Tacoma City Marathon 10K

I must clarify because people are thinking that we ran the marathon, when we only did the 10K! Dan was too lazy to update..we ran the 10 K, which was part of the marathon...but hopefully, you will see more "marathons coming." I find it more of a challenge to train and reach that goal has been good exercise and also goals to reach..next up--Narrows Bridge Half Marathon. We are running it on our 5 year anniversary!

On her way out the door to a dinner party, Jo poses for the camera.




Isaac actually smiled for this year's school pictures.

Grandma and Grandpa Yang plus May

My parents came on my due date for a week. Thank God that they were here to take care of Isaac while we were in labor and cooking up a storm for us. I swear they brought the entire stock of groceries in their suitecases. My dad was also able to celebrate his birthday with us.

My sister, May came for a short visit. Isaac was on cloud nine with someone just hanging out with him. It was nice to have her lifting the kids around and being my shopping slave as we hit the mall:)

Happy Birthday Dan!

This is a bit backwards...we celebrated Dan's 2-9 birthday few weeks back with the Solverson for some yummy chinese cake and tea. Dan and I were also able to go out on a dinner date thanks to Aunt Patty.

Along with the birthday gift, rocking chair from Mo, Isaac also got a special surprise. His house from a cardboard box, which the items came in. He is loving it. Dan made a door with handles, peep hole and a window. Isaac would come up to us and say "bye bye..see you" and then run into his house.

Boston and Bar Harbor with the Solversons

It was nice to have visitors...we went to Boston to meet the Solverson clan and was able to meet up with some old friends...some whom, I haven't even seen since college!

We loved Boston with its rich history and yummy food. Dan and I ate went to chinatown two day straight for our chinese fix before the solversons showed up. Every time we walk by something, we are like, you wanna it? it was horrible. It was as if we haven't eaten for days.

After a great weekend in Boston, we head back to ME to Bar Harbor, for a bit more active visit. I was even able to sea kayak while we were there. Steve and Mo were literally eating Isaac for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dave and Keri was great to hang out with and get to know better. Its funny how we can be in one family, but never had to chance to sit down and chat. I'm glad we were able to hanging out with them. Isaac loves his Uncle Dave, when he first saw him, he actually called him "Daddy"

Grandparents Yang visit

My parents visited us in ME over July 4th weekend. We started out with a bang, by going to Freeport, ME for a shopping excursion at Coach outlet. Don't worry, those bags are not mine, mainly my mom's! We then ventured down to Bar Harbor, Acadia National park for a few days.

We went on a land and sea tour to look at the historic sites for the park, and boy, did Rockefeller build a lot around there. When you are in ME one thing you have to do is eat lobster. While we were in Bar Harbor, we had lobster for lunch in Chinese style and dinner the good old traditional way.

Isaac was doing great on the trip, except, I think he was going on a growth spurt, he kept sleeping and didn't want to eat. Everything we offer was "no." I was literally begging for him to eat, but finally gave up, Thankfully after a week of lack of appetite, he started eating like a pig.

Isaac had a lot of fun with my parents, even after they left, he would wake up and run into the room they were staying at calling "gon gon and po po" It was really sweet.

Johnson's Here to visit

So the Johnson family ventured to the great Northwest this past week. We had a great time visiting with them. Isaac also had fun being the center of attention, center of all gift giving, and constantly having 4-5 other people willing to hold him at all times, which gave Dan and I a break as well. Thanks guys for coming out to visit and taking me shopping! One interesting thing, while we were in Victoria, we all got an ice cream cone and kids cone is free with an regular purchase. After the girls had met up with the guys, I see my son chowing down an ice cream cone and looking content. So, Aunt Kathy, Missy, and I went on in to get our ice cream, next thing I hear running in the store is Dan. He as like "he's done!" I was like, "so?" Then I hear the cry outside the store...Isaac wanted MORE...so for the first time in his life, he had ice cream and two cones at ones!

Weekend at Whistler, Canada B.C

It has been a great long weekend at Whistler. May and Michael came to visit and also to take part in the ski trip, while Maureen at the very last minute generously decided to come to help babysit Isaac. What a dedicated grandma! She flew all the way from Chicago for the long weekend to spend with Isaac in Canada. We stayed at the Aspen condo; we had a full kitchen, a fireplace, and one bedroom. Overall, we enjoyed skiing down the two mountains, Blackbomb and Whistler. Lets just say, it's definitely not the the Midwest. Taking the gondola up the mountain, you really realized that it is literally a mountain you are ascending. The scenery was amazing and the skiing was actually a bit frightful for me. I think the first green we went down was probably 8 miles long from the middle of the Blackcomb all the way down. Dan, Michael, and May patiently waited for me to move each ski along. I was about to have a panic attack up there. Just looking down to see how far I have to go literally freaked me out! But praise God for downlifts and moral support! The second day was much better for me. Whistler had a family zone area that was nice and challenging, but not scary to go down. We had lunch on top of the mountain, while Dan tackled a couple of the black diamonds by himself. Sorry honey, no one else could go with you.
As for Isaac, he spent a good couple quality time fun days with Grandma. Maureen took him shopping and sledding. And I can't forget her homemade chicken noodle soup to top the day off after a long day of skiing! By the end of the weekend, Isaac could say "May" and "Grandma" pretty well. For Michael, he would point to and always loved to play with him. He's always been partial to men.
I can't believe he is only 14 months old! His latest new "tricks," which he seems to be adding to daily, are pointing to his toes and hands. Signaling for "more" has never a problem, but now he can say it.

Happy NEW YEAR!!!

I know this is a bit late, but Happy NEW YEAR everyone! We had a wonderful visit with family and friends over Christmas and New Years. I don't even know where to start. We split up time between my parents, the solversons, and Kat and Jake's. It was nice to visit with everyone as well as our friends. It's moments like these that make me miss home and even more gracious for the friendship and blessings in our lives.
Isaac had a horrible ride to Chicago. We were two hours delayed and then a lady he was playing with offered him a doubt chocolate chip cookie. He sure loved it, but couldn't sleep for the WHOLE RIDE. Even Dan was starting to get annoyed with him. One the way back, he was a lot better and able to sleep for 2 hours of the ride. Isaac is walking to much more now. I can't keep my eye on him close enough. I feel like everytime we turn around he is somehwere else! It was really funny to watch him play with our friend's kid, Nathan. By the way, thank you for the awesome breakfast and financial advice. Isaac LOVES Nathan. He keeps going back to him to give him kisses and hugs, while Nathan just stands and laughing not really understanding what Isaac was trying to do! Isaac also goth is first haircut. The poor kid was getting mullet! Thank God we finally got to cut it!
We are back now for a few days and still slowly adjusting to the time change and putting things away. It has been really rainy around here. I think the weather is finally getting to me. The best way Dan describes it is that it's like a blanket of cloub just sits on top of you and dosen't let up....please spring, please come soon!
So Sunday, we went to Kat and Jake's church and had talked about goals for the new years. Dan and I have this tradition of always brainstorming and re-evaluating our lives, walk with God, and future...I'm not quit sure how to put it all into words, but for one, to be obedient to what God has called us...

Surprise 50th

I'm having a quiet, lonely weekend. Jo flew to Chicago for my mom's surprise birthday party today, which is happening right about now. Here's the video that the family made for her special day.