Ethan joined an elementary school competetion called Destination Imagination. The team representing Ethan's School, Cox Elementary, was assigned the topic "Breaking DI News." The kids had several months to work together outside of the classroom to build a structure out of newspaper and glue that weighed under 75 grams and could withstand a lot of weight. The kids also were to develop a play to go along with the structure. The play they developed was about recycling to go with the newspaper theme. The parents were under strict orders not to help the kids or give them ideas. The kids even had to sign a declaration of independence indicating that the ideas were their own. Here is a picture of Ethan's team the day of the competition and the sign they made.

The judge is measuring the box that the team designed for the play to make sure it fits within the guidelines.

Here one of the judges goes over the rules with the kids.

Ethan is adding weight to his structure which is inside of the wooden contraption.

One of the judges gives direction to the kids - see how many weights the structure held???

The structure weighted 72 grams and held 184 pounds!!! Here is a picture of the structure made of newspaper and Elmer's School Glue.

All the kids are gathering for the awards ceremony -

Ethan sits with dad

Ethan's team won 3rd place! Ethan shows off his medal.

The team finishes off the day with an ice cream celebration!!!

On March 6th, the whole family went out to Rocksprings, Texas to camp and spend the weekend having fun. I ran a trail marathon, and Ethan and William cheered me on. The marathon took place at a summer camp complete with a river, canoes, cabins, games, and a zip line. After the marathon, Ethan talked me into riding the 880 ft. long zip line over the Nueces River next to him. It was fun, but I was pretty scared to jump off that platform.

Here we go - you can see those two small dots hanging from the wire!

Whee! I am coming down the line.

Ethan give dad a "thumbs up" sign after his ride.

I had lots of fun - look at that crazy hair.

It's over already? We had a blast!

The race director put this sign up as a joke - I happened to look over and see the kids playing a ball game in the "Whiners Penalty Box." I could not resist the picture.

A picture of the beautiful Nueces River which we crossed several times during the run - yes my feet and legs got wet!

Me and William at an aid station - 9 miles left for me at this point.

Ethan helped out too and worked at an aid station!

I was the third place female finisher - here is my award!!

Ethan spent lots of time perfecting his moves on a Rip Stick.

Here he is at one of the camp climbing walls.

Skipping rocks in the creek

A final note - Ethan has become quite the runner himself winning first place in the school running club races of 1.3 miles during the months of both January and February 2010 (he even beat some 6th graders!). Way to go Ethan!

William has been bike racing, and Me and Ethan have been joining in the fun cheering him on. Here are some shots from William's first race of the season in February 2010 - The Driveway.

Posing with William after the race

Ethan and his friend are proud of dad

William warms up on his trainer

The boys pose in front of the racers getting ready for the start.

Ethan and Zane win!

A fun day was had by all!

In January, Me and Ethan went to Phoenix, Arizona to visit Grandma and Grandpa Bond and Great Grandpa Bond! I also ran the PF Chang's Phoenix Rock and Roll Marathon! Here are some pictures from the trip.

Here I am with Ethan at the hotel before the race start - it is early in the morning!


My Marathon Finishers Medal!


It's a deal - Ethan with Great Grandpa Bond

The three generation high five!

Outside the Marathon Expo and Packet Pickup

Me and Ethan checked in with the Simpson family at the Expo.

I am picking up my race number!