The Sweeneys: February 2013

Eva Brooke's activity table and train set that I bought from a friend. I sure do love finding a deal!

Shopping list: Milk, bread, bath crayons. They are just nearly a staple at our house now

We have a little artist

Her first consistently recognizable drawing- a smily face!

Pictures sent to me by Eva Brooke's teacher at school. EB takes her kitty Gilbert to school EVERY day.

Thanks to Aunt Deb for making Eva Brooke a BEAUTIFUL corduroy dress.

Making Valentine's Day cupcakes with my precious girl.

Happy Valentine's Day, Eva Brooke! A soft pink robe like Mommy's!

And Happy Valentine's Day to me! I woke up to some delicious treats, handmade by my sweetie!

Getting ready for Eva Brooke's FIRST school party ever!

EB just loves her class at school

We also got to party with EB's playgroup friends from church. What sweet, sweet kiddos!

RACE TIME IN BIRMINGHAM!

EB managed to find popcorn at the race expo where we picked up our race packets. It was so cool to take part in such a BIG race. The expo was so well-organized and the after-race Jim 'N Nicks party was awesome.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Uncle Syd and Aunt Deb for opening up your house to us for the weekend! They went to great lengths to make sure our stay and race meals were runner-appropriate. Carb loading here at its finest!

We also celebrated Daddy Don's birthday...

...with a scrumptious strawberry cake.

EB always likes to help blow out the candles.

Just chillin' the night before the race

On race day at 5:30 AM. Kudos to Uncle Syd for getting up and driving us downtown Birmingham so we didn't have to leave our car.

The family received text alerts, so they knew kind-of when to expect us to finish. We were SOOOO happy to see them there cheering us on. We are ALMOST THERE!

MERCEDES MARATHON 26.2 FINISHERS in 4:50!

We were very proud it was over. The training was difficult and time-consuming. Andrew had a bum knee and terrible blisters. I did not know if I could stand for the picture. It was very interesting to see the correlation between training distances and the mile markers in the race. It is also very interesting to see how quickly you decondition when you don't keep it going :-( But we did it!

What a feeling it was...and how I cannot imagine the terror in Boston when their happiness turned to horror. I cannot stop thinking about our families waiting there for us at the finish line.

Eva Brooke meeting the "princesses," who I believe were the Hoover Belles.

A few more sweet shots of my girl. She and Cotton have an interesting relationship. She keeps Cotton happy in the treat department, so Cotton puts up with a lot of her games.