Spring Soccer

Once again, our lives are busy with soccer.  The boys are doing so good playing this spring.  We have spent the last six weeks, spending every Monday & Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings at the soccer field.  I am so proud of the boys for their hard work and determination on the field.

Great Job, boys!!!!

Junior Riverbank Run

The past Wednesday, the boys ran the Junior Riverbank Run.  It's the kid's verison of the 53rd Riverbank Run here in Grand Rapids, MI.  By the way, Congratulations to all the runner who ran the 5k, 10k and 25k this year.  I really wanted to run the Riverbank run but I couldn't make it work in my schedule this year, but I going to run the 10k next year...I better keep training :)

Anyway, the boys had fun with the Junior run.  The older three boys did the one mile race, well actually Luc just kept on running and did 1 1/2 miles instead and Connor (and I) did the 1/2 mile ran.  It's so good for the boys to get out there and see them run.  And they are already excited about doing the junior jog that part of the Brian Diemer Run on June 9 (I'm running the 5k)

  before the race.

Way to go boys!!!! 

 Mom and Dad are so proud of the you.

A Birthday SURPRISE!!!!

So do you remember about a month ago and posted a bunch of pictures from all the twin's bday parties and wrote that there would probably wouldn't be anything on here about my birthday....well I lied.

I got quite the surprise, when Mike picked me up from Church after my GEMS meeting and headed out.  I wasn't in control and I didn't like the feeling.  There was no lie about where we were going.  There was no blindfold to see me from where we were going.  Mike just drove and didn't say anything until he drove into the parking lot at Sam's Joint in Alaska.  

I must say I have the best friends and hubby. They planned a party for Natalie and I...our birthdays are one day apart.

 I had so much fun. 

 I loved the party. 

I loved the party goers. 

I loved having cupcakes for MY birthday. 

Thanks to Michelle and Jamie for putting the party together.  Thanks to Mike for getting me and the boys to the party.  and Thanks to everyone who was at our party for celebrating our birthdays!!!

Running the Race

When I started Weight Watchers, I also started walking and running on the treadmill. It was a very gradual thing and then I got major shin splints and stopped training.  After those healed I slowly started training again and I can say it finally paid off. 

Last Saturday I ran the Calvin Classic 5K. 

I finished the race in 30:49

I bet my best training time.

I realized I really don't like running in the morning and REALLY don't like running in the cold.

BUT 

I had fun and can't wait for the next race....JUNE 2.

until then I will keep training...maybe even trying to run in the morning. :)

Wine Tasting

A couple of weekends ago, my parents took us to Traverse City, MI to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.  We had a great time doing some wine tasting and just spending time together as siblings. 

We started out at noon on Friday which allowed us to hit one winery before dinner. The first winery was Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay.  It was a beautiful tasting room and the wine was great as well.

After we spent some time a Black Star, we checked into our condo at Tamarack Lodge....it was great.  I would highly recommend it if you ever head up to TC.  Then it was dinner time, we had an amazing meal at Boone's Long Lake Inn...a little on the expensive side both so worth it.

Here's our condo...so beautiful!!!

above:  the view from our condo...wish I could live here all summer :)

below:  Seeing how the wineries don't open until 10 or 11, we headed to the top of Old Mission Pennisula to the lighthouse.  

After spending some time at the lighthouse we headed to the next vineyard...Bower's Harbor.  They had a beautiful dog that my SIL fall in love with. :)  I think we bought more hard cidar than wine from here.

the last winery we visited was Chateau Grand Traverse...after a few of us did some more tasting we did lunch and snacks in the motorhome before heading home.

Thanks Mom & Dad for a great weekend!!!