Christina and Peters' Wedding

Esther and I traveled to Philadelphia last weekend for Christina and Peters' wedding. Christina lived on the top floor of the DC house that Esther and I shared and we've stayed in touch over the years. We were there when she and Peter started dating, so you can say we've seen it from the beginning. It was at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, specifically the Children's museum. They are really sweet kids at heart, and managed to put together the classiest, yet most kid like wedding I've ever seen. They were engaged on the carousel at Disneyland, and married in front of a carousel in the museum, then took it for a ride, before all the guests joined in. The reception was in this grand room in the museum with cocktail tables set up that had games at each table. We chose Jenga. There were play cars, buses, etc. so you'll see some very random/hilarious photos that don't normally come from weddings. Needless to say we had a blast as did the happy couple. (I accidentally posted them in the reverse order, just FYI).

The Bride tries for a steady Jenga hand

I serve up some plastic food to people as they wait in line at the buffet

The bride and groom have their first dance in front of a recreation of the Statue of Liberty's torch

Saying vows in front of the carousel

There's really no explanation for this one...

Haha, just kidding

Esther was saying how beautiful all the lights on the Carousel were and how perfect everyone looked riding it, so I had to throw a wrench in the mix with this decidely un-beautiful face

Remember Ivy? She lived in the DC house too and took Becky's spot in the triathlon when Gavin was on the way. That was her first race and she recently completed a half-Ironman!!

Esther's boyfriend, Yang, had lunch with Esther and I in Chinatown, NY before we caught the bus to Philly. I don't remember why we're making those faces....goofing around I'm sure.

Halloween and Esther's Birthday

Emily, Caleb and Rachel (with Leslie in the back) Queens Halloween night.


Kavita, Priya, Me (as Maria Sharapova) and Esther in our apartment before heading down to the Halloween parade.


Esther and I on her birthday. She's wearing the present I gave her - it says "Everyone Loves an Ohio Girl." I figured if I'm going to wear a Cambodian T-Shirt, she can wear this one.

Esther and I singing Karaoke in a pre-birthday celebration.

Gavin and Graham

I went down to DC last weekend and so much fun with my cute little nephews and of course Jamie and Becky too. We went to the playground, to a farm (that's Gavin playing in the cornbox at the farm above), and played Wii. Gavin is talking so much and has such funny and clever things to say. He is such a sweetheart and full of hugs and kisses for his Aunt Haha. Graham is such a good little baby! He's getting bigger and bigger and never takes his eyes off of his big brother. I can't wait to see them again soon!

Farm

Kate, Jenny, and Kate Billman and I went to a farm last Saturday to hang out with some goats and enjoy some apple treats. It was great to get out of the city for a day and wow, the grilled sweet corn and apple babies were delicious! The city certainly does not have it all.

This is Kate and I after we FINALLY found our way out of the Corn Maze, or Maize Maze as they like to call it. It was deceptively difficult and hot out, so it is not to be looked down upon that we had to cheat to get out. We would have gone mad in there! Who makes a Maize Maze so difficult?!

Yeah, really happy, so they got out half an hour before us. Big deal.

Why is this sheep giving me the evil eye?


Kate being adorable as always.

Colorado Relay

Jillian and I in Frisco just before she sets out on her second run.

I just got back from Denver, Colorado where I completed a 174 mile relay race with a team of 9 other runners. We were a mix of coworkers, friends, strangers, boys and girls, and all had an awesome time running from Georgetown to Carbondale in 28 hours and 26 minutes. We each ran three legs of around 18 miles each starting at 5:30 am Friday morning and ending Saturday at 10:15 am. I ended up doing 22 miles - my longest distance yet. The scenery was gorgeous and everyone did so well. We're already planning to do it again next year!!

The team heading to the van after my last run. That's Jillian and the pink and me in the orange in the foreground.


At the end of my last run. It was five miles on a cattle road through a valley. The mountains were incredible, and made me forget about all the brutal hills I was running up!

Getting ready for my second leg of 11 miles along Highway 6. I started at 12:46 am after two hours sleep in the back of the van. I'm all decked out in reflective gear, waterbottles, and my headlamp. It was just me, the mountains, the stars and a dark, dark road.

Just about finished with my first leg of 6 miles. This one was at 10,000 feet! My lungs hurt for the first mile, but then it was okay and I ran a great time of 9 minute splits!


The team split up into two vans - runners 1-5 and 6-10 plus the two drivers. This was my van going left to right in the back: Tara, Paul, Alisa, Les, Me and Reid in the front.

Me on my first run with lungs about to burst!

Melanie Visits!

My good friend Melanie came for a visit from Seattle last weekend! We went out to Coney Island for the day and had a blast playing carnival games (as seen above, she had just set the buzzer off, but was so close to winning a creepy James Brown doll - too bad), riding roller coasters, getting (fake) tattoos, and eating lots of delicious fair food. It was an amazing day and of course so good to see her!!




Ales training for the annual Coney Island Hot Dog Eating contest - he had four hot dogs, complete with chili, cheese, onions and sauerkraut - yum?


Melanie and Carlos on the Wonder Wheel - it was so scary!

Governor's Island

Kate and I took the ferry from Brooklyn out to Governor's Island on Saturday. A long time ago it belonged to the Native Americans before it was bought for a few ax heads by a Dutch guy for his own personal use. The Dutch Government soon put it an end to that and took it over. For a few decades it traded hands between the Dutch and the British, and was eventually used as a Confederate prison during the Civil War. The military used it up until 1960 when it was transferred to the Coast Guard. Officers and other personnel lived there until it was sold to the "people of New York (ie. ME)" in 2003. It's a great spot for views of Southern Manhattan, picnicking, riding bikes, and more. It was a beautiful day for it!