Half Marathoners

Last spring when Brian and I started a "Couch to 5K" running program with the Birmingham Track Club, I'm not sure I really believed I could finish a 5K, but last weekend we ran our first half marathon! After deciding to officially train in September, we put in many long hours on road, wore out 4 pairs of tennis shoes, and suffered through our fair share of aches and pains, but WE DID IT! We finished the Mercedes Half Marathon in Birmingham with a time of 2:21:01. It's time for a little break and some cross training, but we're definintely setting our sights on a repeat performance later this year.

Wedding Planning

With Anne's Mom as well as my parents in town, we spent the entire weekend doing wedding planning things. It was really fun, and actually quite productive. Of greatest note is that Anne bought her Wedding Dress! Unfortunately I don't get to see it. Well, not until October at least. I'm thinking it will be well worth the wait!

Congratulations!

To Anne for passing her qualifying exam! For the non-scientists out there, the qualifying exam is a grueling rite-of-passage for every PhD candidate where they display their knowledge about their research, and prove that they can think on their own two feet. There are two parts: a long paper that essentially outlines everything she wants to do for her thesis, and an oral exam where she discusses that paper with the group of faculty who determine when she graduates. Anne of course passed with flying colors, and is now officially a candidate for the PhD degree!

Whirlwind Holiday

While I headed to Iowa to celebrate the holidays with my dad, Lenny, Kate, and the step-bros, Brian took off for Mobile with Bentley to see his family. After Christmas, we regrouped in Birmingham for a day then caught a flight to Denver to spend a week with my mom, Marto, Kate, Gina and Ray in Winterpark, CO.

We skiied...

We sledded...

We snowshoed...

and rang in the New Year...

before heading home!

Welcome to our blog

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to do a better job staying in touch with everyone. In an effort to make this happen, Brian and I have started this blog to keep you up-to-date on the happenings of our lives.