The 4th of July weekend was a big one for us! We headed down to Seward on July 3rd for the big Independence Day celebration, Tali's birthday and Mount Marathon. Tali loves having her birthday in Seward because we get to stay in a hotel, go to the hot tub, watch the fireworks that they set off "just for her," and this year we got to pick Grandma and Grandpa Jensen up from a cruise ship, just for her birthday. What an adventure! We trekked around the sprawling metropolis of Seward (population about 3000) all day, checking out the street vendors and watching all the races. We were a little over-booked this year, having two family members racing and carting around a newborn, so we somehow missed out on gorging ourselves with hand-dipped ice-cream bars, corn fritters and funnel cake. Next year! But I will be racing next year too!
I described the
Mount Marathon race in my blog last year. Matt and Josh both raced and they both did awesome. Matt finished 10th overall. He was 5th to the top, but had some serious calf cramps on the bomber descent and was able to hold onto 10th. This was Josh's first year attempting the race, Juniors race halfway to the top and then descend back to the start/finish. It's pretty treacherous, so Josh and Matt drove to Seward a couple times to get Josh acquainted with the mountain and the best route. Josh followed their plan like a seasoned expert and finished the race with a very impressive time and place. He's nine and he finished 1st for all kids under 10, 5th in his age group (9-11), and 59th/300 overall for all juniors (under 18) and he loved every minute of it. I'm so glad that he enjoys crazy athletic stuff like this. When he crosed the finish line, they called him "Little Novakovich." Go Josh! You're a little mountain climber!
Before the race
On the road to the finish line. Check out that stride!
Finished . . . and happy!
Standing with his two personal cheerleaders/podium girls :)
Random . . . Josh is always jumping his bike. This is his new mini BMX bike.
Sophie, Sophie, Sophie
Sound asleep on Grandpa Novakovich. They babysat while we went to see Knight & Day (good movie, by the way). It's amazing how three hours out of the house sans kids can really do mom some good!
Josh really has a knack for putting little Sophie to sleep.
Where's Sophie?
Sophie really knows how to yawn.
Coming soon: More pics of Grandma & Grandpa Jensen's trip.
Josh changing his 1st diaper
Weighing Sophie on the bike scale
Josh & Liz take the train home from Seward with Grandma & Grandpa
On the train
Sea Lifr Center with G&G
Don't want to go to bed at the hotel
Haha
Three 4th of July girls
Happy Birthday Tali! Those are Liz's Chinese characters on her forehead :)
Mt. Marathon!
On the cruise ship
