Why do we live here???

The weather here is just completely out of line. Chris and I ran in an event last weekend called the Get in Gear 10k. Also often referred to as Minnesota's Rite of Spring. Well, our rite of spring this year included temps in the 30's, gusty winds, and snow. Not nice big fluffy flakes, but tiny pelting bullets of snow. I was a little bitter.
Chris had been looking forward to this all year, referring to it as his Super Bowl. I was less fired up, so I was pretty sure we wouldn't finish together. My goal was to start with him and stick with him as long as I could, then let him go on his merry way without me. He started out like a bullet and I gave up on running with him after about a mile and a half. I did end up catching him in the end and we actually finished together. We were head on into the wind for about the last 3/4 of a mile, which I must say, actually helped my time. It was too stinking cold not to go fast and get done! We both ended up with a personal record-- 52:20. All good and well, but this weather needs to change soon!!
There's not much else going on around here. Speaker guys are here today putting some finishing touches on the patio sound system. If it ever warms up, we'll be able to listen to music on the new patio. The lights have arrived, but are not yet installed. We are VERY ready to be enjoying the new space.
Other news is that I started a part time job about two weeks ago. I wasn't looking for work, but an opportunity that I didn't want to refuse fell into my lap. I'm working a few hours a week at a local running store. It's a nice diversion from the family and I couldn't pass up an employee discount on running stuff :)
Jerod starts T-ball and soccer this week. The summer is shaping up to be a busy one, but we can't wait. We are ready to be outside!



Here's Elise, looking like she's getting ready to do some gangsta rap

The mystery of sideburns

The typed version of this story is not going to do it justice, but I'm going to try.

In the bag of goodies that Jerod received for being the mini mascot there was a set of fake sideburns. For those of you that are less Twins obsessed than the Holts, here's the necessary background information. Joe Mauer, hometown hero from St. Paul who now plays for the Twins is notorious for his sideburns. Last year one of the game day promotions was 'first 10,000 fans to the ball park get a set of Mauer sideburns.' They apparently had some leftover, so Jerod ended up with a set.

Today Jerod walked up to me, fake sideburns in hand, and asked, "Does Joe Mauer wear the same sideburns for every game?". For some reason this struck me as hilarious. I explained that men can grow them and that Joe's are made of his very own hair that he had grown.

Jerod replied, looking at the sideburns in his hands, with another question.

"So these are Joe's real hair?," he asked with a look of genuine concern.

I explained that they were fake, just a costume sort of thing. It was definitely a moment of a kid saying (without explicitly stating it), 'grownups must be idiots, what is with fake sideburns??!!'.

I hear you, Jerod!

Will the excitement never end??!!

Jerod chatting it up with one of the Indian pitchers




Probably as close as any of us will get to Justin Morneau

On the field!

On the big screen!


Chasing T.C.

These pictures are from Wednesday's Timberwolves game.

Elise at the Twins game

Some of the Cleveland Indian pitching staff

Getting ready to go onto the field

Turn off the iPod, put your underwear on, and go to bed--You're getting on my nerves!!!

These words actually came out of my mouth last night! I think Jerod had gotten out of bed about five or six times. Chris and I were downstairs watching TV. On one of his earlier ventures down the stairs, he had mentioned to me that he wasn't wearing underwear because, "I want to be like Carter." I'm not sure what that's about, but in this family, we wear underwear!! He did finally find the will power (or necessary exhaustion level) to stay in bed and go to sleep :)
The J-man is definitely in a defiant stage. It's lovely. He seems a little young to be coming to the conclusion that his mother's an idiot (I thought that would be more in the teen years), but here we are. How many minutes until kindergarten starts??!! If I'm not completely annoying him with my stupidity, I'm pushing all the right buttons to turn on his water works. Fabulous.
On a more positive note, he did tell me yesterday how much he likes having me for a mom because I apparently make the best grilled cheese on earth. Must be my secret ingredient... american cheese.
I think we may have finally turned the corner and are headed toward spring. The pool is calling us, so hopefully it will warm up soon!
Tonight we are going to the Timberwolves game. They gave us free tickets because we're such valuable fans. We've been to about three games in eight years, so I don't exactly understand how we can be that valuable, but we'll take free tickets. On Friday evening, we'll be watching the Twins. Jerod has been selected to be one of TC's cubs for the evening. He gets to put on a bear costume and go out on the field with TC. He is SUPER excited, so check back soon for some fun pictures!

Takin' Off My Training Wheels

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Yesterday, Jerod rode his bike for the first time without training wheels! Today, we're due to get 10 inches of snow (or rain, or rainy snow, or ice, or some other crappy deal). 'Tis spring in Minnesota. Groan...

It only took us 20 years!!!

KU secures 2008 NCAA crown, 75-68 in overtime over Memphis

Darrell Arthur helps Kansas win its first title in 20 years. (Getty Images)Are we sure it's actually over? Kansas leads most of the game, then Memphis surges -- only to be undone by a flurry of missed free throws. Mario Chalmers capitalizes, hitting a trey to force OT, where the Jayhawks dominate en route to a 75-68 victory and the national title.

It's way past our bed time and we are HAPPY!!!!! By the way, pretty much ALL the powers that be picked us to LOSE!! Makes it a little sweeter :)

Quite the weekend

We took in the Twins v. Royals game on Saturday afternoon. For the first time ever, we made it through nine innings with kids. There were some ugly moments, but we made it :) The pictures clearly show that cotton candy was the highlight!

We then came home to get the kids fed and put to bed so that we could watch KU in the final four. True confession: we were fully prepared for an evening of disappointment (part of being a KU fan is disappointment in the post season!). We sat and watched the hawks go up 40-12 over North Carolina and stunned is the only word I can use to describe the situation. All I had really hoped for was a good game! NC did make things interesting in the second half, but the Jayhawks prevailed. I wish I were a better person, but it just felt really good to beat Roy Williams :) I guess we should have known he wasn't invincible... Lord knows we lived through our share of disappointment when he was coaching at KU!

Today we went to a free family concert at orchestra hall and out to dinner with some friends. It's safe to say our kids are shot (as are we)! Be sure to scroll down far enough to watch Jerod sing 'Take me out to the ballgame.'