Greetings from Hawaii

We are kicking off the summer in Waikiki.  I'm here for work and the family has joined me and of course it is beautiful.  Getting here however was not so easy...  I had a fabulously upgraded direct flight and no issues, but the rest of them took off on China Eastern with a layover in Shanghai and a very turbulent flight.  Jeff said at one point the plane had to bank so hard that all the food trays went flying and the waitresses - plus most everyone else - started crying.  Bella thought it was fun and Morgan who is normally quiet chatty just numbed out and told Daddy very calmly that she was going to take a nap. 

We flew out on Father's Day giving Daddy 2 father's day - one the plane and then a 2nd one in Hawaii.  The girls spent their own money and bought him a delux travel pillow and shirt, and I promised him a couple rounds of golf. 

So far the highlights have been hanging out at the pool and beach in Waikiki at the Hale Koa, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, Jeff golfing and Morgan's first ocean swim.  Hanauma Bay has got to be my favorite place and getting to take the girls there was really fun.  Morgan can snorkel like a pro and Bella enjoys looking at the fish, but can't swim as fast so I put Bella on my back and swim following Morgan wherever she wants to go.  It's really fun and then when we get near a bunch of fish Bella hops off my back to look. 

Here are some photos.  Love you!

Morgan's Rock Star Slumber Party

Morgan had 8 friends over with 6 spending the night to celebrate her 8th birthday 'rock star' style.  Everyone arrived at 5 PM and we ate pizza, had cake, and then got busy styling our rock star outfits - headbands, tutus and tank tops.  Then by about 7:30 we had a rock star dance party.  We made a short video and then laughed at ourselves. Then had ice cream, watched Zootopia, ate popcorn, opened presents and then the girls headed to bed....  but really stayed up and chatted until 1 AM and then 2 AM.  But at 2 they did get the point that it truly was time to sleep.  And they did until 8 AM and had pancakes and got their rock star trophy.  It was a great party and everyone had a lot of fun! 

 

Professional HIM Japan photos

Jeff bought me the photo finishers pack when I registered (taking some of the pressure off him - though he still did a great job finding us on the course [which included insisting on getting our car out of the parking lot at the swim start]).  With 2 separate transition areas and then our bikes loaded into a van and driven back to the airport, logistically it was quite complicated and very hard for spectators. 

More race pix of me! 

Invited to Worlds 70.3!!

You've heard of qualifying for Ironman Kona, well I placed first in my age group and qualified for the Half Ironman World Event this year in Australia!  Wowzers!  I was shocked that I did so well especially considering I broke my ankle 8 weeks ago in Bali and just started running a few weeks ago (slowly and short).  But I do know in race day I gain a few gears and total mental focus.  It was a fun course and we lucked out with the weather.  The bike course was extremely technical with lots of u-turns!  The run ended up being a lot hillier than expected (and hot) and the swim was nice despite my goggles fogging up, not being able to see, getting kicked in the head and needing a jet ski to get me back on course.

Overall a great race.  My training buddy and good friend did awesome as well with a personal record.  We were both really stoked with our training and race. 

The weekend itself was fun, but a whirlwind with 1300 miles driven from Sasebo up to Nagoya (thanks Jeff and NEX for a toll-free van rental!).  We split up the drive going up by staying in Iwakuni and back stopped again (this time so I could get a massage!).  We woke up at 2 AM Tuesday to drive back in straight for work. 

Morgan had 2 days of school and then Friday we are celebrating her birthday party and Sunday fly to Hawaii.  Wanted to get these pictures up before I get too far behind.  Love you all.  JeLiMoBe

the blue loop at the top was repeated 4 times

Jeff's special pasta fuel - 2 nights before race day in our Air B&B that Brandi found

last training brick

overly priced new cycling set - even happier I bought it after having a great race!

Jeff got this picture from a bridge and just missed this guy swerving in front of me to kick me in the head (mind you his wave started 15 minutes before mine)

high fiving the announcer - who later asked my girls, 'is that your Mom?.... then yelled - GO MAMA!!!'