Family Trip to a zoo

We took a road trip to a zoo about an hour away. We just can't get enough of zoos. The girls had alot of fun looking at there maps and telling us where to go.

Oh, which way to go?

That way!

We also went to our favorite mall on our way which is always nice to visit.

Penguins...we did see real ones!

Bears

Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader

Lulu had her hair in a pony tail for ballet and was so excited to take it out when she got home. When you brush out the curls it is rather poofy and looks like she lives in Texas.

She still won't let you take a picture of her so these were the best I could do.

Can't a mom just do some dishes?

After lunch I was cleaning up the kitchen and told the girls to play for just a few minutes before we headed outside....... They sounded like they were having a blast with all of their "toys". Yes that is all the couch cushions on the floor, from even the couches in the basement.

Seriously, they had so much fun, and not one toys was used. Another example of one more thing we hide from daddy when he comes home to his clean house at night!

Love you Bub!

Redneck Olympics......Back To School Party

We talked about wanting to have a redneck Olympics where all the neighbors come up with games, costumes and all out fun. A few of the neighbors, felt they didn't want to put too much effort into a party.... so a more politically correct theme was decided upon. Back to School Party!

A few of us, didn't want to give up on the original theme........Could we really pass on dressing up and blacking out our teeth?

Of course there was also hair dye. And I think Simon just wanted an excuse to wear a tank top...Which I would like to point out he had to go to the store and buy.

I think that a FABULOUS time was had by all! We especially LOVED all the games.....

Pinata

Water Balloon Fight

Kickball

Silly String

Pie Eating or should I say Pie Fight.

I am pretty sure that we may have won over the nay sayers and will make this an annual event!

***Lulu tends to get overwhelmed when people start "fighting" she was very afraid of most of the games and was content to sit with me and watch with a look of panic.

We Love you Vicki and Tony, Jodi, Josh and Casey

Our wonderful friends Vicki and Tony and their whole family are in our thoughts and prayers right now. I so wish that I could be there with them, but Vicki "ABSOLUTELY FORBADE ME" and I love her to pieces and wouldn't cross her ever!!!!!

Huge hugs, we love you and hope to see you really soon!

Sending you love and prayers from Team Bisson!

GO BUCKEYES!!!!!

Yes we are well aware Ruthie you are a tough guy with Muscles...... "Pay no attention to the cheerleader outfit.... i am just wearing this because My mommy begged me too, and maybe promised Starburst.... I am a tough guy... Check out my muscles..."

Lovely Lulu

I so love that our dear neighbors and friends are fellow buckeyes! Saturday morning started out with blaring the TBDBITL (The best damn band in the land) from our radio at 8am. Singing on the top of our lungs and cheering O-H-I-O with the proper hand movements to "Hang on Sloopy". The girls were proudly wearing their cheerleader outfits too! Nothing made me more proud than to look out and our neighbors were playing their music wearing their buckeye pride and inflating their Brutus.

Michigan is finally feeling like home....... Or maybe Michigan is starting to feel like Columbus. Either way. I am finally finding peace.

Go Bucks!!!!!!!!

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Goodnight Brutus

Mooville

There is a great dairy farm just a short drive away from us that not only has a petting zoo but also makes fabulous Ice cream. Well worth the drive out there!

Soak up the sun.......

Actual First Day of School. I think I asked them who is ready for school?

Orientaion Ruthie

Lulu orientation

The last week of Summer, after my race, flew by and I didn't post because we were trying to soak up the sun....... (take it away Sheryl Crow). The girls had orientation last week. For orientation the parents bring the child to school for the first 45 minutes you are with your child and then the next 45 minutes you leave your child and go into another room for a parent meeting. We took Ruthie on Wednesday and Lulu on Thursday. So, Lulu totally started crying when we left her halfway through. Which just made me feel horrible. She was so lost. Ruthie was totally fine. I think she is going to tell the teacher how to run her classroom. Her best friend at school is in her class again and I would be afraid if I were their teacher.

The first day of school they were so excited and this was the first day they got to go together and be dropped off. Of course they are in different classes but I think they fell there is safety in numbers. I had a pit in my stomach about Lulu but was so positive and strong for her. And they both jumped out of the car so excited. Lulu did her nervous smile, look down and I just started to lose it. I am not the emotional one at all but she was too cute. When I came to pick them up Lulu was on fire! She couldn't stop talking about how much fun she had and wanted to show me everything she did! She even was a little bit sad today when we dropped Ruthie off and it wasn't her turn. Ruthie goes Monday - Thursday. Lulu only goes Tuesday/Thursday.

So fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Waiting in the car for the first day/

MY AMAZING FAMILY AND FRIENDS

***********Our camera ran out of batteries right before the race! Of course! I have been waiting to post about the race till people send me pictures but I had to steal these off of facebook and Hopefully this is enough ammunition to get you people fired up to send me pics...... Jennifer.... So what if you have Strep Throat! Off the couch and get to those pics! (Love you, mean it!)

