Who do I look like?

Tell me what you think...

Remember, the pictures of Lee and I are almost 30 years old, faded, and discolored. We are all around 18 months old in these pictures.

Triathlon #2

Last Saturday I competed in my second triathlon. It was a blast and I beat my overall time from last year by 5 minutes!! Yeah! The big shocker of the race was my swim time ... I swam my 500 in 6 minutes 52 seconds. I came in 7th out of all 520 men and women in the swim... I'm still thinking it was a computer chip glitch :) My transitions were faster this year and my run time was 2 minutes faster! My bike was the only time that didn't improve... but I know for a fact that it was because it was pouring down ran and I was taking it pretty easy in fear that I might wipe out on one of the slick turns. I am so happy I did this race again... but hope that I have someone to train with next summer (um hum... Schlaura).

Here are some shots Lee took during the race:

The beginning of the race... getting ready for the swim. I'm somewhere in there with a blue cap.

Out of the water transitioning to bike.

On the bike. The course is really hilly and curvy. I saw lots of deer.

Finishing my run.

Happy to be done.

My biggest supporter... Lee!

My cheering section... Mom, Adam, and Natalia. My dad was there too. He is taking the picture. Thanks for coming down you guys!

Krue's Biker Babe

These two had better stop getting into cute situations like this or I am going to fill up my entire blog with pictures of them :) The kids were out playing the other night and Krue said to Lauren, "You can hop on the back if you want to, Lauren." She did and I couldn't resist taking pictures.

A Birthday Party ~ Lake Cottage Style

Two weekends ago we had a "3-birthdays-in-1 party" with my family at our lake cottage. It was a celebration for my Uncle David's birthday, Mamaw's birthday, and Lee's birthday. Their actual birthdates are within 3 weeks of each other so it works out well to combine parties.

We started the party with a fabulous and delicious meal made by my mom... she insisted! (I made appetizers and Mamaw made a dish as well... but it was so nice to not have to worry about food... thanks, Mom!) Next, we opened gifts and sang happy birthday. After cake and ice cream we took the pontoon out for a putt-putt around the lake and cuddled under warm blankets (Mamaw drove the boat and loved it!) It was such a fun day (it could have been a little warmer) and we have decided to make it a tradition to celebrate these birthdays at our cottage every year.

Guests included: Mom, Dad, Mamaw, David, Ali, Adam, Natalia, Amy, Chris... and my Grandma and Grandpa Elkins joined us from Ohio!

The Birthday Bunch... with special appearance by Krue Nagel.

Lee and Krue standing in front of Lee's special birthday sign my mom made him.

Adam's girlfriend, Natalia, and I pose for a shot. She is such a sweetheart... and smart & beautiful, too! What a catch, Adam!

My mom and Mamaw.

Adam and Natalia.

David and Amy wore the same color so we had to get a shot of the two of them. You can tell they share the same sense of humor :)

David, Lee, and Mamaw opening their gifts. They were having a ball.

Amy's fiance, Chris, Me, and Natalia cheesing it up.

Mamaw pointing to her Happy 33rd Birthday sign. She always says she is "33 and holding". How cute is that?

Grandpa Joe, Me, and my dad sipping our warm coffees on this chilly day.

A cute pic of Krue with one of his favorites... Uncle David.

Everyone blowing out the candles. Of course, Krue had to help.

Parker's Baptism

Last Sunday my Godson, Parker, was baptized. Almost the entire family was at the church... it was a crew! Here are some pictures of the special day. Parker did such a great job and just went went the flow... smiling the entire time!

Thank you so much, Ben and Brandi, for asking me to be Parker's Godmother. It means so much. We do have a special bond.

Ella, Lily, Natia, and Krue waiting for the baptism.

Parker getting baptized.

Lee's brother Dan (Parker's Godfather) was asked to light a candle in the middle of the ceremony. It was pretty funny because he couldn't reach the candle to light it off of. The priest had to do it for him.

Dan and I with Parker.

The parents and Godparents.

Bob and Maggie, Sam and Beth, Parker, Grandma and Grandpa Kruse

Lake Gazing

The Blythe's stayed with us at our lake cottage this past weekend. I looked out on the deck Saturday morning and this is what I saw...

How cute are these two?

2nd Annual Palmer Friends Weekend

Last weekend we had our 2nd Annual Palmer Friends Weekend at the lake! We invited all of Lee's chiropractic friends and their families to the lake for the weekend. A lot of friends could not make it... but we had a great time with the group we had. It was wonderful seeing everyone and catching up. Can't wait to do it again!

Jason Watts (From Colorado!) came in on Thursday afternoon. Our wonderful babysitter, Erin, watched the boys at the cottage Friday evening while we went to dinner, and then Saturday afternoon while we went out on the boat. Thanks, Erin!!

Our friend, Rob Ricketts (from Iowa), came in on Friday evening. He did not realize how thick he had put on his sunscreen. He was actually thought he had rubbed it all in... we couldn't keep a straight face while he was talking. Jason really got to know the boys while he was here.

Having lunch at Pier 32 on Saturday.

Saturday afternoon our friends, Jeremy and Amy Ferris (from Indy), showed up. We all went to the sandbar on the boat.

Later on Saturday our friend, Scott Stuck (from Illinois), showed up. We grilled out on Saturday evening.

Playing with the boys on our lazy Sunday morning.

A picture of all the chiro buds. This is a group of great guys!

Like Father, Like Son...

These pictures crack me up. Kiefer wants to be just like his Daddy. He must see Lee talking on his cell phone while he's driving... and he drives the boat just like him, too!

Singin' in the "Pretend Rain"!

Krue hasn't been the biggest fan of taking baths with his brother, Kiefer. Instead of giving the boys two separate baths, I decided to try a showers with Krue. Guess what? He loves them! Now, he always asks me if he can go upstairs and sing in the "pretend rain". Too cute.

Such a big boy to be taking showers already. (So nice for his mom, too!)