Where have I been?

Playing Mario Kart for the Wii

Charlie was not impressed

A new frontier!

It is in there somewhere!

Yup, Lindsay is "embarazada", "pleine", "tasan", "fruchtbar"--pregnant! We are coming up on the 14th week and I am still in disbelief!

On Tuesday, Lindsay and I had the opportunity to watch the baby scramble around in the womb on a flatscreen television in an OB office. It is strange and amazing event to watch a living thing squirming around in a dark place--little hands, feet, nose (we are pretty sure it is NOT the Rumohr nose!) and heartbeat. We just wait watch for this little one to grow!

When Lindsay announced the pregnancy test result (positive), I was laying in bed, just peeling myself out for another day of work. My heart started racing--thinking that maybe, just maybe, the test was a mistake (not hoping, just wondering). So, I ordered up a new test...Lindsay passed that one too, and I knew for sure that the next 9 months were going to be wild! Since that test, I haven't stopped grinning--just so excited to see what this whole having a kid thing is all about, ie. parenthood. Well, the wait is on now, and an expected due date of November 3 promises to make for an interesting Thanksgiving/Christmas.

Happy Birthday Mom and Brother Jon!

This week has been an exciting one for the family! The whole family traveled down to Nashville to visit my brother, Jon, and for some, to participate in the Country Music Marathon/Half Marathon. Prior to the trip, I had grand illusions of returning to my old running form and blowing out the family competition. An untimely indoor soccer injury combined with coaching JV girls soccer sucked up a lot of my energy and confidence!

The race was not the only thing on my mind as we ventured to Nashville. My brother, Jon, was on the verge of asking his girlfriend, Sara, to be his wife. Being the supportive brother, I provided him with benchmarks and guidelines to follow in the proposal. Right before the race began on Saturday morning, Jon popped the question!

After the 7:00 am proposal, it was time for the race. A little over 20,000 ran the 1/2 and full marathon. With all the people around, my competitiveness started taking over. Sizing up runners, and smirking at fanny packs loaded ammo style with carb shots, the race began.


Miles 1-8 were great. About every mile or so, a band was stationed just off the course, playing inspirational music or some fast paced country music. The bands really helped me to relax and find my groove. By mile 9, however, there wasn't much of a groove rocking. Finishing the race, our families greeted newly engaged Jon and Sara, and posed for some pictures!

To say I was sore the next day would be an understatement. Walking down stairs, mild declines, moving in general was serious work. It was all worth it, though, to get a chance to share a great moment with the family. Congrats to Sara and Jon--we are excited for the wedding and for your marriage!

Goals:

I got an email from my dad a year or two ago that I think about alot. In it, he outlines his 11 goals for the next 4-5 years. Nothing about money, job advancement, retirement--basically trips and events to experience with his wife and family. At the end, my dad challenged the recipients to make up their own goals--trips and experiences to embark on with other people. With that--I have a few goals for May thru September--ideally, my "summer goals" in no particular order--

1. Hike one of the Manitou Islands with my little bro--maybe both, if older bro can?
2. Go trout fishing in Michigan.
3. Reseed the lawn (not a very intense experience)
4. Drive across the country with my lovely wife and smelly dog--take the Montana route.
5. Hike with Charles the Dog in the mountains of Colorado with Bryant and his cat.
6. Climb Mt. Princeton (14er) with my dad.
7. Make dinner for my wife every night we are home.
8. 3-4 day hiking trip in Sawtooth Mountains, Id.
9. Finish staining the deck (Lindsay would love this 2 year old project finished--a good experience for all!)
10. Read 1776, by David McCullough
11. Catch up with college friends I haven't seen in awhile.
12. #3 wedding anniversary somewhere on Lake Michigan.

It is kind of weird writing out goals for the next few months--seems kind of selfish. It is easy to waste time, especially when I have almost 3 months of no work, I want these goals to reflect a summer of adventure--one where I won't be complacent with time or energy. I'll stop with 12 goals--but would love to add more--any others I should be thinking about?

SPRING BREAK 2008!

Many of you have called letting me know an update was needed! I appreciate your concern for our well being, but the pressure is almost too much for me to handle!


Actually it has been a busy couple of months, dotted with Lindsay traveling and me tagging along on trips here and there.

Currently, we are in Colorado skiing with my parents. We met up with Bryant and Becky a couple of days ago--and had a real hoot of a time. We have an awesome picture with them, but for some reason, it won't post at this time!

Today we skied Copper with 4 inches of fresh snow and partly cloudy skies. No action shots but some classic Rumohr family poses, as well as a Brown family shot that Lindsay brought out mid afternoon.

This shot is in reverse order, but a lovely one, indeed. It came at the end of the day when Lindsay and I found a perfect opportunity to metaphorically review our wedding vows while keeping our ski boots on at Copper Mountain. A beautiful view provided us with a moment to reflect on ski poles, goggle tans/burns, and what was for dinner.

While at lunch, Lindsay decided that she needed a manicure, and I was man for the job. It isn't easy skiing and keeping up your nails at the same time, so this was a welcomed break for the wife. I managed to get one fingernail done.

There comes a point when genetics take over on the ski hill. Lindsay had been skiing for roughly ten minutes after lunch when she got really tired. This is the classic Brown pose when fatigue sets in. I have several different pictures from several different vacations that all look like this, just different vacation clothes and in some, more Browns included! We decided it might be a good time for a hot chocolate break after this picture was taken, and a rejuvenated Lindsay took over bombing the hill once again!

In the end, who could resist a few couples shots. My parents stopped for a candid shot while my Dad's pole waved at him, and Lindsay and I stopped for a second to create a lasting digital memory.

Pond Hockey!

What a day! Freezing cold here...the Saab said -5 Fahrenheit, but you know the Scandinavians tend to exaggerate. Lindsay, Charlie, and I had the chance to do some ice skating at Jack and Jodie's house. Jack made a nice rink, bringing me back to the old days of skating on our pond in Mason. It felt great to strap on the skates and scoot around on the ice. Periods of mayhem, nasty falls, blind cross checks, and tripping on cracks in the ice ensued.

At some point Charlie found some beer. Typically, he shows restraint, but apparently Busch Light is too much for this doggie to handle. He interrupted our game several times with raucous frat house behavior.

We warmed up once the game got going, and I am looking forward to getting back on the ice soon!

Photo from the archives!

Well, it really wasn't that long ago, but Bea, Charles, and I shared the futon on New Year's Day for some Michigan football. This is the one and only day Charlie is allowed on furniture, and he took full advantage of it all afternoon!