January Race: The Copper Run 10K

For those that actually cared to read what my resolutions were.....I have started. Today I ran my race for January. I found this small little race in Copperopolis for today that I ran with my friend Vicky L. For those wondering where this is......well let's just say they even know it is unheard of. During the race I passed a car with the bummer sticker "Where the hell is Copperopolis" It was a nice laugh and much needed at mile 5. Just for reference it is in the footHILLS near Angels Camp.

We were a little worried as we were driving out there if the town existed and if indeed there was a race. When we saw the sign we knew the answer to our first question was answered.

So now we drove with a little more confidence. We even saw a sign that said "Copper Run" on it, so know we knew the race was legit.

When I saw this was a small race, it was small. I think there were 2 people handling registration and one lady that would tell everyone the course when the asked what it was. While she was explaining it to Vicky and I we got a little worried. We asked if the course was hilly she laughed. She said yes indeed and you will probably we cursing my name when you get to the hill after mile 3. She was right. This course was brutal. I honestly do not think there was one point int he 6.1 miles that was flat in the least bit. But still we had a great time and both came in with times to be proud of.

Sorry for the lack of pictures on this race but it was just us two so pictures were a little harder to get. We are looking forward to our race in February and welcome any and all to join us on this 12 month journey.


Did I mention that every time there was a turn in the race there was a fireman standing there to guide you....talk about motivation!!!

Tahoe Trip with Friends

We are back....six days in Tahoe and we had a blast. The kids and I went to South Lake Tahoe with two other fellow law enforcement families from Tracy, the Gilkerson's and Eno's. Thankfully we had a great ride up there thanks to Shannen letting us use their suburban to haul the kids and all the loot.

This is just the beginning of all the stuff that got loaded into my car. I still had my boots to add in and the BOB. I wish I would have gotten a picture of how much food we brought up there. Between myself Lori and Shannen we had 3 giant coolers, 5 Rubbermaid bins, a laundry basket and 2 Costco bags filled with food. Believe it or not we actually almost ate it all and made only a few trips to the store.

The cabin was great and had plenty of room for all of us. The weather could not have been better for all the ice skating, sledding in the backyard, playing in the hot tub, skiing and going snow tubing. A few of us were even able to sneak off to the casino one night. I got a ton of pictures and tried to capture all the fun we had. So brace yourself this is a long one.....

I like to call him Bryan's Mini Me

Dani was very excited to have her Camp Rock sunglasses to go with her diva look!

Bubba and Zach were nice enough to take Chris out on the ice for a little skating.

Don't be fooled, he was only smiling for a little while.

Chris would have sledded in the backyard all day if we let him

Me and my babies for a rare family picture

Dani would have been much happier if she was able to ski, but the whole potty training thing did not make it possible to do a lesson.

Maybe later this season we will get out on the slopes

"Mom take a picture of me jumping"

super jump!

Ready to head down the hill

Looking good Chris

I think lack of effort in stopping might run in the genes. I seem to recall that as a kid I did not really have any interest in stopping either.

Alright mom watch me rock the slope

Chris had a great lesson with his instructor and is starting to really pick up on skiing. Hopefully we will be able to get him in a few more lessons this season.

The kids had a blast playing Rock Band. I think Dani is going for a stripe theme, you think?

This girl knows how to work a crowd!

Dani loved having Tori paint her nails

Me and my girl

I think she may be up to something

Chris was eager to teach Dani how to make snowballs

Dani became a pro by the end of the day

Great shot of Dani (courtesy of Shannen).....she watch the kids one day so I could have a break and hit the slopes.

Dani was ready to rock the snow tube

Dani and mom full speed ahead

Chris was lucky enough to ride down with Zach.....

......and then Keith.

Dani just liked to watch and eat snow.....again, just like her mom!

Dani was so excited to have Krystn help her paint the little princess

Her buddy Ireland was nice enough to let her eat dinner with her.

Dani caught in the act with her corn

I think this picture sums up how we all felt at the end of the trip!

We had such a great time and are so grateful for such great friends. Hopefully next year Bryan will be able to join us. Thank you thank you thank you to Lori and Shannen for all the help with the kiddos this week!

Vacation Bound

This will be a true vacation for me....the computer is staying at home. Actually it is in dire need of being rebuilt so this was a perfect time to let the IT team at work do that. Plus I think I need a week where I can truly relax.

I am heading to South Lake Tahoe with the kids and two other families for a week in the snowand skiing . Unfortunately due to to poor staffing Bryan has to stay at home, we will miss him :( I am sure that I will have plenty of posts and pictures when I get ome though.

So have a good week and I will see you all next week!

Tilden Park with the kiddos

The other day Bryan went to the shooting range with a friend of ours so it was adventure time with the kids. I had errands to run in Berkeley and decided to take them to Tilden Park after that. It was so fun being up there and seeing the kids ride on the carousel that my sister and I used to ride when we were kids. We rode, ate popcorn and hiked around; the kids had a blast. A return trip will be in order on a weekend to take them on the steam train.

Roaring like a lion on the horse!

She thought she was such a big girl riding all by herself!

By his third time around he was having fun doing some tricks!

Time for a little popcorn after all the riding

Dani thought she was so sneaky stealing a sip of my diet coke!