Summer

OK, somebody pinch me. Is it REALLY almost the 4th of July? My friend Heidi reminded me on Tuesday morning as we were out running that the days are now getting shorter. Great. Summer is finally arriving and now we'll have less of it to enjoy. Minnesota (in my best Newman voice).

Those of you keeping up on my New Years resolution have surely realized by now that I'm not keeping up with my New Years resolution....Posting on the blog once a month? Not happening. I think about it every so often, does that count for anything?

Anyway...here are some photos/updates of the summer so far:

Steve- got a new job. Instead of being the Dean of Students, while still teaching and coaching, he will now be the Dean of Students/Activities Director. I'm still going through the withdrawal of not being a coaches wife anymore. Not that I necessarily embrace the title, but what can I say? It's all I've known for the last eight years. And I don't have a photo to go along with this. Maybe I'll capture a "first day of school" photo in August :)Oh yes, and as a bittersweet ending to his coaching career, he helped coach the Girls Track team to a State Class A Title. I DO have a picture for that:


Head Coach, Jeff Portugue, and Assistant Coach Steve

Signe- swimming, swimming, swimming, and playing tennis. Surprisingly, I don't have any swimming photos because the only meet we've been to Steve and I timed for the events. Hard to hold a timer, clip board AND camera.

Isaac- Learning the ins and outs of Tball, though is a little perplexed as to how they can play a game and nobody wins at the end....We're a little perplexed about some of his fielding techniques:



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But he does have a pretty sweet swing:



Since it's still June, the last day of June to be exact, it appears I have only missed two months of posting. So what have I been doing in that time? I ran a couple 1/2 marathons and a 5K with Signe. When I am not running in normal "Chelsea running" style, I am letting my running friends talk me into all sorts of crazy things, like running up hills, going to spinning class, and going to strength classes which render me immobile from the waist up for 3-4 days. I always thought I resisted peer pressure better than that. Here's a picture of some of us at the Minneapolis Marathon and Half Marathon on June 5th:


Suzie, Brenda, Shannon, me, Heidi

Since July is, um, tomorrow, I guess I better start reeling the creative juices again right away. Happy 4th of July!

Look, Mom, no training wheels!

Isaac asked Steve this morning if he would get his bike down from the hook in the garage so he could ride it around the cul-de-sac. So, it really wasn't that warm, but at least the sun was shining....Anyway, Isaac also informed Steve that he would not be needing his training wheels anymore. We said, "OK" then began to reminisce about teaching Signe to ride her bike without training wheels, like the time she bit Steve when he was trying to help her ride, or the time she ran away from me and into the house, locking the door behind her. Because of this we (well, maybe just I) assumed it might take a little time to get the hang of it.

Look, Mom, Dad took my training wheels off.



Here we go!

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Just Under the Wire

OK- so I stated on Facebook last month that one of my resolutions this year was to update the blog at least once a month. Well, wouldn't you know it here we are with only two hours left in February and I haven't posted anything yet this month. And I have nothing exciting to report....But, I'm going to do something different this year and try to stick to at least one of my resolutions. (The other, which was to do a better job at being on time when I go places is working out...okay....)

Highlights of the month:

Isaac jumped off the diving board all by himself. This is a major feat as he would hardly put his face in the water the last time he was in swimming lessons (July). I wish I would have captured the scene on video as he slowly shuffled to the edge of the board, peering suspiciously at MacKenzie Wenner, who was in the water down below waiting to catch him. But to our surprise she counted to three and off he went! No 10 minutes of coaxing, only to end with one lifeguard lowering him down into the arms of the other, while the other parents with dare devil children give you the sympathetic "I'm sure he'll do it next time" look. Way to go Isaac!

Here is a picture of Signe's basketball team, and Coach Steve (and "Assistant Coach" Isaac) who went 3-0 this past weekend at the Sleepy Eye 4th Grade Jamboree. Way to go girls!



