Katie's first competetive race

At school, Katie participates in the Ryan Elementary Running Club.  This club meets once a week after school and encourages the kids to run.  Last week the running club held a trial race.  Any member who could finish the 1.5 mile race in under 30 minutes would be invited to run in a competitive race along with students from 3 other local elementary schools.  Katie finished the trial run in approximately 15 minutes.

On race day, Katie was full of energy and ready to run.  We saw her during the first lap and then towards the end of the race.  When we saw her on her last lap, she was visibly upset and crying...but still running fast.  After the race we learned that she was upset because her number card was ripped off her shirt (leaving a small hole) and because she got hit in the face with a tree branch.  One of the girls in her running club saw that she was upset while running and patted her on the shoulder and told her to "keep up the good work."  We were so proud of here for toughing it out and finishing the race despite her unlucky series of events.

Her dad tested the stopwatch feature on his phone and clocked her 1.5 mile run at approximately 13 minutes.  During the awards ceremony, Katie was shocked when she heard her name called for the 4th place 3rd grade female runner.

CONGRATULATIONS KATIE!!!

Telluride winter vacation

As part of our Christmas gift to Katie, we decided to take a family ski trip to Telluride, Colorado.  Katie decided it would be a good idea to bring Sally along with us.  I think that for a dog, that's when you know you've made it and that you are a part of the family.  In addition, Uncle Mark, Aunt Meridith and cousin Riley (Scott's brother, wife and kid) plus Meridith's mom and dad would be joining us from Texas. 

So we packed up the trusty Land Cruiser and hit the road...with Sally in tow.  Both Katie and Sally were wonderful passengers, although Sally did whine for nearly all of the 9 hours we were in the car.  Sometimes it sounded like she was singing along to the music, and other times it sounded like she just wanted to get out of the car at all costs.


We arrived at our house and got settled.  The next morning when Katie woke up and headed downstairs to find breakfast, she was surprised to see Aunt Adrienne sleeping on the pullout couch in the loft area.  What a great surprise!!!!  Her face lit up and she promptly glued herself to Adrienne's hip for the rest of the week!

Katie went to ski school for 2 days and then skied with Scott and I for the 2 additional days.  She did a fantastic job on the slopes and even toughed it out through a cold and wet powder day.  Her skills have improved and her confidence is amazing.  I have no doubt that in another year, she'll easily be able to ski better than me.

Here are a few photos of our trip...and one video of Sally singing in the car....

Christmas 2009

This Christmas we were blessed to have Katie celebrate with us at our house.  Katie wrote a very sweet letter to Santa and then re-copied it at Macy's and mailed it off to Santa.  In the letter Katie asked for a few gifts for herself but also asked for a few gifts for Sally...