Derek's Birthday (and other random stuff)

Monday was Derek's birthday! Derek asked for a dutch oven, so I decided to throw a dutch oven party for him. We did a joint birthday party with our friend Andy. Their birthdays were only a few days apart. I made a peach cobbler, and Heather made a blueberry cobbler. It was fun just to get together with lot's of friends to celebrate. Here is Andy and Derek acting like their blowing out the candles (it was to windy and we couldn't get the candles lit).

The night of Derek's birthday we took advantage of the sweet birthday deals around here and went out to eat to get the 50% off deal. This is us right before we went out to eat.

Holland Tulip Festival:

Last Friday we went to Holland, MI to the tulip festival. They have over 6 million tulips...unbelievable!!! There were a lot of dutch activities and dutch stores. I felt like I was actually in Holland. We met up with some of our good friends and neighbors the Topham family.




Brooklynn didn't want to stay still for pictures, but at least Lincoln was able to hold her down for a few seconds.

Garden:

Student housing has garden plots and we are attempting our first garden. Hopefully we see the fruits of our labors and get some fresh produce out of it. When we go work in the garden Brooklynn loves to climb the dirt hills, eat the dirt (ewww), and loves when we find a worm for her. If she could she would be outside all day!

Mothers Day Picture

I'll end this post with Brooklynn, she is just so darn cute and growing up way to fast!

Capital City Half Marathon

This past Saturday Derek and I along with four of are friends ran the half marathon in Columbus, Ohio. It was a big race with thousands of other racers. We signed up for this race the end of January to keep us motivated to run through the winter. I have a great running group I trained with. The race went great (although very painful the last few miles). Derek and I both got really excited at the beginning and ran the first few miles way to fast (hey I think I made a PR for myself for a 5k). We paid for it at the end. My motto was to run through the pain. I think I gave myself a hundred pep talks as I was running. Derek finished the race and then came and ran with me the last little stretch. I don't know how he had any energy left to do that, but boy was I HAPPY to see him! The spectators on the side lines were so supportive that when Derek stopped running with me the last 100 yards they were yelling to him "DON'T GIVE UP YOUR ALMOST THERE, YOU CAN DO IT!" We thought it was pretty funny. We both made our goals we set for ourselves. Derek came through the finished line at (1:28), and I came through at (1:57) I shaved 15 minutes off my time from my first half marathon. So I was happy about that.


Derek coming through the finish line. He purposely wore the brightest Michigan shirt he owned. Since part of the race was on Ohio States campus (huge rival with MI). He wore his shirt proud, and I am glad he made it through the race with out getting beat up. He said he had lot's of people yelling stuff at him.

These pictures crack me up, because here I am at the beginning of the race with a smile on my face ready to give it all I got. And then...

here I am crossing the finish line looking like I am about to pass out...oh how I love the comparison. Side note my time is actually 2 minutes faster then that timer...I'm proud of those 2 minutes:)!


Here we are after the race, happy to be finished!


While I was finishing my last mile I heard from the crowd someone yelling at Derek and I. It turns out it was some of our good friends from BYU-I the Shurtz family. Ryan is going to Ohio State for Dental School. So good to see you guys!


This was Brooklynn's first time eating a popsicle, and she was a happy little girl!

Derek's aunt and uncle live in Ohio, and were so kind to let us and our friends stay with them. They were fabulous host! This is Derek's Mom's twin sister Karla, Derek shares his birthday with them. Karla made a yummy birthday cake and we had an early birthday celebration! (Their actual birthday is May 11th it's coming up)