Saturday I headed over to Adel with Julie G for the 1st annual Pieathlon. Run, Bike, and eat pie! We skipped the running part as neither of us was really up for it.
It was a great day for riding, a little cooler and overcast. I do so much better in that type of weather than in the intense sun!
The ride started out pretty good, hit some county roads to make our way over to Linden. On the way there I was impressed that all the vehicles that passed us were hugging the opposite side of the road and didn't cut back in front of us! Kudos to all driving between Adel and Linden on Sat. morning!!
Once we got to Linden we hopped onto the Raccoon River Valley Trail to head back to Adel. That's where the fun really started! A ways down the trail we came upon a tree down over the trail, not a big deal, hop off the bike, climb over, back on and off we go. Then we had to do it again, and again, and again, and....well you get the picture. About 8-10 down trees over the trail. One we came up on, I wasn't sure if we were going to get around it! We found a spot and squeezed our way through...a camera would have been ideal at this point! Of course, both Julie and I forgot to grab a camera!
Once back to Adel we were ready for our pie, we felt we had earned it doing some cyclocross action in with our road riding, on road bikes! Well, I got lucky and they had one piece of Apple left...what I wanted! Julie wasn't so lucky as that was the very last piece.
After eating our pulled pork sandwiches and my apple pie, we donned our swimsuits and took a dip in the pool. 66 degrees out and the water was GREAT! I kind of forgot how to just play in the pool, I couldn't think of anything fun to do. Hopefuly in the next couple of years, Alexa will change that and bring out the fun of the pool again instead of me just swimming laps!
On Triathlon training:
I rode bike a couple of times last week and tried to go for a run/walk with Alexa in the stroller. Going to have to probably go out and run after she is in bed. I hated running with the stoller. You can't get a good stride in and not being able to pump my arms was horrible!
I swam on Monday and got a mile in and then on Thursday I swam with the group and got another mile in. Hopefully this Thursday I'll be able to get out and run with them instead of coaching swim team.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Pie....yummy....Pie!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Time to train...
...It's official, I've signed up at the Y to do the Sprint Triathlon! It is to get ready for the Cy-man Tri in Ames on Aug. 26th. The only part I'm really nervous about is the running. I was a sprinter in high school and quit running before due to shin splints...BAD! I'll just have to invest in some really good shoes and hope for the best.
He said it was fun and he had a good ride. He averaged about 25 mph and finished in just over an hour. Thanks to Taylor for letting him borrow his time-trial bike too. It's great to have a friend that's built just the same for bike fit!
A friend of ours, Jane Riessen, also participated and completed the whole event. She has done Tri's before, but this was the first time I got to see her in action! Here she is getting a high five at the finish!
Photo courtesy of www.dmregister.com
Also big congrats to another friend, Kristin Reese. This was her first Triathlon and she finished in just over 3 hours! Great Job!! Seeing the motivation Kristin had and watching her in the race was one of the factors that made me sign up for this sprint Triathlon training. Definitely not the feat she took on, but I thought it would be a good start for me!
I was able to see many other people I knew participate either as an individual or on a team. Great job by all and maybe I'll be with you next year!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Enjoyed my week
Alexa is coming back from G'ma and G'pa Sedore's tomorrow and I've missed her so much! I've stayed busy with working, cycling, swimming and cleaning this week. I am ready to get my baby girl back!
Here she is playing in the pool, I hear she got lots of swimming time in.
Today I went on a bike ride with Julie G., we took the trail up the Dam hill, across the Dam and then back to Johnston to the Fire station for some pancakes!! After we were done eating we headed over to Irwin's, picked up a tandem and threw candy in the Johnston Green Days parade. After the parade, a short ride back to my place. It was a scorcher out there!! It was definitely nice to get back inside and do some cleaning in the air conditioning!
Tomorrow, the plan is to ride downtown watch the start of the Triathlon at Gray's Lake, ride over to the hill on Grand, then back over to the capitol to see the runners finish. It should be a good time. We know quite a few people in the amateur division.
I've been overcome with the Triathlon fever and am contemplating training for a sprint triathlon in 10 weeks. There is a training at the Y to help get ready for it. Should I do it? Can I do it? Check back and see!
Friday, June 15, 2007
A new member of the family
The latest member of the Sedore family....
