An Interesting Start to the New Year

Well, if you received our Christmas e-letter, you read that I have made it a goal for 2010 to keep my blog updated. And, of course, I'm not off to a good start! I promise, I do have good intentions, so please don't give up on me! =)

Since this is my first post for 2010, I want to start out by wishing you a Happy New Year! We are 22 days into the year, and it's already been quite interesting! I started off the new year with a broken arm--we were in Colorado for the holiday, and I fell onto my wrist and elbow while snowboarding in the Rockies. (If you're wondering if I at least was able to get a few runs in before the accident, the answer is yes--I fell at the end of the day, and was even able to finish boarding down the mountain!) Turns out I broke my radius at the elbow. It is healing nicely, and I should be back to full strength in about 2 weeks.

Probably the most interesting thing about having the broken arm has been taking care of the kids. Dan had to go from Colorado to Oklahoma for a month of training, so I flew back home with the kids, minus use of my left arm (and wouldn't you know, I am left-handed!). I will say that it is not an experience I would like to repeat anytime soon (or ever!), but I had a lot of help from several sympathetic people, and the trip actually went okay.

I'd like to say thanks to everyone who has helped me since I fell and broke my arm, especially my parents and my in-laws. I stayed with my in-laws for a week after my accident, and it was great to have the help with changing the boys' diapers, etc. Since I've been back in ND, I've had one or both of my parents with me to help. I am now back in my hometown staying with them, getting some extra assistance until my arm heals. I plan to head back home again in a couple of weeks, just before Dan returns home.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for my healing and/or expressed sympathy in these past 3 weeks! Stay tuned for more Fry Family updates and pictures soon!

~Michelle

Pumpkin Patch

The kids and I ventured out to the pumpkin patch last week, on what was probably the yuckiest weather day this fall. It was snowing, and everything out there was EXTREMELY muddy--but we had a great time! I don't know what I was thinking dressing Toby in khaki pants that day, but surprisingly, they came out clean in the wash. Here are some pics of the fun we had out there.

I didn't think I'd ever get him out of the corn
maze--not because he got lost, but because
he was having so much fun!

Picking out a pumpkin to bring home. We bought
a couple of smaller pumpkins, as well as some
gourds and Indian corn to spruce up our dining room.

Toby's pumpkin is on the far right in the picture
below. I tried to get a picture of him walking
around with it, but I was too slow. By the time
I had the camera ready, he'd set it down--he
wanted it to sit by all the other pumpkins!

I couldn't get the boys to look at the camera,
but I did at least manage to get a shot of us
together before we left.

A Week for the Pigs

So, last Saturday I ran in my big race and posted all the pictures...and then became horribly sick. My whole body was aching, I had an awful headache, I was coughing, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, and the works. Saturday night I came down with a fever and spent the night alternating having the chills and hot flashes. I don't remember the last time I felt this terrible! Well, I was having all the symptoms of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, so I went to see the doc. He said that the swine flu was going around the area, and that is probably what I have--but they are no longer testing people with symptoms because it takes too long to get the results back and they aren't doing anything for treatment anyway.

Unfortunately, my entire family caught the virus. Dan started to get sick on Wednesday, and the kids started showing symptoms during the week, too. I thought I was getting better by Wednesday night, then was hit full force again on Friday. I went back to the doc--had a chest x-ray--I have a bronchial infection as a result of the swine flu. So now I'm on antibiotics, and also prednisone since this whole thing has flared up my asthma symptoms. The good news is that even though we all have colds now, we are all slowly healing--and I think it's even safe to go out in public again after a week of seclusion!

On another note, we had Zach's well-baby appointment the week before (maybe that's where I picked up the virus?). Zach is 4 months old now and just over 16 pounds, and just under 25 inches. That's about the 75th and 55th percentiles, respectively. The kid won't be accused of having a big head, though, as his noggin is just in the 35th percentile! He is a very happy boy, and was all smiles for Dr. Linck. Zach even laughed for the first time this week, despite being sick. He giggled at Toby, who was throwing a small toy in the air and trying to catch it. I love my boys and hope they will be completely healthy again soon!

My First Race

Well, I did it--I ran my very first race today! It was the Fall Frolic 10K in Grand Forks (6.2 miles). This morning was the farthest I have ever run; I am very tired this afternoon, but am so glad I was able to finish! It was a pretty chilly morning, with temps around 60--great for running, but a little cool for the cheering section!

I went into the race with two goals. Goal #1: Complete the race--like I said, I had never run that far before, so the most important goal for me was to finish, not necessarily to run very fast. With that goal accomplished, I had Goal #2: Finish the race in less than one hour, five minutes. Well, I finished at 1:00:11.3, so I was happy!

I finished 13th out of 20 women, and 30th out of 38 total runners. I am so excited that I finished! If you are interested in seeing everyone’s results, click here. Now it’s time to start training for the Fargo Half Marathon in May. It’s on May 22nd, which is Dan’s and my 6th anniversary, and as long as there are no injuries or work trips at the time, we are making it a date! Dan said he’d run at my speed so we could do it together—what a sweetheart!

The lineup (we started and finished in the same
place). I was about 3/4 of of the way back.

And we're off!

At the top of the final hill. The home stretch!

Just before crossing the finish line.

I did it!

While I was running, Dan had the kids (thanks, Hon, you're the best!). Dan and Toby played on the playground before lining up to watch me finish. He took some pretty cute pictures of our boys.

Recent Pictures

Well, we've been back from Alabama for three weeks now, and have been on the move ever since! The kids are real troopers to put up with us through all our adventures! I've put up some random favorite pictures in this post, but scroll down to see everything we've been up to this past month.

I got the exersaucer out of storage last week
for Zach. He seems to love it, but...

...Toby seems to think it's a toy for himself!

Visiting Family

Dan had to go out of town for work last week, so the kids and I went to my brother Matt's house. Matt and Janess were out of town (Janess had a work conference, and Matt went along so they could make a vacation out of it), so my parents were staying at their house with the children. Toby, Zach, and I stayed three nights before heading back home.

My brother Stephen was there when we first
arrived, but had to leave a few minutes later.
I got some cute pictures of Jocelyn and Levi
on Stephen's motorcycle before he had to leave.

And there he goes!

It was bath night for my niece and nephews
the first night we were there. Toby was begging
to hop in the tub with Levi, so the two had fun
playing trains together.

Grandma Gwen with Cameron, Toby, Levi,
and Jocelyn.

Grandpa Andy with the kids.

Mom with Zach and Levi.

Toby loved the xylophone--it was sure noisy,
though!

Weddings

My cousin Leif got married last Saturday. It was a lot of fun to be at their wedding--here are some pictures from the day.

My sweet niece, Jocelyn

Leif, awaiting his bride

Katie, the beautiful bride

Mr. and Mrs. Leif and Katie Sveet

At the reception: Toby was having a blast running
around, making new friends.

My brother Matt took these next few pictures.
Here are all the cousins lined up--Matt tried to
take a picture of them inside, but they kept looking
out the window, so he decided to go outside.

Toby and Cousin Levi

My beautiful nieces Savannah and Jocelyn were the punch
pourers for the reception. Unfortunately, we were
a little confused about the starting time for the
reception and got there late. Most of the punch
was gone, but Matt did get a couple of pictures
of them pouring punch.

Jocelyn pouring punch for Grandma Gwen.

My friend Amy from high school also got married
that day. We went to her wedding between Leif &
Katie's ceremony and reception. Sweet Amy was
already crying walking down the aisle!

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Amy Brown