It's almost APRIL!!!.....Oh and I need some MONEY!!

It’s been awhile since the last blog update, sorry. I guess time flies when you’re having fun, and the fun never stops at the Holbrook house.

So, the last update was in early December. We’ve since visited Florida and Hawaii, and celebrated Christmas, New Year’s and Easter. It seems like we’ve barely had time to breathe. Grayson is quickly approaching the ripe ‘ol age of two…didn’t we just bring him home from the hospital???

The visit to Florida in December was a nice escape from the Portland weather. Although my mother tried to kill me and Melanie on a “3 mile” run, it turned into a 24 mile life or death saga. Let’s just say her sense of distance was a little off. Mom is doing great on her exercise and diet program and to date has lost over 30 lbs. Stick with it Mom, or I’ll kill you!!


We headed back to Portland on Christmas Eve and spent Christmas Day with Mel’s family. It’s always a good time with the three grandboys running around screaming.

Spent New Year’s with the Wellmans. Grayson loves hanging out with his best friend, Ben, vacuuming their house. The adults had their first introduction to the Wii. Luckily no one threw out a shoulder or broke a hip.

Since the last update we haven’t had a doctor’s visit to get new stats. He is such a sponge…he repeats EVERYTHING he hears and is starting to speak in full sentences. He loves to watch Finding Nemo 400 TIMES every day if we’d let him. We keep it down to just once just before bedtime. He now counts to 12, can imitate almost every animal sound, and points out every motorcycle, airplane, school bus, and boat anywhere and everywhere. We’re still working on the potty training. Although he has gone a couple times, he’s still in diapers for the time being. With the big 02 coming up next month, I’m sure we’ll have a get together to celebrate. Feel free to come on out and join in the celebration.

At the end of February we decided to escape the Portland gloom and headed over to Kauai. Spent a week on the North Shore on the most beautiful island in the world. If you haven’t been there, go. If you have, you know! We stayed in Princeville and took along our friends Jesse and Emily. Grayson caught his first wave with daddy surfing the huge Hawaii shore breaks.

No one got too seriously sunburned, and we’re looking to move there as soon as possible. Hahahaha

Uncle Jarred ventured west of the Mississippi for the second time in his life. After a little day and a half delay in Columbus due to a blizzard, he made it out safe and sound, albeit at 2:00 a.m. Monday morning. We showed him the big city of Portland, top to bottom inside and out. Oh, wait, he spent most of his time with me at work on my night shifts. He wasn’t much good for anything after 3:00 in the morning. We did take in some sights of Portland: the Rose Garden, the zoo, the Pearl District, the Lloyd District. Oh, yea, and The Montage. You’ll have to ask him about that (hahaha). Got up to Mt. Hood for some snowboarding…I think he’s hooked. He just purchased his own board and says he’s going to Indiana every day in the winter to ride. Good luck bro.



We also ventured over to Tigard for some Go Kart racing.(He has Yellow shoulders on his jacket)



I took Jarred swimming and running with me. Let’s just say even though I’m 12 years older than him, his youth was no match for my ego…ok, and my two years training. Jarred, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. No pain, no gain. Maybe next year.

Just celebrated Easter. Had dinner at Mel’s parents. Once again all grandboys were at full speed and completely energized to run rampant all over grandma’s house.

Mel’s softball season is just getting underway. The girls are starting to practice and I’m sure we’re heading for another great year. I, however, am still hackin’ away at this Ironman thing. I’ve got a vendetta on a run course in Penticton. D-day is August 24th. I’ll be sure to send the link out so you can watch online. I’ll need all the prayers I can get.

Grayson and I are heading to Houston April 9th to see Uncle Rob, Aunt Steph, Zoe, Tyson, Grandmam and Grandpoo, and Mamaw Osborne. Most of the adults will be going for a little bike ride called the MS 150 raising some money for charity. Did I mention I need you all to give me money?? The bike ride benefits the National MS Society and the LoneStar Chapter in Houston. If you don’t know someone directly that has multiple sclerosis, just ask 10 of your closest friends and I’ll bet they do. So, once again, I’ll include a link where you can donate online, and just remember, with tax season around the corner, it’s a tax deductible contribution. Not only does it help your pocketbook, but it benefits families all across the nation afflicted by this disease that they have yet to find a cure for. I need to raise $400 and my company matches up to $1000. My goal is $2000. $1000 from my friends and family (aren’t you guys great!), and $1000 from my generous company.


