's dress was a very vivid color :-)The commencement address was great - given by a former Stone Bridge Grad who had just graduated from the US Naval Academy. She was a great speaker, entertaining and a great message for the kids (and for adults) about passion, motivation and finding time to enjoy life. I hope the kids, including Kris and the ones sitting next to me, took it to heart.
It was late by the time we finished but we found time to get some pictures of the new graduate. We were also so very proud of her and our now anxious to see where she will head in life.
We love you Kris
ConGRADulations
Friday, June 8, 2012
A Busy but FUN Week
This week I had to make a quick trip out to Utah. Yes it was work related but it was fun work.
The company that I am working for now, Venafi, is a big believer in making sure people know each other and are able to work well together. So twice a year they have team building events. This one sounded exciting from the start - a day at Utah's Olympic Park.
I flew in Tuesday night and headed up to Park City where we were staying. A quick beer and bite to eat at the No Name Saloon also allowed me to catch up with a few of the guys that I already knew and to meet a few more. The next morning I finished off some real work and we headed up to the Olympic Park for noon.
The ride up there is cool in itself. It is a steady, windy, drive up but as you go you can see all the ski jumps which are very impressive (as you can tell from the picture). While we waited for everyone to get there we watched some ski jumpers practice off the varying jumps and landing in the pool. Some were obviously experienced while others were brand new to it. Once everyone was there we started with a quick briefing and some team building and then headed up to the mountain top. We literally spent the next 5+ hours having fun and getting to know each other. We were doing street luge, summer biathlon (including air rifles to hit targets - first go two shots to get a center and second go - one shot one hit), zip lines, alpine sledding and the best - a run in a 4 man bobsled down the actual Olympic course. Driven by a professional driver using a wheeled sled - we still hit 70 mph and pulled 4 Gs.
After the full afternoon being active most drove back down while a few of us zip-lined back to the lodge where we had some food and drink and spent the evening playing blackjack, craps and betting on roulette.
It was a great way to get to meet and get to know a lot of people. You learn a lot from someone when they are next to you on a zip line that is 1500 ft long, dropping 500 feet at 60 mph.
Looking forward to the next team event.
The company that I am working for now, Venafi, is a big believer in making sure people know each other and are able to work well together. So twice a year they have team building events. This one sounded exciting from the start - a day at Utah's Olympic Park.
I flew in Tuesday night and headed up to Park City where we were staying. A quick beer and bite to eat at the No Name Saloon also allowed me to catch up with a few of the guys that I already knew and to meet a few more. The next morning I finished off some real work and we headed up to the Olympic Park for noon.
 |
| Looking down one of the ski hills towards the lodge |
After the full afternoon being active most drove back down while a few of us zip-lined back to the lodge where we had some food and drink and spent the evening playing blackjack, craps and betting on roulette.
It was a great way to get to meet and get to know a lot of people. You learn a lot from someone when they are next to you on a zip line that is 1500 ft long, dropping 500 feet at 60 mph.
Looking forward to the next team event.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Our new Jeep
So Tika was right again. I could not last more than a few years without a Jeep Wrangler.
This time it was an easier decision since the new Unlimited is a 4 door with lots of space.
Today will be our first full day out with it and all the kids. I know La and Tika are really looking forward to it.
This time it was an easier decision since the new Unlimited is a 4 door with lots of space.
Today will be our first full day out with it and all the kids. I know La and Tika are really looking forward to it.
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