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On Sunday, August 23nd, Mike tackled the Lake Norman YMCA Triathlon. It was a 750 meter swim, followed by a 15 mile bike, followed by a 5k run. This, from a man that had surgery on his lower back in 2002, surgery on his left elbow in 2007, and a double surgery on his right elbow in 2008. This man cannot be stopped! I (we) are so very proud of him!
Mike and our friend Scott, gearing up for the big event (~ 6am). 
Out for a quick warm up before the swim. 
Quick dip before the heats were announced. 
Chit-chatting before the start. Was glad to see Mike smiling! 
And they're off (~7am)!
Mike's childhood friend, Patrick, joined me to cheer Mike on. Love his sign! We waited behind this wall of flags for Mike to come out of the water. 
After Mike finished swimming, he had to run quite a distance to get to the transition area (to get ready to bike). I ran next to him and cheered him on. 
Next stop: biking! Mike had to dry off his feat, put on his socks and clip-in bike shoes, and helmet. He decided to ride shirtless, because he had such a hard time getting his shirt on during the New Bern triathlon. 
Last leg: the run! Mike had to drop off his bike in the transition area and change shoes from his clip-ins to his running shoes. He also took off his helmet and grabbed a shirt. Mike is a self-professed "non-runner" so this was the hardest part for him. Just knowing this made me even more proud when I saw him start this part of the race. A 3-mile run on its own is not something that he ever looks forward to....and for him to do it AFTER a swim and a bike....amazing. 
Sound the trumpets! Mike crossed the finish line STRONG and came in under a goal time that he'd set for himself. HUGE, HUGE congratulations were in order! (~ 8:35am)
Aunt Dana and Uncle Brad watched the boys while I cheered on Mike. They were huge sports -- arriving at our house at 5am so that we could drive up to Lake Norman. They even helped the boys make signs (love the 1st 2 that Miles made....how cute are they?!) Thanks so much, Dana & Brad! We love you!
What a race! The energy at this event was amazing! I'm so excited for Mike for all that he accomplished and more excited than before about doing one myself. Wahoo!
On Saturday, we took one of our last family trips to the pool for the summer, so I made sure to bring my camera along. We met Jonathan, Ella and Jack and the kids had so much fun. Back in our single/Miles & Ella baby days, we all lived on the same street. Figures that now that the kiddos are older and LOVE being together we live 25 minute apart. Maybe later in life we'll be neighbors again....one can dream, right?Miles (6), Ella (5), Noah and Jack (4), Griffin (2)
Every time I get my camera out, Griffin gets excited, charges toward me, and says, "Me see it, mommy!" I often get 'partial facial shots' like this first one. 
Donning their green necklaces (that indicate they've passed a big swim test), Miles and Ella spent a ton of time on the water slides. They also stomped around the different spray grounds. 
Noah and Jack. Man, these two are best buds if I've ever seen any. The instant they see each other they get (extra) silly, they start telling 4-year-old boy jokes, and they make (mostly) innocent mischief with each other. I love it. 
And, as usual, the kids got some very fun dad-time. While Mike swam Griffin around, Jonathan dove/threw/dunked the other 4 kiddos. Everybody loved it. 
Here are a couple of little videos from the pool. Ella is in the 1st one, Miles the 2nd. Ignore the horrid color. My custom white balance was still set for my kitchen lighting from the night before. It took me several videos/pictures to remember to readjust it.
Our sitter snapped this picture of us just before we left for our date night at the The Melting Pot last week. I hadn't been there in 10+ years (since the weekend that I first met Mike's mom). It was slow-paced, the perfect spot to just settle in and talk. And, of course, it was very yummy. I'm craving fondue just thinking about it.
On Friday night, I attended (worked) a silent auction to benefit our neighborhood pool. My neighbor, Shawne, & I co-chaired the event and have been working like crazy people over the past month to pull everything together. My dining room turned into a warehouse of auction items several weeks ago and I have been diligently keeping the toys hidden so that they boys wouldn't tear into them. But, as I was loading up the car on Friday afternoon, Miles spotted a matchbox carrying case (exactly the way an eagle spots its prey). He started asking me a million questions about it and I described the auction and its purpose. He pleaded with me to "please, please bid it!" and I told him that I would -- but that I couldn't guarantee that I'd win it. He then RAN to find his wallet and his bank. He emptied both (full of change) and said, "here, mom. You can use this when you're bidding." He then persuaded Noah to donate his funds as well. That item turned out to be a hot one at the auction....but, rest assured, armed with my ziploc bag full of change (ok, and my checkbook), I was the winner at the end of the night.
