Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Memorial Day Weekend

For the long holiday weekend, Ryan and I decided to head up to the Marando's condo on Lake Erie. It was so nice to have 3 full days up there, and it was so much fun to see all of Ryan's family. Here are some pictures from our weekend.
Bringing the Boat Home for the First Time

Friday Night Out

Ry Cleaning the Boat

Our Boat in the Marina

Tod, Ross & Ry by the Boat

Us

Murr Taking a Dip

Christening the New Boat

Driving by the Lighthouse

Cedar Point!

Aunt Joan & Uncle Ken

Happy Memorial Day : )

Captain Murr

Last Day Out on the Boat

Taken the Plunge...it was a Bit Cold!

Soaken up the Raise...aka Burnt!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

CaLiFoRnIa GiRlS

Last weekend my Mom, Taylor and I took a long weekend vacation to California. We stayed with my Nana, Boumpa and Riley in Carmel. We had such a great and relaxing time, that I think we decided to make it an annual trip : )
We flew into San Jose on Thursday morning where Nana & Boumpa picked us up and took us to meet my uncles Jay & Jim at Santana Row for lunch and shopping. Later that afternoon we headed back to Carmel to unpack and relax. For dinner we drove to down town Carmel and ate at a cute little Italian restaurant.
Friday Boumpa and I ran a 5 mile scenic route, near the ocean and million dollar homes. It was really neat and perfect weather. We met everyone for coffee, showered and headed into the valley for sunshine and the spa. The four of us had massages booked that morning at Carmel Valley Ranch, and they were wonderful. When we were finished we lounged around by the pool until it was time for lunch. We had great food, and we even got a surprise during lunch. Nana & Boumpa bought my Mom, Taylor and I Tiffany's bracelets. We LOVE them! After lunch we ordered some cocktails and headed back to our lounge chair beds next to the infinity hot tubs overlooking the golf course and vineyards, "Heaven"!
That evening we decided to check out the brand new Forever 21, and then went across the street to the theatre and saw Bridesmaids. It was very fitting since we decided to take this trip as an extended Bachelorette Party for Taylor. The movie was hilarious and very inappropriate...I highly recommend it!
Saturday we had our morning coffee/tea at Il Fornaio and then headed down for a walk on the beach. I love Carmel because there are dogs everywhere! They pretty much own the city and are all over the beach, in every store and art gallery...we even saw a Bulldog sitting by the concierge's desk at Carmel Valley Ranch. After our walk on the beach we made the short drive to Monterey's Cannery Row and did some shopping and site-seeing. We decided to stay in Saturday night and have wine and cheese for dinner that we had bought earlier that day.
My only complaint is that we had to leave on Sunday. I wish we would have had one more day, but at the same time I was excited to get back home to my hubs and also to see Taylor & Kyle's new house! Their wedding is just a couple weeks away, and we will get to see Nana & Boumpa again so soon!!
Shopping on Santana Row

Ladies at the Country Club

Pool at the Spa

Infinity Hot Tub

Relaxing in the Hot Tub

Tiffany's Surprise : )

Waiting for Taylor in the Locker Room
Bachelorette Party Shirts!
Mom & Nana, Morning on the Beach

Pebble Beach

Caught a Fish
Boumpa Climbed to the Top
Rock Climbing





Favorite Little Candy Shop
Monterey
Nap Time with Riley
Bridesmaids haha

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mini Weekend

This past weekend was finally the Indy Mini Marathon. Friday morning Megs and I went over to the Expo to pick-up our race packets. Later that day I met my parents at our hotel, the JW Marriott, to check in. Then we headed over to the Expo to pick up my dad's race packet and bought some goodies. We had dinner at High Velocity, in the JW, and Kyle & Ryan were able to meet me and my parents. Ryan had been gone all week for work in New Hampshire. Our dinner was just okay...We all went to bed early and were excited for race morning!
We woke up about 5:30 am Saturday morning and did what we needed to do before the race started. Luckily our hotel was right at the start line, so we didn't have to walk far, and we could wait in the warm hotel lobby for a little while. We all started in different corrals, but Ryan and I were together in corral K. It took us over 11 minutes to actually get to the start line, but then we were off!
My goal was to finish in 2 hours and 20 minutes, and at the same time thinking I would be really disappointed if I ran 2 hours and 30 minutes. I hadn't done to many long runs before the race, so I wasn't quite sure where exactly I would finish. Ryan and I ran the entire race together, except for my bathroom break at mile 2, but by the end of mile 4 I had caught back up with him. Running together gave both of us just the motivation we needed at different times during the race. I think Ryan struggled the most in the beginning and was doubting himself, and telling me to slow down. My miles 9 through 11 (right when we exited the track) were the toughest. We ended up finishing together in 2 hours and 16 minutes! We were both really happy with our results, and felt so accomplished. I couldn't believe how well Ryan ran, especially because the only training he did was an 8 mile run with me a couple months ago. Although I'm not sure why I would ever question his ability, because he seems to be good at every sport he tries!
After the race we met my family, the Pearls, and the Cates at the spot we had planned. It started raining, so we all Slowly hobbled back to our hotel to shower up. Afterwards we drove up to Champps for some lunch and celebratory beers : )
Once the rain cleared, it turned out to be such a nice day. Dusty Beane was in town so he came by, and we sat out back at our house and had a few more beers. Ryan May(who also ran the mini), Tiff, Taylor, and Lauren joined us out back also. Once everyone left Ryan went to Arni's for pizza and salads. By the time we got home it was around 10:00 pm, and we were more than ready for bed. We slept for over 12 hours!
Sunday was also such a beautiful day. Ryan and I went to breakfast at A2Z Cafe (it was just okay), then I ran errands and Ryan did a lot of yard work. It was nice to have Sunday to just hang out and get things done around the house. I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day weekend.
Before the Race


Corrals at the Start

Cates after the Race

We Finished!

I'm so excited that this is a short work week for me. Early Thursday morning my Mom, Taylor, & I leave for California to spend a long weekend with my Nana. After running last Saturday, our spa day Thursday is going to be even that much better!

Friday, May 6, 2011

New Look

The Blog got a Laker Make-over! It is going to have to stay this way for the rest of the playoffs. We really need a win tonight...and Sunday!
GO LAKERS!!
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Good Luck

Good Luck to everyone running the One America 500 Festival Mini Marathon in Indianapolis on Saturday!!
If you know someone running and you want to track their time via text message or email you can sign up here:  Runner Tracking registration link: http://www.xacte.com/templates/indy/.