Hello everyone! It's been a while since our last post, but 2010 has started pretty rocky for us. We returned from Virginia in January and got back to life as we knew it. In February we went to Winter Park, CO for a little weekend getaway. The altitude made me pretty sick for a couple days, but eventually I got used to it. We did some awesome snowshoeing and loved the BnB! Here are some pics! Next, in March, Harmony and Courtney came to visit us for their spring break - we had a blast going to the Rodeo, camping at Inks Lake SP and exploring Houston. We even got to celebrate Courtney's birthday at Benihannas! In April, we went off to Vegas for Brett and Lisa's wedding. The wedding was awesome!!! AND we got to do so many things outside! We went rock climbing and hiking in Red Rock Park and then did a hidden hot springs hike just east of the Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam was impressive as well and we had to note it was built by the Bureau of Reclamation!
We're even more excited now for May and June!!! Expect some big changes...
Cathy (Washburn) Chester lived a full and joyous life and left for her next adventure on December 26, 2009.
Cathy Lynn McFadden was born in Jacksonville, FL on September 11, 1956 to Myrtle Mae and Edward Lowell McFadden. She had a full and adventurous youth including such things as working in a carnival, attending multi-day concerts and meeting people from all different walks of life.She had several close relationships in her early 20s and 30s but none so close as with her husband and soul mate of 16 years, Allen Chester.After 13 years, Cathy and Allen married as a family surprise on December 26th, 2006 in Yorktown, VA.The marriage was part of a winter motorcycle ride to the Colonial Parkway.
She gave birth to her oldest child, Kristin White, in her late 20s and to Sonny (George Fred) Washburn and Harmony Washburn in her 30s.She was very proud of having raised and directed three accomplished and independent children, each with whom she maintained a very close relationship.She also welcomed her son-in-law, Edward Hohlt (husband to Kristin), and stepdaughter, Sarah Chester, as part of her loving and spiritual family.Cathy maintained a strong relationship with her mother Myrtle through frequent travel, regular long talks and many movie sleepovers.Her younger brother Ricky Stout has maintained a special spot in her life and, with his fiancée Lisa, has been a strong source of support, love and a beach house getaway.
Cathy was a visionary that looked for maximum opportunities in all her ideas, thoughts and pursuits.As an active entrepreneur, she began several companies to chase her goals and make the world a better place.Her most longstanding business venture was Harmony Unlimited, developed to bring communities and businesses together for a better world through marketing and publishing.Her business partner, Jeanne Coates, will miss her dearly, especially on each and every April 15thas Cathy was the company accountant as well. In addition, she began Inspired by Design, a company to manage and sell the beautiful and cherished art work by her husband, Allen Chester.
Due to her numerous and ever-expanding passions, Cathy inspired many through her travels, hobbies, and misadventures that were often left “open for future growth.”She was spiritual and encouraged social awareness in all that she did.She had a profound impact on all who met her.She leaves behind a multitude of friends who will honor her always.
At her personal request, a celebration of Cathy’s life will be held at Hoss’ Deli in Newport News at 2 pm on December 30, 2009.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made either to the Unity Fellowship Church (peninsulaunity.org) or to the Hospital Hospitality House in Richmond, VA through their website (www.hhhrichmond.org).
On Being a Champion
A champion is a winner,
A hero…
Someone who never gives up
Even when the going gets rough.
A champion is a member of
A winning team…
Someone who overcomes challenges
Even when it requires creative solutions
A champion is an optimist,
A hopeful spirit…
Someone who plays the game,
Even when the game is called life…
Especially when the game is called life.
There can be a champion in each of us,
If we live as a winner,
If we live as a member of the team,
If we live with a hopeful spirit,
For life
Apart from our running, engineering societies, rock climbing, hiking, etc, Ed and I enjoy supporting our "charity of choice" Water for People. Water for People is an organization thatassists people in developing countries improve quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities and health and hygiene education programs.
Around the world, 884 million people do not have access to safe drinking water and 2.5 billion are without adequate sanitation facilities. Every day, nearly 6,000 people who share our planet die from water-related illnesses, and the vast majority are children.
Their vision is a world where all people have access to safe drinking water and sanitation; a world where no one suffers or dies from a water- or sanitation-related disease.
In order to support this great cause, we hold various fundraisers around the Houston area. The funds collected go toward the materials needed to build these much needed facilities, which are built by the community (supervised by Water For People volunteers).
One of our most successful events is our "Beer for Us, Water for People" event at Saint Arnold's Brewery! This is our 4th year having the event and it's been a great time and a great success every year! We are really thankful for everyone who came out - especially our great friends who seem to support us no matter what!!! Thank you so much!!!! Below are some pics of the event.