Donate Here Please!

So, that’s pretty much it from the Holbrooks in Oregon for this chapter. I really appreciate any donation that you make to the MS society on my behalf. If you have any questions, feel free to call or e-mail. Hope to see or talk to you all soon. Keeping you all in our prayers.

Love,
Brad, Mel and Grayson

Here are the Picture and NEW video links!
Pictures are Here!
Videos are Here!

Where Have I Been??

Sorry so long between posts, it seems like I have less time in each and every day. I went back and read my last post, it's been a long time! So I'll try to catch everyone up with what has been going on out here on the WEST SIDE! I'll keep it short and sweet but get straight to the Nitty Gritty.

Starting from where I left off, heading to Vegas the first of September for Mel's softball World Championships. (Just so you know, those Gals are AMAZING!) They started the day off on the wrong foot and lost their seeding games which put them in the losers bracket. The first game they played started at 8:30 in the morning. Not only did they battle through the losers bracket all day, they actually managed to end up playing all the way through the rest of the teams and ended up back in the Championship Game (when we finished playing it was 8:30 at NIGHT!!) With the temperatures hitting a high of 104 and absolutely NO shade anywhere on the field, and having played 7 games of softball already. Going into the Chamopionship game you could say the gals were a little tired and pretty much completely dehydrated in the HOT HOT desert! I know for a fact they went through Over $100 in Gatorade and Water alone, about 6 cases of each!! So after all of that, taking 2nd in the WORLD wasn't so bad! Congratulations BELLS!!

The rest of September was pretty much a blur with nothing really important going on except for The 3rd Wedding Anniversery of some Extremly Lucky guy and one really really confused ie. drugged woman! Nothing really big this year in the celebration department. We actually had a babysitter and went to our favorite Seafood restaurant's Happy Hour. Something we haven't been able to do since Grayson was born.

October was 18 month checkup time with yet ANOTHER round of shots. I think they do it for the fun of making Babies cry, mean mean doctors! Grayson was 26.5lbs and 33 3/4 inches tall. I say tall now because he can get into things that he shouldn't!! He is still well above average on his height and right at 50% average on his weight. Dr. Heffernan thinks he will be tall and Lean!

It seems like every day he learns something new to say. Not only does he tell us what he wants for breakfast, (French TOAST) He now can say his full name Grayson Dean Holbrook...he is pretty stink'n cute.

We payed a visit to Mamaw Osborne in October. We started Mamaw off in the right direction with a fitness and diet program. As of today she is doing GREAT! I think we have almost lost 20+ lbs and she can almost run without killing herself. While we were down there I was signed up to do a short Triathlon over in Tampa. But when we found a local 5K running race we signed up the WHOLE family. Mel, Grayson, myself, Mamaw and Papaw Rigsby and Mamaw Osborne all ran/walked the race and had a great time!....DID I mention that this was a Halloween Race so we had to dress up and since we didn't have any costumes we just went as ourselves!
My Mamaw actually WON First Place in her age division thanks to a Sprint to the Finish line. Passing her only competitor with less than 20 yards to go!!

Halloween came and went with a little spice thrown in.
We had big plans to go out to Grandma and Grandpa Yoders to trick-or-treat with Cousins Devon and Kyle. But Mel decided that she wanted to visit the Emergency Room at the local hospital while she was passing what the Dr.'s think was a gall bladder stone. She described it as just as bad if not worse than having a baby...NO FUN AT ALL!

Thanksgiving was spent with Mel's Grandfather's family out in Canby, Oregon. The food was Great the family plenty and the desserts OVERWHELMING!! a good time was had by all, execpt for Mel's brother Kenny, shooting basketball in the gym I've never seen a person shoot so many AIR BALLS in a row!!

We are getting geared up for one more trip back down south for Christmas with My family. We will actually be back in Portland on Christmas Eve. Mel has to work Christmas day. BLAH!

Well I think that is all that has been going on in our little slice of the world. I've updated the picture site with some tasty shots be sure to go check them out! We wish everyone a Wonderful Holiday season and a Very Merry Christmas. I hope the blessings run over to all our Friends and Family.

