Run or Dye (or is it Die)!

The things I'll do for my boy!  

Grom heard about a Color Run and decided it would be a lot of fun.  I heard of one coming to our area, Surferman volunteered to join us.  Memories were made.

Here's our before picture.

My guys were great about waiting up for me.

Can you see all the runners behind them?

Run or Dye is a 5K Fun Run.  There are dye stations along the route where you get pelted with bright colored powdered dye.  So much fun.

Here's our after picture!

I can't say I did much running, but I sure had a lot of fun and completed my first "race". 

Here's some well earned wisdom in case you ever participate in a color run.

1. Get a pair of cheap sunglasses to wear.  You will get dye in your face.  My much-loved Maui Jim's will never be the same.
2.  All that dye will come out.  Don't think you'll have a great shirt after, it mostly washes out.  
3.  A snack sized ziploc bag is the perfect sized to protect your phone, and you can still take pictures through it.
4. We got a back pack when we checked in and all of us were reluctant to use it.  It would've been very handy to carry water and sunscreen.  Anyone want a brand-new Run or Dye backpack?  I don't know what to do with them now.  sheesh!
5. Leave plenty of time for parking and getting started.  There were over 9,000 runners at our race.  These are very popular events.
6. Baby wipes work for cleaning off the majority of the dye.  Bring towels for your car to keep the seats cleanish.  I was also glad that I wore a tank top under my t-shirt.  After the race, I took off my t-shirt and was able to shake off a lot of the powder.
7. Plan to go somewhere for lunch.  Wear your dye proudly.  You just finished a 5K.

Happy Valentine's Day Surferman!

I love you Surferman! Thanks for being my Valentine.

Polar Bears

If it's New Years, it's time for our town's Polar Bear dip.
It draws quite a crowd.
Our family took the plunge... well... most of our family...
SOMEONE had to take the pictures.
I volunteered.

Here's a "Where's Waldo" for you... can you find Surferman, Grom and Gogo?

There were so many people that I lost the guys a few times.
I was so worried that I wouldn't get a good picture.



It started raining hard right before they were supposed to go into the ocean.
The crowd didn't wait. They rushed on in.



Here's Gogo before.



And here they all are after.
Cold and proud.



Everyone gets a certificate.
Proof they've done it!

It was a fun way to welcome 2011.

Happy Birthday Kenlyn!

Today is Surferman's Mom's birthday.

We took this picture for her email greeting.

I love the way Grom is looking at Surferman in this shot.

Big Blue

Check out Surferman's new ride.

It's 10' 6" of custom made fun.

A Sojourner Surfboards original.

So cool it makes your hair fall out.

What do you think of Surferman's new bald look?

gratitude community - february 1

173. For our first date, we met at the beach. I waited for the sun to set and for him to come in from surfing.

174. He says that I knew what I was in for from day one.

175. when he gets too dry, he gets cranky

176. just a little time in the surf can change his entire countenance

177. hoots of pure joy when he catches a nice ride

178. any lack of style and skill is made up for with enthusiasm - both of them

179. cute guys in wetsuits

180. Boy shares his name with a famous surfer. Grom is his internet nickname. It's short for Grommet which is a small surfer.

181. learning to swim so he can go surfing

182. boy who practices holding his breath in the jacuzzi just in case he wipes out

183. finishing homework in record time to go surfin' with Dad.

184. Grom had a hearing screening at school recently.
His hearing is fine.
Only problem noted... sand in his ear.

185. stories of pure joy about surf trips with his Dad.

186. the kind woman who saw my guys, took these great shots and emailed them to me

I am so blessed. Consider joining the Gratitude Community! Just jump in with your own counting! What are you thankful for this week?
How to begin your own 1000 Gift List ::: How Gratitude Can Change your Life

gratitude community - december 27

109. Family... close and extended.

11o. Family who come to visit for Christmas.

111. For trips to Disneyland with family.

112. The Knights on King Arthur's Carousel

113. For boys who want to figure out how it works.

114. For those moments when I'm able to capture his joy.

115. When Grom lets me get a good picture.

116. For trusty white steeds that don't need to be fed and watered and mucked.

117. The beautiful and elaborate decorations for Christmastime. Nobody decorates like Disney.

118. For the million pink, green and especially orange lights that adorn "It's a Small World".

119. For memories from childhood. I've always loved that smiling face.

120. For an acceptable family portrait. Usually Grom goofs them up.

121. The happiest place on earth is happier because I stayed on my food plan. I felt so much better for having lost some weight.

122. dill pickles for sale near the Jungle Cruise.

123. The memory of Mama getting soaked as we flew down Splash Mountain.

124. Almost losing my voice from screaming on really fun rides.

125. Sharing memories from my childhood with my child. It was Grom's favorite ride.

126. A beautiful walk back to the hotel.

127. Being completely spent from an awesome day.

128. Sunday dinners with family.

129. Lace tablecloths and candles.

130. Gigi's special dishes and Mom's sterling silver.

131. Special salad just for me.

132. A funky little nativity set that reminds us that our Savior came as a tiny baby.

133. My mom's silly Santa collection.

134. Santa Bob (my dad) who loves to dress up for the kids.

135. For Grom, who when he's asked tells people he doesn't believe in Santa, but he believes in Jesus.

Want to live the shortest, surest rule to Happiness? Become a Joy Finder? Consider joining the Gratitude Community! Just jump in with your own counting!

How to begin your own 1000 Gift List ::: How Gratitude Can Change your Life

Erin Go Bragh

I know St Patrick's Day was last week, but I had to share these pictures.

My leprechauns. We recycled the Jolly Green Giant and Lil Sprout costumes I made a couple of years ago.


Aunt and Uncle chased the Leprechaun King to get his pot of gold.

The King was really fast...

zigging and zagging...

very tricky, that Leprechaun...

...finally caught. The treasure? A bag of gold coins (chocolate).