We introduce to you...Bob!
Ty is not liking the new little guy so well. All she does is hiss at him. Heck I think she is mad at me too, I couldn't even go near her today as she hissed and growled at me too!
Hopefully over the next couple of days it will get better and they will get used to each other!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Wow...how they grow!
I got the privilege of watching my nephew Justin play baseball this last Friday. He is going to be a senior in the fall and it amazes me still to this day. It seems like yesterday that he was just 3 getting his picture taken with me during my senior pictures. He will always be special to me as my sister lived with us when he was born. Since she was going to school and working as a nurse's aid, I got to spend LOTS of time babysitting him. I can't believe he is almost 18, a legal adult!
Justin had a good game, he plays left field and had a couple of really good catches. They played a tough team and lost 0-3, not as bad as they thought it was going to be!
Alexa got to spend time with G'ma and G'pa Voetberg as I had a candle party Sat. during the day. Then Sat night we went to a bridal shower for my cousins fiance. I got to see a lot of my Mom's side of the family. I have a cousin that has a little girl 4 months younger than Alexa. They weigh the same, but Alexa has a little height on her!
Next week will be LOTS of bike riding as Alexa is spending a week with G'ma and G'pa Sedore. Hopefully it will help with my goal of 500 miles! I am also signed up for the pieathlon in Adel on June 23rd! Running, Biking and Pie!! Yep, no swimming, but hey, I get pie! All proceeds are split towards the Cancer centers here in Des Moines and the Livestrong Foundation. Another 30 miles to add that day! Yeah!
I really like the charity rides. Especially if the money is for a good cause like that. I get the good feeling that I am helping out and get some good exercise in the process!
Acts 20:35b — “The Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day
A time to remember all the soldiers who have fought for our freedom and to help others enjoy freedom in their country too. Have a GREAT day and enjoy your freedom!On Saturday Kyle and I headed back home and Alexa stayed behind to enjoy some G'ma and G'pa time. I started the task of cleaning once we got home. It's the only time I can really deep clean the house. It's always one of my tasks when Alexa is at one of the grandparents!
On Sunday Kyle and Taylor headed out to try and get 100 miles in on the bikes. They almost made it with 91.5 miles! More motivation than me, I only went out for about 1.5 hours and about 15-20 miles. Forgot to check my odometer when I got home! After I got home I finished my cleaning for the weekend. The only thing I have left is some laundry and go through the magazines!
Sunday night was over to the Reese household for the Annual Memorial Day party. It was a lot of fun. A great get-together with beer, food, friends and fun! Lots of people showed up and we had a blast!
Today we are just going to relax and enjoy the day. We have to go pick up Alexa and will probably grill out for supper. If it's not raining too hard!
Have a GREAT day!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Hello out there!
Yep, it's been a busy couple of weeks. Lots of work, play and just plain relaxing with the family.
Alexa and I have been out on the bike quite a bit. A couple of Wed. ago I parked at Sycamore access and headed North on the trail. I made it up the Dam Hill with her in tow! Yoo Hoo a great feat for me as I HATE hills!! My body just seems to shut down. I'm hoping to do that ride with her more often as the weather is staying warm and the nights longer.
On Sunday I headed out around the Urbandale greenbelts. She got a nice nap in and I got lost in Urbandale. Came out of the greenbelt by Hickman just east of 86th. Did not think that was where I was headed! I was just toodling along having fun just riding!
Other than biking we just finished up another round of waterbabies class. Alexa helped me teach the last 2 nights we went. We skipped out tonight as she was diagnosed with strep throat on Friday and I found out today that I have it too! I thought it be best to stay away from the babies! This summer we will be teaching a class on Monday nights at 7:00pm at the Walnut Creek Y.
Alexa's babysitter bought this really cool bubble blower and she loves it, so I got one for home too. Target $10 and a big thing of bubble solution is only $3! I have some pics but blogger is being stupid and won't let me upload them. I'll try again tomorrow!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
It's May!
HAPPY MAY DAY!!
Wow, I can't believe it is the first of May. I've been back at work for a month now and it has flown by! I really miss my time with Alexa, but now the time I have is even more cherished and it's hard when I have things going on at night too.
