Hanalei Race 2016

Haena to Hanalei Race is our favorite race of the year.  This year, Brady took one for the team and decided to run with the kids while I trained and participated in the 8-miler.  In preparation for the race, the kids went out and jogged around our neighborhood probably a dozen times.  They both wanted medals so badly!  Kate even asked me if I could please give her my medal if I got one, but with the times I was training at, it seemed highly unlikely and I worried that she was in for a let down.  Zachary was hoping to place in his age group and she was hoping to run without stopping.  

The night before the race, we headed to Hanalei Colony Resort with Nic and Heidi.  We were bummed to learn they were closing the road for the first time in 35 years, and we would have to get out of the resort by 5am to avoid getting stuck.  Ugh.  So much for paying to avoid getting up crazy early.  That night, we mumbled that all the trouble of the Hanalei race was definitely not worth it.  We were happy to get proven wrong the next day.

It dumped rain all night long.  The kids slept great but we were up most of the night with the rain and unfamiliar surroundings.  The alarm finally went off and we got the kids up.  They were so excited, even with the downpour we drove in to get to the starting line.  Our races started at the same time so I headed off in the shuttle to the start while they waited in the car.

 These pictures of the kids at the start, nervous and excited, are the cutest thing ever.  Brady ran with Owen in the stroller and stayed with Kate, so he only got a glimpse as Zachary took off.  Zachary was second place at the halfway point.

 Kate kept surging ahead each time someone would cheer her on.  A couple 8-9 year old boys were in front of her and kept looking back, saying, "We can't let that little girl pass us!"  They'd run ahead and then get tired and walk.  Eventually, Kate passed them.

 This is the turnaround.  Zachary passed up the boy in front, and led for the second half of the mile.  Lucas (right behind him) beat Zac at the finish.  Luke was in the age division ahead of Zachary, which meant Zac won first place for his age group, and second overall (of 42 participants) with a time of 6:28!!

 We were so proud of Kate for running the whole time, coming in at 8:20 and placing first for her age division as well.  The kids were stoked and couldn't stop talking about this event for the entire weekend.  They both won medals and Zac took it in his pocket to church the next day.  When they asked for announcements in primary, he made sure to show it off.

The kids stayed dry somehow, which was amazing to me considering that when the 8-miler started, it was some of the hardest rain I've ever run in.  My shoes were drenched within half a mile.  With the rain and puddles and scenery, it was my favorite race of all time.  I was thrilled to run 7:25 splits after my fastest training runs at 8:20s, and placed 2nd in my division and 6th overall for girls.

 The kids were so tired...obviously.

 Our beach plans were ruined with all the rain, but the kids wanted to play at the hotel pool before we left.  We ended up staying for hours and then going out to eat with the Clarks.  Such a fun day.

 We were most proud of how happy the kids were with their hard work "training."  They talked on and on about how glad they were they did their jogs around the neighborhood.  It's rewarding to see them recognize that preparation makes a huge difference.

Until next year!  However, we will be getting up out of our own beds at 4:30am next year to drive to the start!

A Happy Birthday

 All I wanted for my birthday this year was to hike.  Well, that's a lie.  I also want a mountain bike but we haven't done enough research yet so that will come later.  Maybe.

The weather wasn't perfect on my birthday, but you don't need perfect weather for hikes.  Our big concern is always the baby, so we picked what seemed like the safest bet on Pihea trail.  It was completely socked in, misty and muddy.  We wondered if it would be a disaster.  It turned out to be one of my favorite experiences ever hiking with our kids.  We made it just over 2 miles, but the mud and mist and tropical feel made it mystical and enchanting.

 At first, we were cautious with the mud, avoiding it at all costs.  By the mid point, we were all covered and it no longer mattered.

 Can't you just smell mud from this picture?

 My favorite parts of this picture are Owen's clean feet and Kate's pretend frown.

 Owen loves the pack.  He slept, giggled, and cooed.

 Kate had the time of her life jumping over puddles with Brady.

 Zachary enthusiastically led the way and talked our ears off.  I love this new phase where he has something to say all the time.  He was most excited about finding new ways around and through the mud, and often went through bad passes multiple times to test them out.  ("I'm doing a science experiment, Mom.")

