Reynolds' Storm the Oregon Coast

Cannon Beach

Eden swinging in Seaside

Tilt A Whirl Fun

Mom and Dad with T

Cannon Beach

With the marathon behind me, we headed up from Newport to Seaside to show the kids some of the beauty of the coast. My parents came along up the coast with us. We stopped in Tillamook to watch cheese be made. Much to our dismay, we discovered that they don't work in the factory on the weekends. Go figure. A tourist spot doesn't work on the weekends? Seriously. Oh well. We still got cheese samples and ice cream!

We stopped quickly in Cannon Beach (which is my favorite spot on the coast) for some quick pics. I was pretty exhausted from running the marathon earlier that day, and the kids were doe being in the car, so it was a nice break.

We crashed at our hotel in Seaside and the kids immediately went swimming. It's funny how simple kids' needs are. You could be in the most beautiful place in the world and all they really care about is the swimming pool at the hotel. Makes vacationing pretty simple. The next day we headed down to the water. That lasted all of about 5 minutes. It was windy and the water was cold and they didn't want anything to do with playing in it. Maybe next time.

It was a fun weekend. I don't think I'll try to squeeze in a family vacation after running a marathon again. But fun nonetheless!

26.2 miles of sweat, lost toenails, and sheer bliss!

Our Motley Crew: Me, Matt Smith, Mark Howard, Mark Howell, Jeff Howell (minus Laura)

My best cheerleader!

Headed to chow down for the Pre- Race Dinner (with Eden starting early!)

Laura and I enjoying the fruit of our labor!

My dad cheering me to the finish!

My first marathon back since having Talmage couldn't have gone any better! Sean, my brother, had told me what a great marathon the Newport, Oregon marathon was, and he was so right. Perfect course, perfect weather, and perfect time of year; all combining to create the perfect storm for a personal best time! My goal was to get 3 hours and 30 minutes (5 minutes faster than my last personal best) and I ran it in 3:30:39. I couldn't have been happier!

I dragged Ben and the kids down and my parents, who are always so supportive of my marathons, to cheer me on. Laura, my FABULOUS running partner, friend, and neighbor trudged through 4 months of training with me to run her first marathon and she was just a couple minutes behind me. We both qualified for the Boston Marathon next April and will start training for that this winter!

I know that marathons seems crazy to most people, but I always say to people that it is my "thing". I feel like as a mom, everyone has to have some hobby, talent, etc.. that they love that allows them to feel like their own "person". Not mom, not wife, just me. When I cross the finish line I am "Sommer". It allows me to be sane in the middle of all the craziness of raising 4 young children.

Marathons are addicting. I never thought after my first marathon that I would ever run another one. My goal was just to run one and check it off my "list". But, as any marathon runner can tell you, the run is just as much, if not more, mental as it is physical. By mile 21, the only thing that keeps me going is the chatter in my mind that MAKES me move my legs to the finish line. The conversations I have with myself in those final miles are crucial and knowing that I can control my body with my mind is truly amazing. That is why I do it. Because it is hard. The rush of knowing I did something physically and mentally hard is addicting. Call me crazy. That is exactly what I called my dad when he ran his marathons while I was growing up, and now it has come full circle.

So, hats off to all you who have your own hobby or talent that you work on and helps you remain "you"!

Bowling Bonanza

Crazy girls!

Near hit! luckily we are done having kids!


Erin, Laurie, Rachel, Amanda, Becky, Jen, Me

The Couples of the night

To celebrate Rachel's 30th birthday, her husband put together a couples' bowling night. It was a blast! Girls on one lane, Boys on the other. I felt like I was back in college with all the craziness that ensued there! We have such great friends and it's nice to know that even though I'm approaching my mid-30's soon, I can still feel young at heart! Happy Birthday Rach!

T- Dog Turns 1!

A favorite hang out spot of T's: The dishwasher

Cutest Chubbers in the world

Talmage and Tucker (my handsome nephew) share a birthday!

My amateur creation


Not really digging on his cake




Talmage at the door, where he usually is. He has a door fetish.



I can't believe that my baby is one! It feels weird to think he is my last child to have a first birthday. Anyway, we had a low-key celebration with Mara and the kids. So, I've learned through the kids before him that spending money on toys he doesn't need or even understand is pointless. The garage sale for our community was this weekend and Ben took the kids around to find a cheap gift for Talmage and they came back with a little puppy stuffed animal to represent "T-Dog". So cute. I made him a dog cake, we sang happy birthday and called it good!


So here's to my T-bone:

So here you are at 1...not talking, not walking and seriously the easiest baby that ever lived. You have the same personality, thus far, as Wyatt. You are straight faced, and serious most of the time. Cracking a smile out of you can be tricky but you always do it for the camera! You love the vacuum and follow me around everywhere when it is on. You weigh 25 heavy pounds. A total tank but I wouldn't want it any other way! You love to be where all the action in the house is and that is always around your brother and sisters. You are a trooper with all the mauling you get from Eden. You are a GREAT sleeper and are a master at the sippy cup! I love you and am so happy we got to have you be a part of our crazy family!