4th place BABY!!

So this weekend was Jason's big Hyvee Triathlon U.S. Championships-woot woot!!  I was definitely not looking forward to this trip when he qualified  

for it several months back...I mean...Iowa?!  They could have picked California or maybe even the Carolina's.  Now, either one of those would have been nice, but Des Moines?

Ok, so maybe I was a little rough on the old state of Iowa.  Des Moines had it's perks.  The shopping centers were all brand new (notice how I judge by the shopping?) and the restaurant selection was fabulous!  We had a really fun time AND Jason did great!  It was nice to have Ryan and Whit, my mom and dad, Pam and Rick, Matt, Mark and Lora, and Alex, Meredith, and the kiddos along for the ride too.  Ryan, Mark, Matt, and Alex entered the open race and joined in on all the grueling fun.  They all did fantastic.  Seriously, they all tore it up in Iowa!

This is Ryan and Jason before heading to the start.            

Jason's clydesdale heat

All of the boys waiting for their turn 

Ansley cheering on her daddy :) 

Transition from swim to bike.  Arrrr... 

Now on to the run.   

This is how princess Ansley got around most of the day (the stroller would not work on the sandy beach). 

It was time to load up in the vehicle to go to the finish, but we were out of seats.  Rick volunteered to sit in the trunk with the baby Brynn replica. Ha!

My dad and Ansley waiting to see Jason!

He made it!  Yay!  And he had an awesome time! 

Icing the old legs. 

His tatted arm

So proud of my hunk!! 

Ryan came in next, then Alex, Mark, and then Matt.  Nice work boys!  Here's Mark coming in to the finish. 

Unfortunately, Mark had a little wreck on his bike and had some road rash.  It looked so painful, but he finished strong! 

The capitol building was the finish and it was beautiful. 

Jason checking his placement 

He got 4th!!!  Woo hoo!!  He was so happy, but of course, wished he could have made the podium (he missed 3rd by 40 secs).  We were so proud of him! 

Some of the boys after the race.  They were all really happy with how they did and excited that the months and months of training had paid off.  Good job!!  

Oh, and one of our very own Cape Girardeau girls, Kim Pancoast won the women's race and won a CAR!  How exciting is that?!  She's a stud too!  It's hilarious though....they weren't quite sure how they were going to get that Mini Cooper back to Seattle with a bike!  Ha!  I wish I had that problem to worry about :)