Running in MI

Our time in MI is drawing to an end and we decided that we would try and complete a race while we were here. Much of the week has been beautiful weather, some rain but we have been able to do most everything we had wanted. Today, the day of the race we awoke to a huge rain storm, with no end in sight. After getting the kids up and heading into town, which was desolate we were both wondering if we were totally crazy. As we were sitting at a stop light both thinking what in the world were we doing a running group blew by us-totally sprinting...it was inspiring just to see, then right behind them was our brother-in-law Dave (and they think we are crazy training for a marathon!). I think we both thought that if they were running the race was on, what crazy people here in MI! So we dropped the kids off at my parents house in town and drove to the race course-still down pouring and freezing. Could you believe people were lined up, getting packets and running like no big deal! Well, to make a long morning short we did actually run the 10km race. It was not as bad as the initial start, Although I felt a little out of my league lining up with all these die hard runners. The race was mostly trail, beach and included a monster sand dune...which I could hardly walk up let alone run. It was a hard race but a nice change of pace from road runs. Ron got sixth in his age and I managed a second place in my age category....(I don't think everyone showed up for the race).

We have been staying very busy and my blog is suffering, evenings come around and by the time the kids are sleeping I am about 10 minutes away from hitting my bed as well. The kids have been on the go much of every day. Today they enjoyed seeing Mingo the monkey (a tradition with G and G Mulder) and playing some mini-golf with Uncle Doug and Robyn. I might add that I did not come in last this year, a record for me. We concluded the evening with a fire on the beach and some hobo pie's. I had been waiting for an evening we could do them and I must say the dessert one's were delicious, best with extra chocolate.

Brayden and Becca both got in the water tonight, just the right size waves that made it fun but not scary. Brayden discovered trails in the dunes and was busy all night making trails and hiding treasure. Andrea was covered head to toe with sand, she actually did a face plant, solid sand everywhere, didn't seem to bother her in the least, just looked terrible. Becca enjoyed a marshmallow, complete with pieces in her hair and all over her hands, what a mess, but so much fun.

Between parties, seeing grand-parents, friends and enjoying the cousins we all have had a wonderful somewhat tiring, very fun visit to MI. I am headed to bed, but will stop by the kitchen for some home-made blueberry pie first, what a week!