Clancy vs. Clancy

Being the football fans that we are, last Sunday was a difficult day for the Clancys - THE BEARS PLAYED THE STEELERS! We were fortunate enough to get tickets for the game (our first time going to Soldier Field) and lucky to have friends with great parking spots for tailgating. We met up with friends form work and had the greatest time! Soldier Field was pretty cool and we had a great time despite rain. Unfortunately, the Bears prevailed and I was forced to pay up on a bet and wear a Bears jersey to work on Monday. Brett was in his glory!!!

Brett and I playing a little football by the lake...

In our seats...we have actually decided peanut heaven is not a bad place to watch a game...
Look what we found in the parking lot?!?!?!?!?!?!

2009 Chicago Half Marathon Finishers!

So the day started this morning when the alarm went off at 4:45 am. Whoah! We had breakfast at home and drove into the city before the sun was even up and the roads were covered in fog. After parking near Brett's office we hopped in a cab and got as close to Jackson Park as we could! With exactly 14, 847 people who ultimately finished the race, the registered races for the 5K and all the families, fans, and volunteers, it was a madhouse, but an organized madhouse. Brett and I were both a little overwhelmed as this was our first big race. We found the gear check table and then (of course) I had to go to the bathroom. After waiting in line for what might be the cleanest port a potties ever, we made our way to the start and found our pace group. The music was blasting and it was quite an experience. We finally crossed the starting line about 9 minute after the race officially started. By the time we hit mile 1, we were drenched. It was a little hotter and a lot more humid than either of us anticipated. The first four miles were through a more residential and commercial part of the South Side so there was plenty of shade. When we rounded the bend and ran by the harbor to get up to Lake Shore Drive, the sun was out and it started to get a bit warm. We made it to the turn still feeling OK (we briefly walked at mile 7 because I had a terrible cramp) but as soon as we headed back, there was very little breeze and the sun was just beating down. We had to walk several times which we hadn't anticipated and because of the heat we stopped at nearly every water table, something else we hadn't anticipated since, during training, we only stopped at one water fountain on our trail. I also was feeling blisters on several toes, again, something new! Even though we struggled the second half the important part is that we crossed the finish line - together, hand in hand. Literally! I can't wait until they post the race pics to see how both miserable and ecstatic we must look! The finish area was amazing...every five feet there was another table passing out more food and drinks. We got bottled water, Gatorade, water in cups, chocolate chip cookies, bananas, granola bars, cheese crackers, PB crackers, and almonds! I could barely carry it all. After finding some shade to relax we finally got up the strength to get our stuff and start back home. What an amazing experience this had been! The training and the race itself really taught me a lot about myself. About what I can and cannot do and what being part of Team Clancy means!!!
Oh yeah! We set a goal time of 2:11 and unfortunately finished at 2:23.51 and 2:23.52...we may have crossed the finish line holding hands, but I won...wink, wink!

It's Official - Race Day Tomorrow!

12 weeks ago when Brett and I started training for the Chicago Half Marathon, in the back of my mind I never thought I could do it. Well, it's official, I met him downtown after work yesterday and we went to the Health and Fitness Expo at Navy Pier and picked up our race packs! I have the t-shirt!!!Wish us luck...we'll be leaving about 5 am tomorrow morning to run our hearts out!

4 Years!!!

Thursday was our anniversary - 4 years! In some ways I feel like just yesterday we walked down the aisle and in some ways it seems like forever ago. Our real gift to each other was a pair of tickets for the upcoming Bears vs. Steelers game on September 20! But to celebrate the day, I had a large cookie cake delivered to Brett's office that he was kind enough to share with everyone. To my surprise, Brett had a beautiful vase of flowers delivered to me at school - pink roses and pink gerbera daisies, our wedding flowers! We went out to dinner Thursday night to a restaurant in Wheaton, that I have been dieing to try - Suzette's Creperie! Brett had the idea a while ago and unbeknown to either of them, my mom bought us a gift certificate to the very restaurant! So, we were able to splurge a little extra on an excellent bottle of wine, a 2005 (of course!) St. Emilion, Font Villac - superb. Not only was the wine fantastic, and the company wasn't bad :-) the food was delicious. Brett had a bone in pork chop with roasted peaches, plums, and potatoes and I had a Beef Bourguignon Crepe! We also had appetizers and desserts and went home with warm hearts and full bellys. The atmosphere in the restaurant truly makes you feel as though you have been transported to Paris!
We couldn't have asked for a nicer dinner to celebrate our wonderful day! I also couldn't ask for a better husband! "Love you babe!"

(After dinner we came home and watched the first game of the 2009 NFL season...Steelers vs. Titans....Steelers win!)

Clancy Fest '09

Sunday was our annual Labor Day picnic and we couldn't have asked for a nicer day! The weather held out and the day was FULL of good food, frosty drinks, and lots of fun! I had the camera out for a bit but I got a little wrapped up in taking pictures of the cute kiddos that were there and didn't get too many of the other guests. We had about 30 guests, and here are the lucky ones that got caught with my camera!

The night before, Brett prepared the meat, a very manly task!

Brett and his high school friend, Mark, playing bags! Mark's wife and daughter...Meg, a friend from work and her boyfriend, BradOur good friends, The BergersA beautiful pic of my sister in law, CariThe lovely Mrs. Leslie-Billings

And last but not least (especially because they brought Sangria!), our friends The TacosWhat a great party! We look forward to it every year because it is such a wonderful thing to be surrounded by such great friends! Thank you everyone for coming!

And here are the post-partypuppy pics :-)