The boys were SO excited to play with it in the morning (it came stocked with 24 matchbox cars) and at least one boy has been playing with since. 
As a way to amp up some fun at the auction, we coordinated with an auction vendor in GA to send us some celebrity items (we buy them only if they sell and the money we make comes from anything earned above the products "base price"). We sold a few, but have a bunch to send back later this week. In the meantime, if you are interested in any of these items, we'll sell them to you at the base price (we wouldn't make any $ on them, but could save $ since we wouldn't have to ship them back). There is a list below of what is left. Maybe a fun Christmas present for someone on your list? :)
(the colors in this photo are really cool. and, doesn't michael jordan look like a rock star with his cigar? it was taken at the 2007 wachovia championship in charlotte)Here are the base prices of what's left (I've included the "value" given to us. I'm sure its slightly inflated, but who knows :).
TIGER WOODS & MICHAEL JORDAN UNSIGNED framed photo in 16X20 $175 (value = $350)
JAKE DELHOMME Carolina Panthers QB SIGNED framed photo in 11X14 $100 (value = $250)
ALGE CRUMPLER Carolina Panthers RECEIVER SIGNED FOOTBALL $110 (value = $285)
KYLE BUSH SIGNED #18 1:24 M&M's CAR $135 (value = $325)
TONY STEWART Old Spice # 14 1:24 SIGNED CAR $135 (value = $325)
DALE EARNHARDT JR. SIGNED #88 NATIONAL GUARD HAT $80 (value = $200)
JIMMIE JOHNSON 3x NASCAR CHAMPION Lowe's SIGNED HAT $80 (value = $200)
TAYLOR SWIFT SIGNED/FRAMED CD/PHOTO 11X14 $105 (value = $250)
PS While I was taking the above picture, Griffin sneaked into Mike's office (directly across from the dining room), opened the top desk drawer, grabbed a pack of gum, and began opening and chewing. This little guy is a fiend when it comes to gum. He knows exactly where its kept in our junk drawers and he loves it. Mike mentioned a few days ago that it might be a good potty training treat for Griffin (when we get there) since we (obviously) never let him chew it. We do find it funny that Miles (and Noah) have yet to chew gum, and Griffin (the young, rebellious one?) apparently has plenty of experience.
The little guy and the big guy....
Miles spent 5 days in New Bern, then we spent the weekend in Apex, then Noah spent 6 days in New Bern. We've also spent time at camp, at the beach, in Summerville, and in Florida. Its been great and has passed in a FLASH.
Miles starts 1st grade two weeks from today. WOW.
Last year Noah and Griffin attended 2 different preschools (yep, I had 3 boys in 3 different schools). But, after spending a fun week at vacation bible school this summer, I've decided to transfer Noah and Griffin to that nearby church's preschool program. They start after Labor Day with Noah is signed up for 5 days a week (though I can see him staying home on many Fridays) and Griffin is signed up for Tuesdays and Thursdays. As a bonus, Griffin's favorite friends from his preschool class at Forest Hill happen to be enrolled in the same class at this new school. I'm telling you, it was meant to be. 
Hard to believe the school countdown is on! I think we'll all welcome the structure (and cooler temps!) that the school year brings, but until then, consider us grounded in Charlotte....and footloose and fancy-free.
While Noah was in New Bern, Miles spent his mornings at martial arts camp with our neighbor, Will. It was based on Jeet Kune Do, and they learned boxing, kick-boxing, wrestling, and grappling moves. Both boys loved it!
On the last day, they had a little tournament combining all of the moves that they'd learned and Miles came in 3rd! I was very proud of him (and he of himself), especially considering that the kids that came in 1st and 2nd are students at the school already (and older, I think). 
Miles has a new-found passion for martial arts now and keeps telling us that he wants to earn his black belt. I've heard that the classes are much different than camp (more structured, focused, etc..), so we'll see what he thinks of a class. Would be fun if he continues to enjoy it, though!
Mike did martial arts for a few years when he was younger and Mike's sister, Shannon, earned a black belt as an adult (doesn't she look impressive?! Makes me want to give it a try.) Maybe we'll find out that it runs through the Brown family blood. If so, look-out Noah & Griffin....Miles may soon have some new moves to try out!
