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Monday, July 6, 2009

I ❤ Faces: The Patriotic Edition



Every now and then, the awesome ladies behind I ❤ Faces take a much-needed break from the weekly competitions and host a "My Story In Photos" week that is non-judged and just for fun--perfect for me!

In keeping with this past weekend, this week is the "Patriotic Edition"...and this, my fine friends, is how we celebrate our Fourth of July in Atlanta...

You may remember from my past posts months ago that I LOVE to run! So much so that I love running with 55,000 of my closest friends (as my Dad puts it!) every Fourth of July. YES! 55,000 people vie for a spot every year to compete in the world's largest 10k...the Peachtree Road Race. Since I was running, most of these pictures are from my cousin, a budding photographer, or her mom, my aunt. I would LOVE to include race pictures from the newspaper but that would obviously be a copyright infringement. Feel free to check some out here!

Since 55,000 people is a lot of people to run, the wonderful people behind the race, namely the Atlanta Track Club (the ATC), must organize it down to the second. They place people on ability and race experience in one of 9 time groups. I run competitively for the ATC and, with a prior race time, was able to score a very low bib number--putting me right behind the Elite runners! The twin was right behind me, followed by J, in time group 4, and my cousin and her friend in time group 6.

All in all, it was a great race! I managed to run fast enough to win a hat and a finisher's mug--woo hoo! bonus!

Here is what the finish line area looks like when about 50% of people have finished:



Here is my official Finishers Certificate:


My parents watched Baby C for us and met us at the finish line--definitely motivation to cross that line quickly so we could be reunited with her! (Doesn't J look thrilled?)



Me, Baby C, my dad, and the cousin, Sweet Little R



For the first time racing, J and I lived close enough to the finish line to walk home--now that is a bonus! We hosted a brunch for our family immediately following the race. My Aunt and Uncle brought fabulous bagels from Panera--thank you!



The twin and her husband kept the mosquitos at bay for the rest of us--why is it that mosquitos tend to fixate on certain people and ignore the rest? Sorry A&B!



J and I with Baby C, enjoying lots of carboyhydrates post run.
I'm sporting my new favorite hat and C is sporting her new fave bow:



J loving on Baby C.
Isn't her bow incredible? The twin made it! Check it out in her Etsy Store!



After the fam went home, we relaxed (read: SLEPT!) and then geared up for another BBQ, this time at my parents' house. Dad set up the sprinklers and C's cousin, R, took right to it...



Lil' Miss R is lucky because she now has cousins from her daddy's side that live in Atlanta! They came over to join the fun...here is Mr. L showing R how to enjoy the sprinkler to the max:



Baby C, unfortunately, slept through all the fun but we know she'd have crawled through the sprinklers had she been awake! Instead, she woke up and was fed...and looked confused about the whole thing:



a little sampling of our carnivorous feast



and the famous flag cake (my mom went with raspberries this year--so much easier than strawberries!)



All in all, the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays because we get to race, relax, and relish our family. And, of course, we get to eat lots of wonderful picnic food, especially the prized Flag Cake!

SPECIAL NOTE: Last year, we celebrated the wedding of my cousin to his beautiful bride on 07-04-08. July 4th is special to him for one more reason: he is an Army Ranger. Thank you, to my cousin, who proudly and BRAVELY fights for the honor and glory of our country!

25 people think...:

TinaJewel said...

wow, running on the 4th! not me, but i could go for the sprinklers and the flag cake. looks like you had a great weekend, hope your week goes just as well.

jen@odbt said...

What a great weekend! The picnic and sprinklers look so inviting and thanks to your cousin for his service to our country.

Unknown said...

What a great way to spend the 4th of July. I love your pictures. I love your braids! I love that your cousin is serving in the military and protecting us. I think that is such a hard occupation. I appreciate the men and women who do that for us! I love your bagels from Panera bread. I want one.... and I wish you could help me like running. I need to run. Or something. Any thing at all would be good : )

Through My Own Lens said...

What a fun weekend...and great job on the run!

Buckeroomama said...

I'm SO loving C's bow!

What a fun weekend... my kids would absolutely love the sprinklers. Great shots.

Alicia W. said...

Great 4th of July pictures! :)

Unknown said...

I am so impressed with you running the peachtree - and looking so cute doing it! :-) your food looks delicious too - I'm a little jealous, camp food is starting to get a little old!

Mandi said...

Wonderful pictures. I am so impressed that you are a runner. My husband runs marathons, I wish I had it in me!

The Animator's Wife said...

Congrats on the run-- sounds like a great day, start to FINISH!

Unknown said...

These are great!!!

Stylist A said...

Wow... you go girl! Great job on the run! Great pictures. Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment. That cake looks way yummy!

My Two Seasons said...

Wow! Good job on the run! That is awesome! Your baby is so sweet and that food looks so good!!

Felicia said...

Beautiful pics and congrats on the successful run! Thank you so much for your prayers!

Foursons said...

Congrats on the race- what an accomplishment! The photos are all beautiful but I stopped and stared at the last one for quite a while. Beautiful!

Rebecca said...

Way to go! Great job on the run.
... and flag cake with raspberries. YUM!!

Aura said...

You have a beautiful family. My son also serves in the military and is currently in Kandahar Air Base. I pray daily for him and remember also the many men and women who are away from their families. May the Lord continue to protect your cousin too.

Kelly said...

Sounds like you had quite a day as well! How fun to spend it with your family, too! I always miss living close to relatives on holidays--but we are heading up to see my family on Wednesday for my brother's wedding--so exciting : )

Juanita Harris said...

Beautiful Photos! Baby C's bow is very cute, I like it a lot! my fav pic is Mr L. & Miss R. in the sprinkler, it's so aodorable :)

Foursons said...

Oh gosh, I just had to reply to your comment about how cool all my photos were online and ready to share. If you only knew! That post took about 5 hours of my time yesterday. Searching, grouping, editing, collaging. Ugh. Good thing it was Sunday and my husband could take care of the kids while I obsessivly made that post!

Adrienne Zwart said...

I aspire to be athletic, really, I do. I keep getting bogged down by life, and think it's high time I did something about it. I don't know if I could ever be a runner, but something, anything. :)

Thank you to your cousin for protecting our country's freedom. God bless him and his bride!

Joyeful said...

Way to go!!! How do you look that good after running that far??? Better yet, how are you still breathing? : )

Love the pics of Baby C--just too cute!

Unknown said...

Great pictures, looks like fun!

Amy @ Living Locurto said...

Wow! You run fast... way to go!

I'm loving all your photos, especially the ones of the yummy food. And that bow is too cute:-)

Puna said...

What a great way to celebrate the 4th with a run! Your family is very cute!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures! It looks like you had a very exciting day.