October 31, 2006 by jon.

We’ve updated our photo section.  Included are photos from Brad’s birthday, the marathon and Robyn Cheerleading.  Please check them out!

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October 31, 2006 by jon.

The results are on ChicagoMarathon.com and you can also view some pictures at Marathonfoto.com. Just put in my last name and my bib number. 37924 to view the photos.

This actually is a pretty good photo from MarathonFoto. I saw their photographers all over the later stages of the course and made sure I ran past at least a few of them. Once I can, I’ll probably purchase a few.

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October 25, 2006 by jon.

Today our little man is 10!  What an amazing thing.  I remember the day he was born quite well since it was kind of unexpected.  Kala had HELP syndrome so she was induced and Brad arrived 5 weeks early.

So much has happened in these past 10 years, it’s hard to know where to start.  From day care to school to sports to scouts.  Brad has been tremendously active and has made some great friends.

I love watching Brad grow up into a fine young man.  I am impressed with his compassion as well as his manners and intelligence.  Kala and I both wonder where he got his athleticism from. 

So Happy Birthday Brad!  I hope your day is special and that you feel loved.

Love,

Dad

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October 22, 2006 by jon.

Guess what?  I ran the Chicago Marathon today.

I was a little worried about the weather today, but the Lord gave us some great cool weather and it only rained about 5 minutes.  Then after mile 15 or so, the sun came out a bit.

I did ok.  I taped my name on my jacket so people would cheer me on, but I ran with a friend who was dressed as Wonder Woman.  Only a few called out my name, but that’s ok.  I took my jacket off and gave it to Kala at 15.5 so I could cool down a bit.
Taksina (Wonder Woman) and I ran according to our plan and ran a good race.  We kept at about a 10:00 mile pace through 18 or 19 miles.  We both felt pretty strong but at 19-20 I was getting tired.  By mile 23 I needed to walk a little longer than normal and Taksina couldn’t stop to walk because she was starting to tighten up.  So she took of and our friend Cathi stayed with me.

With Cathi’s prodding on I was able to finish.  I walked probably twice per mile for the last three but I finished.  And actually a good time at 4:39:38.

Kala and the kids saw me at mile 2, mile 15.5 and at the finish.  I think they had a good time getitng around the city and working to figure out where to go next.  While waiting for me to come by, they had a good time cheering everyone on.  Brad made sure to yell everyone’s name that he saw and they were all good encouragers.

So I did my first (Last?) marathon.  It was fun and exciting and I’m glad I did it.  If I were to try it again, I’d need to lose some weight to make it easier on my body.

It was a long summer of training for something that was done in less than 5 hours.
Here is the tally as far as I reckon:

• 2 toenails
• 4 pairs of running shoes
• 12 visits to the chiropracter
• One new GPS watch (Sooo cool)
• LOTS of pain medication
• 1 new reusable ice bag (Using it now)
• 2 other races (Fox Valley 5K with Brad and Bix 7)
• Runs in 5 states (Illinois, Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, Maryland)

So was it worth it?  You bet!

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October 22, 2006 by jon.

Brad’s team played the Tigers Saturday at 2:00.  The got in a hole early and were down 9-0 in the third.  They came back a bit in the 4th and were down 10-3.  Then they had a great rally coming back to 10-9 (Runs are capped at 9 per inning or they may have scored more).  Brad led the rally with a rally cap and chanting H-I-T RALLY!  The whole side picked it up and their bats picked up as well.

But theyn the Tigers brought in their closer.  The Rangers were shut down in the last 2 innings with no scoring.  It didn’t really help that we shut them down as well.  Brad ended up being the last batter of the season.  Taking a called strike three (It seemed low to us).

We had some great coaches these past two season and Brad sure learned a lot.  It’s too bad that they won’t be coaching again in the spring.  We’ll miss Coach Bob, Coach Mark, Coach Ken and Coach Steve.

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October 19, 2006 by jon.

For those of you interested in tracking my progress in the Chicago Marathon, You can click on the below link and sign up to receive email alerts, text pages or messages to pagers when I finish or even for every split.

My bib number is 37924 although you just need my name to sign up for alerts.
Active.com Registration

You can also see more about the race at www.chicagomarathon.com.

Here is the weather report for the weekend.  Cold and rainy!
Should be fun…
Wish me well!

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October 19, 2006 by Brad.

This is an update on my baseball games.  When i was playing two of my friends i smacked a home run!!  We won the game 30 to 1 ,my friend scoared there only score.

