Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Here are some pics from today...we have gotten over a foot of snow!

Jimmy, after running 5 miles this morning...crazy!

Looking out the front door.

The dogs love the snow:)

Cody, waiting for me to throw his ball.

Happy Holidays

Since I'm on break from school I have a little extra time to update what has been going on in our lives. Jimmy and I have been enjoying spending time with family, taking a trip, running, and relaxing :) Here are some pictures from the end of November and some taken a week ago. Jimmy and I went to Cleveland a couple days after Thanksgiving for a friend's wedding. It definitely was a quick trip and we had a crazy time finding our way throughout Cleveland. We even had a policeman drop us off at the wedding reception, because we were told we were walking in a bad neighborhood. Overall, we had a good trip though. A week ago Jimmy and I took Dodger to the Fish and Game Club, during a blizzard. Dodger had a great time, running off his leash. I had a good time as well; it was beautiful.

PRO LIFE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPF1FhCMPuQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8B1nKGIAeg

Fall is here

Dodgers beat those Cubs!

Jimmy's excited!

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com

"Kug"

This summer has flown by! It still feels like June...even though its mid August. Jimmy and I have been busy...every weekend I think we've had something planned or something we needed to do. This summer has been filled with a lot of great memories though...weddings, vacations, starting a new job, and grad school .

However, this week has been a sad one. Jimmy's Grandma, Kug (Florence) Grosse passed away on Sunday...so we had the visitations yesterday and the funeral this morning. For the past three weeks she wasn't doing too well; she was in a hospital on a ventilator to assist her in breathing. She is in a much better place now; even though many friends and family will miss her. Many great memories were shared over these past few days; memories that will last for a long time to come.

A QUICK UPDATE FROM OUR BUSY LIVES...

May 19 2008 - Our 1 year anniversary

Jimmy and I went to City vu, a restaurant on top of a hotel over looking the city of Holland. We then walked around and inside Western Theological Seminary where we were married.

Flowers that Jimmy bought me...resembling our wedding flowers:)

Jimmy opening up the wedding cake, which was a little dry

At WTS

June 2008 - Trip to Georgia
Megan and Sierra, nieces from Georgia graduated high school.

Jimmy and Megan at her open house

Sierra playing bean bag toss/corn hole at her open house
Jimmy's sister Trisha and nephew Garrett (Dawn's son)

Garrett loves being a dirty, wild, boyMost of the family from Georgia (Sierra and Emily are missing)

A race Jimmy ran and won in Georgia

Silver Lake Camping
Jimmy and I went camping in Silver Lake with my family...

My mom and I up in the dunes

Dodger and I - he loves the Jeep

The beautiful sky - looking out at Silver Lake and the dunesMy dad and Jimmy up in the dunes

Brian Diemer Race in Grand Rapids

Jimmy towards the finish

New Car

The new "baby" - 2008 Scion XD (better pics to follow)

Fifth Third River Bank 25k

This was quite the experience. Never before have I even run 15.5 miles at once, so completing this race was an accomplishment in itself. My goals going into the race were 1hour 35 min. and if things were in perfect world I'd would run 1:33. Well as it turned out I was right on pace to run a 1:33. That was until I got to about 12 miles and the hills started to play into my pace. I had a difficult time holding it together in the last two miles but I finished with a time of 1:34.58 (61 of 4412 runners). My initial thought was 'I'm never doing that again!'. Now that I've had a few days (of walking funny due to soreness) to think, I've decided that I just need to fine tune my training to be able to finish that race stronger. Here are some pictures:

The start......

Near the finish....finally

......ouch!

Under 1:35! Not to shabby 6.07 mile pace

My sweet reward! :)

New Experience!

I've finally broke out of my running world of 5k, 8k, and 10k's. I'm currently training for the Grand Rapids River Bank 25k (15.5miles). For a good tune up I was informed of a 10 mile race that is on a challenging (hilly) course. My goal for the 25k is a 6 min mile pace (1:33.00), so I wanted to first see if I can hold that pace for the 10 miler. My finishing time for the 10 miler was 1:00.42 (6.04 pace) and finished in 8th place overall. I actually felt comfortable the whole race and in the last two miles I held a 5.30 pace! So I feel confident that I can reach my goal for the 25k. Here is are some photos from the 10 miler.

Babysitting Cody...

For a week Jimmy and I will be babysitting Cody, my parents' dog while they are on spring break with my brother. Yesterday Jimmy and I took Cody and Dodger to the beach since Spring is finally here.

Digging for "kittys"

We also had to rearrange the furniture in the living room for Cody since he is quite large! Here is a picture of the new wreath for my mom...

Dodger aka Little "D"

Jimmy and I adopted Dodger in January 2006 from an animal hospital when he was 3 months old. He is a lab/cattle dog mix with other possible breeds mixed in as well. His mother was rescued in Arizona and brought up to Michigan. Soon after she had her puppies October 17, 2005.

Dodger is a wonderful dog who is very spoiled. He is the baby and he knows it! Here are some pictures of him...

First time we met:) 2.5 months old

Spring 2006...laying in the sun
getting bigger
at the beach for his 1st birthday
He loves the couch (2 years old)