As we enter into a new year, everyone takes a moment to reflect on the past year. Good or bad, everyone remembers certain big moments in their year and comes to a conclusion about how theirs was. My 2011 was overall amazing—I accomplished a great deal, took big steps, and learned a lot about myself. There were ups and there were downs, and it went by entirely too fast, but I stick by my judgment of the year. Here are some big things that happened this year:
Kellen and I packed up our bags and moved to the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Croix. We left our beloved Texas that holds family and friends in search of adventure, beauty, and chillaxin. And we found it. Looking back it was a pretty ballsy move—buying one way tickets with no job or place to live. We stayed in a hotel room for 2 nights before locking down a fully-furnished apartment outside of town, and a week or so later we started work at The Buccaneer. We didn’t have a car for about a month (thank you to The Fisherman and The Barefoot Mom for allowing us to use their car to run errands!) and we didn’t have TV or internet for a few months either. What a journey!
Enjoying our new home
We went to San Juan in March for Kellen to race in Ironman San Juan 70.3. What a blast! I fell in love with Old San Juan. We’re going back again for the race in 2012 and will be staying a bit longer so we can soak it all up!
Kellen at the Fort in Old San Juan
Kellen and I competed in Ironman St. Croix 70.3 in May. This race is an internationally known race because 1) it’s hard, 2) it’s hot, 3) it has The Beast, and 4) it’s beautiful. So we got to race in a famous half Ironman among our new triathlete friends on the island in the place we were now living. It was an awesome, painful experience.
Pre-race Photo in Christiansted
This year we celebrated Papaw’s 90th birthday, and a day later, we mourned his passing. This was the first time I lost someone that close to me, and while it still hurts, I know that he is in better hands now with our Lord. Meme has gained a new sense of independence, and we have all gained another guardian angel. Love you for always, Papaw!
Kevin and Papaw- two of my favorite Longhorns
We went back to Texas to celebrate the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Endres, and we got to rekindle our love with our buddies. We ate Mexican food, shared fun stories, enjoyed the lake, etc etc. Not too long after that, we returned to Texas to pay our tributes to Marcus Henderson, a dear friend who lost his life at too young an age. It was sad, moving, and uplifting all at once. But in the words of the great Billy Joel, only the good die young.
The Wrangler bros at Endres's wedding
In September, we packed our bags once again and headed to the States—this time to the beautiful Las Vegas for Kellen’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship race. We went to the Strip and were mesmerized by Cirque du Soleil “O” and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Kellen’s parents. We enjoyed the cool mornings on Lake Las Vegas in Henderson. We cheered on the atheletes as they swam, biked, and run their way to the finish line (Kellen did AWESOME by the way). And we finally went to Fremont Street, which will be my first and last time to ever go there. I thought I caught cooties just from being in the area.
Outside of Bellagio, about to watch "O"
Enjoying a day on Lake Las Vegas
October brought on the Buck to Bucc/ Coral Reef Five Mile Swim. This long-distance swim event brings people from all over the country to test their swimming ability in our beautiful, clear, open, and sometimes choppy waters. It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done, and I hope to do it again. I could do without the bloat from swallowing so much sea water though….
My big day came in November, when I competed in my first Iron-distance race—Ironman Arizona. After the countless hours spent training over a 6 month period, it was awesome to finally get to the event and then cross the finish line. I came in 2nd place in my age group, which is bittersweet because I was in 1st place until the last few miles. But it was still one of the most awesome, thrilling, tiring days of my life. I will never forget it. Afterwards, the folks, me, and Kellen road tripped from AZ to TX and spent Thanksgiving camping at South Llano River State Park. I forgot how much I miss my family, friends, and the great state of Texas.
Adri and I with our finisher medals after IMAZ
The traditional family photo at the State Park sign.. this time at South Llano River
Over the months, we’ve had a lot of visitors. It’s so much fun having our friends and family here and showing them around our new digs. We get to play tour guide. It was great fun going to the beach, crab races, various restaurants, Buck Island, etc etc with them all. If anyone else wants to come, just give us a shout! (Lisa and Sam, I’ll add a picture of yall when I get them off my phone.. I didn’t forget about you! And Berica and Krista, I don’t have any pictures of yall)
Mom and Dad at Point Udall
Lobo and Lofaro at Crab Races
Nicole, Alisia, Blake, and Kevin enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail
Chase and Jess heading out to snorkel
The holiday season was tough for a few reasons. This was the first Christmas and New Years away from family, which felt strange and was slightly depressing. And we’ve been so busy with all of the tourists on island that we barely have the energy at the end of the day to do anything other than open a beer or two… or three. But we did have an awesome Christmas Eve eating fondue and doing White Elephant with Scott and Carol and other friends. I dressed up as an elf on Christmas for the Buccaneer’s party. New Years Eve was spent with friends eating dinner and playing cards. And throughout this time, I never had to wear jeans or a jacket, and my skin is still tan. So, all in all, it was a good holiday.
Merry Christmas!
2011 sure has been wild. It went by entirely too fast. Hopefully 2012 brings more exciting experiences and fun times. Happy New Year everybody!
laurahood 