I also have a baseball tournamant the weekend of the 21 and 22.on the 22 my dad is running the lasalle bank chicago marathon,26 mind bobbling miles

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October 17, 2006 by Kala.

This week I decided to have us learn a poem…it’s all about perspective and attitude.

Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land.

Thus the little moments, humble thought they may be, make the mighty ages of eternity.

by - Julia Carney

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October 17, 2006 by jon.

Did my last long run before the Chicago Marathon on Saturday.  Felt pretty good although my shins were sore after.  Been icing to get them loosened up.  Here is my run info:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.mb?episodePk.pkValue=1513910

I think I’m ready for the Marathon.  My bib number is 37924 if anyone is interested in tracking my results.  Go to the spectator site for the marathon to get info on how to track.

Should be fun.

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October 16, 2006 by Kala.

Steve, Rachelle and Sydney Nickell came for a visit the first weekend in October. I can’t even begin to express how much we enjoyed the time we got to spend with our CO connections!!! It felt like being home. We had quite a busy weekend. Apple picking on Friday, baseball games both Saturday and Sunday, fishing on Monday. Robyn was the hot fisherwoman on Monday with a catch of 20 fish. Sydney caught her first fish as well. Brad hung in there and caught a perch and sun fish. Of course we were able to squeeze in a game or two of spoons. Brad so enjoys playing that game with Steve and Rachelle. I think what he enjoys best is that he sees his parents being just people,rather than parents, as we reminisce about growing up together, high school and the days before kids. We also spent quite a bit of time “bouncing” on our tramp with the kids. Sydney is amazing - she is growing into quite a wonderful girl! I even think Robyn mastered Sydney’s name this time around.

the apple orchard was so fun!!!! Except for the part where Robyn got her finger caught in a door being opened by dad - it hurt. Check out the pictures under photos - Nickell Visit 2006.
Thanks for wanting to spend your vacation time hanging out with us! We totally enjoyed it and miss you already!!!

Kala and Robyn

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October 14, 2006 by jon.

Last game of the season for the Rangers today.  And what a game it was.  Brad had a walk, then a long homer to right field.  (He was huffing as he rounded third) and then a long triple to the same place.  He is more confident at the plate than I’ve ever seen him and hitting well.  Take a look at some of his photos.

Oh, and he pitched today as well.  Three up and three down, all strikeouts.  He was stong today.

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October 14, 2006 by jon.

It’s been a long time coming. But we’re back. Tigers make it to the World Series. One the 22nd anniversary of winning the 1984 World Series. What poetry. Bottom of the 9th, scored tied, 2 out. What little league player hasn’t imagined the scenario? Well Ordonez delivered with a 3 run homer. Who could have scripted anything better?

7 Straight post season wins. Who can stop them!

Anyone got tickets???

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October 12, 2006 by jon.

For those who don’t know, today is Kala’s birthday.  An amazing 39!  :-)  It’s hard to believe that I have been in her life for not even 1/2 of that time and yet we are best friends, confidants and make a great team.  I have trouble remembering my life before she came into it.

With 39 great years on this earth, Kala has only improved.  She is closer to the Lord, continually working on being a better parent, a huge supporter (And fan!) of me and is enjoying her walk through life.

I love her more every day and pray that the Lord keeps her safe and be my side for many more years.

Happy Birthday Kala!

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October 11, 2006 by jon.

We received Brad’s tournament schedule for baseball. Looks like we’ll have a busy weekend on the 21st & 22nd. He has a 3:00 game Saturday, 11:00 and 3:00 on Sunday and a 6:00 pm Monday if they keep winning. He will miss the Sunday morning game because we’ll be downtown for the marathon. Hopefully we’ll make it back for the 3:00 one.

Stayed tuned for more updates…

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October 8, 2006 by jon.

The Rangers had another good game today.  Still undefeated with only one game remaining.  Found out the tournament is all next weekend starting Saturday afternoon, all day Sunday with the championship on Monday night under the lights.  Pretty cool, but it will make for a long weekend.

In today’s game Brad had a great hit to right to start off, but the right fielder made a diving catch.  It still drove one in so it was a RBI.  He then struck out, doubled and walked for his last at bat.  Another decent day at the plate.

In the field, Brad had a good play at Third to tag out a runner stealing.  He also played Short, Left and Center.  Then in the 5th inning, the pitcher got in a bind and loaded the bases.  Coach brought Brad in who got two strike outs to end the inning.  (Both on a full count)  That’s twice now Brad came in with bases loaded and no one scored on him.  I think he likes the pressure of the situation.

More photos uploaded today.

Stay tuned for updates next weekend.

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