Stevens Cousins {2013}

The 4th of July before I had Janie, I took some adorable photos of the Stevens Grandkids in patriotic colors and they turned out super cute.  We have wanted to update the photos to include Janie but we all tend to go in separated directions for the 4th of July so a few days afterwards on our way to Manzanita, I snapped a few cousin shots.  It was kind of an afterthought so the outfits were not coordinated, I didn't have the most idea lenses, and the kiddos were pretty wound up, but we got a few shots in and years from now, that is all that counts!

 

 

      And welcome to the family to the newest Stevens, Brendan & Taylor's new pup, Gracie!

 

Manzanita with Michael {McKee} Cousins

We hadn't made it to the beach house since January and the girls & I had the opportunity to tag along on a trip with Carol, Amy & the kids.  Ashley & Taylor had dance competition in Seaside and so we were able to catch some dancing, enjoy some time on the beach and the girls got a fun dose of their sweet cousins. 

 

The old stump has changed forms several times in the past few years.  Three years ago when we came down as a family, I got a photo of the kids on it with Murray & Kevin.  Last year it started to have drift wood added around it and this year it has become a super fun drift wood fort that they kids had to much fun in. 

Sweet Hailey had her 12th birthday while we were in Manzanita.  I remember getting the call from her daddy the day she was born.  Uncle Kevin & I were at Woodland Park Zoo on a date. 

At the beach, Clara seems to really live up to her "Scout" nickname more than usual.  She love so run wild, get dirty and wet and bravely explore the environment.  We like to just sit back and watch her!

Cousin Zane has a fun, adventurous spirit and does such a great job looking after his little cousins.  Clara & Janie are so lucky to have such fun cousins to hang out with!  It makes our beach memories even more special!

4th of July {2013}

Rock & Roll - Mommy & Daddy hit their GOAL!!

Back on Thanksgiving Day, we were talking with Dusty & Brian (who is a marathoner) about all doing the Rock & Roll together.  Despite not running much as an adult, with my cross country experience, doing a half marathon has always been something I wanted to try, but I am just getting back into shape and had not considered doing it so soon.  At first we joked about it and then by the end of the weekend we had all decided to do it.  It was over 6 months away and we'd have plenty of time to train...

Well, the months rolled by and we were casually training but in the past few months we all stepped it up and put in some miles, and before we knew it the race was upon us!  AHHH! 

Mom & Dad took the girls and Ryan and Hailey came up for the weekend and we tried to make a weekend out of it.  We spent some time downtown the night before after we registered. 

 

 

We carb loaded and enjoyed a toast to the race.

 

I was really so proud of us all, even before we started running for following through on this goal we had made.  The day of the race, the weather was perfect, we had smooth travels to the event site and for the most part the run was enjoyable. 

 

Ryan & Hailey made great running partners for Kev & I.  As a group we stuck together and all seemed to push one another at different points in the 13.1 mile course. 

 

 

After the race we celebrated with some beers and snacks, hit up Flying Pie pizza, and all enjoyed a nap and restful evening.  It was fun to get to have a child free weekend to hang out with them, even if we were too tired to really live it up.  Hailey & I are up for running another... we'll see if we can get Ryan & Kev to run along!

 

 

Cheers to fun accomplishments with the ones you love!