Baby's First Kegger... and a Sugar High.

Well the first week of training is complete! I'm starting from the beginning again in the hopes that:

1. I wont injure myself further.

2. It will make me stronger

3. I wont feel frustrated during this training session.

The first week I relearned some things that I thought I had learned months ago, mostly that I can not run multiple days in a row. Even if they are short runs, I need more recovery time. So I've gone through and created the beginning of a 14 week program. While running is the goal, I'm actually incorporating a lot more cross training days than running days. It will be really interesting to see how I feel during the next half marathon as opposed to my first half with the focus on becoming stronger. If I start to feel really good, I'll also throw in some speed work to set a PR (Personal Record).

Since this post is all about my nephew's birthday sugar high (I saw him tonight... I think he is going through withdrawals...) I should mention that I saw my Naturopath today. We talked a lot about my legs/running issues and also my blood sugar levels... I told him how before the race I started carb loading and that I just never stopped! And I've felt like crap since! I have some symptoms of low blood sugar and my levels are really low. Last time I measured a 48... normal is between 80-100. He had told me before to cut out sugar.... and I might not have listened. So now I am?! He has me taking a vitamin mix called 'megastress' that is supposed to help with the sugar cravings (and maybe my Costco meltdowns?). That would be nice... since I just annihilated half a container of coconut ice cream! Whoops! My sugarless days start tomorrow! Maybe I'll start doing a photo food diary again? Wasn't that fun for everyone? ;)

This weekend I made no effort to curb my sugar consumption! And neither did anyone else!

Siblings!

Someone is funny.

Somebody is turning one and eating GF and Vegan chocolate cupcakes! YUM!

A pizza party! My mom and I shared a GF round one...
Everyone else enjoyed pizza made on La Fiamma pizza crust.
Theirs was better... but ours wasn't half bad!

Baby boogying on the table! A family tradition.
Seriously, doesn't he look like he is about to bust a move?

Tike with a trike!

The card Toon (my oldest brother) and I made!
Our gift to him is the beginnings of a travel fund!
I wish someone would have done that for me!
Who needs college?! ;)

Day two of the celebrating!
The Hungry Caterpillar themed party!

Grandma and Birthday Boy!

The Greats got Callen a six foot tall bear... no joke!

The Greats with the Brothers.

It wouldn't be a Michelson party without home brew!
Baby's First Kegger!

Awesome cake!

He was confused at first...

But got the hang of things!

And had a mini freakout when the big piece was taken from him!

Stinkin' cute family!

This weekend was a lot of fun, sugar, beer and a lot of family!

This week I'm going to try to focus on kicking my chocolate addiction and strength training! Next week I'll think up some less abstract goals for myself! We are half way through the year... maybe it is time to add to the resolutions?

Time Flies.

When you're having fun, when you aren't having fun, but mostly time just flies. On Friday my nephew Callen turned 1 year old. I can't even believe it! It feels like just yesterday we were all at the hospital awaiting his arrival.... and at the same time it feels like he has always been a part of our lives. He is one special little boy that has us all wrapped around his little finger... or most of the time a fistful of my hair wrapped around his fist!

Day 1

Day 365

Estrogen.

Thursday night was my beautiful Auntie Trese's birthday! Since it was such a special birthday we decided to get all the ladies from our family (that could make it) together for dinner. Usually when we have family functions it is at someone's house. Whoever is hosting has a bigillion things to do and all the other ladies are trying to help, while all the men are there chatting, and a gaggle of children are running around usually stealing Katy away. (Ok maybe it isn't that intense... we do get a lot of quality time but not without distractions).

So it was such a fantastic idea to just get the ladies together for dinner at a restaurant! We tried a new-to-me restaurant called Agate Pass Cafe, in of all places... Suquamish. The reviews have been so great for this place that we headed on down. It is right on the waterfront in downtown. Once you get inside it has such a great atmosphere, it is cozy and warm with a modern flare. 

The food was amazing. Everyone loved their entrees. The service was also excellent. The woman who waited on us was extremely welcoming (I think she was also one of the owners). She chatted with us about their Sunday brunch and how the places they have traveled have inspired some of their menu items.

Check out their website: Agate Pass Cafe

Sisters! Sally and Katy

The menu was small but covered all the bases.

Checking out the wine list!

The BIRTHDAY GIRL!

The Ladies!

The food was so good... it was ridiculous.
I haven't been impressed by many of the restaurants around here lately, but this place takes pride in it's food!
My dish was the special of the day: Grilled Neah Bay marbled salmon, chipotle orange bbq sauce over cumin and lime scented rice with Nappa cabbage slaw.
Amazing.
So many different flavors combined perfectly.

Birthday bread pudding!

Birthday girl and her birthday surprise! Rebecca (her daughter) drove up from Portland!

The night was lovely. There were so many different conversations going on all at once. These are some of my absolute favorite ladies. Each of them is so unique and wonderful. After dinner we all just sat around sipping on coffee and tea enjoying the moment, because it just doesn't happen nearly enough!

Happy Birthday Auntie Trese!

Happy Birthday to You.....Cha-Cha-Cha!

Oh what a day! Once again my weekend went by far too quickly! Note to self: Plan a day of reading and tea drinking where you don't move from the pappasan chair... 

Scones for breakfast?! I think I have eaten more breakfast food in the last week than any person should!
Heidi whipped these delicious (and nutritious) blueberry muffins up for us!

Yummy! and filling... I could have had two portions though!

After breakfast we headed up to Port Townsend!
It was windy! But luckily we missed the rain!

Birthday Girl!

The girls checked out the Antiques while the guys checked out the brewery!

Mom and I!

Dinner slash lunch!

Happy Happy Birthday to you!

After a scone for breakfast a salad to start sounded refreshing!
A Hop Diggity IPA from the Port Townsend Brewery also sounded refreshing!

The people in Port Townsend are kinda weird...
But the food was sooooo good!
Falafal on a pita with tahini sauce!

The whole gang!
Dad, Mom, Me, Carly, Callen, Joe, Heidi, Celia and Brian!

Happy Birthday Grandma! 

I may have had a portion too... :)
So full by the end of this meal! Fuller than I've been in a long time!
And the best part was that EVERY bite was worth it.
I worked at least one of those mounds of ice cream off on the eliptical today, I was tempted to run again but I'm not pushing it yet. Only 50 some odd days till the race.

Corner Farmstand in Chimacum.
All local!
It was closed when we went by but I'm hoping to make a special trip up soon!