I started the previous post about my race and it turned more into writing down every last detail of the race so I wouldn't forget.

This post is more about the amazing family and friends I have. I was so blessed with an entourage of friends and family cheering me on for the race and it was such a wonderful feeling!

From the many phone calls, emails, facebook message from friends near and far to the MANY people that came to the race. It truly was overwhelming!

My friend Kelly sent me a bouquet that was entitled "Make Lemonade" the card she wrote was so sweet, mentioning that the road to this race was not always great but I have always been her friend that makes Lemonade out of my lemons and she was so proud of me!

My mom, Bridget and Jennifer came for the entire weekend. It as always is so awesome having them here. My wonderful neighbors the Auton's came to the race. I am pretty sure we have convinced Rod to race next year. (Simon may have to commit to doing it but Rod says he is in).

Awesome camp friends Debi, Leslie and Devon surprised me at the finish line!!!!! Such huge sneaks! Apparently they contacted Simon awhile ago making plans to come to the race. So amazing to see them. Debi from NEW JERSEY was my camp roommate from many years ago, I caught up with Devon a few months ago when I was in Chicago and Leslie flew all the way from CALIFORNIA! These girls are awesome, made their own t-shirts in support and everything! They woke up at 4am drove from Chicago and miraculously made it to my race. Apparently Devon only printed directions to Michigan and they thought they would wing it the rest of the way! I think we have officially scared them off of suburbia, children, and all things midwest. But I hope they got a full taste of life in Michigan!

We planned a huge cookout with neighbors and friends for Saturday night and ended up having it inside due to the horrible weather. So there was about 20 people in our house for dinner on Saturday night. A couple of my neighbors gave me a bottle of champagne and a 1 hour massage for a congratulatory gift and I am SO looking forward to using that!

I really was just so touched by all the love and support I received from friends near and far! It was a bit overwhelming.

I promise that this is not the end of my career. I really am looking at doing an Olympic Distance race next summer! I have alot of people inspired to compete in the race I just did too! I am so excited to do this again and most importantly have something I really enjoy!

Triathlon

What an aweseome weekend. I seriously could not have even dreamt of a more totally amazing time!

It started off with receiving flowers of well wishes from my sister on Friday afternoon! So sweet! Then my mom, Bridget and Jennifer arrived on Friday night late. Friday night I slept pretty good when I did sleep. I woke up with my alarm at 6am. My neighbor called shortly thereafter to wish me luck!

Simon and I drove down the event (about 45-hour away, I was getting nervous but for the most part excited). I checked in and got number 25! So thrilled as it was a great location in the transition but most importantly it had a 5 in it and 5 has ALWAYS been my athletic number. When I envisioned this race I always hoped for 5 or 55 but 25 was just as great!

Just as everyone was getting ready to go to the swim start I saw the girls at the start of the race with their "Team Bisson" shirts, handmade signs and smiles and I started to tear up.

We all went out into the middle of the lake and (Froze) waited for the gunshot. When the gun went off the best way to describe it was like parana's. I am a pretty good swimmer but nothing could prepare me for that feeling of "oh my god, what have I done?" or better yet.... "I am going to die out here". Luckily that feeling only lasted for about 1-2 mins. I got it together sorted myself out and waited until the kicking, shoving, pushing, stopped and I just went along with my business.

I felt good coming out of the swimming, I fumbled around trying to get my biking gloves on (a brand new gift for good luck from Simon) but for the most part I was happy with my first transition. Started out great on the bike, really passing people and feeling energized. About mile 2, I started to worry, "oh my, I still have to run (walk) 3 miles" I better conserve some of my energy. So I think overall I gave the bike par 80% of my efforts. Still great, but I know I could have pushed it harded.

Transition 2 was harder as I had to get off bike at the EXACT spot where my horrible wipeout 3 weeks previous occured. So I took it rather slow. Then I had to change shoes and chage socks since my socks were socking wet. That is not something that is easy when your adrenaline is pumping.

Got out of the transition and started running. Ran for a short while then caught up with Simon's assistant Nancy and we speed walked the rest of the run. Due to injury from previous wipeout. I was really nervous about running. So decided a very fast paced power walk was just the ticket.

I was so happy and so thrilled with my time, effort and all out attitude about the whole thing! I am SO, SO, SO, SO going to do another one, and probably a longer one! I really think that this is something I am going to focus on doing.

For the time being. I am taking it really slow. I am not really excercising, biking or running. I want all things to heal and then I am going to focus on my weight training with my trainer Abby on Monday's then I am going to really work on my running and swimming. And who knows, maybe Santa will bring me a new road bike and come spring I can work on that too!

I am so excited to really have something I love doing!