Rusty's Tri

Look at those "delts"

Every year Rusty does the Tom Sawyer triathlon the first weekend in August. This year Ben and Sam went with me to cheer dad on.

Puerto Vallarta

Rusty had a one-day "conference" this past January in Puerto Vallarta but we decided to make a four day weekend out of it. We left Louisville's 12 degree weather and arrived 8 hours later in Mexico's 83 degree weather. Here is the view from our hotel room balcony. We slept with the sliding glass door open in order to hear the waves.

Our second night there we took a tour called "Rhythms of the Night." I thought it would be totally cheesy; it was any thing but. We took an hour-long boat ride across the bay. I had a Margarita in my hands before I sat down on the boat (which was quickly replaced with a Diet Coke). Mexican hotties (men) serving alcohol, with loud music blaring. I renamed it the "booze cruise." This is what we saw as we pulled up to the beach. There was a long trail with candles that lead to tables and buffet. They also had people dressed up as ancient Mexicans from the Aztec period leading the way and playing instruments (I renamed them Lamanites).

We had our own table on the beach overlooking the ocean (no electricity in this place. . .only candles). The food was awesome and finally we experienced a show consisting of mostly drums and modern dancers dressed as ancient Mexicans. I am not doing it justice, but it was super cool and kind of romantic, which I'm never really romantic. After all the romance, we were thoroughly entertained yet again by the even more drunk people on the boat ride home. I have not laughed that hard in a long time.

Why take only one dessert when you can have three?

Rusty's the one on my left.

The third day (Rusty didn't have to go to classes;) we took a more adventurous trip called "Outdoor Adventure." It began with a half -hour speed boat ride to the mountainous area in Puerta Villarta. We arrived in a small fishing town that looked like this. Rusty was in heaven. He does not like the "touristy" section of any where we go. He wants the "real deal."

More "culture."

Then we were positioned in these rather large, rather LOUD trucks and driven up the mountain. The only saving grace was the bus-like hand straps above our heads to keep me from laying on the guy next to me everytime the driver made a sharp left. After a quick stop by the driver to get some fruit from his friend, we were at our destination.

Our tour guides. What they didn't lack was comic relief to make me forget I was zip lining 200 feet above the ground. They were all hillarious!!!

These guys didn't know Rusty spoke Spanish at first, so after they put me on a psycho-mule-with-a-mind-of-his-own- that-almost-threw-me-twice, Rusty heard them tell each other what a HUGE mistake it was to give me that creature. My mule was quickly replaced, and that, for me was the hardest/scariest part of the "adventure."

Rusty and his very tame mule.

Now that we were at the top of the mountain, we needed to come down. We alternated zip-lining and repeling. This leg ended in freezing cold water.

I'm below Rusty, almost at the bottom.

I look at these pictures and can't believe I did it. I think the trick was that the guides did a little training on how to hold the ropes and slow down before you landed , but they didn't really give me a chance to stop and think about what I was doing.

The final zip line was a race. Of course I won (the guides pushed me hard and first to give me the advantage, but I think I would have won anyway).

We had a blast. This was the PERFECT vacation for me and Rusty because we did adventerous stuff (like he prefers) and layed on the beach and ordered room service by the pool (like I prefer).

Thanks Grandma Kathy for taking care of our little kids once again.

The Big 4-0

My birthday was great. It was the day before Thanksgiving, so my kids were home. They did "40" chores for me (they know what a clean freak I am) and Molly gave me "40" kisses. Later I went out to dinner with Rusty and then back home for ice cream cake from DQ and a movie.

"40" kisses later.

In mid-October Rusty and I decided to have a "Fiesta" to celebrate us turning 40 this fall. We invited just a few couples and had one of Rusty's clients who own a restaurant cater the entire event. Look at all that food. We ate Mexican food for days.

Brian ran the "Virgin Margarita/Pina Colada Bar."

This is what guys do at parties . . .

. . .what women do.

40 and still "got it!"

Rusty's 40

RLO's Birthday Celebration=Qdoba, Wii, Presents and Carrot Cake

It was the year of BYU for Rusty. Other than a BYU chair, shirt and helmet from the other kids, Sam decided that what Rusty really needed was a "BYU Cougar" (it's their favorite animal). He saw this at the dollar store and KNEW Rusty would love it. He told Rusty that "who cares if it's from the Dollar Store, you can proudly display it on your desk at work." And that's where it will be.

Rusty is a little depressed (to say the least) about his 40th year. Not even Ben, Meg and I decorating his office and filling it with "40" of all his favorites could bring him out of his funk. I think he feels that he's getting old and . . .actually, I'm not quite sure why he's in a rut. I personally think he just gets better and better.

"40" mini Almond Joys and mini Snickers.

"40" Diet Cokes (a staple in Rusty's diet) and "40" balloons

"40" Cliff Bars with Meg posing. I also put "40" Halloween Peeps" in one of is drawers and wrote him "40" different notes on Post-its.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Rusty from the past year.

Disney World

On Kentucky Lake

Taking in a St. Louis Cardinals game.

Vegas baby

I love how the kids are watching him finish the triathlon.

"Fathers and Sons" this year was rained out. . .hence the tent in the basement.

Hilton Head, South Carolina. . .Molly traveled everywhere like this.

Taking Sam and Molly to bed.

New Years Eve at about 9:30 p.m.

Red River Gorge, KY during fall break last October

Picture for his website.

Last year during Rusty's birthday dinner.

I love you RO and look forward to another 40 with you.

Maysville Triatholon--May 2008

Every year for the past four years Rusty has participated in the Buffalo Trails Triathlon in Maysville, KY, hometown to George Clooney. The hotel we stay at is on the river and right out the front door is the transition area for the triathlon. Friday night we eat pizza (Rusty's choice of pre-race meal) and then walk around the town.

For some reason, in each other's absence, Rusty and I love to take pictures of stuff like this and show each other. Usually I say something like, "Here's a picture of you in 5 years." btw, I'm sure it won't surprise many of you, but Sam was the one who brought this gentleman to my attention first. (He's not a race participant).

While we were waiting for Rusty during the bike leg of the race, a little girl befriended Molly and wouldn't let go of her hand even while she/they were running. Unfortunately, the run ended in a crash with Molly's head hitting the pavement. The doctor from the race came and examined her.

Coming in from the bike.

Tying his kicks. He forgot his tie less laces and we heard it about it for the next week while lamenting his transition time.

Almost finished. The kids on the left.

Scenic finish line on the Ohio River.

Molly was a little grouchy and refused to look at the camera.

Mr. Brian, his kids, Rusty and Meg and Ben.

Rusty got second place in his age group. Molly still not wanting to get her picture taken.