Man ohhhhh man!! The things that a pre-season & football season can do to your blog dedication!!! I'm not even going to apologize because I doubt anyone is even reading this thing anymore. I think I will just do a quick little catch up session, and then start fresh! I am officially rededicating myself to this thing!
Catch up:
Okay, let's start where I left off last time! The weekend after the half marathons- Jana, BMac, Colten and Mama Fassel all came out for a San Francisco visit. We had an action packed weekend of sightseeing, Colten's first baseball game, and I somehow squeezed in a triathlon in Fremont!! (Thank you Jana, BMac, Colten and Mama Fassel for waking up early to come down and support me:-) xoxo) Here are a couple of pictures:
Two weekends later, we were back with our Colorado crew IN Colorado for the Fassel Open/Father's Day/Mike & my Birthdays! It was a wonderful family get together filled with lots of good food, fun and of course Mike's big Fassel Open win!
The next weekend was the celebration of John & my 1 year wedding anniversary!! It was so hard to believe that it had already been a year since that absolutely PERFECT day. We celebrated the actual day by participating in the Golden Gate Triathlon at Crissy Field in San Francisco. We swam in the San Francisco Bay, biked the hills of the Presidio and ran over the Golden Gate Bridge. I couldn't think of a more fun and exciting way to celebrate OUR day. It was beyond wonderful to be able to celebrate by doing something that we both love so much, in a place that is so unique and beautiful and above all, along with my best friend/soul mate/triathlon partner/HUSBAND. I am one very lucky girl to be blessed with such a PERFECT match. I love you my Johnny! I'm looking forward to many many many more anniversaries with you!!
Following the triathlon we continued the celebration by heading to the place where we fell in love and got married....Southern California. Johnny and I spent a week hanging at the beach, going for runs, biking the strand and hitting up our old faithfuls (Wahoos & Jamba) at our favorite place on earth-Manhattan Beach. It was an absolutely perfect and much needed vacation!
The weekend AFTER we got back, I participated in the San Francisco Triathlon on Treasure Island. Johnny was my "pit crew" for this race as he had a BIG one the next weekend. This was a super fun race that also swam in the bay, but this time it was right at the foot of the Bay Bridge. We biked some loops around Treasure Island, and had an out and back run course along the water. It was very picturesque to have the San Francisco skyline staring at you for the majority of the race. What a total blast! As an added bonus: the first wave of the race consisted of former Biggest Loser contestants...which happens to be Johnny & my FAVORITE show. It was way cool to see some of our favorites challenge themselves with the same race that I was doing!
The next weekend was the last weekend of our summer vacation and we had a really interesting adventure to close it out. Johnny had been on the waiting list for the Vineman Half Ironman in Wine Country. He finally found out that he was able to participate with about a month or two to spare!! We booked ourselves a little cabin (which turned out to be a spider infested disaster) that luckily was AT the starting line of the race: Johnson's Beach Resort. It was neither a beach..nor a resort:-) It was situated along the Russian River in Guerneville, CA. We had a good time splashing around in the river and experiencing the interesting little town. The race itself went pretty well for John. These lonnnnnng distance races always make me nervous, but Johnny of course amazed me with his strength and perseverance. His swim was FANTASTIC and so was his bike!! In fact, his bike was SO good that he killed the estimated time that he gave me so that I could be in the right place to watch him finish the bike. He left on the run (although I didn't know it) and this is when the trouble began. His skinny little legged self struggled with cramping and made his run a little bit of a struggle:-) After a few hours of worrying, he eventually strutted across the finish line. Another one in the books!! CONGRATS JOHNNY!! I am SO proud of you!
The NEXT weekend was the New York City Triathlon!!! Johnny was back at work, so I headed east for this event and to spend some time with my east coast family and friends! Meghan and I had registered for this race back in November so we were both REALLY excited for the day to finally be here! I flew in a couple days before and definitely didn't feel my finest, but it was a totally awesome experience. Meg & I started the day in the pouring rain at about 3:45am as we walked our bikes to the transition area. We then walked up to the starting line along the Hudson River. The race consisted of a swim down the Hudson River (I tried to put all of the urban legends about this river out of my head), a bike up the West Side Highway and into the Bronx (where my awesome brother, Danny waited to see me speed by), and then a run through Central Park. The race went just okay, as my body wasn't really too impressed by the travel or the humidity...but the experience itself was UNREAL! It was so cool to be able to swim in the River that I had crossed on bridges countless times, to be able to BIKE on the highway that I take to get into Manhattan...and of course running in Central Park always warms my heart. What an UNBELIEVABLE experience for Meg and me. It was so fun to see each other at the finish line! Special thanks to Danny and Selma coming out to see me on the bike course and then hustling over to Central Park to watch at the finish line!! I love you guys!!