Until the New Year!
With Love
Brad, Mel, and Grayson!

Picture site

Grayson Dean a Future Ironman???

Well you probably haven't ventured south to read the Ironman race report...if you do it's long and boreing so hang in there...Grayson had a good time in Canada. He had been there before in April (When Dad tried to OFF him and Mom driving around in a truck with only 3 wheels with tight lug nuts!!!)

The first day in Canada Grayson had his first real accident. Somehow with his baby superpowers he figured out how to slide open the screen door and how to release the latch that keeps the screen door closed. Lets just say Baby + Screen Door + 3 1/2 foot drop + Gravel = (see picture above!!) He scared the life out of his Mom and Dad. Mel was in cleaning up after dinner and I was out tinkering around with my race gear. All I heard was a loud "THUD" and Mel SCREAMING "BRAD!!!!!" I turned around and saw my baby laying face down in the gravel. First thought...HE IS DEAD??!??! I ran over swooped him up as fast I could and made sure he was still alive. After the manaditory 30 second build up, the "Death Scream" was released!! Man babies can be LOUD! So we cleaned him up, picked the gravel out of his face and lip and 4 minuts later he was back playing like noting ever happened.....Babies are truly amazing!!

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful after the first days fiasco. On the Friday before the race there is a very Unique event that is a charity fundraiser for the local community. The Ironman participents, and really anyone crazy enough to shimmy off your pants and shirt, and exposing all God gave you except for some underwear are invited to run rampid on the city to help purchase bicycles for needy children. It called the Underpants run, Grayson HAD to get in on that action...he was scopeing out the "HOT CHICKS" he said?? He must get that from his Mom's side??? Picture are included over on the picture site. So be sure to check him out!

Other than that not much going on. Mel and I are heading back to Vegas this weekend for her SOFTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!! So wish her good luck...although they are defending Champions. They get moved up a level and will be competing against much tougher teams! I still think that they can pull it off!!

So until next time!!

Brad, Mel, and Grayson!!

Daddy's an IRONMAN!!!

Well we made it!! I'm now officially an IRONMAN!! First off I just wanted to say Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! To all of you for the Good luck wishes and for all the support and encouragement that you gave me for the big day. You have NO idea how much that stuff helps you get through at mile 22 of the Run leg of the race. Just knowing that there are people watching your splits and waiting for you to cross that line for the final time...make you persevere and overcome whatever the day throws at you. Without my HUGE support group...(that means YOU!) I could and probably would not have made it...

I'll include a little race report to follow, although it might be a little bland. When you have a very good race plan from a very good coach that is how the day is supposed to go. So here goes;

Pre race:
Wake up at 4:20 and start eating. With a 10 to 12 hour day ahead of you, you want to make sure the tank is topped off and ready to be drained time and time again. SO Bagel and powerbar and banana and Gatorade and peanut butter and then try to get back to sleep. Up again at 5:00, heading out at 5:30 to the transition area. Get body marked and check the pressure in your bike tires. Put on wetsuit and get in the water. 6:45 Pro's start and 15 minutes later the LARGEST MASS swim start in Ironman history. 2588 Swimmers!!

Swim:
Every wonder what it would be like to swim with 3 other people in a washing machine??? Well that is exactly what Ironman Canada swim was like this year...with 2588 of my best friends...in the 1:05:55 that it took me to complete the swim I must have had about 55 seconds of time where I wasn't hitting or being hit by someone!! Just plain Craziness!!! 367th position over all after the swim.

Bike:
So after the trashing in the water I was ready for a little bike ride of 112 miles through the mountains of the Okanagan Valley. The bike ride was much less physical than the swim. On the bike you just want to conserve as much energy and go as fast as you can, while eating as much food to fuel yourself for the little run at the end. I was right on pace for my Perfect day finishing time goal of 10:30 total race time. I just needed to finish the run with a 4 hour marathon. 5:27:47 total time on bike. 169th position overall after the bike. I passed 198 people on the bike. And averaged 20.5 mph for 112 miles!

