Memorial Day 2014

Elise and the kids traveled to Howell, Michigan to spend Memorial Day weekend with Mimi Pauline (Bryant stayed behind to catch up on some house projects).  Just before departing, we learned that Henry had been selected as the "superstar of the week" at school, which meant he got to keep the class mascot—Mr. Wise the Owl—for the long weekend.  Fortunately, Mr. Wise did not require an extra seat on the plane.  Once in Howell, Henry, Vivian and Mr. Wise enjoyed a weekend full of activities, including a trip to the Howell Nature Center (where they got to see a real life snowy owl) and a visit to the Detroit Zoo.  The water play area at the Howell Nature Center was an especially big hit (see the photos below).  Back at Mimi Pauline's house, the kids enjoyed riding around in Mimi's green gator, petting the neighbors' horses and catching up with the resident Labradors.  Below are some photos from the long weekend—be sure to keep an eye out for Mr. Wise!

 

  

  

 

  

Valentine's Day 2014

We're getting accustomed to school projects.  This week's assignment was to construct a container for Valentine's Day cards.  Inspired by one of his new favorite movies, Henry decided to make a minion container.  Elise found some examples online and the rest was from our imagination.  As you can see, the final result wasn't half bad.

Historic Half

We made a family trip to Fredericksburg, Virginia in May to watch Elise run the Marine Corps “Historic Half” half marathon.  Believe it or not, this is the first time we’ve all gone, as a family, to watch Elise run a race—something that was long overdue.  We drove down on Saturday afternoon to pick up Elise’s race materials and explore Fredericksburg (childhood home of George Washington).  For Bryant and Elise, it was a bit nostalgic to revisit the town where they got engaged some eight years ago: it was at the Kenmore Inn on Princess Anne Street that Bryant popped the fateful question…after first setting off the hotel smoke alarm when he tried to light the bedroom fireplace.  Apparently you’re supposed to open the damper first.

At race headquarters, Henry and Vivian made posters to cheer on their mommy (see photos below) and sampled the energy drinks.   On race day, Bryant and the kids arrived early to find a prime viewing spot near the finish line.  Although it was a little rainy, the kids showed extraordinary patience as they waited for Elise.  Henry was quite keen to have his poster ready for her when she came by; for her part, Vivian was content to sit and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the iphone.  Elise crossed the finish line in just under two hours, running at a pace of about 9 minutes/mile.  Afterward, we all walked with mommy to collect her race medal (Elise is beginning to amass quite a collection) and help her eat the free post-race snacks.  Well done, mommy!  We’re all proud of you.

 

 

Determination

Elise completed the Marine Corps Marathon on October 20th.  Until the last moment, we weren’t sure if she would be able to go through with the race.  Elise injured her leg in the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon a few weeks prior.  Then she came down with strep throat the weekend before the marathon.  But she was feeling better by race day and decided to go ahead.  Bryant left the kids with some friends (thank you, Brad and Tonia) and darted around Washington and northern Virginia cheering on Elise. By the end of the race, Elise was definitely feeling sore, but she finished the 26.2 miles in good time and was smiling when Bryant caught up with her at the finish line (see picture below).  It’s no small feat to run 26.2 miles, and we were all enormously proud of the great job mommy did in her race.  And thank goodness, no more early morning runs on the weekend!