Spring break dates with Rachel first and then Alexis. We went to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast.
Author Archives: Rob
RunKeeper
It’s been about two years now that I’ve started running regularly. The RunKeeper app for iPhone has been an effective motivator because it offers free training plans. I am doing the sub 55 minute 10K. RunKeeper tracks my route and elevation using GPS. It also has a heart rate monitor using the chest strap from Wahoo. After the run I can analyze the run on RunKeeper.com and see my speed, pace, elevation, heart rate and elapsed time with a pinpoint on a map. So I can see my heart rate and speed change as I climb the killer hill.
I’m up to nine miles now and will run ten next week. Robert Gauthier and I run together occasionally – he’s crazy into running.
Meemaw (Hazel Briggs) reads books to the twins
Meemaw recorded the reading of two books onto cassette for the twins when they were between 18 months and 2 years old, which was 2007ish.
Christmas in Ohio
We went to Ohio for Christmas this year. Christmas Eve was spent with the Ford family at my Dad’s house. Then we spent the remainder of the time with my mom. Scott & Christine stayed in Texas for Christmas. For fun we saw Rise of the Guardians at the Medina movie theater during a snow storm.
Date with Alexis at Barnes and Nobles
We went to Barnes & Noble in Crystal Lake for my date with Alexis. She drank a nice warm steamer from the coffee shop. We spent time reading books and making conversation over different things we saw on the shelves. A sales lady gave us a tour of the Nook and had Alexis download/play a game in the store. Great time with warm smiles.
Date with Rachel at Chick-fill-A
We went to Chick-fill-A in Crystal Lake for my date with Rachel. This restaurant has a children’s play area which made it even more fun. She got the kid’s meal which came with a book, “Franklin Says I Love You.” I had to pry her away from the book to get her into the play area and then pry her away from the play area to go home for the day. We had lots of fun and good conversation at the table.
Lincoln Park Zoo Christmas Lights
Heather and I went to see the Christmas Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo. Chuck and Carolyn Downs gave us this date as a gift – they watched the twins and gave me some spending money. Now that’s a Date! It was a wonderful night from start to finish – Buca di Beppo for dinner, the Zoo, and then a drive down Michigan Ave’s Magnificent Mile. Heather is the perfect wife and we had a great time.
At the zoo, we were greeted by a photographer under a canopy of trickling icicle lights. An ice carver was busy finishing a tiger, caribou, and bison. We wandered through arches of lights, danced in time with the lights and music, and sang loudly off key.
Crystal Lake Turkey Trot 5K
Heather and I joined approximately 1200 other people for the annual Turkey Trot at Lippold Park, sponsored by the Hillstriders Running Club and The Running Depot. We took our cans of chicken noodle soup and registered.
This was Heather’s first race experience and she writes, “I looked up and saw the purple martin bird house on the course. I realized that I suddenly was half way through the race and I was still running. I didn’t dare stop for fear of being trampled by those behind me. Eventually, I did take a breather but finished at 35:40.”
Heather and I ran together for the first half mile. My time was 26:30.
Photo dates
These dates are fun. Alexis took a photo date at Wal-Mart and then Rachel wanted the same. So we did an outdoor date spanning several days.
Date with Rachel
This date with Rachel was supposed to be at Kyoto, Japanese restaurant. However, Heather felt it was too expensive and protested. The day before, as a forerunner to fate, I told Rachel that her date would be #1-fancy, #2-a restaurant where she’d never been, and #3-a surprise. So when Heather persuaded me to change it was Rachel who reminded me of my commitments. We had no other viable options but Kyoto. On the way I told Rachel where we were going and she quickly expressed disapproval saying she does not like Chinese food. It gives her a tummy ache. So off to Village Squire we went and all was well.