Seaside

Even though school has started and we are well into homework and busy weeknights, we weren't quite ready to let go of Summer.  When we found out Linsey's cross country team had a meet in Seaside, we decided to tag along and cheer her on (and play at the beach).

We got there Friday night, just in time to play at the beach and still catch the most beautiful sunset!

Friday was Hunter's birthday, all he wanted to do was hit the waves.  We were able to play for an hour or so before the sun went down, and then we headed to the arcade for pizza and games.  

Milo was terrified of the water, but he loved running around and playing on the beach!

The sun setting was just so beautiful.  I couldn't stop taking pictures.

Saturday, we played at the beach some more.  We just couldn't get enough.

Some of our favorite family friends were at the same meet.  Emma and Natalie have been friends since forever, if you ask them they'll say "friends since Heaven."

While we were having fun as a family on the beach, the cross country team also had a great time!

They did a short workout on the beach and played some team bonding games.  I'm so pleased with the wonderful program this is and especially with the excellent coaches.  This sport has been so positive and it really has been and continues to be a great experience for Linsey.

The races are run Saturday morning and there are 3 different courses - easy, moderate, and hard.  You don't get to choose your race and there's no trading.  You draw a chip from a can and the color determines the race you will run.  Red means hard.  You can tell by the look on these faces (above) that they dread that red chip.  The hard race is actually extremely difficult.

Linsey's white chip means that she lucked out and got to run the easy course.  

Ready to run.

They're off!

We positioned ourselves on a hill where we could cheer Linsey on.  

Even the easy course was still difficult.  They ran up hills, through sand, and through mud.

If you look closely, you can see that several runners lost their shoes in this mud pit, and left them there.  Crazy!  I can't imagine running with only one shoe.  

Here Linsey comes on her last stretch.

In the picture above, you can see Linsey pushing it, trying to catch those two runners ahead of her.

Just as she approaches the finish line, she did it!

We love watching Linsey run!

We Love Seaside!