Dam-to-Dam 2011

Jamie and I partook in our 3rd year of Dam-to-Dam. This year wasn't rainy like last but we did have the humidity to deal with. Plus I am trying to make excuses for my time. And I can't blame the humidity because Jamie improved her time. So for the 12.44 miles I had a time of 1:44:06, pace of 8:23. Jamie with an improved time of 1:52:23, 9:03 pace.

So I do like running and enjoy competing be here are a few things that went through my mind during the 12.44 miles.

1. I want to walk (2 miles into the race)

2. Why did I sign-up

3. I wonder if I get a ride on that guys bike and he can drop me off farther up

4. Gross a snake

5. I want to walk

6. I can tell my family I injured myself so i can walk

7. I can pass this person....nope I can't

8. If you walk you better do in on a hill

That just gives you an idea of the mental challenge of long runs. Glad we did it....glad it's over :)

Pool...here we come!!

Adrian got her first taste of the swimming pool this year with a trip there last week. She is enjoying it more this year and is more adventurous. All went well we did have one fall and a scrapped knee but after some tears and serious limping she fought through it to go back into the water.

Our favorite spot is the Ankeny pool since it is so close and cheap, Adrian and I can go for $5....can't beat that. We are hoping to utilize it alot this year.

Last Weekend

Below are some pics from last weekend. Sat was pretty relaxing playing inside mostly and Sunday the big Sesame Street show at Wells Fargo.

Adrian wanted me to roll a bunch of her play-doh into balls then she proceeded to put them in her stroller and push them around the house.

Sesame Street Live at Wells Fargo!

Adrian really liked the show, I had a heck of a time getting pics though. Too dark for no flash but she blinks everytime I have the flash on...I can't win.

Adrian was going to town on the popcorn...she loved it! Adrian would hold the bag munching on popcorn then when a scene was done she would pass it to me so she could clap. Very cute :)

Towards the end she was getting a little restless, she decided to plug her ears and scream in this pic, only happened once though.

Pella Tulip Festival

The Noel family got their first Pella Tulip Festival experience 2 weeks ago. Every year I say I want to go and every year we don't but we finally made it this year. The weather was absolutely perfect for it to. We had a good time we will definitely go again next year. I compare it to a Dutch state fair experience. Below are some random pics from the day. they aren't very clear I need to be looking at new cameras soon.

Pretty pic, minus the no parking sign!

Adrian loved touching all the tulips. I asked her what color they were and her response was, "purple." I guess we still need to work on colors a little more :)

Little Gymnast!!

A couple months ago Adrian started gymnastics at Triad Learning Center in Ankeny. She has done now 7 sessions and really is enjoying it. The video's below were taken on her second session. Enjoy watching the future little miss Shawn Johnson :)

Adrian is pretty excited and gives her instructor a high five :)

Easter Day

Below are some pics from Easter weekend. The Easter Bunny left Adrian a basket of goodies and a Dinosaur bank.

Aunt Jamie, Uncle Mark, and Trice before church

The weather was perfect for an Easter egg hunt

Adrian feeding her Dino quarters she found in eggs on her hunt.

1st Hair Cut

This past Saturday we took Adrian to have her 1st ever hair cut! She did great sitting there letting Mindy trim her ends. We only removed the split ends so nothing drastic.

Sucker for doing such a great job!

Random pics from February

Below are some pics from the month of February...

Adrian had to follow along with Pharaoh and have her own laundry basket.

In the latter part of Feb we took a trip to the Adventureland Inn in Altoona for a weekend of swimming. This was Adrian's X-mas gift from Grandpa & Grandma Harden. We are easing into the water, it was a little cold for mommy, she needs bath water to swim in. Daddy and Adrian scoping out the sights. Adrian loves to people watch which she enjoyed more then the water. The dads and tots. Scott, Amanda, & Preston also spent the night. We had adjoining rooms which the kids loved. Eating supper in the not so good restaurant...let's just say the pool is their money maker not the food :) The kids had a weekend swimming about his time last year...check out how much they have gown up....Adrian & Preston

Adrian's little tantrum :)

These were Pjs given to Adrian for Valentines day by Grandma Harden and I wanted to take some pics of Adrian in her new Pjs and her Elmo slippers. Adrian had another thing in mind.... This video is of Adrian throwing a little tantrum...enjoy Grandma, this is all I could get!

Outdoor Fun!

I have been horrible at blogging... I just don't seem to have as much time and I am probably not making enough time for it. Below are some pics from our play time outside last weekend.

Grandma Rollie & Aunt Jamie looking like a crazy woodsman!

Looking on as grandma attempts to pack down the snow for us. Adrian was not having any of it...no sledding for her. She just wanted to watch.

Mommy and Aunt Jamie about ready to get thrown form the sled.