Run:
Well all was good until the 8th mile aid station. The Race plan was to walk through all the aid stations to make sure to take in enough Gatorade and water to survive the run. For some reason a little knee ligament became inflamed just a week before the race. (Due to a shoe change just a month prior to the race day...dumb mistake on my part!!) Rookie Ironman mistake. At mile 8 the knee decided that it had done enough work for the day, I can't blame it! So from mile 8 to 20 it was a very frustrating and SLOW grind mile by mile. I actually think that I ran a 22 minute mile during this part of the race. At mile 20 I decided that I could no longer walk/stop/cry/whine/pussyfoot around or I'd go over the 12 hour mark. So at mile 21 the running began and I didn't stop for ANYTHING...and I mean ANYTHING...I won't get into the details on what all happened but I don't want to ever go there again. I ran the final 5.2 miles with a knee what did not want to work at all. I was passed by MANY MANY people some older than my father...and he is OLD!! Just shows you what is possible and that AGE has nothing to do with staying in Amazing shape.... (MOM, GO GET ON YOUR BIKE NOW!!!) 4:54:47 total run time...BLAH!! 628th Position overall after the run. 11:16 minute per mile average for the 26.2 miles...again BLAH!! I got passed by 459 people on the run...very very sad...So sad I'm signed up for next years race just to beat that run time.

So that is it...That is an Ironman race in a nutshell. This was by far the hardest event that I've ever done in my life...and I'm sure sometime next year in August on the 24th I'll be asking myself WHY I paid to do it all over again...I must be Crazy!!

On a final note, I just wanted to say a special Thanks to Mel and Grayson....without their support and encouragement and understanding and sacrifice. I wouldn't have even made it to the starting line. I couldn't be any luckier to have a wife that will not only go to Canada with you in April for a training weekend, but bring you food and drinks 1/2 way into the bike course. All while trying to stay alive because here retarded husband forgot to tighten the rear driver side wheel lug nuts.... (Another story, another time!!) Thank you Melly, I love you and owe you all the glory in this Journey!! Without you this would NOT have happened!!

Thanks for reading and see you next time!

Love to all!
Brad

15 Months and 30 Years??

Well I guess it had to happen, whether I wanted it to or not...I didn't like the other option. So I turned 30 years old....BLAH!!! And my baby boy turned 15 months old. I'm sure to my mother and father I was 15 months old just yesterday, because the first 15 months of Grayson's life has gone by in a blink!

So, for the Big 30 we decided to head south and invade Las Vegas. Having a real fun time with friends and family in tow, thanks again to everyone that came down and helped to make my 30th birthday one I'll never forget!

We headed down to Vegas driving from Portland stopping at Lake Shasta in California for the first night. With Aunt Linda in the car with us Grayson was a Joy and having a blast playing for the 6.5 hour car ride. We pulled an 8.5 to 9 hour day in the car the second day and made it to Barstow just about 2 hours outside of Vegas. Everyone else flew in from as far away as Florida. (We had Mamaw Osborne there to baby-sit all the young ones while the semi-adults headed out on the town at night!) Thanks again Mom! You were a HUGE help!!

After all the birthday fun was over Mel, Grayson and I decided to take another week getting back home and head through The Grand Canyon and Yosemite National park. Two of the most beautiful places I believe on this earth. I highly recommend going there if you have never visited before. Although, next time, we want to do more hiking and camping "WITHIN" the parks, off the beaten paths.

Grayson endured a 2805 mile car trip that lasted about 12 days, and he did Awesome!!


Grayson Dean never stops nowadays. He is constantly going, learning and growing right before our eyes. I think that he picked up 5 to 10 words on the trip. It's amazing to watch a child learn the use of speech and language. The summer is far from over for him, with another trip in 2 weeks back up to Canada for "THE BIG RACE"

That’s right, Ironman Canada is the 26th of this month only 16 days from today!! I'm scared and nervous and excited all at once. I know I'll do my best and that is all I can do. Seems that sums up how I really go about life now days.

After the trip to Canada, Granmam and Grandpoo Rigsby head back out to Oregon, (their second trip this summer) to watch Grayson when we head back to Vegas for Mel's softball World Championships!! They are defending Champions if you didn't know.

