CLIMB!

We were blessed this past week to enjoy two of the same days off together, and in the middle of the week! So we decided to take advantage of that and go outdoors! Two other girls that work with Tobin as fellows at school were able to join, so we went off together to Joshua Tree. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. We arrived mid morning on Wednesday, set up camp where there also happened to be a great area to set up a climb. I don't think I've ever had it so good climbing. Drive in, set up camp, climb, stop, tear down, eat dinner, sleep, then repeat (if you want) ;) Here's the photos of our adventure:

A Small Joshua Tree, crazy things they are! A cross between a cactus and a palm tree

Our Fearless first climber...Nici (this was her first climb ever).

She did great...with a bit of coaching and cheering!

Then Sara, who did an excellent job as well!

Tobin...if you look close he's wearing his new "fivefingers" on his right foot.

He loves them! Nearly went to church in them today!

Here I am at the top of a great climb!

Dinner was a bit of an adventure. Our camping stove decided to go on the fritz. But since my husband has amazing Macgyver Skills, dinner was hot, hot, hot! So we enjoyed good Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup with Garlic Bread! YUMMMMM!!

Here we are cleaning up the mess, over our well crafted sump hole,

utilizing our water preservation skills. With our trusty head lamps!

Now you can see the action!

Then...not to be missed a good game of cards! Hand and Foot!

Sara and I gave Tobin and Nici a run for their money, but in the end, I had to

let Tobin's team win so I'd be allowed to sleep in our tent.

The next day we enjoyed some more climbing! In a new spot.

This time Tobin led trad (using all the cool cams, tri-cams, nuts, etc), rather than being top-roped. And we did a two pitch climb to get to the top of the rock you see behind us in the following photo. It was a great climb, beautiful at the top, but the down climb on the back side was a bit interesting. But thanks to my amazing husband he found a safe way for both of us to get down!

The Geared-up Rummels!

10-24....10miles and 28 years old

I guess Huntington Beach knew that Christy Rummel's 28th Birthday was coming up because they planned a large race in honor of October 24th! So I was honored to have people run 10 miles for my birthday!

Actually, it really was coincidence, but I'd highly recommend doing races on your birthday. I made a sign and wore it, and honestly it provided quite the motivation when people would yell out, "Hey, Happy Birthday," or "So how old are you?" and "Congrats on doing this on your birthday!" It was just fun to have a reason people chatted with you as they passed by, which I told one lady, "That's why I'm letting everyone pass me, so I can give you the chance to wish me Happy Birthday!"

Anyways, it was really Boom (one of our good friends) that motivated me to sign up for this race. 3 years ago Tobin, Boom, and I had run the 5 mile portion of the race, so this year Boom and I decided that 5 miles just didn't seem worth it to drive all the way down to Huntington Beach. So we decided to do the 10 mile race, which I wasn't able to really commit to running until I figured out my schedule for October (which didn't happen till about Sept 30). Thus meaning I didn't have much time to train. To say the least, I was a bit nervous on what the results would show.

Here are the 4 of us girls who ran the 10 mile race. All doctors in residency and me the NP.
This was about 6:20am before the race began.
The Huntington Pier is behind us all lit up.
(L-R: Tina, Boom, Me, and Kristin)

This is the 4 of us after. All sweaty, red, with tired quad muscles, but stronger for it!
It really was the perfect day for running: foggy, around 65 degrees, and along the ocean!

This is me right at 5 miles

And this is just before the finish. You can see I had dedication of passing that finish line.
I think it was right after this that a guy who was on the sidewalk was trying to take a photo of a runner ahead of me, but he failed to realize that I was coming up behind him. Well, he must have gotten his shot because he decided to stroll over to the sand, just as I was coming up on him. Had he been any later, I think I would have ran into him, then fallen over myself because of sheer exhaustion I was in at that moment. I did muster out, "Hey, hey, Hey!" and he managed to see me and move out of the way just in time. I wanted to say, "Hey buddy, did you just run 10miles? Maybe you could have some consideration." Anyways, I finished none-the-less, and ran the race in 1:31:11, just over a 9 minute mile pace. I think that's pretty good for not really training much!

This is the sign I wore..."TODAY is my BIRTHDAY....and I'm doing this?!"

My wonderful support team!

I did it!

