Summer feels like it is going, going....

...gone!

With one month until the kindergarten open house at school where I get to meet my new group of kiddos - it seems like the time is going to go quickly!

Quick update on what the Slagh's have been up to...

**Grad school has kicked into full gear for Ryan, while my studies have started to wind down. My weekly class was fun though, and I couldn't have done it (or actually enjoyed it a little bit), if it hadn't been for my carpooling buddy, Jana. One more class on Thursday, and I have a break until September!

**Softball, softball, softball. Between games on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, and weekend tournaments, softball has been a huge part of our lives this summer. Ryan's tournament team played Bay City last weekend (ASA state championships), Jackson this coming weekend (NSA state championships), and another couple in August/September. Go, go, go!

**Riding, riding, running, riding, swimming. I have a new found joy of riding solo this summer. The past few weeks have had a lot of solo early morning or early afternoon rides, and I continue to LOVE my bicycle. Of course group rides and rides with Ryan or my dad and/or my uncle have been a blast, too. Running has taken more of a backseat...early morning jogs before the sun is completely up has been my preference so far...and I am still waiting for washed out roads to be fixed so I can return to my regular running route! The lake swim got me back in the water more regularly...I WISH I had an outdoor pool I could train in...that would be wonderful...

**I have read FOUR books this summer! Next one - Schools of Fish - about applying the "Fish" Philosophy to teaching - enjoying it so far!
**FRUIT. Overdosing on fruit is a common occurrence every day. Check out the size of these raspberries!

**UP NORTH. Next scheduled trip to Charlevoix - August 7th. Can't wait.

**New addition. If you made it this far, you may learn something new. Ryan and I heard a little heartbeat today - 164 bpm - There is going to be a new Slagh in the family next February!! We are THRILLED and pray that everything continues to go really, really well. Naps are my favorite thing right now, along with anything salty. This is the picture we gave our parents/grandparents in a baby frame to tell them the news. :-)

Next summer I may look at this post and wonder when I had time to do long rides during the day, or read any book at all. :-) But we still can't wait. :-)

Goguac Lake Swim 2009

For the first time in almost ten years, I decided to sign up and swim the Goguac Lake Swim in Battle Creek. The fun part this time is that my dad, myself, AND my mem, swam in it! The morning was cool, but it didn't rain, so we were all pretty happy campers. It was fun to see a lot of familiar faces from B.C., and the fact that it wasn't a full triathlon made it a little more of a relaxing event. Here are a few pictures of pre-race prep, the 1 mile swim, and post race fun!
Haley, me, Denise and Monica...hanging out on the beachLook at these cute people...mom and dad in matching sweat outfits to stay warm on a cool morning. :-)


Go mem!!Crossing the finish line...go, go, go!

Mem, dad, me, and Ryan...post race smiles :-)



















Ryan - the holder of our stuff while we swam... :-)















Showing off the guns, and their numbers before a post-race lunch... :-)

Fourth of July!!

A week ago, Ryan and I were finishing up a fantastic weekend up north for the 4th of July!

We took off on Thursday, right after my grad class (or maybe a little before it finished..hehe). Ryan picked me up in Grand Rapids, and off we went!

We had quite the crew up north! There were ten of us staying at the cottage (2 in a tent), and it was a cozy, busy weekend. It was my grandparents, mem, dad, Jeff, Jen (Jeff's girl), Ryan, me, Scott, and grandma Betty!

We got to do most of my favorite things...boat ride to Bay Harbor with a 82.5mph ride on Lake Michigan, bike rides every day, dinner at Red Mesa Grill, puzzle making, swimming, grilling out, 3 mile walk (although I didn't find any golf balls), walk up Avalanche mountain, reading, and of course, napping. :-)

We also had a LOT of fun seeing close family friends that we go WAY back with (to the days in Pennsylvania), the Peters family. Their family has grown and it was so much fun to spend the afternoon with them!

Here are some pictures of the weekend!Top of Avalanche Mountain - looking down on Lake Charlevoix/Boyne City

Jeffrey Daniel...

Mem and dad...still loving on each other... :-)

Getting ready to go on our 3 mile walk...

Jeff and Ryan taking dews for hydration... :-)

The Peters and the Parkers :-) FUN group!!


Check out these festive people!!

Happy 4th of July!!