Life on the Runn...

"I was never a really big fan of sequels." So said Brian during this past weekend's live broadcast of the Sport Climbing National Competition in Waterford, Mass.  I'd have to disagree, at least in this context :) With every broadcast he participates in, every 'sequel', be it for bouldering nationals, sport climbing nationals, or local competitions, I see a stronger, better version of Brian the broadcaster. I'm immensely proud of him -- talking for such an extending period of time is no joke (and I'm a talker, I know!).  Making sure there is plenty to share and an engaging way to do so can be taxing, but Brian loves it and does a wonderful job.  Watching Brian on air serves as a reminder of both his unique sense of humor and his poise.  I get nervous for him, but he's always excited for his next gig. Between the broadcast and the Badger game, I had to split my time this weekend (I'm surprised my heart held out considering this all), but I

Last Wednesday, I packed up the school van with lots of snacks, suits, and nine decathletes and  took my little brainy babies to the Dells for the annual  Wisconsin State Academic Decathlon Competition.  Our first day in the Dells was entirely a prep day with lots of studying and lots of me checking in on all of them.  At least once, while in the car, I panicked, thinking I left someone behind (which I didn't, he was right behind my seat...in my blind spot?!)  We took the kiddos out to dinner Wednesday evening and to breakfast Thursday morning before the competition began.  I couldn't help but wonder how that lady with 19 children does it.  I could barely handle nine (and they're all largely self-sufficient).  Two days of competing, of using one's brain, of pulling out all that has been crammed in over the past seven months of studying, is no joke; despite plenty of ups and downs, the kids remained rather composed and did impressively well.  We went into the competiti

Brian and I have mastered the art of quick weekend trips, and last weekend's get-away to Beaver Creek, CO was no exception.  Brian was busy with work, his website, and prep for a tech conference he was attending just before our adventure, and this time of year at school is no joke, so a bit of fun and early bed times were a must (skiing sure does wipe a person out, even someone like me who rarely is able to get a good night's sleep!). I've gotten quite used to it, but flying alone isn't all too exciting, and since Brian was in Portland for his conference, I was excited to find out that our friends Scott and Steph shared a flight to Colorado with me. I have to admit that I never got entirely used to the idea of boarding a plane for a weekend trip, which inevitably ended with a good-bye and a trip back home alone.  I was relieved, however, when I realized that I had a whole weekend of ski adventure ahead of me and would be heading home  with  my husband when the time ca