Baby Girl Belyea

On August 15th we gathered to shower my dear friend Jenna with love and fun gifts in celebration of the arrival of she and Ben's baby girl. It was a perfect morning, great food, wonderful friends, and lot's of laughs! :) Only a few more weeks and we'll be able to meet the little peanut!!

An evening on the Amara

Last week our friends Mike and Laura Howe were in town from Ann Arbor. The Howes and Nichols were kind enough to host an evening boat ride around West Bay. It was a gorgeous night spent with wonderful friends! Cheers!

6th Annual Les Cheneaux Islands Trip-2010

The annual trip has come and gone but it undoubtedly exceeded all expectations. We broke a record for attendance at 22 however we still toasted the Pearsons, Lumbrezers, and Dunns in spirit! We were blessed with great weather and walked away with memories that will last a lifetime! From the group bonfire conversations, to the dance party at the Islander, the team meal preparation, and the constant generosity by all, it was another reminder as to how grateful I am for wonderful friends! Thank you! XOXO





The girls



The guys




Evening waterski session



We boated to the Islander Bar for dinner.








All of the girls out on the dance floor









Ben and Brian heading out for a little evening fishing





Poor Charlie got a lure to the head!




Boating to dinner







A little wake surfing









We found our own little private beach and spent the day playing bocce and relaxing!






We boated everywhere that we went including dinner and to golf.



As always it was an amazing trip!


Already pondering what next year has in store! :)

A Visit from Texas

We had a few very special visitors from Texas come to visit over the last two weeks of July. We spent a majority of their visit in Leland and Traverse City. Time was well spent on the beach, trips to the ice cream shop, numerous great meals, etc. At 29 months, my niece (Quinn) is simply brilliant and such a joy to be around. We only wish that they lived closer!

"30 before 30" Update

I've had several friends and family members ask me how things are going with my list. I've slowly continued to tackle as many of my goals as possible and have felt quite accomplished along way! :)

1.)Complete a half marathon-COMPLETED on May 29,2010 *8:30 miles (Bayshore Marathon)
2.)Serve on a non-profit board of directors-Just completed my first year of a three yr term.
3.)Lector at church-Rehearsed with Father Jerry but have yet to get on the schedule.
4.)Skydive again-Scheduled to Jump with my mom and 2 of my favorites on July 8th over the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City.
5.)Volunteer the same # of hours that I spend shopping each year-I'm recently volunteered with St Jude and the MI Blood Program.
6.)Enjoy as many simple pleasures in life as possible-Searching everyday and have realized that it's pretty easy to do.
7.)Scuba dive once a year-Hope to dive in the GT Bay this summer and then in Mexico next Spring.
8.)Do something for someone else at least once a day-I make a consious effort.
9.)Compete in the Iceman-Signed up to complete in Nov 2010
10.)Try two new recipes every month-I've been trying more dessert recipes and apps than meals but hope to try more entrees soon.
11.)Complete a Triathlon-Signed up to complete on July 18th in Harbor Springs, MI
12.)Ski outside of the US-Scheduled to travel to Austria to ski coach for 10 days in Nov 2010 with Euro Custom!!!!
13.)Race a 10k-Completed this in early May of 2010 in Grand Rapids, MI (River Bank Run) *8:25 miles
14.)Read more-I'm made an valient effort to read more for pleasure vs just readin forwork -The Shack, Women, Work, and The Art of Savior Faire, Gift from the Sea, The Bible, etc.
15.)Ski outwest once a year-Traveled to Summit County to stay with my friends (The Pearsons) with my friend Libby in March 2010.
..... and so on!

I have a few more goals that I hope to fulfill over the next few months. This process has been quite a learning experience as a majority of the above has forced me to challenge myself to go way outside of my comfort zone! Good Luck with everything you set out to do!!! :)

2010 Bayshore Half Marathon

The annual Bayshore Marathon/Half Marathon was held in Traverse City this past weekend/Memorial weekend. It was an exciting weekend as racers traveled from all over the State and Country to compete. Over 6000 runners competed in the run that hugs the beautiful water on East Bay the entire route. The weather was sunny and warm all weekend which added to an already amazing setting. I hosted both a pre and post race party since I live about 100 ft from the finish of the race. It was so exciting to have people stop over and share their stories from the race and enjoy a cold mimosas together!
I set out to finish the half marathon in under 2 hours and 10 minutes (10 minute miles) and completed it in 1 hr and 51 minutes (8.5 minute miles)-I was happy!
Thank you to my Mom, Dad, Ted, Tom, and the other 15 friends or so who came out to support Kate, Ben, Kristin, Jen, and I. It's amazing what a difference it makes seeing a familiar smiling face along the way! xoxo


Pre Race. This photo was taken at about 530am. We had to board a bus at 545am to be hauled 13 miles out on the peninsula to the start. After we got off the bus we had to stand at the start for an hour and a half which felt like 3. If you can imagine 2000 people anxiously standig around or waiting in lines at the Porta-pottys then you get the picture.


A little inspiration in my front yard! :)


Kate and I standing around at the start. It was in the 50's so we were a little chilly.



The route along the water from a distance.



About 100 feet from the finish!!



Ben, Kate and I post race!


Post Race Mimosas at My House

5/3rd River Bank Run

As most of you know, I've taken up a new hobby-running. This hobby will most likely be short lived as my reconstructed knee doesn't agree with it and I'm eager to pursue various other hobbies. The hobby came about as competing in a half marathon is one of 30 items on my "30 before 30 list". Part of the 3 month training program included a 10k race at week 9 of the 12 week program. After a quick google search, I located a 10k race being held just 2.5 hours from Traverse City.
This past weekend (May 8th)my friends Kate, Kristen, and I traveled to Grand Rapids, MI to participate in the annual 5/3rd River Bank Run 10k race (6.2 miles). The race consisted of 18,000 participants competing in the 5k run, 5k walk, 10k run, 25k run as well as a Clydes and Wheel Chair Race. Our 10k had 4500 racers so you can only imagine the congestion downtown and at the start line. We didn't even cross the start line until 2 minutes after the gun due to the number of participants that arrived early and lined up before us. Michigan weather seemed to follow its traditional unexpected seasonal shifts as it was 38 degrees, light rain, and 30-40 mph gusts. Needless to say, the spectators that came out did not look like they were enjoying the experience.
This was my first 10k race so I was very pleased with crossing the finish line and both Kate and Kristen broke their previously recorded times.
I highly recommend this race to anyone who hasn't participated in a large, well organized community race or looks to race in another. It was a wonderful experience!


All three of us (a long with several other friends) will be running the Traverse City Bayshore Half Marathon on Saturday, May 29th. Check back to see how it goes! :)



Pre-race photo taken very early Saturday morning. We were excited but nervous for the race and the nasty weather.



Post Race photo. Wet and cold but we did it!!!