I am still training for the Irish for a Day 10-mile race on March 12th. And, even though there's now only 1 1/2 hours of February left, I'm seriously considering taking Trisha up on the offer she gave me at the basketball game tonight of running tomorrow morning at 5:00 AM! I'm not sure my body knows what to do at that time of the day, but I guess we'll see!

Whew! Well, that takes care of February! March promises to be more exciting I'm sure. Steve turns 39 (like the real 39, not like the way I say I'm still 29), I'm running a couple races, and no doubt Isaac will do or say something note-worthy (like this morning when he came out of the bathroom and told me he forgot to poop). I'd like to say you'll see that updated before March 31st at 10:30 pm, but really, who am I kidding anyway....

The Swimmer

Signe decided to join the Mankato Mantas Swim Club this fall. She has always been a pretty strong swimmer, but I'm amazed at how much farther she has come in a few short months. I may whine a little bit about how early we have to be at the pool for meets (or the fact that Signe, ahem...beat me across the pool a few weeks ago doing both the freestyle and backstroke) but we have been so pleased with her progress and what a positive experience this has been for her. Below are two videos of Signe swimming this past weekend at the Prior Lake Storm meet. The first is the 50 Backstroke (she's in the top lane next to the pool edge) and the second is the 50 Freestyle (she's in Lane 4).

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On a separate, yet related, note many of you may recall my post on Facebook around Christmas time where Steve and I decided we were going to challenge each other to a 100 meter dash. I was feeling fairly confident at first. I mean, I just ran a 1/2 marathon a few months ago after all! But...after Signe took me to the cleaners in the pool I'm starting to doubt myself. Maybe it's because I'm not a sprinter. Or maybe it's because, as Saints swimming phenom, Ashley Lager, pointed out the other night "no one really knows how hard swimming is unless they do it." (Not that I'm trying to come across as young and hip--I mean I got my butt kicked by a 10 year old after all-- but I can't think of a better way to describe those words than "true THAT.") I do know one thing, though--I have some training to do. I may not win this race either, but that's OK. Steve has to win sometimes, right? :)

Speaking of Ashley, click here to read a story about her and her sister, Alissa (also a stand-out swimmer/diver for the Saints) in the St. Peter Herald this week. Ashley is one of the reasons Signe is really into swimming; and it all started by her simply inviting Signe to a swim meet when she saw her in the hall at the high school one afternoon after school. Nice girls, and always excited to see Signe and hear her swimming stories :)

A few photos with the new camera

As many of you know we were in search of a new D-SLR camera for some time. After a bit of debate in the camera aisle at Best Buy a few weeks back- I was Team Nikon and Steve was Team Canon- we settled on a Canon Rebel T1i. Actually, since we were buying it for Father's Day I figured I should at least give Steve the ability to pick out the camera he wanted. I know what you're thinking: what a gracious wife I am :)

Anyway, I haven't taken any classes yet but have learned a few things by "reading the manual." By "a few things" I mean my ability beyond the point and click function is ever so slightly improved. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Mr. Alger Goes to Washington

Without the tricky political plot, that is, although he and his group did have breakfast with Senator Franken and Congressman Walz. Did they engage in any political banter? I doubt it :) Steve has been sending pictures here and there, mainly to show Isaac that he does indeed still exist. Here are a few we've received:

Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery

Standing at the Lincoln Memorial, looking across to the Washington Monument

Touching the head of Testudo the terrapin, the University of Maryland mascot. Apparently the football players touch Testudo's head before each game for good luck. I don't know. This statue looks much less intimidating than the official mascot photo if you ask me:

More photos to come. In the meantime, Isaac is still trying to figure out why Steve took "Boy" (his imaginary friend) with him to DC. This has been a DAILY topic of discussion. Steve offered to send him home on another plane, but Isaac decided he could stay and keep Dad company. Can you see him in any of the pictures? He's there somewhere :)

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Signe ran her 2nd ever 5K race this morning, the Livestock 5K in St. Peter, and finished 2nd in her age group. Way to go Sig! I hope you continue to enjoy running as much as I do :)