Ed and I happy that everyone is having a great time!
Our awesome NASA friends!
Great sponsors!!! Look at how many awesome companies want to support us!!! Amazing!
Erin and Archana working the check-in table while someone signs in - great job!
Erin with the raffle winner, Christi, who won the FREE TANDEM SKYDIVE raffle prize!!!!
Ed and I got to celebrate our 1-year anniversary a week early with great friends at our wedding site! We went camping with Christina, Paul, Brett and Lisa at North Park t Canyon Lake. We had cake and bratwurst (including veggie bratwurst) and lots of wine! It was a little cool, so we made a fire and really had a blast! On our actual anniversary, November 15, we had our 1-year old cake, which was delicious, and enjoyed an easy 8 mile run (to run OFF the cake!).
While everyone else was dressing up and putting out candy for Halloween, Ed and I were accompanying Kira Matukaitis to the Cactus Rose 100 mile Ultramarathon! We crewed and paced her and had a ton of fun! Ed and I realized that we have a lot to learn about crewing ultras, but we really did have a blast and met a ton of cool people!
Me and Kira before the race - it was FREEZING!
Look at all these crazy people!!! :)
Kira coming up on mile 20 - almost a quarter of the way through!
Sorry it's been a while since our last post, but we have still been busy! My (Kristin) cousin, Shannon, and family moved to Houston this past summer and we planned a fun filled day at the park a few weeks ago. We headed to Bear Creek Park and had a picnic and got to see the "wild life" which was not very wild.
Ethan took a picture of all the girls! Great photographer!
Ethan's photography skills
After that fun on Saturday, Ed took me golfing on Sunday. We used his Redstone gift card that I got him for his birthday LAST year! I didn't actually "golf" per say, but had a ton of fun!
Nice shot!!
Ed in the golf cart...really, the golf cart is half the fun of golfing!
Ed and I went to Debbie and Terence's wedding this past weekend in St. Louis and had a blast! The actual location was St. Charles and it was such a cute town. There are a lot of very cool things about this area that we never knew about! First, for those of you that run or bike, there are TONS of trails all over the place. The longest one is the Katy Trail which is an old railroad that turned into a trail - is 183 miles long from St. Charles to Kansas City! Ed and I ran 6 miles of it and it was really beautiful. Most of it runs along the Missouri River, so there are some great views! Ed and I have been brainstorming on making an April vacation here - maybe a running/wine trip? Here's the trail's link: http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/index.html
After our 6 mile run we got ready for the big event! It was absolutely gorgeous! The wedding was great - not a traditional catholic wedding - so we stayed entertained! The Priest was pretty funny and added a personality to the ceremony. Debbie was absolutely gorgeous and Terence couldn't stop smiling. Below are some of our favorite pics from the event.
Getting ready!
Here comes the bride!
During the ceremony
Mr. and Mrs. Kadlec!
Cheryl happy that all the stress is gone!
The reception was so much fun and really showed how much effort the couple put into making sure the guest had a great time. There was dancing, a great dinner, ice cream from a local ice cream shop and of course a wonderful cake. Being there with so many of my sisters made it even better. We had such a good time and really exhausted ourselves on the dance floor!
On Sunday, we kidnapped Laura and drove out to the wine country and then the Arch before heading to the airport. The wine country was a well-kept secret! We knew there was a winery or two in the area, but then we got to Defiance (the entrance to the MO wine country) and saw winery after winery - ALL ALONG THE KATY TRAIL!!! This really sets up well for a biking/winery or running/winery trip!! The wineries were beautiful with rolling hills and orange and red leaves. The temps were perfect too at highs in the upper 50s. It was a wonderful break from our 90 deg Houston temps! Oh - and the wine was awesome! Our favorite was the Norton - which we had at 2 different wineries. All and all, a GREAT trip!
Ed and I enjoying the cool temps at the Balducci Winery
Next, in March, Harmony and Courtney came to visit us for their spring break - we had a blast going to the Rodeo, camping at Inks Lake SP and exploring Houston. We even got to celebrate Courtney's birthday at Benihannas!
In April, we went off to Vegas for Brett and Lisa's wedding. The wedding was awesome!!! AND we got to do so many things outside! We went rock climbing and hiking in Red Rock Park and then did a hidden hot springs hike just east of the Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam was impressive as well and we had to note it was built by the Bureau of Reclamation!
We're even more excited now for May and June!!! Expect some big changes...
