Coeur d'Alene

It may not be the easiest place to spell, but it sure is beautiful! We had a great trip to Idaho where we were part of Team Kasparek during Ironman weekend.

Camden and Uncle Tim Emma and Aunt Lori
Camden is hanging out with Babi and Aunt Lori as we watched Tim's swim practice in the lake.

Tim, Marie, and Chris at Lake Coeur d'Alene

Enjoying every minute we could outdoors!

Chris and his #1 girl

Decorating the Team Kasparek chalet for a pre-race party

We were so lucky to have our friends, Page and Jack Hilgers, invite us to stay with them in Coeur d'Alene.

We love Aunt Lori and Uncle Tim!!!

7/9 of the Kasparek family :)

140.6

That would be the number of miles a person travels in order to be called an Ironman. We are very proud to say that we are related to one!

On Thursday, in Ironman Village, we had the opportunity to make signs that were placed out on the race course. Emma was sure to sign her name on our masterpiece. :)Athlete #308 Tim Kasparek Iowa City, Iowa
After the cannon fires over 2,000 swimmers take off on a 2.4 mile swim in Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Emma was trying to pick Uncle Tim out in the crowd, but didn't have much luck.

Transition area #1-Tim prepares to set out on a 112 mile bike ride.

Team Kasparek

Tim's favorite little cheerleaders

We cheered our hearts out as the Red Bandit and Whitey fly by.

Now on to the 26.2 mile run

After 11 hours and 15 minutes, Camden was almost as tired as Uncle Tim. Good thing Babi was there to cuddle with!

Coach Lori and Chris help this Ironman into the chilly lake to soak his aching legs.

What an accomplishment!! Team Kasparek was beaming all over Coeur d'Alene!

Good luck, Uncle Tim!!!!

We are very excited for our trip to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho tomorrow! Emma and Camden are ready to cheer on Uncle Tim in his Ironman Triathlon on Sunday. Tim has put his heart and soul into training for this huge event and we will be there supporting him-GOOD LUCK!

Happy Father's Day

I guess I should let Chris speak for himself, but we had a pretty awesome Father's Day. Plenty of sunshine, friends, family, and the icing on the cake...beer. We went to The Mother of All Father's Day Festivals-The Washington Brewers Festival today. There was a great kids play area, lots of food, and beer galore to sample. Chris even had an adoring designated driver to escort him home this afternoon. :)

This evening Chris and Emma went on a little Daddy/Daughter run around our neighborhood.

"Barbie Rapunzel" & Baby Claire

Saturday was a day to celebrate babies! We attended a baby shower BBQ for our friends, Andy and Maggie Holloway, at the very cool Gas Works Park in Seattle.

A few months ago when Maggie told Emma she was going to have a baby girl, Emma thought she should name her, Barbie Rapunzel. I'm not sure that name has made their short list, but we are having fun calling Baby Holloway that for now.

Gas Works Park was the old Seattle Gas Light Company and many of the old pieces of machinery are still there. Camden and Emma had a great time exploring. I was lucky enough to grab an adorable picture of them with the Space Needle in the background.

Just a few more weeks and then we'll get to meet "Barbie Rapunzel" in person. :)

At our next stop, we got to meet one month old Claire Du. We became friends with Claire's parents, Bo and Hung, when Chris and Bo worked together in the Community Activities Division of MWR in Japan. Since Emma's best buddy's name is Claire, she has affectionately named Claire Du, Baby Claire. She was all talk about wanting to hold Claire before we arrived, but when she saw just how tiny Baby Claire was, she got a little shy. :) Camden's eyes were as big as saucers while I was holding her. He just didn't know what to think of her. We couldn't be happier for Bo and Hung-what a precious addition to their family!

My Backyardigans

Another backyard adventure for the Kasparek kiddos this afternoon. To use a new word of Emma's, we found a "whomoongus" worm crawling in the grass. As you can see from their faces, it was quite captivating. :)


Our garden is starting to sprout so Emma had a valuable lesson to "ask before you pull" as we were doing a little weeding.

Hey! Is that a monkey I see in our tree?

Nope, it's just Emma :)

We were lucky to have such a beautiful afternoon to enjoy. Our hearts are with everyone in Iowa battling the devastating flood waters!

Mr. Hot Stuff

Emma took off walking a week after her first birthday...Camden decided to wait until 2 weeks after turning 1. He now has a new world to conquer so watch out! :)