Can a Quarter Marathon Be Fun?

It was "LADIES" weekend last weekend at KT's. Robin, Katie, Ami, Glenda, Jackie (Ami's sister) and I enjoyed a fun filled weekend! We thought it would be fun to run the Run for Blood race (6.55 miles around Lake Calhoun). While Kt, Ami and I raced, Mom, Robin and Ami gave blood.

We are half way through the race!

Ami, Teri and KT pose before the race.

Teri trying to get her bib pinned.

Elvis made an appearance at the race.

We posed for a photo at KT's before we left for the race.

Cannon Falls Tournament Champions

Andrew and his 10U baseball team won the Cannon Falls 10U baseball tournament yesterday. It was a very hot day, with temperature staying in the mid-90's all day. The team beat Goodhue 12-0, Cannon Falls 8-3 and they won the championship game in extra innings defeating Triton 2-1. Drew pitches and typically plays first base and shortstop. Each pitcher is limited to 5 innings pitching for the tournament. Andrew struck out 13, walked 1 and gave up 1 hit in his 5 innings of work. Thanks to Auntie Kaite, we have a couple of videos to add to the blog.

Andrew pitching versus Cannon Falls.

The team pig piling after their win against Triton.

Team championship picture.

Drew batting vs Triton in the Cannon Falls tournament.

Drew pitching vs Triton in the Cannon Falls tournament.

Last weekend Drew's 10U team earned 2nd place honors at the Rollingstone tournament.

They lost 1-0 in the championship game.

Amarillo by Morning....

On June 23rd, we ventured south to Amarillo, Texas for our nephew Matt's wedding. Don and Karen traveled with us as well. We drove 12 hours on Thursday, spending Thursday night in Oklahoma City. Before we left town on Friday, we visited the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. It is an easy stop along I-35... a must stop if you haven't ever been there.

Friday night we attended the groom's supper at Dyer's Barbecue.

Matt and Erin's wedding on Saturday was absolutely beautiful. Honestly... probably the most beautiful wedding we've ever attended (except our wedding of course). Dan and Don had the important job of video taping the wedding. The reception was held at Amarillo's Museum of Art. After the reception, Aaron DJ'd their wedding dance. Sunday morning we hopped back in the van for a quick 16 hour drive home. Here are a few pictures of our trip.

Drew and Aaron having fun in the pool.

Daron, Don, Don, Dan, Drew, & Dave at the groom's supper.

On Saturday for lunch, we ate the "Big Texan Steak Ranch"... a must stop in Amarillo. This restaurant was featured on "Man vs Food". FYI.. no one in our group tried the challenge of eating a 72 oz steak and fixins in an hour.

"The Outlaws"... Janel, Doug, Teri and Karen pose for a picture at the reception.

Here is the Simmons clan dressed in their wedding best!

Dan and Teri pose by one of the cars at Cadillac Ranch. 10 Cadillacs are buried nose down...

A short drive to something really weird. Google it to learn more :-)

This is how you feel when its 106 degrees outside!

Erin and Matt :-)

Drew, Aaron and Dan at the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial.

Below is a picture of the Cross on the Plains in Groom, Texas. This huge cross has a life size Stations of the Cross circling around it. It was very neat to see!

Baseball Season Wraps Up

Aaron just wrapped up his first varsity baseball season. The team ended the season with a 12-10 overall record and a 6-6 conference record. Aaron ended the season with a .323 batting average with 18 RBIs. He won the Gold Glove award for the team with a .983 fielding average.

Aaron and part of his team during starting lineups.

Aaron batting.

2011 SHS Varsity Baseball Team

Dan scoping out the opponent.

26.2 Miles and 19 Fish

On May 21st, Teri was able to scratch one more thing off of her bucket list... to finish a marathon. After 18+ weeks of training, Teri ran the Fargo Marathon in 5 hours, 3 minutes & 43 seconds. Katie also ran the marathon and finished 20 minutes ahead of Teri. Robin, Nicci, Mom and Kevin came to watch and cheered us on! Thanks to them, we have pictures of us running. Drew stayed back at the lake with grandpa so he could fish. He was able to catch 19 fish off the shore!

Katie and Teri pose in the Fargo Dome with their medals.

Teri was super excited to see Mom, Robin, Nicci and Kevin along the route.

This was about mile 14 of the race.

Katie snapped a picture of Teri at the Fargo Dome the day before the race.

Drew posing with one of his fish he caught.

At Least I Wasn't Last

This past Saturday, I ran in the 20 mile Earth Day Run at St. Cloud State University. The weather was cold and blustery... but I did finish the race in 3:58:41. Of the 124 finishers (men and women) I came in 122nd. Granted... it was no where near the record Boston Marathon pace... I at least finished the race and I felt pretty good afterwards. This was a great run to help me prepare for the Fargo Marathon on May 21. KT was unable to race due to a sore knee. She served as my personal photographer and race cheerleader! Thank you KT!

Here are some of the details of the race.

age:	47
gender:	F
location:	Stewartville, MN
overall place:	122 out of 124
division place:	4 out of 4
gender place:	73 out of 74
time:	3:58:41
pace:	11:57

KT and I just registered and are ready to head outside to start the race.

There were suppose to be around 250 running the 20 mile race.

Many either did not race at all or started and did not finish the race.

Here KT supplies me with gum... around the 10 mile mark.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Stewartville's varsity baseball team has gotten off to a great start winning their first 4 ball games of the season. Aaron picked up his first varsity win pitching yesterday against Zumbrota-Mazeppa throwing 3 innings of no run, no hit ball. Here is the link to the baseball website in case you want to follow the team's progress: https://sites.google.com/site/stewartvillebaseball/

Aaron leaping to catch a throw at first base....the runner was OUT!

Aaron throwing his first varsity pitch.... a ball... Aaron won the battle,

striking the batter out.

Dan and Aaron talking game strategy....

or maybe they were deciding where they will go out for supper.