Here it is

Here's the ring that Janda gave me- it's absolutely beautiful and just what I wanted!

My Birthday

Yesterday was my 30th birthday and it was a pretty good day overall. It started out shopping with my mom and my niece Emma. I was looking for wedding stuff, so we hit the craft store and I carried Emma around in a baby backpack. I don't know why, but I've always wanted to do that and it sure was fun. Emma is getting so big now (6 months this week) and she was grabbing everything in the store and holing onto things for me. Then my mom and I split some Japanese food for lunch and headed home.

Then I went to the track to do my workout and it was actually good considering the weather conditions. Even though I got a bit wet, it was nice to have the track all to myself and not have to dodge little kids and slow-moving elderly people.

In the evening Janda and I went to Su Chang's for dinner and had a great meal. Wonton soup, moo shu chicken, General Gau's and vegetable fried rice, delicious! Then we came home to watch the Tour de France and Janda gave me a card and my gift, a beautiful engagement ring that was too big b/c I insisted that I was a 5.5, not a 5. Oops, Janda was right! So, picture to follow when the 5 arrives. It was beautiful and exactly what I wanted!

The Tour was very exciting last night, with Lance getting dropped and then roaring back up to the chase group. I know that he is facing extremely tough odds right now, but I do wish that he can pull it out! If he can get back in shape after 3 years away from competitive, top-level cycling, then I can surely get in shape after 3 months away from the track!

Emma at the beach

Lisa and Emma took a walk down to the beach with Janda and me this weekend. Sadly, Emma was not in the mood for the beach and didn't last long!

All dressed up for the beach

Baby and Mommy

Starting to cry!

Pow wow Triathlon

Another weekend, another triathlon. Luckily this time the weather was nice so everybody could enjoy the day. We headed up to Amesbury yesterday to do a local sprint race and had a nice morning outside at a little beach- first time at a beach all summer for me!

Waiting for the start

Janda did an awesome job on the swim, he was 4th out of the water in his wave and 5th overall! He's definitely made some big improvements this year with his new swim group.

Coming out of the water

Heading out on the bike

He was a little bit further back on the bike than usual (although he was still 2nd fastest behind Dean) and then had a good run, as always. Dean took the win this time, with Janda about a minute behind.

Going out on the run

Afterwards we hung out at the little beach, had some lunch and then Janda rode home while I went grovery shopping. If you've ever been to Market Basket on a weekend, you know that Janda had the easier task!

The 4th

We went to the Lanesville 4th of July celebration with our friends Julie and Beth last night. There was a crazy parade and a bonfire and a cookout in between. If you know me, you know that I love a good roaring fire, so it was a great time.

The crowd watching the bonfire

The fire roaring

The glow on the boats in the water

The firepit

Cool profile of Beth in the firepit