Boston Marathon 2009

The Boston marathon route starts a few miles from our house and runs right up our street. OK our street is a little dead end road that runs right off the main route, but it is still very close. We were really excited to be able to walk up the street and watch it this year. The kids were even excited to see the runners. We saw the wheelchair division and the father/son team Dick Hoyt pushing his son Rick in a special wheelchair. We got to see several blind runners and even one guy running on two prosthetic limbs. That was so awe inspiring. And the sea of able bodied runners just went on and on, old and young alike. I have great respect for all you runners out there. After seeing this today I have even more respect for all of my friends that run marathons. You are amazing. 

It was so fun to get to share in the excitement of the event and cheer on all the athletes. James and I agree we were really glad our kids got the chance to see so many people using their bodies to be healthy and active. Our kids love running and can often be heard saying "I'm a good runner" as they wear paths in the carpet from one side of the house to the other. I wonder if someday I will watch my kids run in the Boston Marathon? 

The first of the mens elite. The guy in orange (center) Merga took first place and Hall to the left in White took third place. Sorry this one's blurry.

Brian really liked giving high fives!

This was our spot on the route. We were joined by our good friends. That isn't me sitting down. I was taking the picture.

This is the guy on two prosthetic legs. Awesome.

Unexpected visitor

Ellie had her birthday party with her friends Saturday afternoon and was wired most of the night. She finally settled down around 10:00pm, so I figured I would at least get to sleep in on Sunday because she would be, right? Wrong. 7:30 Sunday morning Ellie comes bounding into our bedroom excitedly talking about the tick she has trapped in her bed. I know to believe her when she is this adamant about something so I followed her back in. Sure enough, sitting right in the middle of her bed is a giant, swollen tick crawling around under the garbage can she had placed on top of it to trap it. Gross! But that isn't all. She then explained she had found it in her hairline and had pulled it off herself! She went straight in the tub and the bedding went straight in the washer. She did a great job. I am amazed she didn't scream when she found it or anything, brave little girl. She got it off but then she didn't know what to do with it. So, we put it in  the little container she has her other tick in. (she got one last fall too) She calls them her "Twin Ticks" I read that if possible you should keep the tick for later identification should the need arise. Don't think I am keeping them as a souvenir. Apparently 10 minutes outside with dad the day before was too much. Trust me we will be doing tick checks every time we go to check the mail from now on!

Birthday pics to come soon.