I spent some time in NY following the race. Hanging out with my family and seeing a bunch of my friends definitely made the time away from Johnny a lot better. The weekend after the New York City Triathlon my dear friend, Erin, and I had the Philadelphia SheRox Danskin Triathlon!! This was Erin's FIRST triathlon and man oh man, what an experience it was!! We had been talking about doing this race together for a long time and when the day finally came let's just say, it was prettttttty gross. My mom, bless her heart, drove down to Philly with me and Erin drove up from Baltimore to meet us there. On the morning of the race, we opened the shades to POURING rain, thunder, and lightning (Erin is petrified of thunder and lightning by the way---ooops:-)). We headed over to the race sight in Fairmount Park. Soon after we got there, they cancelled the swim, which was set to be in the Schuylkill River...sooo sad (sarcasm--that river is NASTY). Instead, they made the triathlon a run-bike-run race. Erin and I had a blast running the first leg of the race side by side and we headed to our bikes. We were about 75% done with the bike, when all of a sudden BOOM, huge clap of thunder followed by lightning. We were both pretty freaked out now! We finished the bike, changed back into our sneakers and headed out together for the run. We were about 100 yards into the run when the officials ran out into the middle of the road and informed us that the race was being called off.We tried to collect our things and escape, but at the moment the storm was DIRECTLY over our heads and it seemed as though the lightning and thunder were going to strike us! We took cover with my dear Mommy(who endured the whole thing as a spectator) under a bridge in the middle of the park for about 45 minutes until the storm passed. Needless to say, I don't think Erin will be trusting my when I say "triathlons are fun" for a verrrrrrrry long time:-) At least we got this AMAZING picture to show for it!
After a little more time in New York, my Mama and I flew back to California together. This was the second year in a row that we flew back together. Thanks so much Mama for taking time out of your summer vacation to come out here!! I love you!! It is so fun to have her out here. It is amazing to be grown up and your Mom be one of your best friends. She is always up for anything, is easy to have around and easy to please. We went to Napa to see Johnny on Family weekend, checked out Sonoma, hung around Alameda & San Fran, and checked out Half Moon Bay. We had a great time out here in California and then hopped on another plane to Denver for Mama Fassel's Surprise 60th Birthday Party! It was great for my Moms to be able to hang out and spend time together. I loved being together with everyone for the big birthday!! All that was missing was my hard working hubby:-(
My Mama unfortunately had to head back to NY for the start of school, but all of the Fassel kids and I went on to Arizona to celebrate Papa Fassel's 60th birthday! It was a wonderful weekend of fun, sun, and Mike & my domination in Pickleball...but most importantly, a FANTASTIC party for Papa Fassel's big 6-0!!
I flew from Arizona back to California for some much needed time at home! Johnny was finally home from training camp and we were about two weeks from the start of the 2009 football season!! P. Daddy flew out for the opening football game, which was a Monday Night game against the Chargers. It was an UNBELIEVABLE game that gave us all a lot hope for the season to come, but unfortunately we lost 24-20. While P. Daddy was here, we also squeezed in an awesome baseball game at AT&T park. Giants v. Dodgers....quite a rivalry...but not QUITE as good as Yankees v Red Sox:-)
A few weekends later, I participated in my last triathlon of the year. It was an all women event called See Jane Tri, that was totally laid back and fun!! It was at a park in Pleasanton that I had been to a number of times, so it was great to be back there to enjoy the sunshine and beautiful California fall weather.
The biggest news of September was that Jana, BMac and Colten are expecting a new addition to their family!! Jana is due at the end of May and we all could not be more excited for them!!
