Monday, December 22, 2008

Arctic Blast 2008!

The snow started falling on Sunday 12/13/08, we got snow everyday except Tue 12/16. We got the majority of the snow on Sunday 12/21 and today.
To help with cabin fever, Tim and I walked to the local bar and enjoyed a few beers while watching several accidents in the parking lot. I have enjoyed the snow but I am ready for it to go away!




Thursday, November 27, 2008

Fall Photos & Tyvand update

Here are some photos from the last few months. We had a busy fall; hiking, going to the beach, spending time with our nieces, celebrating our 6th anniversary and spending Thanksgiving with the family. December is turning out to be another busy month; Tim is going on a surfing trip to Mexico with his friends, my parents are coming for Christmas and Kiley turns 6!!

Things on the adoption front are moving forward. Hopefully, we will get our referral in the next 3 to 4 months. As of last month, the CCAA has matched everyone with a LID of 2/17/06 and before.

Tim, Jim, Judy and I attended the annual Apple Festival in September.


We took the girls on a hike around Reed College in Portland.

After our long hike, we needed to regain our strength so, we stopped for lunch.
The girls spent the night. This is them eating their dessert.
The next morning, big sis helped little sis with her breakfast. (We did do more then just eat this weekend but it seems the only pictures I took were when we were eating)
Tim on the jetty at Ft. Stevens in Astoria, OR. (This was our anniversary weekend)
Tim and Resa on the beach in Manzanita, OR. Tim took me to a VERY nice resort for our anniversary, Coastal Cabins. We had our own private cabin with a hot tub and sauna.
The view from Neahkahnie Mt.
Resa hiking up to the view point.
Resa standing at the top of Neahkahnie Mt.
The bridge to Oswald Beach, a very popular surf spot on the OR coast. You have to hike approx a half mile, with your surf board, to this spot - it is worth it.
The turkey on Wed night.
The turkey on Thursday - sorry Mr Turkey. This is the first year I cooked a turkey. The experience makes me want to be a vegetarian again. I almost threw up when I pulled the neck and the other stuff out of the middle!
K boiling the neck for the gravy.
Ellis helping K with the gravy.
Tim carving the turkey.
Judy cleaning up.
Jim Sr. relaxing after dinner.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Hood to Coast 2008!!

It has almost been a month since H2C 2008 so, I figured it was time I updated my blog with some photos from this year's race.

This was the best year yet!! I also said that about last year's H2C. Both years were a blast! I think this year was so special because it may be the last year a lot of us do it for awhile, and I was able to experience this year's race with my husband, sister, and brother-in-law! I am not sure our other van mates were happy to experience H2C with the Gamboa sisters; sorry Ted, Nancy, Tim and Brian. In case you did not know, Kathleen and I have a loud laugh and we think everything is funny :)

I want to thank Tim Dooley, also known as Mr. Hood to Coast, for being our fearless leader and planning everything. The reason this race is so special for all of us is because of Tim!! THANK YOU.

We had a great race, everyone did their best! We finished well before our projected time. We completed the 197 miles (from Mt. Hood to Seaside, Oregon) in 25 hrs 45 mins.

After the race, the Tyavnd's and Lower's headed to Astoria to pick up Ellis and Kiley (the little Lower's) and get some much needed rest.

The sisters at Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood - At this time, I had 4 more hrs before I ran, K had about 7!
The happy couples.
Nancy, Brian, Tim D (Mr Hood to Coast), K (behind Ken), Ken and Ted.
Ken started the race for us.

Ken handing off to Rick
Rick handing off to Sunny Tim
Sunny Tim handing off to Andrew
Tim and Resa :) I was a little nervous here as my first leg was coming up soon.
Resa showing off the newest in running fashion - the running skirt. I love the skirt because it does not ride up!
My night photos did not turn out, so, this is the only photo of our runs during the night and early morning. This is K before her first run.
This is the line for the "Honey Bucket"
K's second leg was her hardest leg, it was 6.81 miles and the first 2 miles were up hill, she was very nervous about this leg. Brock giving her a kiss for good luck!
A very nervous K waiting for Tim T.
Timmy T running in to hand off to K.
Brock giving K some water.


Van life. We are waiting for K to come in.
K coming in strong.
Tim catching some Zs before leg 3, his toughest leg. Tim's last leg was 7.79 miles!
K sleeping before her 3rd leg. I had to check to make sure she was just sleeping!
Resa very happy after her 3rd leg. There is something to be said about being the first runner out of the van - first one out, first one done!
One of the many traffic backups at Hood to Coast. Unfortunately for Brock, this backup meant he had to get out of the van and run a half mile up to the exchange to meet the our next runner.
Resa doing her wifely duty and giving water to her wonderful husband on his last leg.
We are all done but one. This was the last exchange. Brian was getting ready to run for the 4th time! After this we drove to the beach and ran in with Brian then said goodbye to our team and headed to Astoria for some food, beer, and SLEEP.

Resa on Sunday morning.
After we got some sleep and food, Tim and I rented some bikes and took a tour of Astoria.
While the Tyvand's were on a bike ride the Lower's enjoyed some pool time.
This was the view from our room.

Uncle Timmy and Ellis watching the Olympics. As you can see, Uncle Timmy was enjoying a much deserved beer, so was Auntie Resa :)
This was the end of our trip. We were getting ready to get in the car for the 2 hour ride home.

Another great Hood to Coast! Thanks again Tim D for all you do to make H2C a great experience for everyone involved!