Las Vegas Showdown at Sundown

As a spectator of triathlons, there is a lot of sitting around time. The actual time spent cheering on my athlete is about 30 seconds x 3. That makes for few pictures of Andy, and a lot of pictures of us hanging around. I hope Andy understands!

This past weekend the race was an Ironman 70.3 distance. The weather was beautiful, but pretty windy. The green grass made my mouth water, I had been so hungry for it for so long! Andy's brother, Matt and wife Nicki came to be MY support crew, and saved me from the grueling 6 hour wait. We passed the time feeding kids and criticizing the horribly organized race. (How can you not have water or people at an aide station, seriously!) It was a fun trip, and a good practice race for THE big one coming up. Stay tuned....

This is MY support crew, I honestly couldn't have made it without them. Thanks guys! (Andy probably appreciated it too.)
Can't miss that baby blue anywhere.
Matt helping keep Andy going, good pacers are hard to come by. This is about 68 miles into the race. 3 to go!

Mario Kart 2010

Just another lazy Sunday at the Beardalls. I should be able to say that what started as a 800 meter foot race challenge that turned into a human Mario Kart tournament to the death was unusual for us...but it's not. Not at all. It really was only a matter of time. Who needs a video game, honestly?


The challengers: these three yahoos. Andy the Long of Arm, Fred the Big of Foot, and Cole the Orange of Shirt. The rules: There are no rules. It pretty much was like the game, anything you find in your reach you are able to use to stop your opponents. Some examples used: water buckets, gravel, large blocks of wood, extension cords, shovels, dogs, and of course, banana peels. Pushing, biting, kicking, all allowed. Three grown men on those little rollers was more than hilarious. It's safe to say, the one with the most leg room won...this round. Yeah Cole!
But they weren't to be outdown by the women folk. I'd say all in all, we performed on a much higher level. Plus, Emily plays dirty. It's amazing I'm still alive.
The spectators were having just as much fun!

It didn't take long to progress to this point, coming into full character. If you don't know the Mario crew, then let me introduce you: this is Princess Peach, Bowser and Toad.

Oh the intensity!

Caught up in an extension cord. That was Peach's downfall.

Andy is cheating!!! No feet on the ground!

You know, I suppose I'm supposed to say that this was an unusual day at the Beardall's, but it's not. It's this or paintball wars in the hills (in full costume of course), or mud wrestling pigs in the field (hey, it's been a while since we did that!). Whatever comes next, don't worry, I'm sure I'll blog about it!

Yea, Here Comes Seven!

We have three birthdays all within 30 days of each other at our house, so if the ol' blog here feels a little over birthday-ified, well, it is. But it's worth it. Especially since this time we are celebrating Ella! In preparation for her seventh birthday, Ella shot up three inches over night and lost all capability of eating her birthday cake. (That means she lost her teeth for those of you who don't get my humor.) In a nutshell, she is getting so big!!! As kids you get so sick of hearing that phrase, but as a parent you can't stop saying it.

She had a great day of playing, and partying at the Kangaroo Zoo and having birthday dinner at her favorite, Applebee's. She is such a sweet, sensitive girl and the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. But all that beauty is in front of some of the biggest brains out there, so watch out! My heart is just bursting with how lucky I am that she is mine. I love you Ella Bella!


Figuring out how to work her new kite. It is a March birthday after all.


Max is digging the wrapping paper.


So happy at Applebee's. I think she likes it here because she thinks it's the only place she gets Rootbeer.

There's One More 4 Year Old In The World

It's strange to say this, but it feels like Zoe was three for a long time. That's because, by about 18 months old she could carry on a conversation as well as any three year old and has been trying to constantly keep up with her older sister ever since. But, as much as she has been promising me that she would stay three forever, it has come to an end and my baby girl is now the ripe old age of four. I made the mistake of informing her that she was born at night and "wasn't really 4 yet!" jokingly. She took it in all seriousness and informed everyone, all day long, "It's my birthday, but I'm still three!" That makes for very confused friends and teachers.

I love my little 4 year old so much. She is the sweetest, funniest, smartest little cookie around. The highlight of my day is her goodnight hugs. They are so tight it almost hurts and then she kisses, kisses, kisses until I have to make her stop so she can sleep. I love you this much, Zoe, to the moon and back! Birthday morning, not four quite yet!

Taking candles out of the cake. Trust me, our saliva covered candles are never recycled on other cakes....that I know of.

Cutting into another wonderful culinary creation of mine. She doesn't care, it's pink and that's all that matters.