New Beginnings

Saturday we took RJ to Sioux Falls where he will be attending SD University Center. He has not yet decided what he wants to be when he grows up, so he will be taking generals for now.  It was a hot and windy day, but we got him moved in and settled. 

Cecilia began dance on Monday.  She loved it!  The little girls are the cutest ever!  I hope it is a fun year for them! 

Harvest Days

We had a great time last weekend at Harvest Days.  My friend Carrie and I ran the 5K.  It rained a bit which was very refreshing!  Ceci also ran the Munchkin Run and loved it!  I win, I win!  We also enjoyed the vendors uptown and I went to the dance with some friends.  Now, here comes the new school year!  Let the fun begin!

Run Ceci, run!!!!!

A ribbon AND a coupon for FREE ice cream!

Carrie J and Sheila

Ceci and Carrie hanging out

My good friend Jen, 10K runner!

Neat Cow Video

I just had to include this video of a cow saving her calf during recent flooding in SE SD.  If you haven't seen it, take a look.  It is amazing.

A Day at the Lake and Other Tidbits!

We are trying to pack lots of fun and excitement into our last days of summer vaca!  I am back to work almost full-time.  Here are some fun pics.

All played out from a day at Grandma's house!

Corn on the cob, hooray!  I think it is the best corn I've ever had!  Ceci and Wendell worked hard to build this house.  Wendell should have been an architect!  Maybe that's what Ceci will be. 

I took a picture of the school for our school profile.  I LOVE this tree.  The school just wouldn't be the same without it!

A self-taken shot.  Gotta love those hazel eyes and random freckles.

Ceci and Mom floating at the Azure's.  It was HOT, HOT, HOT and SO fun!

More Summer Fun!

Ceci took swimming lessons last week.  It was her first time taking them, and although she will have to retake level 1 next year, she had a GREAT time.  The first day was interesting as she spent more time wandering around than swimming, but she got better each day.

Pwweease Daddy?  He trained her well!

Summer 2010

Hi all!  Well summer is flying by, as it usually does.  We have had a quiet July in anticipation of August and all of the back to school actvities!  Here are a few pics of what we have been doing!

We spent Father's Day at my parent's farm.  We drove around and looked at the water levels.  They are down from spring, but still quite high.  It's amazing how the path of the creek has changed and eroded the land in the past 15 years.

The *&%#@ River! (According to my Dad)

A view of my parent's land, looking toward the west.  The creek from Clear Lake to Roy Lake runs through their land. 

My mom, brother Paul, Ceci and I went to Storybook Land in June.  Ceci really liked the carousel.  She is still a bit leary of the animals and storybook characters.

Loving the carousel!

Looking tired on the carousel!

Ceci and Grandma Mary

We were invited to the Smith cabin on Clear Lake.  Ceci played in the water and the older kids kayaked, as you can see below.  It was a gorgeous evening!

Here are some of Grandpa and Grandma's cows.  RJ has had the pleasure of working for my parents again this summer.  He works cattle, fixes fence, mows, rakes and hays!  He seems to like it, homecooked meals and hours he can enjoy.

Last Weekend

Last weekend was rainy, but fun!  Our friend Troy turned the big 4-0 and his wife Terri pulled off a very surprising surprise party in Eden.  A good time was definitely had by all!  Cecilia went to my parent's house.  When we got home on Sunday, she got to drive her new but used Barbie car.  She really had fun and so did Wendell.

Troy Boy turns 40!

The DJ lady had lots of fun props, right Michelle?

The Deutsch boys rock out!

Ceci's new glasses

The car!!!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to Wendell!  Our family could not ask for a better father!  Hope you have a great day!

Sunny Florida

Last week I took a trip to Ft. Lauderdale FL with my friend Cari.  She had a law school admissions conference and invited me along!  We did some sightseeing, boating and a little shopping.  It was VERY HOT and HUMID!  It rained every afternoon, which we really didn't mind because it cooled us off!  The beach and ocean were both beautiful (no oil in sight, thank goodness!) We went on a boat ride and even saw some dolphins.  I was very glad to get home to good ol' Britton.  I still have at least 1 1/2 weeks of work left.  School will be starting before we know it!

The view from our beachside hotel! 

We were near a harbor with lots of ship traffic.  I LOVED watcing the ships come and go. 

There's something about cheap wine in plastic glasses on a catamaran!

Cari, I, our deck-hand and another dude on the boat.

The sun setting over Hollywood, FL

Supper at the Samba Room

I think this is Tiger Wood's mom's house.  He supposedly gave it to her for Mother's Day.  There were lots of intercoastal waterways in the city.  It was very cool....lots of nice houses and yahts.

Fargo Marathon-Uffda!

My coworker and friend, Carrie James, and I ran in the Fargo Marathon this weekend.  We were a bit leary as the weather was forcasted to be hot and windy, but actually it was raining when we started, which was nice, but very windy by the end!  We were both very nervous, not knowing what to expect. We met some very nice people, many Canadians, eh?  The people of Fargo were very welcoming, with music, well wishes and sprinklers for us to cool off under.  They seemed to have a good time.  I had to ask myself, "Who drinks beer at 10:00 am while watching a marathon?" Especially when all I wanted to do was crawl up on their lawn and take a nap!  Carrie and I were pretty pooped during the 2nd half of the race, but emotions took over and ran high as we rounded the curve to the finish line in the Fargodome.  It's pretty cool to see your time and hear your name, age and hometown announced over the loudspeaker.  I cried like a baby! 

I have to thank Carrie for hangin in there with me.  Although she was the one who initially suggested we run the race, I was the one who really wanted to check it off my bucket list! 

Here is a link to my finishing time and stats.  We didn't win, but did finish!

http://www.mtecresults.com/runner/show?rid=65&race=18

Carrie kept telling me, "Never again," but who knows?  Maybe? 

The James Gang-thanks for the support!

THE FINISH LINE!!

A thumbs up pic......just for RJ!

Carri and I after the race

First EVER graduating class of Sunset Colony!!

Ceci on a nice day!

 

A cool hat on a girls night out!

Fargo Marathon: Runners happy with weather | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

Fargo Marathon: Runners happy with weather | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

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Crazy Chicks!

On Saturday, my friend Carrie James and I will be running the Fargo Marathon.  We've been training since January, I've just been afraid to actually type the words.....it makes it seem too real!!!!  Hopefully we are ready.  We've tackled a 20+ mile run and survived, so we are hopeful that has prepared us!  I will let you all know how long it takes us.  They are predicting lots of sun and a breeze.  We are pretty used to running in the cold and snow, so it will be a challenge!  Keep us in your thoughts! 

Here are some pics from the past!

Finishing a 10k Off Road Race in August

The Pumpkin Run in Webster in October---Brrr!!!