Then we went and ate brunch at the Sugar Shack in Huntington Beach. It was YUMMMMY! Tobin and I shared a huge breakfast burrito and cinnamon roll. By then the clouds had burned off to make it perfect weather to lay out on the beach and go boogie boarding. The waves that day were HUGE!!! Some of the surfers the waves were so big that the wave was beginning to curl over the surfers! Tobin caught a couple of those big ones, but I stuck to the white water (with my amazing and fearless husband's help).

After the beach, we went back to Boom's house with her housemates
(that had also run in the race)
...and we played Rock Band! We were an amazing Chick Band!

And they even made me a cake.

We definitely look a little sweaty, sun kissed Oregonians. =)

Here's to 28!

The Rest of the Miller Parents' Visit

So this actually happened the weekend before we went to La Jolla, but I'm a bit behind in my blogging.

We took Mom and Dad to Huntington Beach. When we got there we had to make a critical stop, or Mom would have been burnt to a crisp, you know what we got????......

Ta Dah!! Of Course, can't go without in So Cal!

Cute photo together

And here they are lathering on that "Anti-Aging" Suncreeen

On the Huntington Pier

It's was a little breezy...as you can see by my hair

Then we went to Medieval Times Dinner. It was so much fun.
The King and Queen enjoying the Feist!

Cream of Dragon Soup...Yummmm!!

And Chicken off the bone...eaten with your bare hands!!! Grrrr...

The horse being shown off to the King.

And the Knights! Our Knight was the Red/Yellow Knight.

Fun was had by all at Medieval Times! I'd recommend it if you want to go. We got to see Jousting, Sword Fighting, Horsemanship, and just overall edge of your seat entertainment. =)

A small taste of our last week...Miller Parents Visit

Here's what we were up to today with Mom and Dad. We went down to La Jolla! Lots of seals, water, sand, and sun...

First the seals...looks relaxing!!

The Happy Fam!

Enjoying the cliffs!

Then this! This was definitely the most entertaining!
Dad on a boogey board...going back to his So Cal roots!
Dad was a bit tired.

but they conquered those waves!

And Here's Proof!

Strandy's Visit!

Our very good friends the Strandys came to visit. It was a nearly impromtu visit, and it was God's timing that both Tobin and I were off and no other commitments! Zach took a continuing education class on Friday and Saturday. So Saturday Corrine, Abbie, Tobin, and I had a beach day. Then Sunday we had a relaxing morning then drove out to Santa Monica where we spent the day. It was SOOO great to see them!!

We walked around our old stomping grounds (Bellmont shore in Long Beach)
We HAD to stop at the local bakery and get a good cinnamon roll.
Abbie enjoyed it!

Then we took them to Huntington Beach!

Tobin and Abbie had a lot of fun playing in the little waves.
I think while Corrine was taking this photo, I was out in the waves getting beat up with the boogie board. I had one good wave, and then tried going out a bit farther. The waves were HUGE (to me at least) and I caught one, but then it overtook me, and I found myself under the water, upside down, for several seconds! Then by the time I got out, be-bedraggled by the wave, several more big ones were coming in. Let's just say I wanted to get back to shore, quickly! It's amazing how close you seem to the shore, but the strength on the undercurrent and wave, can make it seem far. Let's just say I had enough boogie boarding for one day!

Hollywood rock star! On the Beach!

In the morning we enjoyed a little relaxing time with Mickey's Adventure Clubhouse (I think that's what it's called), and then we had eggs and blueberry pancakes! Yumm!

Then we went to Santa Monica!

And Rode Bikes!!!

Tobin and I make a great Tandem Team!

This was my view. ;)

Strandy's on the tandem. I didn't get a photo with Corrine and I on the tandem, but that was interesting. I think all the runners, rollerbladers, and other bikers feared for their lives as we were riding down the path. Let's just say we ended the day by not killing anyone. A success in my book!

Rummels and Strandys

Then we went to the Promenade and enjoyed walking around the shops.
And of course enjoyed Gelato! It was yummy!

Taking Abbie Shopping...training her early. =)

This is Santa Montica Pier.

Then Zach and Corrine took Abbie on the Carousel Ride.

We caught Corrine in a "thrilled moment."

Actually it was Zach that was remembering back to childhood!
Great expression!

Anyways, very great weekend. We couldn't have another visit soon enough!