The next big event wasn't until October when the Raiders headed to the east coast to play the NY Giants. This was an absolutely TERRIBLE game but the company majorly made up for it!! We had: Mom, Dad, Lucy, Matty, Danny, Selma, Brendan, Uncle Larry, Little Larry, Meghan, Sara, Chris, Liz, my friend from F&M-Erin and her boyfriend Jim! WHOA!! What a blast!! Even though the Raiders didn't play so hot, it was still great to be able to go back to NY and see all my buddies and family. Following the game, Lucy and I headed down to the village to see Chuck's band, Freelance Whales, perform. It an awesome show and it great to be able to hang out with Lulu, Danny, Selma and Brendan some more. Unfortunately there was a little bit of a damper put on the trip. When I got back up to Meg's apartment, and we were about to head to Bedford, we discovered that my suitcase was stolen from the back of her car!! What a downer!! I had no clothes for the rest of the week and a lot of my favorite things were in the suitcase. Fortunately, no one got hurt and my insurance was amazing in covering my lost property...so that is all that REALLY matters.
The weekend after the New York trip was a definite bright spot in the Raider season! We had the Philadelphia Eagles in town. Many thought that this game would be a blow out. Little did they know that the Raiders don't give up without a fight!! We had lots of good fans at this game!! We had Kiki and her AMAZING parents, Lauren and her boyfriend-Jeff, my old friend Becca and Papa Fassel!! The game was great!! It was won in the last minutes as the Raiders Special Teams forced a turnover on their last kickoff (with a little help from a very special little pigeon) and then kicked a field goal to win the game!! What an amazing game for our amazing company!!
The next weekend, my sweet little (big) cousin, Larry came out to visit me again. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful cousin who is like an extra brother to me. He is the best!! We did a tour of AT&T park, went for some hikes, visited Stanford (where his other grandfather went), took a ferry under the Golden Gate bridge and then walked half way across the bridge...along with many other little touristy things. We finished off the weekend with a football game against Larry's beloved Jets. This game didn't go quite as well as the weekend before, but at least Larry was happy. Thanks again for coming out buddy. I love you!!
November brought lots of fun and travel!! It started with Mama Fassel, Jana and Colten coming out for a visit! We had a weekend full of fun and football. On Saturday, Papa Fassel's team, the Las Vegas Locomotives were playing against the California Redwoods at San Jose State. Jana and I headed down to the game with her friends Kyle and Kara. John, Aaron and Gemaa met us down there and we had a great time watching the Locos pull of a big win to clinch their spot in the championship game!
The next day, Jana and I headed to the Coliseum to watch the Raiders take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately the Raiders couldn't pull off a win, but it was great to have my sweet Sis there with me:-) It was absolutely wonderful to have the Jana, Mama Fassel and Colten here that weekend. I'm so grateful for Mama Fassel & Jana's visit! It means the world to me and to John since it is impossible for him to get away during the season. It is always so nice and relaxing. The highlight of this trip was seeing how much Colten had grown. He spent the majority of his time standing at the top of the balcony throwing his socks over the railing. Of course, us silly adults couldn't get enough of this game either. He is the cutest, most perfect little man I have ever seen!! Keep up the great work Jana and BMac!
The following weeekend, P.Daddy came out for a visit and he got to experience his FIRST Raider win!! They played outstanding against the Cincy Bengals and we all left the game exhausted and without a voice:-) P.Daddy and I rallied, however, and headed over to San Francisco to see the Freelance Whales perform at a place called the Rickshaw Stop. It was an amazing show and it was SO fun to be able to see Chuck, his brother-Darren and their parents! It was so great to have P.Daddy and all his excitement out here a couple times this year. He is the ULTIMATE fan of all that his children do...including his in-law children. Thanks for always being so supportive and excited Pops! We love you!
A few days later, P. Daddy and I headed to Texas to watch the Raiders play on Thanksgiving Day in the brand new Dallas Cowboys Stadium! What an amazing sight!! It was my first time to Texas, and it was super fun to be able to experience downtown Fort Worth with my pops. After the game (the Raiders lost :-( boooo) Johnny headed back to CA to go back to work and P. Daddy and I headed back to NY for a late Thanksgiving celebration with the Hollis crew as well as my 10 year high school reunion! Yikes!! Even though it is hard to believe that I have been out high school that long, the reunion itself was fun and it was GREAT to catch up with some old friends. The most exciting part of THAT weekend was the fact that Papa Fassel's Locos WON the very first UFL Championship Game!! They defeated the Orlando Tuskers in a SUPER exciting game. We are so proud of you Papa Fassel!! Love you lots!!
