This is a great family photo over Labor Day of the Marotta and McKnight kids:
This is a typical attempt of a family photo with the Marotta and McKnight kids!


Oh my. It has been a GREAT while since I have posted on here. Half of my excuse is that I couldn't access my blog (screwed up passwords) and the other half is that my computer has no memory, so I couldn't download any photos from my camera.

Regardless, here I am....the 5th of November. Let me backtrack to where I left off. Oh yes, I was training for the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon all summer. We did it. I did not finish under 2.5 hours like I had wanted to (not sure of my final time....something like 2.41). Here is a link to one of my photos from that race (it won't work so here is the link. http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_photo.asp?PID=&EVENTID=31332&PWD=&ID=54792231&FROM=photos&BIB=18749 You should be able to click on it, if not you can copy/paste it if you are that interested in seeing my race photo). It was hot, humid, and hard, but alas we came home talking about plans for our next one.

School started for Macy and things seem to be a-okay in third grade. A bit harder than her past years but she is managing. She took tennis lessons this fall (fell in love with it), is in Brownies again, and has joined Odyssey of the Mind at her school. She also received a violin for her birthday in August and is hoping to take lessons in that soon.

Vince is Vince. Nothing to write about at the moment!!

We just got done celebrating Halloween and Macy went as Princess Leia with her sidekick Vince Yoda this year. Yesterday was the Presidential Elections and my guy won!! I am more happy that the elections are actually over and the fact that Virginia is now a Blue State after over 40 years of it being a Republican.

Macy had a good year....

Here is Macy standing next to her Andy Warhol inspired self-portrait that was
picked to be represented at her school's art show (only 50 pieces were picked out
of the whole school).

The 3rd place ribbon she won for above self portrait

Another color drawing she did in art class, I loved this one so much, I framed it.

The award she won for running the one mile race....she looks happy doesn't she?

July 4th, 2008

This was our lazy 4th of July morning at the pool....

......swimming, swimming, and more swimming!

Jason and Macy were playing with their water shooters. Yes, we don't even allow squirt guns
into the house. These shooters are a big circle shape. Though the sound effects Vince uses while
playing with it, you would think he was holding a glock.

Nothing more attractive than Macy with her rainbow goggles!

Training for half marathon.....

So....I have gotten myself peer pressured into running the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach over Labor Day weekend. Peer pressured, because when the idea came up, I instantly nixed it saying "Are you crazy? 13 miles? 13 miles in the middle of summer in VA? No way!". Then after hearing that my friends signed up and tossing around the idea (and their comments of "come on - do it!"), I registered.

We are all training together, as we have all started running at the same time (in April), so we are all on the same level. We are following Hal Higdon's 12 week training schedule, which includes 2-3 runs during the week (starts at 3 miles and increases every week by .5 miles), with a long run on the weekends (long runs start at 4 miles and increase every 1-2 weeks by another mile). Waking up at 5 am stinks, but the fact that I know my friend Michelle will be pulling into my driveway at any moment to pick me up is what gets me out of bed.

I also have not been following the schedule perfectly, but I figure if I at least do the minimum for that day, then all is good. My long run this past Saturday was supposed to be 4 miles, and we did 5.88 miles (the longest I have ever done).

This morning started a new week and we were supposed to do 3.5 miles. The weather around here was in the 100's last week and it finally cooled down last night. I was so excited to run in 70 degree weather and I also had a Luna bar when I woke up (I usually never eat before my morning runs), so I was feeling in tiptop shape. We did our 3.5 miles and arrived back to the car. I didn't stop, I just said "Hey, I feel like running home" (which was another 2 miles away). So I kept going, and as I was nearing my house, I was still feeling really good, so I took a little detour around the block which added another .8 miles. Goal today = 3.5 miles Actual Run = 6.3!!!!!!

This weekend we went to the Family Fun Fest, where Macy and Vince entered and completed their first running events (one mile races each). Vince was entered though he is only three and you had to be a minimum of four years old, but oh well.




Here is the take-off of the Girl's Race!

Macy in her last 50 yards!






Macy entering the finish, with a personal record of 10:40/mile! I actually got teary eyed when the race started, thinking "Wow, her first running race!".













After race refreshments of water and
orange slices.








Here is Vince in his last 25 yards to the finish.....



.....and he enters the finish box, with a personal record of 18:30/mile (let's give him a break, he is three years old, and has short legs!). I'm just happy he did the whole mile!
















I'm so proud of my little runners!!!

Hiking at York River State Park

Vince is getting the hint of "family hikes"

Fossil Beach at York River State Park (15 min from our house!)