Caden's First TRI Experience

Yesterday was Caden's first triathlon. Although he is 6, he had to be moved up to the 7-8 year olds due to his birthday being at the end of the summer. So, that meant swimming 2 laps instead of one, riding 3 loops of the bike course, and a much longer run. I was a little nervous it would be too much, but all went really well....UNTIL....Preston disappeared.

As we all ran from the swimming pool to the bike course, Preston was right with us. As I stood watching the race, Preston was right next to my leg. All the sudden as I spotted Caden on the bike course, I looked down, and Preston was gone. At first, I wasn't panicked, since there was a playground full of kids behind me. I was sure that's where he snuck off to. However, after scanning the playground a few times, we realized he wasn't there. Then Mike, and my parents started to panic and we all began searching. Searching the parking lot, searching the woods. I ran up to the main road, and told the police that if they spotted a 3 year old wandering around to hold him there...As Caden rode his bike around and around he heard his dad yelling "Preston" and even he became alarmed. As he raced by he yelled "Where is my brother?"

FINALLY, we found Preston. At the other end of the park with a race official. Just in time to see Caden cross the finish line. And as he did, he ran over and asked us "Where is my brother?!?"

Once, we all calmed down we got Preston ready for the fun run, which at this point was no longer "fun". But, we cheered him on as he strolled across the finish line, getting beat by little girls in dresses...we were just glad we found him!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

We love you!

Summer Vacation is here

Wednesday started summer vacation for Caden. We haven't done anything super exciting since it is 104 degrees outside with the heat index and expected to stay that way for the next five days. Caden has been enjoying the neighborhood swim team (I think it's only because they are called the dolphins) and Preston has been playing with friends and making a few messes here and there.

All else is pretty quiet! Nothing new to report...just trying to stay cool!

Here's a few photos from this past week:

Zipping along the Blue Ridge Parkway...

We returned yesterday from our trip to the Mast Farm Inn located in historic Valle Crucis, NC. It was relaxing but we managed to stay quite busy the whole time! Here are a few photos from our trip...and yes, Mike rented the Porsche for a day (it was an option offered at the Inn... and of course he couldn't refuse!) We also braved the SCREAM zip line which was unbelievably fun. Also, what a small world...the owners of the Inn were from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The same city our daughter is living in the orphanage. How strange! They grew up there and moved to NC two years ago.

Anyway, now it's back to reality...

The Time of My Life

Do you all have the new David Cook CD yet? I DO!

Thanks to Mike for somehow making this CD for me! It has all of David Cook's American Idol songs, but as studio recordings! It's awesome! As a huge Daughtry fan,

I would say this ranks right up there with his!

We'll be listening to it all they way to the mountains and home I am sure.

It does seem strange to be celebrating our 10th anniversary,

blogging about a 25 year old rocker. But anyway, I am!

Estherline- Recent Photos

These photos were just emailed to us from our program director, Sara. She just returned from Haiti with her 4 year old son that she and her husband adopted, and was kind enough to take photos and videos of all the children. Yeah!

Comfy Cozy Cabinet

This weekend Mike and I are off to the mountains to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Preston figured out yesterday, that he and Caden will not be traveling along with us. So he had an outburst in the car yesterday: "You mean, you're not taking ME? You mean you're not taking Caden? It's not fair, you get to sleep in a Lincoln Log Cabinet and we don't!"