Merry Christmas from Nate, Nichole, AND GRETCHEN MARGARET PORATH !
2014 was a year of incredible change for our family, as not long into the new year we found out the awesome news that Nichole was pregnant! We could not have been happier!
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| Mesa was also very excited! |
The pregnancy wasn't the easiest for Nichole. She was sick almost every night, and towards the end of the pregnancy ... it wasn't pretty. The pregnancy couldn't be over quick enough!
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| An appropriate T-shirt! |
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Despite the rough evenings, Nichole was able to run throughout the entire pregnancy. She even won two races while pregnant! She won the "Run for Pancakes" 5k race at 3 months pregnant:
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| Maple Syrup Winners! Nate won the men's 5k, Craig won the men's 10k. |
She also won the "Fast and the Furry" 5k at 21 weeks (beating all of the guys as well!). Mesa and Nichole remain undefeated! Nichole ran up until the day before she delivered.
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| Nichole running the Gustavus Alumni meet at 8 months pregnant. She beat two collegiate athletes! |
Greta insisted on being a breech baby, despite an attempt to turn her in the hospital. So - a planned C-section it was.
Greta arrived on 10/15, greeting the world with 5 pounds and 12 ounces of cuteness. She is a great baby - greeting her parents with the expected sleep deprivation, but otherwise being a very happy and easily calmed baby. We are so lucky! Read all about her arrival
here.
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| Daddy love :) |
Nichole is back to pursuing her running dreams. She was able to run 4 miles just 2 weeks after her C-section (with her doctor's OK). She was so happy to have healed this quickly. She is counting her blessings (and mileage :))!
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| Setting up the jogging stroller! Greta LOVES it, which is great! Nichole and Greta have already logged hundreds of miles together! |
Although Greta was obviously the main highlight of this year, there were many other highlights.
First, Nichole's brother got married! We are so happy to welcome Mary Gustin to our family.
Nate was asked to play violin for the ceremony. It was a great opportunity for Nate and Nichole to pick up their violins again. The house was filled with beautiful violin music.
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| Nate practicing the evening before the wedding |
Nate and Nichole joined Bethel Lutheran Church in Northfield. They had been going for some time, but just hadn't officially joined. After Greta was born, they figured it was time! The congregation is so welcoming; we can't wait to raise Greta there.
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| New member day at Bethel |
Nate continues to be very busy at his dentist practice in Faribault. He loves his work, his patients, and his staff.
Nate also continues to compete. He finished 51st at this year's Birkie despite breaking a pole less than a 1/2 mile into the race.
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| Nate won the Vasaloppet 35k skate race! |
His best result of 2014 was the City of Lakes Loppet where he fininished 4th overall in the 3 day Tour (Sprint races Friday, Classic marathon on Saturday, Skate marathon on Sunday). He won his first "big check"!
Nate also ran some marathons: Grandma's Marathon (notching a new PR of 3:15), and the Birkie Trail Marathon in the fall.
Nichole continues to coach athletes across the country through her company TNC Endurance. She has really enjoyed coaching, creating a "team" among her athletes, and finds joy in helping others realize their dreams!
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| Grandma's marathon. Nichole's athletes CRUSHED the course with many having 10+ minute PRs! Blog recap here. - it was a very memorable and fun day! |
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| Sharon, one of Nichole's athletes, pursuing a huge PR at Grandma's. |
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| Cheering for Leighton at his last conference XC race. |
We took 2 vacations this year. The first, we went to Indiana to run a 1/2 marathon with one of Nichole's athletes.
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| Nate and Craig pacing Sharon in her 1/2 marathon. Pink arm warmers for the win! |
The second, we spent a weekend in Duluth. It was fun to spend a weekend away. We ran, shopped, and relaxed.
We did a few house projects before Greta was born as well. We landscaped our front yard, which was in much need of a face-lift.
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| Mesa is showing off her new surroundings :) |
We also painted our spare bedroom and installed a home-theater in our basement (huge thanks to Trent Hanson!)
We were also able to spend several weekends at "the cabin".
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| Mesa loves to chase squirrels at the cabin - and relax in "her chair" :) |
And other weekends at "the farm" :)
Nichole was able to spend a week at her parent's house (the "farm"). She enjoyed spending time with Sierra (5) and Violet (2).
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| Nichole enjoys running with her niece Sierra. Sierra LOVES to run! This picture was taken on a run around the block, after which she said, "I need a break". HAHAHA! |
We can't forget about Mesa! She's almost 9 years old, which is hard to believe. She still has the energy of a puppy, but just in shorter bursts. We've had to limit her hunting time and she's a little more tired after a ~10 mile run than usual. She still loves attention, and has been a little jealous of Greta :).
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| Mesa continues to be famous. She was highlighted in this copy of Dog Fancy! Apparently most dogs don't train 60-70 mile weeks with their owners! |
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| Mesa is slowly warming up to the new addition :) |
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| Clearly, Greta inherited her grandfather's/father's head shape :) Mesa was jealous and needed to be in the picture! |
We hope that you have a wonderful Holiday season!
Our best blessings,
Nathan, Nichole, Greta & Mesa
