The EXTRAORDINARY TRIATHLON !

So, I was talking to my Education Professor/Advisor the other day, and she described my life perfectly... Three spinning plates. Well, she only knows about three... She knows about Family, School, Work. There are really a few more. Church, Friends, TRIATHLONS... Because of all the spinning plates, I haven't gotten around to posting pics from our big day until now (when I should be studying about joints-the body kind, not the marajuana kind-sometimes I WISH I had the marajuana kind, but, I digress...). So here they are... Thanks, Jen for your awesome support and photography!

Getting our transition areas set up. This was actually really fun. We met a woman named Rhonda who was about our same age, she had FUSHIA lipstick on- she said it pumped her up... We also met Leah, a youngster with a rich boss. She tried to play it off like she wasn't that serious, but she said they had practiced the swim to bike transition like 15 times in one night, so, whatever...

Almost time to get ready...

Body Marking... they put your number on your left hand so if they pull you out of the water, they know right away who you are... VERY reassuring...

Apparently it's important to have your age listed on the right calf. This is great when you are passing a 16 yr old boy. Not so great when a 55 yr old woman is passing you...

Seriously though, the numbers look AWESOME! I admit that I only scrubbed half-heartedly to get them off for church :-)

Ready for the start... The energy here is really amazing!

2 minutes to start...

1 minute to start...

Go!

One down... What you can't see is the very steep boat ramp we had to run up to get to the transition area...

Emily was a true friend and swam with Lana to make sure she didn't drown...

Not only did Lana NOT drown, she and Emily saved two people from drowning. That's not a joke, they really did get help for two people. We should start a tally of actual lives saved this year by the Extraordinary Housewives... I think this puts it at three or four!

Lana or Emily off on the bike...

Emily off on the run- that was fast!

Lana off on the run...

Adria off on the run... Yes, Lana passed me at the transition area...


Emily headed to the Finish Line! Even with her extra long swim :-), she still finished in like
2 hrs 2 mins. Emily is a Triathlon Rock Star!

Lana working the crowd as she heads to the finish...

Adria making it to the finish...

We all made it!

Someone get this girl a bagel! Oh- she got it herself...

Lana made us wait FOREVER to see if we won a door prize. We DID win... At the VERY end... Neoprene Socks....

Back at Holly's... Looking pretty good... This was an Extraordinary Event! We can't wait for next year! And Pete, whoever you are, remember that even though we completed this event, our definition of "Extraordinary" encompasses the "Ordinary" things we do every day... Raising good kids and husbands, working, furthering our educations, serving at church and in our kids' schools, running triathlons, and staying somewhat sane! I'd say THAT'S Extraordinary!

Go Girls!

We did it! Here are some photos of Lana, Adria, and I (Emily) as we are leaving to go conquer the world! (Or at least conquer the Ogden Valley Triathlon.) We had a great time!

We would like to give a big thank you to the other "members" of our team not pictured above. Jen came along to cheer us on, and cheer us on she did! Jen was the coach, photographer, AND cheerleader! And then there was Holly, who housed and fed us. It was great to see Holly again. We shopped, we ate, we laughed, and we were awesome! (At least we thought we were.)

Anyone who wants to join in on the fun next year, feel free! Jen has caught the fever. Next year she will be there with us, running across the finish line!

Go Team!!

Official Plans

G.N.O - For everyone wanting dinner 1st meet at Stevo's 7p.m. or if you want to skip the dinner meet at Stephanie Shirley's house at around 9p.m. Bring any games you can think of ... and bring your happy faces for some good ole' fashion fun with the housewives!!!

Girls Nite Out...

Alrighty then!! The next Girls Nite Out has been scheduled for this Friday night September 19, 2008. Place? What to do? Please leave your suggestions, Steph has offered her house and Marilyn is going to be here for the big party!!!

Who's up for a cruise

OK who wants to go on a cruise? I was talking to Jarrod Sat night and we decided we need to just set a date like in the next year or so and just do it! So let's take a poll. Tell me where you want to cruise and when would be best for all of us to go. I know Jeff P. and Jarrod have busy seasons. So think about it and give me your time frame and where you want to go. We could even rent a beach house somewhere. (But then we would have to cook:( ) So what do you think?

Marianne

PS This is Mare and Mare walking (IN BURLEY) deciding where we want to go!! HeHe

I feel a Girl's Night Out coming on

OK, I think we need to get together and have a gno in honor of our triathletes!! (Good excuse to get together anyway right??) I say, this week, maybe Tue or Thurs night? Who is in? Let's go somewhere "kidless" like a restaurant or an all night convenience store, ya know so we don't get kicked out? How about the Bent Bean? We could try the hot cocoa or herb tea and gossip.........uh....... I mean ponder the complexities of life!! Anyone in? Orrrrrrrrrrr we could go watch the season finale of Derek's Anatomy (oops I mean Grey's Anatomy) so we are all ready for the season premier!! (Did I really just say that?) Whatever, as long as we are together right??

Mare Poulsen, I think you should come for a visit soon. We miss you like crazy girl!

Marianne

Racing Into the Future

Well, wish us luck!

Adria, Emily and I (Lana) are off to Ogden this morning to do a triathlon. It is actually a triathlon sprint which is only half the distance as a regular triathlon, but believe me you I have tried to drop the fact that I'm racing in a triathlon in every conversation I've had in the past few months.... I am so cool!

We will post pics and info after the race (if I survive the swim).

Pray, pray hard!

-Lana

PS>>>>>>>>> The Food Coach is in the Building

OK , I forgot to announce in my last post that I have started a business! I am now for hire as a Personal weight loss counselor!! The name of my business will be "The Food Coach!!!" I figured I have a degree, and I feel a huge need to help defray the expenses incurred during our adoption so my husband can um..... sleep at night!! Good idea right? Well, I wrote in detail all about it on my Jonah blog so just click right on over there and SPREAD THE WORD FOR ME!!! I probably won't advertise much so word of mouth is very important for me :)
Love you girlfriends!
Mare- ( Mallory that is)

I have a new phone #

I don't know how smart this is putting this on the blog but I have a new phone #. So .......... call my cell and ask for it! Hee Hee! It is not the previous # I have had for 15 years so call me on my cell this week and I will give it to you!
Mare

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

A big thank you from us to you for Stephanie!

Bidding is closed and the winners are...

broomes - Stitchery ($25)

liz - Quilt/Sham ($80)

liz - small favors picture ($40)

jeanbean - baby blanket ($25)

julie - Mrs Meyers cleaner ($26)

sue & mickey - Give Thanks tile ($25)

For a grand total of: $221.00

Please pay through paypal to https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=v-cfOBS2Fr5sVzylE08RQDUPosgL9NVjAPb0tdMD39RhEvbbyG3hrYlVsyO&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f80512b0980fcab74f8f86a7539c796f168d210c4948de0f4

If the link is not working, just go to paypal and donate to nieniefund@gmail.com. Forward the receipt to hondavan at cableone dot net along with your address and I will send your goodies off ASAP!

"I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver." Maya Angelou

Thank you for giving!