I've been doing things after she goes to bed now instead of toting her around with me. We come home, enjoy our time together and then after she is in bed, I run my errands, go exercise, etc.
This past Saturday Alexa and I got another bike ride in. We made our way to the Urbandale greenbelt and headed down toward Johnston to see how far it would let us go. It is blocked off right before it heads down towards the creek that you can see from Merle Hay. I wasn't surprised! We then headed back into Urbandale, made our way to the Lebeda household to say Hi and then on our way home stopped by the Cheever's household to see if they were home. Surprise! They were! It was one Saturday that they had no activities of Lindsay's so they were enjoying a day at home. Good to see them again!
If anyone reading LOVES candles and is interested. I am hosting a Summer Open House to kick-off the "Summer - A Time to Share" catalog from the Gold Canyon Candle line. Everyone is Welcome! Bring a friend!!
Monday, April 23, 2007
SUNBURN!
AHHH....sunburn....that means warm weather is here and I love it!
Alexa and I rode in the Mayor's ride on Saturday and I fried my arms and the tops of my legs. Alexa's bike trailer did a good job keeping the sun off of her and she is fine. We met up with Julie G and rode the 30 mile ride. Alexa did great for the 3 hours in her trailer and even slept for part of the ride!
The Mayor's ride is to raise funds for improvement of the DM city trail system. Funny thing...only about 3-4 miles of the actual ride was on trails....I think that should show them that we need more trail system in DM! Hopefully more funding will come available for it!
Not much else, we've been busy working and doing our usual running around. Alexa and I also rode Wednesday on the Irwin's night ride. We took the trails out west in Johnston and headed back for about a 10-mile trip. Not much but pulling her gives me a decent workout. Hopefully one of these Wed. we'll be able to get a babysitter and I can go with the medium group, until then it will be me and Alexa on the trails with whoever wants to go!
A couple of weeks back Alexa wanted to try a drink of Daddy's "juice"(mmm...beer). I told her it was icky and here are the pics to prove it! I don't think she'll want to taste anytime soon!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
A good weekend
This weekend was pretty good.
Friday night we had the annual Swim Team banquet. The kids received their awards, we enjoyed a nice pasta dinner, and watched a cool video of pictures from the season.
Saturday I got another 30 miles on my bike. I met up with Julie Goodman in Newton and we took the Chichaqua trail from Ira to just outside of Bondurant and back. 30 miles was definitely ambitious for me. My legs are a little sore today, but it was worth it! I took Alexa around the neighborhood tonight in her bike trailer. She loved it and I got to spin out my sore legs a little.
Today Kyle went out for a long bike ride and I went to go pick up Alexa after a weekend at G'ma and G'pa Sedore's. They enjoyed having her and it gave Kyle and I a night to ourselves that we hadn't had in a while.
This week starts more swimming time for me. I plan on going to swim laps every Monday and Wednesday night after Alexa goes to bed. Then try and throw Thursday or Tuesday in there every now and then. Tuesday may become waterbabies night for us too. Alexa has been asking to go swim, I think I should let her!
Wish me luck on the swimming and hopefully I can get some biking with Alexa in there too!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
my body says STOP!!
Horrible day today! I think my body is saying, "what are you doing, what happened to the relaxed life we had!" After just one week back at work, I left early today due to body aches, chills, sore throat, and a headache! I felt horrible, I hope they don't think they have a sickly person, because I'm usually pretty healthy. Oh well...it happens!
Easter was good. Traveled back to Marcus to see my side of the family. Dad's brother and sister and their kids came down to have supper on Saturday night. Sunday morning was church and then traveling back home.
I love my new sheep!Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Yoo Hoo!!
I have a job! It is a temp-to-hire position at a Partner (2 people) CPA firm. Basically I am their receptionist and help them with light accounting duties. More accounting than what I was originally looking for, but after 2 days it isn't too bad!
I will temp with them for about 3 months and if they like me and I like them, they will offer me the job and I can accept full-time then. If I decide I don't like it then I can contact the agency and have them help me find something else.
Happy Easter! Enjoy your families and celebrate in your own special way!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
AAUUGHH.....
....OK, now that tension is relieved. I didn't hear back from anyone on the job situation. Kind of frustrating, but it will all be OK...that's what I have to keep telling myself! So I'm sure there will be more interviews this week. (deep sigh)
Today Alexa really enjoyed her palm branch at Palm Sunday Service. She had a lot of fun waving it around during the songs.
