Dan! Dan! The Iron Man!

We headed out of town for a week to St. George Utah so that Dan could participate in his first Iron Man race. He has been training for 6 months so the anticipation of this race was overwhelming for the entire family. We decided to spend the entire week leading up to the race at a cute little bed and breakfast so we could really get a feel for the town and the people there.

Sorry So many pictures but it was too fun not to post. :)

It was a REALLY long drive but the kids were GREAT!

This is the court yard of the bed and breakfast that was made up of like 6 individual little historic houses. And this is Ryanne asking if Daddy wants her to swim with him in the race. :)

This great little park was just across the street from where we stayed and was the "hub" of the Iron Man event. It was also the location for the finish line which was really convenient for the girls and I.

This is what the houses looked like in the neighborhoods in St. George. This is the house I told Dan he could buy me. White picket fence and all. The people in this town could not have been nicer if they tried. We talked to EVERYONE!

This little country store was next to our B & B. They sold old fashioned candy, snow cones and soda in glass bottles.

I tried to explain to Morgan that you really have not lived as a kid until your parents buy you some fake candy smokes and you walk around town with it hanging out of your mouth all the while blowing powdered sugar "smoke" in peoples faces. She wanted nothing to do with it. Whatever! LOL!!

In the park across the way they had fountains that shot up at different times in different spots so the kids played here every single day.

Right next to the fountains was a river with rocks and firemen statues that sprayed the kids. One day I sat in the shade and watched my girls play for THREE HOURS! They met all kinds of other kids from all over. Some locals and others from different states or countries there to watch their loved ones race the following weekend. Our kids are happiest outside soaking wet so this spot blessed us.

I loved all the old buildings we saw as we went for a walk every morning after breakfast.

This is Dan at the reservoir where the swim took place. Ignore the sun reflection on his belly button. Odd really.

Of course during Dan's practice swim's our kids found the quickest way to climb out on rocks and get wet. The water was sooooooo cold! I think they said in the mid 50's.

During the trial bike rides when we would drop Dan off and then drive to an ending location and wait for him we passed the camera around to keep entertained.

We waited A LOT that week as he has to do different things to get ready for the race.......

The girls were so good & supportive though. I tried my best to keep them entertained and not turn on me in the heat. LOL!

This is the evening before the race at the bike transition. I stood on a wall to get a shot of all the bikes racked. I couldnt get all 1,930 of them but you get the idea of the amount of crazy people here.

The night before the Iron Man our girls did an Iron Kids run through town. The finishers got to run across the actual Iron Man finish line, get a t-shirt and a medal.

Here is Ryanne after the race. Our friends Frank & Brandy from church were there volunteering at the race. It was so fun having people we knew there that week to hang out with and cheer Dan on.

Morgan after the race.

One of the houses at the B & B.

Me & the girls.

Dan & his biggest fans.

I found a life is good store just around the corner from where we were staying so I took it upon myself to buy a mother's gift I knew I would enjoy. What? Dan was busy racing, I was helping people. :)

Life IS good!!!

This poor unsuspecting lady fell in love with Ryanne....that is until Ryanne stomped on her wheel pedal and sent her creation flying everywhere. Oppsss!!!

Team Daddy in full force!

Our day started really early. In fact none of us slept the night before due to the excitement we had for Dan. To keep the girls entertained for 14 and a half hours I fed them whatever they wanted. Kettle Corn, ring pops, smoothies, salads, apples and peanut butter, AND yes snow cones.

I think her tongue is stained for life!

When Brandy was done volunteering she helped me keep an eye on the girls and she helped us eat all the fun foods too! What a good friend.

Here is one of the few good shot I got of Dan on the race. It was hard because you would wait hours to see him (and make sure he was still alive) and then when you saw him you would start screaming and jumping up and down and thanking God he's still in the upright position and then the photo op was over. He had such a good attitude and was always smiling when we saw him. I prayed all day he would blessed on his race and just have joy. He did.

There were 100's of people from all over the world at this race. They say it is the hardest Iron Man. The temperature was in the 90's so people were dropping like crazy due to illness and cramping. Not my Iron Man though. :)

Morgan and I waiting for Dan to cross the finish line. We were both all choked up every time people came across.

Dan just as he came across and got his medal. You weren't allowed near the athletes until after they wrapped them in blankets, sat them down and checked them out and gave them food and water. We zoomed over the nearest wall and kissed him anyway. Then they ushered families to the waiting area. See he's all smiles. Love it!

Our friend that was volunteering was nice enough to bring a chair to the wall so I could be with Dan. I was so excited for him that he accomplished something he had his heart set on. He waited here until a massage table was available and then got his legs all worked out. He felt great the next day except for..................(see below)

The skin on his feet started to peel off taking his toe nails with it. YUCK! And this is fun for people why?

I mean no offense, his feet weren't like "pretty" before but come on! Blaahh!!

Thank you to all of you who kept up with Dan via the Iron Man web site, through texting me all day and for praying. He really felt the love and support as did I. We really had the best time and he is already looking to his next adventure. The girls and I vote for Iron Man Florida. LOL! Might as well see the country and lay on the beach while he does these right? So again, thank you for supporting his dream to hear,"DAN YOU ARE AN IRON MAN!!"
2.4 Mile Swim-112 Mile Bike Ride-26 Mile Run
Finish Time:14 hrs. 33 min.