Running through the Summer

Did I mention that Andrew and I have become runners? It is pretty crazy.

Andrew runs with a friend about three times per week. I think they go pretty fast. He is getting better at recovery, which I can tell because he complains less in the evenings when he gets home. His hip is pretty sore, so if you are a runner and have a tip in that department, let us know. His friend is also training for a half marathon and Andrew is still doing all the runs with him. He doesn't want to do the actual half marathon though.

This is good because

I am doing the same half marathon. Which is crazy. I never thought I would say that I am training for a race longer than a 5k (3.2 miles). A half marathon is 13.1 miles. To date, my longest run has been 8.5 miles and I have a little over a month until the race. I feel pretty comfortable running 4 to 6 miles, not that it is easy, but it doesn't kill me. So I'm feeling pretty good about my training and my ability to complete the race. I am pretty slow at 11:30 min/mile and am not planning on being a competitive runner. But I can run and that is great! The race is a trail run and last week I did my first-ever trail run and it was a blast! I think I may need to invest in some trail running shoes in a few months.

Rachel is getting much better at being happy about being in the jogging stroller. She better be, as her longest run has been 6 miles in it. I generally do not do my long runs with Rachel, just my weekday runs. Rachel also likes standing and walking with assistance. Still no crawling. She seems to be getting closer to wanting to move.

Besides the health benefits of running, I am glad that I am training for the HM because it is really good to work towards a goal. I haven't really had a goal since I finished school (except having a baby, I guess) so I really feel like I am accomplishing something. Doing hard things can amaze you at what you are capable of doing!

Memorial Day Fishing Trip

We went fishing out of Anacortes on Memorial Day. We fished for lingcod and greenlings in the beautiful San Juan Islands. It was a fun time.


A beautiful morning on a boat.


Just an example of the pretty places we fished in. One place we were fishing was off of Stuart Island, where we could see Canada.


The GPS, depth measurement taker, and fish finder.


Wes and Maren fishing.


Hannah and I freezing.


Someone caught a sea cucumber!


Me and Andrew fishing.


"Wow, what a beautiful place! Do you think we'll ever catch anything?"


"No luck up here!"

We had only caught a few fish at this point. Nothing really amazing yet. Until...


Hannah pulled in this monstrous lingcod--which actually wasn't hooked! It was trying to eat a greenling that she had hooked!


Way to go, Hannah!
The cod was 36 inches (the maximum length that you can keep) and I don't remember how much it weighed.


Fun in the boat.


Brothers.


Sleeping in the boat. We had to be there by 5! Everyone got up at 4:15, except me, who woke up at 3:30 so I could nurse Rachel so my bosoms wouldn't explode on the boat.
Rachel did not come. :( She stayed with her Oma.

It was so cold. At one point, I said, "This is colder than ice fishing!" And it was.


Our combined catch.
I caught 4 rockfish, which you cannot keep. I am the rockfish queen!


Us holding the fish. I do not like to touch fish. Also I look huge, but I don't think I really am that size. Maren also caught a nice-sized lingcod.


Hannah and her fish. Wesley looking jealous.

We had fun!

Take us fishing again, The Dad!

My Problem Is...

My problem is that I don't know how I want to decorate my house. First world problem, I know.

The only thing I know is that I want to do purple downstairs. It is basically one room, so I have been thinking about it as a whole.

But upstairs? No clue.

Do I want white blinds (totally safe) or faux-wood blinds (could be cool, could be tacky)?

Do I want a brown or a gray neutral nursery?

Do I want to paint our bathroom? What color?

Is doing the kid bathroom under-the-sea style too cliche?

Will I ever finish unpacking the master bedroom stuff?

How will I decorate the master bedroom?

Should I paint the upstairs family room which is furnished with a hodge-podge of furniture?

Do I paint the room I'm planning on putting Rachel in when future-and-not-yet-existing-baby-sibling comes or do I wait until we get closer?

And speaking of that room, do we do a secret garden mural and which wall do we put it on or do something simpler?

Oh my problems.

What is a room in your home you are struggling with?

Thoughts on any of my above problems?