Today she also became my little fashion girl...
She LOVES shoes and for the first time today she put a pair of mine on and walked around the house. It's amazing the sense of balance she has at such a young age. She even turned around a couple of times.
Yeah her head is cut off, I was trying to focus on the shoes!
Her other thing lately is interior decorating. I don't have candles on my candle sticks for obvious reasons. So she has decided it is a wonderful place to put her pig and cow. The funny part is, the pig is always on the lower one and the cow on the upper. What is going through her mind??
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wow...
...I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I last posted.
The job search is going OK. I had a couple of interviews that I hope lead into something. They will make a decision by the end of the week. Keep your fingers crossed!!
Alexa is talking more and more every day. I think being around the babysitters 3 year old is helping. She is starting to put 2 words together, sometimes it sounds kind of like one word, but she is trying!
She has also started sitting on the potty. When she was telling me her diaper was poopy, I thought it was time to start the association. We just sit on it several times through out the day, if she goes great, but most of the time she just sits there and looks at a book and then gets up and says "done", and there is nothing in there. Now when she toots, or starts to poo, she says "potty", but doesn't know how to hold it until we get to the potty.
Kyle's first race went pretty good. It was a 6-hour solo race. He achieved his goal of completing 6 laps in 6 hours and placed, I believe, 13th or 14th. Not too bad for his first time doing a solo semi-endurance race. At least last year I think he did it as a team. It's hard for me to remember!!
His training is going pretty good. Now that it is warmer he's been able to get out and do some longer rides, especially on the weekends.
I realized the other day too, that I never posted a pic of my brother's new baby! So here he is:
Pete Benjamin
Jan. 25, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Not much...
...going on here.
I've been looking at going back to work full-time. Long story, don't really want to get into it. Basically I was going to wait until Alexa turned 2, but circumstances have changed that. Not really ready for it, but it has to be done! So the last few weeks have been job searching and figuring out what I really want to do. I really don't want to go back to full on accounting if I don't have to, so I'm going to try the Office Admin route for now.
Kyle is starting to train more and has his first race in MO next weekend (Mar. 17th). He is going to get into the St. Paddy spirit and make sure everything in his water bottles is green! I can't really tell if he is ready for this race. It is a 6 hour solo race. Yep, that's right he'll be racing for 6 hours straight! Crazy if you ask me!
Have a great week!!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
15 months old!
Here she is climbing on the pillows beside the couch!
Monday, February 12, 2007
The meet is over!
Our big Sectional Swim Meet is over and it went really well! We started the day at 8:00am and was out of Valley by 5:00pm! We then had to unload the van at the YMCA, but that only took about 30 min. Not bad for all the prep work that had to be done for the meet. I still don't know how Sara does it on top of all her other duties at the YMCA....she is a super-woman!! Good Job Sara!
Now I get to start a new work routine. Alexa will be going to a babysitter on Tues and Thurs afternoons so I can help out at the Y more and get a little bit of exercise time in. Hopefully she will do good. I'll re-evaluate once this pool schedule is done and see if I should continue or go back to just 3 hours at the Y each day for the summer.
Kyle and I are headed up to MN this weekend for a vacation. Alexa will be with G'ma and G'pa Sedore. They will have fun! She has changed some since they last saw her. She is saying and repeating more words and is getting more and more independent. It will be interesting to talk to them after the weekend.
Not much else...have a GREAT week!
Monday, January 29, 2007
quick post...
Just a quick post today...
We got our carpet! It looks great! Too bad we had to deal with so much just to get it.
Alexa had her first play in the snow. I didn't have boots for her, so I took little baggies and put them on her feet and then put her shoes on. We only stayed out for about 10 minutes, but she loved it!
Things are crazy getting ready for the Sectional swim meet. It will all be over on the 11th...then things will be pretty laid back. Maybe I'll even get more time to work out and get in shape for this summer!
Have a great week!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
It's quiz time!!
Here's a fun little quiz I created after taking the one my cousin Paula sent about her! Have fun! Do you know me?  Take my quiz! Take This Quiz | See Scores | Make Own Quiz |