Cape Meares

While my mom is in town, we took a trip along the Northern Oregon Coast. There was a Merrill family reunion at Seaside in 2005 we weren't able to attend because Rychen Parker had just been born. But my mom really loved that area so we wanted to go see it. We drove to Tillamook and toured Cape Meares, and then followed highway 101 North to several look-out points, up to Ecola State Park (near Cannon Beach). Here are the photos from Cape Meares.

This is the hugest slug anybody has ever seen, I'm sure. Isn't it fantastic? I wanted to keep it for a pet! ha!! Here is Elisabeth waving "hello" to it.

For Love of Helmets

Last week Rychen P. was asking me if he could get a lacrosse helmet for his birthday. Could he just try playing in his bike helmet? No, he told us firmly, he needed a lacrosse helmet.

 

And then, we happened to find this Baseball helmet at a thrift store for 25 cents. Rychen P. just HAD to have it. It's been 4 days, and he has yet to wear it for baseball. But he has worn it for every other imaginable activity, and cries when we ask that he take it off for prayers!

 

Yeah, he can be obsessive sometimes. Wonder where he gets that from?

Trip to the coast

We had a fun weekend at the coast for Rychen's marathon. Friday after lunch we headed out so we could enjoy the beach and relax at Rychen's family's beachhouse for the night.

On our way to Newport I drove by this restaurant in Lincoln City and had to do a double take! I turned around and stopped the car so I could get a picture.

We got to Newport early so we went to the marina and learned about crab fishing, and got to ask a fisherman a few questions.

While we waited for Rychen to come in, the kids relaxed and ate cherries. Funny Elisabeth is so addicted to these things.

Rychen's Marathon #1

Rychen ran his first marathon in Newport this past weekend. It's so cool to say my husband did that (and will soon do more)! Check out his running blog for the full story.

 

I'm so proud of him! And now we're back into full swing, getting ready for Seattle Marathon & Half on the 26th. I'm excited! My knee finally feeling a lot better and I'm able to run at my normal pace for long miles.

News on the Homefront

Our garden is flourishing and I'm here to tell you, we won't be paying money for any more lettuce this summer!! We have the most delicous, fresh assortment of lettuces, spinach, arrugula, and a few mystery species as well. Fun Fun Fun!

But even more exciting is the fact that Rychen Parker is now an expert bike rider! (still waiting for him to perform the simple task of getting on his bike independently) He has riden approximately 20 miles this week, thanks to the fact that his biking pace accomodates my jogging-with-stroller pace quite nicely.

Third, my amazing husband is now only 2 freakin' weeks away from running his first MARATHON! When he first mentioned this idea to me, I was not thrilled. But I warmed up to the idea as soon as I realized this would be quite literally the first thing I've seen my husbnad of 6 years get passionate about. (Oh, and I kind of enjoyed the fact that he was now motivated to care what he put in his mouth...) Anyway we are very excited to cheer him on at the Newport Marathon June 5th. His family is very proud and excited for him as well.

Today was a 15K race (9.33 miles) he ran with his parents in Eugene--

(I promise I will be in the next picture!)

It's really quite cool, this Jones Running Club thing we/they have got going on. We all have a Nike+ Sportsband to track our stats, and we've got a group challenge online to be accountable and "support" (compete with) each other. I just think it's so awesome that his parents have picked this up mid-life and excelled at it. The kids and I see Andrew (Rychen's Dad) running several times a week and it makes me smile. I feel like saying "I know him!" Yeah that guy out there every stinkin day, rain or shine, running up to ten miles or more. He runs by our house at the end of his route, usually at a predictable time in late afternoon, and Rychen P. runs out to give him a High-Five. Just so cool.

I myself have taken nearly 3 weeks off from jogging, due to an injury, but now I'm back in the game! Ready to put some miles up! And I will see you June 26th in Seattle, running my half-marathon. Let's go!

Yum Yum!

Reaping the fruits--ahem, Leaves--of our labor! Arrugula is SO GOOD!! I had it for the first time last year and didn't care for it either way, but lately I am bored with romaine and sick of spinach, and this nice tender, spicy green is just perfect!

Another little friend

Running is a sport that brings you lots of friends. Not only do I still have my Little Purple Friend following whereve I go, but I have a Cute Red Friend as well, courtesy of Rychen Parker.

You Know You're a Runner if...

10. You count calories to make sure your getting ENOUGH
9. You memorize the distance of each city block down to 1/10 mile
8. You own a dozen pair of training shoes with slightly different purposes
7. You eat the same exact dinner every Thursday night
6. The word "pronator" is in your vocabulary
5. You stockpile identical pairs of your favorite shoes
4. Your closet smells like a sweaty locker room
3. The peas in your freezer are a year old and have been used a few dozen times
2. You have 10 fingernails and less than 10 toenails
1. You ask your massage therapist for a glutes rub without so much as a blush