thejlbs » Adventures

AC Family Weekend

Jim — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:00:15 +0000

It’s official. We do too much. The days are getting away from us. Here we are, two and a half weeks ago at my sister’s school’s Family Day. It was serious fun.

Big girl on campus.

Nervous cowboy.

Award-winning art!

We also got to see a hockey game during which the power went out. And then, then we went to a football game (for which Bastien scored us tickets by high-fiving the mascot). Can you believe our stamina? I am just now recovering – and perhaps now you understand why this post is so long in coming.

Women’s Half Marathon Scottsdale-Tempe

Jessica — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:30:13 +0000

What did I do this weekend? Oh, Just fled to Arizona to run 13.1 miles. Through the desert. Which was infinitely easier than the daily routine with a certain two year old and four year old I know. Except. This is what always happens when I run long distance.

Sorry you had to see that. But I still attest it is less painful than a full day with my kids. And also, as one of my favorite fan signs on the course read: “Chafe now, brag later.”

Other favorite signs and sights from along the course:
“Run your asana off”
“Fast girls have the best times”
“Kick the asphalt out of cancer”
“Go all the way! (That’s what she said)”
“Lulu sale ahead!”
And the High Five station, which was really just three guys dressed in pink that placed themselves all over the course with their boombox cranking songs like Party In The USA by Miley Cyrus. (Assuring you each time that getting your high five was a “Great decision”.)

Of course I cried every time I passed a rock band or cheerleading squad. Every. Single. Time. Or anytime someone screamed my name (which was on my race number). Only a select few people know this spontaneous crying over random things in life is common practice with me.

But I really broke down when two of the cutest little boys in the world (three and five?) were cheering for their mom:
Daddy: “There’s Mommy, there’s Mommy!!!”
Five year old (with biggest dimples you’ve ever seen): “Go Mommy, go! Go Mommy, go! Go Mommy, go! Go Mommy, go!”
Three year old (about three seconds after realizing it was his Mommy running by: “Mooooooooom” (crying that desperate cry of separation that only the under-four set knows, and chasing her down the street without a clue as to why his heartless mom jus ran away from him).

Didn’t get my best time. Missed it by 10 seconds per mile. But I had the best time. And just as to the guy who was dishing out M&Ms at mile 9, for that I am infinitely grateful.

Detroit Zoo Boo 2011

Jim — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:03:19 +0000

An unexpected cast…

A single-shodden princess, late for the ball…

A lot of ground to cover…

A lot of spookiness to ponder…

Plus buckets of candy to consume…

And an inaugural ride to remember…

Makes for one truly exhausting evening…

OBX Sand and Surf

Jessica — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:00:19 +0000

Mental vacation. Ready?

These are all the photos that never seemed to fit into any of our other vacation posts.
I insisted Jim publish them now.
PS. You’re welcome.

Pittsburgh Zoo (Again)

Jessica — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:00:12 +0000

This place ended up being the perfect half-way point to and from our luxury vacation. The part where it was free with our Detroit Zoo pass just sweetened the deal. But seriously, mad love from theJLBs for the Pittsburgh Zoo!

After this guy sat and meditated like this for a good while, he suddenly jumped up, dropped to his side, and rolled down the hill. It could not possibly have been more hysterical.

As you can see, the zoo accomplished our Main Objective, wearing out the walking legs.

Just kidding.

But yeah, passing through Pittsburgh? Stop in, especially for the sharks in tanks and Kids Kingdom!

North Carolina Aquarium

Jim — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:00:47 +0000

(Otherwise entitled: Postcards From A Rainy Vacation Day).

Duck!!! Donuts.

Jessica — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 03:00:11 +0000

(Otherwise entitled: Postcards From A Place We LOVE).

(I really wish trash can was followed by three exclamation points. Also, I really wish they didn’t use Windex so close to the freshly fried donuts. End of rant.)

6 Little Monkeys Jumpin’ On The Bed*

Jessica — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 03:00:32 +0000

*No heads were bumped in the making of this post.

Postcards From (Plaster Of) Paris

Jim — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:00:02 +0000

Postcards From The Day Ed Flew A Kite At The Beach And We Dug A Big Hole

Jim — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:41:33 +0000

You didn’t really think we were done, did you? Let me remind you: six kids under five. Six adults too. Seemingly unlimited storage space on the MacBook Pro. Yeah, these postcards are pretty much never going to end.