Sea World SA!

We finished the busy month of June with a trip to Sea World!  This was Ry's 2nd time and Car-Car's 1st time to take on Sea World.  Thankfully we bought tickets during a flash sale and only ended up paying for 1 ticket and 1 parking pass.  Ry had a free pre-K school pass and kids under 2 are free.  It was a warm day and overcast, hitting 90 degrees.  We left the house at 8am and arrived at Sea World around 10:15am,  after figuring out the ticket situation we entered the park around 10:45am.  

6/30/2015

We started off checking out the flamingos and then headed to the dolphin walk.  This area is new as the original dolphin tank and shark aquarium were under construction until 2016.  Unfortunately we couldn't go right up to the tanks and pet the dolphins this time around, which was a little disappointing as I really wanted Carsy and Ry to see the dolphins up close.  As the dolphin walk was right by Shamu, we made the 11:30am showing.  The kids were impressed when the whales jumped and performed tricks, but didn't seem to care too much for the informative facts.  :)  

dolphins

Shamu show

Shamu

After that we saw the penguin exhibit, alligator alley, animal connection (snakes and birds) and the kiddie play area!  Both kids loved that area the best as it had rides, the splash pad and a huge climbing net thing that Ry tackled with gusto.  Then the rain hit.  Thankfully the kids were in their swim suits and they didn't really care, but we were soaked.  I missed out on a ton of pictures as I put my phone away to avoid water damage.  About 1:30pm we were able to convince the kids to leave the play area and check out the sea lions before heading out.  This time I bought Ryland some fish to feed the sea lions...and I totally forgot to take a picture!  Bad mommy.  Anyways, the kids had a blast and especially loved the kiddie water park.  Carsy fell asleep in her stroller on the way back to the car.  We left the park about 2pm and hit up Big'Z Burger Joint for a really late lunch.  Then the rain hit again!  This time even harder than before, and it lasted our entire 2 hour ride home.  So much for only a 20% chance of rain that day...  I think we made it home around 5:30pm, LONG but FUN day!  :)

alligator alley

Ry on Elmo's drop

Carsyn and Daddy on the big bird ferris wheel

Bluebonnets 2015!

This year I decided to sign up for a professional mini session for our Bluebonnet pics.  In the past we've always frustratingly taken them ourselves, this year I wanted us to be in a good mood afterwards.  ;)  Our pictures were taken by Noelle Kai Photography at Brushy Lake Creek Park, this is the same lady who took all of Carsyn's 1st year pictures.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE these pictures, she captured some great ones of the kids as well as some silly ones.  As you can tell it was a very windy evening during our photo shoot.

Pictures taken 4/7/2015

my loves

Happy boy!

:wink:

breathtaking

my beauty

That tongue!

Silly!

there's always a meltdown

pondering

she thought they were dandelions

Ryland's 4th Birthday

Ry's 4th birthday was of epic proportions!  We decided to have his party at the Dino Park; which came complete with giant dinos, sand fossil pits, playscapes and a scavenger hunt.  Words can not describe how ecstatic Ry was to celebrate with friends, family and prehistoric creatures.  The entire day he was running around with a huge smile on his face, dragging his friends from place to place to show them the dinosaurs. 


The kids had a blast and thankfully the weather held out as it was supposed to storm the entire day.  I asked Ry what he wanted for his birthday and he said sugar and candles.  I think we surpassed his expectations.  :)   A big thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated Ryland's 4th birthday with us.  

For a full recap visit MyMomsMemmos
All photos located here.

Happy boy - yes those are xmas pj's in April...

Dino cupcakes and the 3D dino cake I made for Ry

They loved the baby dino

Carsyn hitches a ride with daddy

T-Rex!

I love how they are point

Make a wish!

Birthday boy and mommy

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

Easter is right around the corner and our HOA put on an egg hunt this past weekend.  Ry had a blast hunting for eggs and playing in the bounce house.  Poor Carsy missed the egg hunt as she took a late nap, but she made it in time to get her popsicle and playscape time.  This was also the first year where Ry wasn't afraid of the Easter bunny!  I thought Carsy might hug the bunny as well, but she kept her distance.  A great event on a beautiful day.  Happy early Easter!

Hi Mr Bunny

*hugs*

ready to hunt

And away they go!

He wanted to be a mouse

That tongue!  HOA Easter Egg hunt 3/28/2015

bounce house fun

Austin 1020 race

10 miles and 20 bands, gotta love ATX!  This is the 2nd year in a row that the hubby and I have run the Austin 1020 race.  This year I ran it for Team Beef.  The morning of the race it was partly cloudy/sunny, 61 degrees with 10-12 mph winds.  Last year it was 70 and overcast, so at least it was a bit cooler this year, but once that sun came out it warmed up fast.  Those winds were killer too when not at our backs.

I had decided going into this race I wanted to run a comfortable 9:30 pace, I'm burnt out from the marathon training and the 2 halves I ran in January.  I think after this race it's time to take a bit of a break from running and focus on something else, bootcamp!