 These pictures and those moments make me happy, happy, happy.

 Some "I'm hungry" tears.

 White hats are so dumb here.  I oxycleaned this bad boy and got it back to new.

 We had to turn around when it got steep and sketchy, since Owen is in a front carrier and a fall is bad news.  By the time we got back to the start of the trail, it cleared out a tiny bit and we had a few moments of sun.

 We've done this hike so many times but this time felt like a first.  It did take us just as long to clean up as it did to actually hike, which is not usually a ratio I favor, but hiking on my birthday was the best.  That night, we went to a new Thai restaurant, where Zac said it was his favorite food and made my heart proud.  Anytime something edges over corn dogs is a win.  Brady capped off the night with a lilikoi birthday pie.  Lovely day.

Utah Finale (Which Should be Titled, "Baby O Gets a Whole Lotta Love")

Sunday morning, we went to church with Mom and Dad, Ryan and Karen, and Cory and Kristen.  It was funny to hear people behind us trying to piece together which children belonged to each family.  

Baby O loved Cory.  I can't wait to try and tease Owen later, trading him between Brady and Cory.  Cory's hair is longer which may be a giveaway.

 Everyone was nice to hold and dote on this kid, who is now a chronic drooler and spits up a lot.  I think the spit up issue emerged because of all the night feeding, but the bottom line is my kid is wet constantly.

 We had dinner that night at Ritchies, where Scott and Natalie joined us.  We all had a fun night chatting and watching the kids run around and interact.  Lots of laughs.

We also took a huge family picture, but I haven't seen it yet.

 The next morning, we went with Ryan and Karen to a bounce house.  These places are so gross but the kids loved it.  We said goodbye to R&K from there.  So nice to see them before their move to the tri-cities area.

We hit the outlets for an hour on the way home and then caught the second half of a soccer game with Logan and Parker.  Their team was unbelievable and the game was wildly entertaining.  It was also freezing, so we came back to Angela's and had hot cocoa.

 Tuesday, we went to Provo to see Grandma and Grandpa Richards.  I love this woman so much.  She has major memory loss right now and I don't think she knew who I was for a good portion of the visit.  She remembered me from when I was young, and kept talking about my piano abilities and playing duets with me.  That happened when I was about 14.  She knew there was something unique about my kids and rediscovered that Zachary was adopted 6 or 7 times during our talk.  It was hard to see but also so sweet to see my very sharp (wit and knowledge, not unkindness) grandmother so vulnerable.  When we said goodbye, she cried and cried.  I wondered if I would see her again and Brady and I were both pretty emotional leaving her home.

 Grandpa is bed ridden but in the best mood I've seen him in for the past 10 years.  He's lost 100 pounds this past year.  He's not well, either, but we loved our visit with him as he teased and laughed.  I'm including this picture even though my head looks gigantic.

 That night, Mom and Dad made homemade pizza.  Mom is gluten-free and I think she is a saint for making food she can't eat.

 We introduced Owen to rice cereal while we were there.  It was a little anti-climatic because he didn't react and gag as much as Zachary or Kate.

By the end of the trip, we were ready to be back in Kauai almost entirely because we couldn't wait to get baby O back to his sleeping schedule.  Now that he's sleeping like a champ again, I'm able to look at this trip a little more fondly.  Hehe.  We LOVED our time with family and friends, and like all trips, it seems so worth the hassles to have these memories stacked up forever.  We felt so much love from everyone and we look forward to our next trip!

For the record, here's our top 3s.

Zachary:

1.  Playing in the snow in Colorado
2.  Goblin Valley
3.  Grandma and Grandpa's house with cousins (he couldn't decide which was better--the reunion house in CO or in Heber)

Kate:

1.  Goblin Valley
2.  Rachel and Ellie
3.  Playing in the snow in Colorado

Me:

1.  Southern Utah
2.  The drama-free Nufer reunion in CO
3.  Workouts with Kristen, Ang, Brady and my brothers

Brady:

1.  Goblin Valley/Delicate Arch with lunch at the hotel in Southern Utah
2.  Eating at Tsunami
3.  Kids playing in snow in CO