Days with the Dorans

  It is always nice to be able to turn off your alarms on Memorial Day. It's also nice when your band kid has his license so you don't have to drive him to the parade. Sean's call time was 10:00 which was about the time we left to go to the parade. We hit the Tim Horton's by us for some tea and then were on our way. People were already lining the streets when we were finding a spot to park so I was worried our usual place would be taken but it wasn't! I was so happy. Jeff brought our soccer bench and Nana and Papa came too so we all had a place to sit. I felt like the parade felt a bit longer this year. Lots of kids throwing candy and one older lady was handing out pokemon cards and made a point to give me a handful which I thought was very strange. I found a kid to give them to before we left. HERE is a video of 23 seconds where we spotted Sean. I heard some people got pictures with him so hopefully I will get those later. After the parade, Jeff has to get his dis...

  So I felt like a rock-star today! I had a HUGE PR in my virtual race this morning! When I checked my watch, I knew I was really moving even with the hills!! I actually broke 8 minute miles! I can die a happy woman! After, I decided to tackle some yard work. I've soooo neglected our house. I always feel better when I do a little before and after picture. There was no memorial day parade today but we remembered the fallen ( HERE ) and Joe and his friends played taps HERE . Ali is also going to start driving soon so we headed to WLN to do a little practice in the parking lot since I know she may go out right away. She did pretty well! And finally we ended at the lake! We tried to get Fender to swim but then he kind of did it on his own. Thankfully I got it on video HERE . The big question... Was Marty trying to Drown him or save him?

After the Memorial Day Parade, we headed to the lake to work on the docks and boats. Got a good start but didn't finish. Danny had stuff going on so it was just us and the kids... Well other than Joey, they were a bit busy to help (not sure why I didn't snap a picture of the Seany).

Joey joined the band in playing in the Memorial Day parade! I got Al to come with me. We actually sat right next to one of my elementary school friends (Mark Sutter). So crazy to run into someone you know amidst so many people. I did hear some "Mrs. Doran" calls... I didn't get any pics of Joey so we had him recreate this. WLN marched with WLC and WLW which was cool! I am not a big parade person but it wasn't too bad! I think the last time we went to a parade was when the Bigs were really little! Time flies!

So I had been a nervous wreck leading up the race. I didn't sleep well. My dad said not to run those last couple days and I was carb loading (who thought that this girl would get sick of carbs, but she did). Still I was overwhelmed with the messages, texts, calls, cards and words of encouragement. Even my students knew how big this was! I was able to sneak out a little early from work on Friday and Jeff and I were on the road by four. He was able to get the Littles out of school so I could hug all my babies before I left. They wrote me some messages on my hat and I packed up a PB & J and we were on the road. Despite it being a holiday weekend, it only took us 20 extra minutes to get there (it was NOT a short drive). I was able to get my numbers and shirt. Kyle and Jodie got there late and we went to bed pretty soon after they arrived. I slept AWFUL and in the morning I threw up three times. I felt yucky but wondered if it was nerves. I didn't really have anythin...

 Memorial Day marks the start of summer and it's the day we get all the toys into the water. It was a perfect day. The kids played while the boys worked... And Sean squirted Marty (who is obsessed with water guns)... And the ladies had a lo-cal summer beverage. It was fun to see all the kids spending the day like I always did... wiffle ball in the yard and playing in the lake. My parents have the best home! It's time for summer!!

 We had a fun low-key Memorial Day (at the lake of course).  The Cosmans and Gerkens came over and we all (us Dorans and my folks) ate, drank and were merry!  I think this was the first time the kids got to meet Hugh Todd and it was so fun to see them with him and think back to when they were that tiny!  It sometimes is hard to remember... Hugh is doing great and has changed so much just in a couple weeks! Of course we also got to catch up with Jack! I think he was a bit overwhelmed at first but soon he was comfy with his honorary cousins.  I'm mad because I didn't get any swimming pictures and few boating ones but that just means I was busy having fun in the moment!  Not a bad place to be!