Pacific Grove Triathlon In Video Sequence

My apologies for the shaky cinematography (I was excited too)!

Starting the swim leg:


Once they finished the first lap, they had to run around a buoy on land and hop in the water to swim another lap:




Andrew out of the water and onto the bike portion:


Starting the bike leg:


First bike lap:


Second bike lap:


Third bike lap:


Warren biking:


Andrew finishing the bike leg:


Starting the run:


Rounding the first turnabout:


Last lap:


Andrew crossing the finish line:




Warren running:






Across the finish line:




You guys are awesome. Way to show us what the human body can do.

Mr. Andrew Hurst, Triathlete

Two years after thinking about doing a triathlon, Andrew finally completed his first Olympic distance triathlon. Coming in at 155th place out of 1500 ain't that bad! He swam almost a mile, biked 24 miles, and ran 6 miles all in 2 hours, 40 minutes. He came in 9th in his class for the swim, 30th in his class overall, and 137th out of all the men. Andrew's parents made a great cheering squad and Blake enjoyed the long day of triathlon activity. Onto the race.

We stayed here:


It was right on the course so we could cheer from our balcony:


The transition area the day before:


Andrew's space (#137):


Mmm...sweet treats:


6am race day:


Andrew got his markings and was ready to race:


Warren (Andrew's co-worker who spurred this all on) arriving for race day:


Andrew getting in his wetsuit:


Ready to swim the mile swim:


On your marks:


We cheered our brains out:


Daddy did it:


Warren did it too:


Good job to all the athletes who competed!


Ah, finally time to rest:


Proof:


Watching TV after a long day's work:


MORE PICTURES HERE: http://picasaweb.google.com/dvdhrst/TheTriathlonAtPacificGrove?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGKvMSUto3r_AE#

On Sunday we all piled into the RV (David, Ellen, Sandy, Mia, Nick, Jessica, Andrew, myself, Blake, and Tobin) for a picnic near Yosemite. Ellen fed us the best fried chicken and other gourmet picnic food. They sure know how to do it! It was nice to breathe the fresh air and be amongst the grasshoppers and lizards.

Walking to the meadow:


We won't call it dry, we will call it end of summer gold:


Crossing the bridge:


Ellen and Tobin picking up trash on the walk:


Blake loving the sights and sounds:


Mia always being photographed:


Exploring:


Blake helping Tobin with the trash:


Nick being John Muir:

Family Gathering

Walter's service was very peaceful and the weekend has been full of great stories and life celebration. The photo books are amazing and it is hard not to romanticize Walter's farming photographs. You can't say Walter didn't live a full, compassionate, or hearty life. Cheers to you Walter.

Here we are at Uncle Glen and Aunt Karen's:


Blake loved the caramel popcorn Aunt Shirley always brings:


Karen and Anne:


Myron and Erin:


Ellen describing photos to Angie:


The backyard setup:


Cousins:


The girls went for a shopping trip in Fresno. Megan drove us (along with Sandy and Shirley):


The next day there was work to be done on the patio at Ellen's house. Blake helped dig out some dirt and rocks. Shirley and Jessica worked their fingers to the bone:


Cleaning up at day's end:

Blake Can Kick A Ball

Blake loves kicking balls now:



Blake also took a ride on Andrew's shoulders for the first time:

My goat

I guess LuLu looks more like a goat when she is walking around. She got shaved and is much more fun to be around. Here she is next to her barn.

I've made the leap from Log Cabin syrup to real maple syrup. Log Cabin has long been a staple at my parent's house, but it is time for me to grow up and face the facts. Log Cabin is not real syrup.

The label caught my eye this last weekend when I was finishing the last drop of my last bottle (forever I swear). It says, "NOW! No high fructose corn syrup."


The first ingredient on the back is corn syrup. Wow, they think we are that dumb. So long Log Cabin, I am off to experience the world of maple trees.