Mamaw and Papaw Rigsby came out earlier this summer, the first of July. We went and did some sightseeing here in Portland and up to Mt. St. Helens. I think they really enjoyed seeing Grayson and teaching him to say "BASKETBALL". Yea he says it non stop all the time. Aunt Linda shot a video of him saying "BASKETBALL" I'll post a link...

Anyway, I just thought I'd catch everyone up with what has been going on here in the PNW. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and are headed for an even better fall and winter to cap off the year! Hope to see everyone sooner than later.

So Long,

Brad Mel and Grayson.

Pictures HERE

I don't have the pictures of Mamaw and Papaw Rigsby's visit up yet but I'll Post a link tonight to those pictures...there are some good ones!!

Here is the Famous "BASKETBALL" video

14 month Update.

I don't know who invented the whole counting a childs age with months thing....but I don't like it....how long do you have to do it...when is a good time to stop..???? Anyways....Grayson (now 14 months old!! HAHAHHA) is doing great. The whole family is doing great. Summer is well in the swing of things as we gear up for a busy next couple of months traveling and playing...I just wanted to send out a new video of Grayson that is Very Very funny....Hope you Enjoy!!

Video Link



Love to all
Brad,Mel,Grayson!!

365 Days already GONE!

Well it's come and gone and now we have a walking talking Toddler....Someone please save us!! Enough with my pathetic whining...we could have had twins or triplets right??

That is right Grayson is now officially ONE year old. We had a little party with his buddies Ben and Enzo and his cousins Devon and Kyle over for some cupcakes with lots of playing and smiles! The babies were walking, the cake was flying, and a good time was had by all.

The following Monday Grayson had the dreaded one year checkup at Dr. Heffernan's office, with the mandatory round of Make your baby scream's...otherwise known as "SHOTS"!! Luckily Grayson had a little throat infection that was going around, so he managed to skip out on the shots THAT visit....he goes back in 2 weeks!! (Oh well buddy you gave it your best!!) His stats for the checkup were as follows; He weighed 23lbs 2.5 oz and was 32 and 3/4 of an inch tall. So he is now Officially OFF the growth chart for height and middle of the road for weight. His head is still way SMALL!! He grew 3 inches since his last checkup at 9 months when he was 29 and 3/4 inches...how long can that go on???

Oh did I mention that the Friday before his 1st birthday Grayson decided that he would no longer be bound in mobility to crawling and being slow...So he let go of all attachments for support and is now WALKING 100% of the time! Consider that your fair warning that when we come to visit, if you don't have the house 100% baby proof Grayson will point out every weak link in your defense!

Grayson wanted to wish all the Family.....(Mamaw Osborne, Uncle Ian, Aunt Steph, Cousin Zoe, Aunt Toni...and anyone else I might forget!!) A Happy Birthday!! That is why Melanie wanted NOT to have a May baby....he had a slim to none chance of having his own birthday since all the family seems to have birthdays in May!! HHAHAH

Grayson did have another fist this month..Swimming Lessons i.e. Dunking lessons!! I don't know how much he is going to learn to swim in this class. I think that they just teach him how to go under water without drinking the pool! (pictures and video's included below!)

Not much else going on this month except the remodeling of our kitchen with new cabinets and countertops, its going to look very nice since Mel picked everything out! For me LOTS and LOTS of training!! Ironman Canada is just 107 days 20 hours 57 minutes and 8 seconds away from the time I'm writing this!! Wish me luck I'll need it! Mel is back in the swing of things with Softball. Her team Won the first tournament they entered this year, Those ladies ROCK!!! We will be visiting Las Vegas in September for the softball World Championships! So her team can Defend there Championship from last year!! GO BELLS!!

Well that is if for this round...if you made it this far in my babblings, misspelled words, and incorrect grammar....you get the GOLD star for the day! Until next time! We love and miss you all.
Brad, Mel, and Grayson Dean!

Here is the mandatory link to the Pictures

Pictures!

I'm going to try to include a video player this time so you can watch the videos right from here...if it doesn't work here is the link to the newest videos!

Videos

Here is the player....if it works!!

Almost One Year Old!!????

Well it's almost time for the first birthday party and I just wanted to send out a link to update some pictures and a little video that we took last night....so enjoy the pictures and the new video....I'll post a complete blog after the party with new pictures!
Love you all!
Brad,Mel,Grayson

Video



Picts