My Sister, The Miami Wo-Man!

My sister Jamie came to visit us this weekend! She's made it a point to come see us every year, which I have loved! This year she has been really into competing in tri-athalons, duathalons, and half-marathons. She found out that Miami was having a half-Iron Man competition around the same time she comes every year in November. She previously did a half-Iron Man in Utah and loved it, so she decided to do another while here with us. This competition was huge - over 2000 contestants. The run part of it went through the Miami Metro Zoo, so we were excited to get to see the crazy contestants along with the animals. For those of you who don't know, a Half Iron Man is a 1.2 mile swim, then a 56 mile bike ride, followed by a 13.1 mile run.

This is Elliott at 5:30 a.m. at the race site. We had to get up at 3:45 a.m. in order to get ready and get down to Miami for the race. It was a little hard to get up, but we were excited to cheer on our favorite racer!

I don't know what my hand is doing in this picture, but it was just as dawn broke, so give me a break! I was so excited to cheer her on!

The racers were assigned swim caps according to their start "wave." Jamie was to start at 7:25 a.m. and was in the red group. I made her pose for this picture b/c the caps were so cute. They were little sharks/pirana things with fins! She's definitely a fish!

Let the race begin!! Here is her wave starting!

I think this was her, but there were so many swimmers out there, I definitely can't be sure.

Elliott and I ran around a lot to try to get good pictures...actually, we were sprinting around a whole lot! We found this spot where I could take a cool picture as she was going to her first transition. I was waiting with my camera ready and everything, and this is the shot I ended up with! Guess she is just WAY fast!!!

Here was my last ditch effort at getting the transition shot!

Here she comes on the run! This is just outside the Metro Zoo and about 2 miles into her run. (We never saw her on the bike, though we diligently searched!) She's cheering on the other contestants as she goes!She caught site of us. Elliott tried to anticipate her run, and she must've slowed for the pose, hence the side shot. I like her enthusiasm on the last leg of the race! What an athlete...I'd be dying...or probably dead.

Lookin good in pink, black, white and grey!

Look closely and you'll see African elephants in the background! Just before she got there, the elephants were really close to the edge but they moved by the time she got there...geez, Jamie, can't you pick it up?? ;) J/K!

Here she is at about mile 10 on the run! Almost done! She's concentrating and throwing us her soaking wet bike gloves.

The home stretch just before the finish line! Still running! You go girl!!

IT'S OVER!!! Go Jamie!!! Her finishing time was 5:41:03! She placed 6th in her age group (one away from a prize, darn!), and placed 22nd in women's. I think she was 126th overall! Very competitive!

Catching her breath and eating a banana to avoid cramping!

Trying to eek out a smile while catching her breath...I'm sure she was like, "Ok Molly, enough with the camera!"

Proud brother in law after the race!

Go Jamie! We are so proud of you!! We miss you already!!

Happy Halloween!!

This year Halloween was quite the event. I had a work costume party, a murder mystery party, Trunk or Treat, and a Halloween party to attend! Elliott had the idea to be the Joker. The Joker has a girlfriend named Harley Quinn, so he bought me her outfit. It was not flattering at all, so I made up my own Joker costume to go along with his. I think it turned out pretty good!

Work Party...Stephanie was the Lollipop Princess from Candyland, Joe was our file clerk Carmen (who was out of town), Ketsia was a cereal killer, I was Lady Joker, Wanda was a baseball player, and yes, my boss Charlie was a banana! Haha!

My mom sent me some hand baggies b/c she just knows I love to do funky treats on holidays. These were perfect party favors. I filled the ends with candy corn to look like fingernails and then popcorn for the flesh. I was not original in that idea, it was on the cover for the baggies.

Haley gave me the idea to do a 7 layer bean dip with a spiderweb. I think it turned out great for my party.

The Joker and the Lady Joker at Trunk or Treat!! It was hilarious because some of the kids were scared to come up to us. They'd rather pass on the candy than deal with the creepy Jokers. I think Elliott looked especially creepy. Some people didn't even recognize him.

The Joker and Batman. This little guy, Hayden, must think Elliott really is the Joker because the next day at church, he leaned over to his mom and said, "Mom, the Joker is sitting right over there!!" So cute!

The CJ Pirate Family!! AKA Peter, Barbara, and Justin

Ipod earbuds! AKA Susan and Matt

Cowboys and their sheep herder! AKA Micah, J.D. and Jonnie

Doctor Family! AKA Justin, Toshi, and Taija

Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize! AKA Steve and Emilee

Luke Skywalker, Princess Leah, and Yoda! AKA James, Lindsey, and Jem

Nurse and H1N1 patient! AKA Dano and Jeremiah

Michael Jackson and Soccer player! AKA Jake and Mallory with baby Schumers almost here

Air traffic control and NACHO Libre! AKA Morgan and Chelsey

Secret Service and tired Mom! AKA Alex, Heidi, and Greyson

Yes, folks, there was an awesome pinata at this party!! I felt like I was 5 again and loved every second of it!

Emilee got me super dizzy and I was seriously about to fall over in this picture!

Lady Joker giving that ghost some grief!

I just love this picture of Dano. She had to interrupt her swinging b/c the ghost fell off the rope.

And last, but certainly not least, a performance by Michael Jackson!!