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    Archive for May 2008

    Memorial Day Weekend

    Tuesday, May 27, 2008

    It was a glorious weekend for Familie Schmitt for so many reasons. Most importantly, it was a long weekend and we were able to spend it at home relaxing, doing things around the house and seeing friends.

    The main event of the weekend was the Med City Marathon, which neither of us actually ran. Rather, we parked ourselves right along the race route on a curb with an inspirational sign, sidewalk chalk messages and a carefully prepared cd of peppy songs all to give the runners a boost at around mile 10. Since we both know how important spectators are, we really wanted to make a point to be there for the runners. This race doesn't typically have much spectator support, so we stayed in our spot and cheered every single runner that ran by from the leader to the back of the pack (or as I like to call them - "my people"). After the race, on Sunday, we went over to Peg and Wally's, the former race directors', for a post-race party. Benjamin was the only young child there, but everyone was great with him and he had such a good time. The backyard of their house goes up on a major incline to a pretty big hill and Benjamin occupied himself by repeatedly running up and down it. You can see how hillarious this was in the video. The guy running with him is Rob, a REALLY talented runner and tri-athlete - - Benjamin wore him out!!

    We also were able to lounge around our backyard in the beautiful weather with our neighbors, Katie, Jason and Ethan, for a while on Monday. The boys had a great time running between our yards, playing with their toys and outdoor equipment. When the sun started to go down, we moved over to their house for some chicken kabobs and dessert. The two boys played some more and gave us a surprise performance on the sax and trumpet!

    We might be crazy, but we have been happily waking up early on weekday mornings since last Wednesday to the sounds of hammers and saws. Our new siding is being installed on the house and it is looking fantastic! They are already done with the garage and the front of the house. It is going to be awesome to have this project done. After its completion, the plan is to move onto the landscaping in the back of the house and a small bit in the front, which have been neglected for years. The house should be in tip top shape just in time for the first snowfall sometime in 5 months!

    I can *drive* 13.1 miles!

    Tuesday, May 20, 2008

    Familie Schmitt

    It was a running weekend for Familie Schmitt. Friday night, Mike, Jessica and Benjamin all ran in the Stay Out of the Sun Run in Rochester. Jessica and Benjamin walked the 5k and Mike put his efforts into placing second in his age group amongst the 10k runners. It was a nice night for a run!

    The following morning we packed up the family truckster and set our bearings on Green Bay. We met up with The Andrew's family, Andy and Jennifer and Dan and Katie. They (a.k.a Team Schmitt) have been training since February to run their very first half Marathon. That afternoon we had lunch and headed out to Lambeau Field for packet pickup and the marathon expo. First time runners not only received participant t-shirts...they also received special first timer runner t-shirts (quite nice perk from the run organizers). Saturday night's race dinner was held at Fratello's Restaurant. Everyone was able to get exactly what they wanted and fill their tanks for the race.

    Early Sunday morning Team Schmitt arose early to catch the shuttle to the starting line. The rest of us put our collective minds together on determining the best places see Team Schmitt on the course. The size of marathon and the fact that it is run within the city limits of Green Bay gave us nearly perfect conditions to meet the runners four times including one time inside Lambeau Field. Everyone was able to touch the tundra and cross the finish line happy with their times. Every member of Team Schmitt achieved a personal best! They achieved a feat that less than .17 percent of the U.S. population has ever done! Everyone is very proud!
    All 4 1/2 Marathon runners!!

    They spent the rest of the day gingerly walking about and soaking their tired muscles in the water park at the hotel.

    Monday we all slept in - went to breakfast and decided to spend a bit of time partaking in a wonderful Wisconsin tradition - a brewery tour! The staff at The Point brewery in Steven's Point Wisconsin set up a special tour for Familie Schmitt.

    Point Brewery

    We spent a lot of time walking around the facility looking at all the bottling equipment and learning all there was to know about the 151 year old brewery. All that running/walking also made us thirsty so we spent a bit of time in the "Friendship Room" sampling their wares ;-)

    All in all we had a fabulous weekend and look to the gun at the next starting line!

    The circus was in town...

    Thursday, May 08, 2008


    Elephant at the circus
    Originally uploaded by Familie Schmitt
    We left work/daycare a little early on Tuesday afternoon to take Benjamin to his first circus. He was pretty impressed, his favorite parts were "the horsies and the ONE elephant."

    I have to honestly say though that this circus was pathetic! Maybe they all are, who knows. My Mom tells me that the circus that I went to as a child was certainly the same way, but somehow I remember it as being spectacular! In looking through photos online of the same circus group (George Carden Int'l Circus), I see that we missed out on quite a few acts that they didn't feature in the Rochester show. Just to give you an idea of how pathetic it was: there was only ONE clown - and he didn't even have on a colorful wig!! Sad, sad, sad.

    Tuesday, May 06, 2008

    This Sunday we celebrated our neighbor Sophia's fourth birthday at a lovely party in their backyard. The theme for the party was "strawberries" and Sophia's mom, Tammy, did an awesome job putting together all of the details. Even the balloons looked like strawberries!! I used my cake decorating skills to make royal icing strawberries for the tops of the cupcakes and the turned out pretty good. Benjamin had a blast playing with all of his friends and even trying his hand at hitting a pinata. I've added some pictures and videos at our flickr site.

    Touch the Tundra

    If anyone is interested in following those of us who are running the Green Bay Half Marathon, you can sign up for text and email alerts here. Our bib numbers are as follows:

    • Jessica - 3131
    • Jennifer - 3338
    • Dan - 5605
    • Katie - 5471

    Wish us luck!!!!

    2 weeks to the big dance

    Sunday, May 04, 2008

    We made it out to run the Spring Classic 15k in the yucky cold weather yesterday. It was the final big run for Jessica before tackling 13.1 miles in Green Bay. Despite the wind gusts of 25 mph and temperatures of 37 degrees she had a great run and feels quite prepared for the event. Mike also ran the race albeit quite slow. I'm still recovering from Boston and trying to work through a cold. Benjamin had a fun time playing with Ethan next door while we ran. It was a great beginning of a great weekend for all of us!