Ragnar Relay: Southern California 2010

(Warning: Picture OVERLOAD!)

Who: Team "Are We There Yet?"

Van 1: Ryan H., Sarah, Chad, Kyle, Brian, Josh; Van 2: Ryan M., Craig, JR, Brittney, Marc, Janae

What: 200 miles of running in So Cal

Where: Ventura to Dana Point

When: April 23-24, 2010

Why: Because we're crazy... and fun.

Team "Are We There Yet?" right before the race:

Van decorating:

Van #2 at the start line:

The question mark after "sleep" is so, so appropriate:

Rag-tats:

Most people get into good shape training for this race. Others, not so much.... (jk, Janae).

Typical line for the bathrooms at each exchange. The girls in front of me in line were talking about the "creeper taking pictures of the girls in the bathroom line." I told them it was my husband and then the rest of our wait was a bit awkward. I've got another great bathroom line story but that will have to be for another time.

At 6:30 p.m. everyone was required to wear a reflective vest, head lamp, and LED light at all times. Here were are sporting our stylish night fashion:

The men of van #2 waiting to cheer on Janae:

One of the main exchanges was on the Santa Monica pier. Here we are at 2 am!

Finally catching some zzzz's on the beach (or in the van for those of us that prefer warmth):

Our biggest fan showed up to cheer us on (his other sign--not pictured-- said "run super fast as you can"):

The three women on the team:

The beautiful finish line on the beach:

The end (and we all lived to breath and tell about it):

TWO Ragnars, done and done. And now we're on to planning our third! Anyone want to join? :)

What the hail?!?

...and rain, and snow, and sun, and sleet. We've had it all this morning, but I'm not surprised. That's Utah spring weather for you! I was just about to leave my apartment when I noticed the snow flurries pouring down like crazy (and sticking!!) and decided to stay bundled up inside and look at pretty pictures from our California trip last week (post on that to come shortly) that make me think springy thoughts.

Fred, our freezer friend

Name: Fred (from the Private Selection family)

Age: 5 months

Weight: 20 pounds

Eye/Feather color: we'll never know

The day before Thanksgiving I was at Smith's Food & Drug and saw a deal where you could buy a turkey of any size and stature for $6.00. How could you pass up a deal like that? So I searched through all the turkeys to find the biggest one (why not, when they're all the same price?), and that is where I found Fred. I tossed him in the cart and continued on to checkout. About 4 different women in the store stopped me as I meandered through Smith's to let me know that it wouldn't be thawed in time for Thanksgiving. Seriously. I didn't feel like explaining to them that I was a cheap-o and had visions of how many meals we could be fed off of a 20 lb. turkey for $6 and that I was going to save it for later.

Anyway, Fred has been our freezer friend for the last 5 months and has basically become a part of our family... hence why he got a name. The freezer seems so empty without him (finally room for ice cream!!!). I kid you not that we have had turkey for lunch and dinner--and an occasional breakfast and snack-- EVERY day this week (turkey and mashed potatoes, turkey roll-ups, veggie and turkey casserole, turkey sandwiches... you name it). And we still have about 10 lbs. left. Who wants turkey??

Here's just a part of Fred:

And for kicks, here's the yummy strawberry banana trifle that we had too (awesome lighting, I know. Our camera is going downhill fast):

Deck the Halls (and ceilings)!

Remember how I mentioned that two-week holiday called March Madness that Ryan loves to celebrate? Yeah, well, we certainly decked the halls this year, ornaments and all!!

From here:

You have a perfect view of this:

and this:

On March Madness Eve, we received a text from Ryan's brother, Craig, proclaiming that he had made the biggest tournament bracket ever, and included the measurements. At first we thought it was cool how big it was, but then we interpreted it as a challenge. Sooo.....

The next day we hung our ginormous bracket with care,

In hopes that Kentucky (for me) and Kansas (for Ryan) soon would be there (in the center).

Then we nestled all snug in our bed,

While visions of upsets danced in our heads.

While Ry's in his element, sporting a BYU hat,

I could now settle down for my two-week nap.

When out of Ry's mouth, there arose such a clatter,

And I sprang up from the couch to see what was the matter.

In front of the T.V. I flew like a flash,

Threw around some pillows, causing a few things to bash.

Now the games were really turning into a good show,

Because teams were coming up from way down below!

When what to our wondering eyes should appear,

But some small little schools causing some fear.

With five little starters, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment, I had the wrong pick!

More rapid than jayhawks, the panthers they came,

And we whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Go N. Iowa! Go Ohio! Go St. Mary! Go Murray!

Go Cornell! Go Butler! Now win in a hurry!

Drive inside! Pass outside! Shoot up the ball!

My bracket's shot anyway, so play with your all!"

With the stadiums filled full of fans that attend,

It's unfortunate that (stupid)Duke put Butler's streak to an end.

But there's aways next year to make things right,

So for now, Happy APRIL, and to all a good-night!

And just so you know the true size of this sucker, here you go:

Aprons!

Okay, so I think many of you already know this, but for those that don't, my sister-in-law, Michelle, and I have an apron company called Epicurean Style. We're doing a mother/daughter apron giveaway (or just two aprons for the non-mommy's out there-- like me)!! The aprons are super cute (even if I'm biased, it's still very true). Go here to enter the giveaway and here to check out our website. Feel free to tell all your friends, too. ;) Oh, and these also make great mother's day gifts!

Word to the wise:

Don't try jumping an unsteady fence (or probably any fence) in a skirt on a busy street in a lady-like fashion (or probably any fashion) because you might just flash everyone on said busy street. Just sayin'.

Cereal Party!

Back in my condo rows days, we would have cereal parties about once a week where everyone would gather in some apartment, bring their own bowl (b.y.o.b.) and eat cereal (usually just sugary kinds) to their heart's desire. Those were the good old days.... {before my metabolism came to a complete and utter halt.}

Since then, I have tried to ween myself off of sugary cereals, which must have worked because I don't really like sugar cereal anymore. In fact, I actually crave healthy cereal. Too bad I haven't been able to master that with cupcakes (how great life would be if only I craved brussels sprouts).

But speaking of sugar cereal and cupcakes, Ryan and I discovered a new treasure while scanning Wal-Mart's cereal isle late last night: Pebbles Cupcake cereal.

Ryan insisted on trying it as soon as we got home last night. I didn't want to quite yet, knowing I am very vulnerable to bad foods late at night, but we did it... and I can report that the whole box was gone just 12 hours (and 1200 calories, not including milk) after buying it. Don't judge... it was a very small box! Anyway, Ryan didn't love it, but I did (which maybe I shouldn't admit since you can now probably guess that it wasn't Ryan who polished this box off). Well, I'm off to the gym to go burn 1200 calories (yeah right). Maybe I should fold laundry after that since we've been pulling socks and underwear from a basket for the last week. Whoops.