We got up about 6:10am and were on the road by 6:50am.  We didn't hit any traffic until turning into The Domain, but that still went quickly.  We were parked by 7:30am and had plenty of time to hit up the restrooms before getting in our corrals.  Overall the race was good.  They ran the course in reverse, so we ran the Mopac part first, which I liked better.  Of course by mile 8 I was ready to stop but I pushed forwarded and finished in 1:34:08.  Much improved over last years time of 1:46:05.  The hubby finished in 1:36:38, I totally think he can run a half marathon!

In our corral 3/29/2015

Representing Team Beef

Mile 1 Team Beef volunteer site

Austin 1020 finishers! 3/29/2015

Happy Valentine's and St Patty's Day!

I'm a bit behind on blogging but my littles wanted to wish everyone Happy Valentine's and Happy St Patty's Day!  :)

Ry apparently wasn't feeling the love in this photo

My lucky charms

3M Half Marathon - New PR!!!

I love the 3M half marathon course, it's an awesome route that is mostly downhill and ends at the capital.  This was my 2nd time running 3M and I earned a new PR!!!  All that marathon training really paid off and shaved a good 3 mins from my last 3M time.  :)  HOLLA!

For race day weather.com said it would be 42 degrees at 7am and 48 degrees by 9am, with 8-10 mph winds.  I tossed and turned all night debating what to wear.  I figured with the wind chill it would feel cooler so I decided to go with my new lulu tights, long sleeve compression shirt and team beef tank, hydration vest and hat (no gloves and no ear warmers).  The night before the race I had my first Team Beef dinner as a Beef Tip at Steiner Ranch.  The food was excellent and the hubby got a free Team Beef t-shirt.  We dined on bread, salad, beef tips (hehehe) with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli and bread pudding for dessert.  I'm still getting accustomed to eating beef before a run instead of pasta.

The next morning I woke up at 4:50am to get ready, eat my peanut butter toast and meet the girls at 5:45am for carpooling.  We made it to Dave & Busters around 6:15am, with just enough time to hit up the potties and enter the corrals with 5 mins to spare (7am race start).  I lined up at the 1:50 pacer with Jenn, Amanda and Day.  Many of the pfelly lane runners were in this race, I think Kim and Susan were a few people back from us, and a few others were at the 1:55 mark.  We sang the anthem, ate a Gu and then it was go time!

Let's get this party started!  1/25/2015

It was cold at the start and in the dark, but nothing too unbearable.  I stayed with Amanda for the first 4 miles before dropping back a bit, Jenn and Day were slightly ahead.  Around mile 3 I noticed a sign that said "run more than your mouth".  It made me laugh and think of Jenn because she really wants a shirt that with that phrase, I didn't realize until later that Mary and Tina were holding that sign and cheering us on!  Around mile 5 I realized I could have worn a short sleeved shirt (and possibly arm warmers).  I think it was btw mile 8&9 when I saw Tina and Mary again and was able to wave to them.  Mile 8 was also where the Team Beef volunteers cheered us on.

Running past Team Beef

Around mile 9 my HR monitor went off which meant that Pete was close by, sure enough he passed me within a couple mins.  Mile 10 for some reason was brutal, there was a bit of an incline and the sun was shining so it felt warm.  I remember thinking "why was I doing this again, why put myself through the pain? and why did I sign up for another marathon!" but I pushed forward.  Next thing I knew I was coming around the bend where the finish line awaited.  I noticed Mary and Tina again right at the last turn, they were really rooting me on because I was slightly ahead of the 1:55 pacer!  I picked up speed and crossed that finish line in 1:55:23 (8:43/M for 13.22 miles)!!!  My official chip time was 1:55:21 (8:48/M for 13.1 miles), a new PR!!!

Food reward at the end and view of the capital!

Pete and I at the finish

Pfelly lane runners!

My left bottom foot did bother me the entire run, which could have been due to the fact that I wore brand new shoes and new socks.  Otherwise I felt great at the end. :D  Next time when it's 40+ I need to remember to wear capris, a short sleeved shirt and arm warmers, then I'll feel a bit cooler.  After I received my medal I picked up my gear from the gear check buses and headed over to the HEB tent to reconnect with all my runner friends and sherpas.  It was a perfect day for an amazing race with friends.

Avg pace - 8:43 (going off 13.22 miles Garmin)
Mile 1 - 8:18, Mile 2 - 8:10, Mile 3 - 8:23, Mile 4 - 8:16, Mile 5 - 8:41, Mile 6 - 8:52, Mile 7 - 8:57, Mile 8 - 8:49, Mile 9 - 9:01, Mile 10 - 9:10 (warm and slight incline, tough!), Mile 11 - 8:58, Mile 12 - 8:56, Mile 13 - 8:54, last 0.22 - 1:52 (8:37 pace)

medal

Race prep:
What I ate:  Team Beef dinner at Steiner Ranch; beef tips, bread, mashed potatoes and broccoli.  For breakfast I had a piece of toast with peanut butter.  I wore my hydration vest so I didn't have to stop at any water stops, 3 Gu's total throughout the race (1 at start, mile 5 and mile 10).
What I wore:  My lulu tights, a compression long sleeved shirt, team beef tank, hat, Garmin watch, hydration vest, Brooks Glycerin shoes (brand new), wrightsocks double layer.  I did gear check for the first time so that I had a sweatshirt after the race.
Other items I carried:  3 Gu's, mp3 player, phone.