I am a "TRIATHLETE"...

Wow...I am now a "TRIATHLETE" and what a fun experience it was becoming a triathlete!

We left for the race early Saturday morning, and I was so nervous I thought I was going to throw up at any minute. Then we arrived at the race and were completely surrounded by bike carriers, bikes, and lots of lots of spandax (I was shaking as we unloaded the bikes). Then...we began setting up our stuff in the transition area, and for some reason, my nerves settled and I was as calm as could be...no longer nervous just ready to race. My only concern was getting out of the water...and as crazy as it may sound, the water was actually the most fun! I had a great swim...great bike...and a great run...I was proud of myself and finished about 7 minutes ahead of what I really wanted to do.

I will probably do one more race the middle of July...1/3 mile swim, 17 mile bike, and 3.1 mile swim...therefore, I am off to more training...

Thanks to Jennifer (little buddy), we have some pictures to share with you from the race. Thanks for capturing my 1st race, Jennifer...you were so sweet and encouraging...you'll be racing next year...no discussion...you will not die on the bike!

Mommy and Daddy's biggest fan...our precious Anna Lauren! Thanks to Nanna, Anna Lauren got to come to our race. Matt and I love having her at our races...we want her to see how important exercising is to mommy and daddy so hopefully she will follow in our foot steps.

Matt starting the swim...250 yards

Race time now...entering the water to begin the swim...

Coming out of the water...I had a great swim...very relieved as it was my biggest fear...

Coming out of the transition area to start the bike...8 miles

Matt crossing the finish line...I love it...all smiles!

I did it...crossing the finish line...I'm hooked...I want to do another one!

The Time Has Come...

I decided to go ahead and write tonight because tomorrow night I will be preparing for Soak Up the Sun. Yes, the time has come for my very first triathlon...on Saturday morning, I will swim 250 yards (very nervous about the swim as I feel it is my weakness for sure), bike 8 miles, and run 2 miles. I am pretty confident about the bike and run as I ran 2 miles, biked 10 miles, and ran 2 more miles in a duathlon last weekend. I feel as if I have trained well and now I am excited that the time has finally come...I've been planning to do this race since December so I am ready to say the least...a little nervous but ready!

Matt on the other hand, will be entering his 3rd summer of triathlon season. He will be racing Saturday just as a good training day...his "big" race will be next weekend as he participates in the Heatwave (1/2 mile swim, 24 1/2 mile bike, and 6 mile run).

We will keep you updated on our races...hopefully we can get some pictures this weekend and for sure there will be some next weekend because I will be the cheerleader / photographer...no racing for me. There are certain times that I just enjoy sitting back and supporting Matt and next weekend is one of them.

And I know you are all wondering...Anna Lauren is doing great in her new room...they say she is so good and she has napped every day on her mat without any trouble...I'm so proud of her!

Calvert Family Fun...

We took advantage of the long weekend and went to Gulfport to visit with Matt's family...and what a fun time we had watching the kids play together (cousins Anna Lauren, Spencer, and Annie).

Matt and I also competed in a duathlon Saturday morning...my 2nd time racing on my bike and Matt's first time on his new bike. We had a great race and even though we didn't win anything (we never do...but we always have a great time), we both had a great race and it was very obvious we were much stronger than when we raced in April. It was definitely a good training day for our triathlon (my first), which is this weekend.

Spencer and Anna Lauren swinging on the swing at Poppie and MeMe's...

It was hot Saturday afternoon so we decided it would be fun to let the kids play in the sprinklers. Anna Lauren just preferred to "ride" Poppie's John Deer tractor sprinkler. She was not too crazy about the water from the sprinkler hitting her in the face.

Spencer on the other hand, "loved" the sprinker...he sat there and did not move. Of course, you would have thought we had not given the child anything to drink all day because he sat there with his mouth wide open trying to take in as much water as he could...too funny!

Uncle Jan and Aunt Kay rented a condo on the beach so Sunday we went to the condo for some fun in the sun...swimming / beach time! This is Spencer and his mommy (Matt's sister Kelly).

Look at Anna Lauren...yes, in just one week, she somewhat has changed her mind about the sand...she walked all the way from the pool to the beach and did not make one wimper about the sand...we were so proud!