That brings us to December! Geez!! The Raiders started off December on a high note with another AMAZING shoot out style win at Pittsburgh!! Way to go Silver & Black!! A few days later my floozie flooze Em came to visit!! The weather was pretty brutal for her trip, but we got some amazing stuff squeezed in. We got to go to Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street, and Muir Woods. It was so wonderful to have Em here. We have been through so much together and I am so grateful that she took time out of her vacation to come spend time with me!! Thanks my floozie!! Love you!!
A few days later, Mikey, his girlfriend-Lizzie and Papa Fassel all arrived in Oakland for more fun!! We did a few of the touristy things in San Francisco's pouring rain and then finished off the weekend with rainy Raider game against the Redskins. Unfortunately the Raiders didn't win, but it was so wonderful to have a full house of family & friends.
The following weekend the Raiders were heading to Denver to play the Broncos. I flew out to watch the game and to be there for the Fassel family early Christmas celebration. We have been so lucky to be able to have a holiday celebration in Denver two years in a row! Last year, we were there right before Thanksgiving...and this year it was right before Christmas! We had wonderful Christmas party and Johnny was able to get away from the hotel for a little while to get some family time, food and presents. The next day was the game and the Raiders pulled off yet ANOTHER fantastic win. This was an especially exciting win because of the huge Fassel crew that we had there watching AND because we were in major enemy territory. The Broncos HATE the Raiders, so it made it that much for fun to win (for the second year in a row) :-)
I got back to California just in time for a nice little Christmas Eve dinner date with my hubby! After all of his work obligations were finished, we were able to squeak in a beautiful dinner at Scott's Seafood in Jack London Square. It is such a long, busy season for Johnny that it was fun to get all dressed up and have a special date night. We were able to spend Christmas morning together before Johnny had to head to work. I am so grateful that he was able to stay in California for Christmas. They played in Cleveland that weekend, and probably should have left on Christmas day, but luckily their departure was pushed back until the 26th.
It was perfect timing because as soon as Johnny left for Cleveland, Lucy flew in from NY!! This was the second winter in a row that Lulu was able to use some of her vacation days to fly out to see me, as well as Chuck's family! We always have so much fun when we are together and I am so grateful that she has been able to spend her vacation days out here!! We hung out in San Francisco and did lots of touristy things, as well as hiking (and getting somewhat lost) at Mount Tamalpais. Lucy is AMAZING at pretty much everything she does...so she gets a pass on her navigation skills during this outing. I am pretty sure it was faulty signage...right, Lulu? I love you my sissy pants and can't wait for your next trip out here!!
The new year brought some VERY exciting news from Baltimore/Florida! My floozie friend Em was ringing in the new year in Disneyworld with her boyfriend Dave. I got a very excited phone call that night from the happy couple who had just gotten ENGAGED!! I am so so so happy for these two. They are absolutely perfect together!! Love you both!!
The new year also brought the end of the football season. The last game was against the Baltimore Ravens which was fun because that meant that our friend Rod, who is the Ravens' Chaplain was coming out to California. Rod married us in Malibu in 2008, so he will always hold a special place in our hearts. We also had a special visit from John's old friend Santos and his girlfriend Hannah, who were visiting from Austria as well as Shaun and his wife, Willow from Arizona. It is so rare that John gets to have friends come visit, so it was super fun to have them all here.
Since then, and even before then, a lot of our life has revolved around whether or not we were going to be staying here in Oakland. Unfortunately, as much as you try to not let it affect you, and as much as you try to not think about it...it still does. While I think I am getting better at dealing with the uncertainty of this profession, it is definitely still hard. I wish that I didn't let it affect me as much as it does...but I am doing the best that I can to deal with it. Luckily Johnny is super understanding about how I am feeling throughout the whole process since he has grown up with his lifestyle...and he was incredibly patient with me and my grumpiness over the last few months. Thank you for being you...and thank you for loving me the way I am...grumpy and all. I love you Johnny!!
It looks like we will be staying here for one more year and I couldn't be happier about it. We are so happy together and so happy here. This is a wonderful place to live and John loves working for the Raiders, so who could ask for anything more?
I think I am officially caught up on the last 8 months of my life. I promise to do better in the next 8 months:-) Love to all...God Bless
