The Buddy Bee Makes Three: April 2012

I never know what I will find my boys doing when I leave them to their own devices but on this day where I found them brought a smile to this mother's face.

I found my boys cloud watching!

Buddy Bee was so excited to show Mommy his new discovery.

Buddy Bee enjoying the sunshine and what appears to be the remnants of some dirt.

Buddy Bee telling us what each cloud was.

Even with his wild hair and dirt covered face he is still a cute little Bee.

Oohh!

He couldn't keep his eyes off the moving clouds.

If we only knew what was going through his mind to make this face at his mother....he is such a ham!

Our little Buddy Bee needed some assistance from Daddy with his shoes.

Kisses for Daddy.

I love my boys together! I love the little moments they share, the excitement when Daddy is home, the joy in "helping"daddy, and the way they interact as father and son. I love my boys together!

Andrew came to me 6 months ago and said, "I want to compete in this race"...

(Offical Tough Mudder 2012 Video taken from http://www.toughmudder.com/)

and after I watched the video I said "ANDREW, YOU ARE CRAZY"!

But I know he has done crazier things with the Army and how could I deny him in participating in an event that has raised over 3 million dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project. So then I told Andrew, "I want to go with you! ...there WILL be a blog post"! So, on April 28th Andrew I headed down to the Pocono's for Andrew's first Tough Mudder challenge.

Andrew all ready to go!

He won't stay this clean for long.

Andrew waiting for his wave to start, along with a hundred or more other people.

Andrew's start time 10:20 am

Getting pumped up before the race.

Even before they start they have to climb a wall.

This guy was fantastic as pre-run motivator.

Taking time to remember those who have sacrificed for our country and the reason why they are running.

Can you find Andrew?

Read the signs....

...remember you signed a death waiver.

What a way to start the race!

And they are off...12 miles and 25 extreme obstacles to go!

Average completion time is 3 hours.

(Andrew is in front of the guy in yellow. )

Course Map

I would see Andrew again a mile in and at the second obstacle.

"Arctic Enema"

Andrew ready to jump into the ice.

And out he comes a shade of blue.

After jumping into a container full of dyed ice I would say he was blue literally and figuratively.

"Go, Andrew!"

After seeing Andrew off I headed over to the 15th obstacle, "Everest" to wait for Andrew.

And after an hour and a half I would finally see a glimpse of my hubby.

Covered in dirt and about ready to lose his race number, Andrew runs by.

Every racer is given a race humber to wear and they are also required to have the number written on 2 other places on their bodies....so they can identify your body if you collapse. Andrew had his number written on his forehead and arm.

Andrew waiting for his turn to climb "Everest".

I was a little nervous for my hunny. After watching people struggle with this obstacle for an hour and half I was anxious to see how Andrew would fare.

And he is off....

and in one attempt he was at the top!

Andrew receiving an "arm" up.

Yay for my hubby!

As his wife I need to learn to not doubt his abilities better.

Andrew standing on top of "Everest" waiting to help others up.

He was soon off again, and thought I would miss him completeing these next two obstacles, I wanted to capture what he had to do to complete them.

Obstacle 22, "Twinkle Toes"

Obstacle 16, "Shocks on Rocks".

Army crawl through water while avoiding electrical wires.

And he reappears again!.....5th red shirt back.

Almost done, Andrew!

Waiting to complete his second to last obstacle.

While Andrew waiting to complete this obstacle I ran to the finish so I could watch him complete obstacle 25 "Electrosock Therapy" and then the finish.