Can it get any sweeter than this? Spencer loved playing in the sand...Anna Lauren was "ok" until she realized it was on her hands. Then she wanted to get in the water and wash it off. No complaints from mommy and daddy though because she has made huge progrees since last week when we were in Orange Beach.

Anna Lauren and Daddy playing in the water...she had no fear of walking out into the water...

Anna Lauren sharing her turtle float with Spencer...and of course, giving Spencer some love. She was so funny with Spencer...she would love him, feed him food off her high chair tray, etc...such a fun time for the two of them...it is going to be so fun watching them grow up together.

Sunday was Aunt Kay's birthday so we celebrated with cookie cake...Happy Birthday, Aunt Kay...thanks for letting us share your special day with you!

Left to Right : Uncle Jan, Aunt Kay, Anthony, and Laurie (Laurie is Jan and Kay's daughter and Matt's 1st cousin...Anthony is her husband)

And the most fun of all...jumping on the bed...Annie is in the center...she had just got her turn of being thrown on the bed...they were having so much fun playing...

I'm a Toddler Now...

Well, our "baby" is now a "toddler"...and if she was not so bored in the nursery at school, I think I would be sad. However, she has truly outgrown the nursery, and we have been anxiously awaiting for a spot to become available for her in the toddler room. Friday was her last day in the nursery and she will be in the toddler room Tuesday morning...with a nap mat in hand and all...yes, she will no longer nap in a bed...she is a big girl now that will have her very own mat...I'm curious to see how this will go tomorrow. I think she will be so tired that when they put her on the mat (maybe the 10th time they put her back on the mat) she will crash and from that point understand the concept of napping on a mat...let's hope so anyway (for the teacher's sake at least).

Now...as I write this, I am trying to be the "big" girl that says she is not sad...but the thought of going and getting that mat out of the closet and telling her to have a good day with the big kids, does break my heart just a little. I have to remind myself that moving up is for her benefit and she is going to be such a happier child everyday. She will always be our "baby" but we do have to let her grow up and become the little girl God has planned for her to become.

We took the below pictures Friday...and for some reason, she would not take the pictures with her teachers by herself even though she loves both of them. Who knows...she has a mind of her on sometimes (well, all the time).

This is Ms. Ashley...Anna Lauren's morning teacher in the nursery...

And this is our favorite Miss Rachel...Anna Lauren's afternoon teacher and the only "babysitter" that we have let keep Anna Lauren. We will still have Miss Rachel come babysit...

Look How Cute & Check out my Croc's

We bought Anna Lauren a pair of Croc's last weekend. Daddy is so excited we got her a pair. He has been looking for a while. Also Big and Little Buddy got Anna Lauren this outfit for her birthday. Little Buddy wanted a picture.

Pictures from The Wharf

Here a few pictures from our trip to the Wharf last weekend.

This is what Anna Lauren really thought of the sand.

Daddy and Anna Lauren going down the slide.

Anna Lauren made some new friends at the pool.

She thought it would be great fun to push the luggage cart. She was able to push it herself.

Summer Fun Has Begun...

Well, the summer fun has begun at our house...we left Friday after work and headed to Orange Beach and got to stay there through today. We owe Poppie and MeMe a "big" thank you for letting us stay in their condo this weekend...it was not rented this weekend so they were kind enough to let us have a little "get away" and enjoy the condo...just Matt, Anna Lauren, and I...it was such a special treat for the three of us to get to spend some time together with no distractions...just us! This weekend was such a reminder of how much I truly love Matt and Anna Lauren...I often take for granted how much God has blessed me and need to be reminded.

Now...we are home until Friday and will hit the road again...this time to Gulfport. Matt and I will be doing a duathlon Saturday morning and then we will spend the rest of the Memorial Day weekend with Matt's family...we are most excited because we will get to see cousin Spencer (from Atlanta) and cousin Annie (from Nashville).

Then our weekends will be continue to be filled with races, visiting family, back to the beach, etc. There will be much to post about in the coming weeks / months.

Sorry no pictures from this weekend...I have not got them downloaded...been too busy doing laundry, etc. to prepare for the work / school week. Hopefully will post some later this week...