Happy Halloween!

Pinky!

Pinky the Pig came to spend the night with us.  Pinky is the “pink class” mascot @ Jack’s pre-school.  Jack absolutely loved taking pinky everywhere with him (although he did end up having to take a nap outside in his stroller after our walk, as Jack forgot him inside of it.)  We took Pinky to the library for story time and even read him a book about pigs, for a walk with Jess and her new dog, and out for some trick-or-treating fun tonight.  Sadly, he has to go back to school tomorrow and I have a feeling we’ll have one sad little ‘icus when he does.

Sprouty’s school pic

Here is Jack’s school photo, hot off of the presses!

More trick or treating

Today, it was tot’ing with MOMS Club.  Lauren got to hold a baby for the photo since she was the oldest there.  Yikes, kind of scary when Lauren is the most responsible child in the room.

Trick or treat with the Mavericks

With a pumpkin and a spider painted on their faces,  they’re ready for some games and candy.

The cheeseburger had a hard time putting.

Harry Potter

Kevin started reading Harry Potter to Lauren tonight.  She loves it!

My view

from the couch where I feel like I may be dying.  Thank goodness (again) for the big sister helping the little brother get his snack.

Lauren saves the night

Lauren had to read to Jack tonight since I have no voice (bronchitis and a sinus infection.) Lucky me!  Oh, and Kevin is in Seattle. :(  Thank goodness for Lauren (and school, so I only had to deal with one child today.)

Mankato Half Marathon

The day began at 6am with a protein bar and some energy gel.  It ended with a feeling of accomplishment, a full belly from a celebration meal with my running buddies and some stiff legs.  The stuff in between is just details.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t the best (light drizzle) but the temperature was decent.  I totally forgot that the roads were going to be closed off around the start line since the 10k would have already started, so we had a hairy start.  The lines for the bathrooms were incredibly long and I couldn’t find my friends or the pacer I was looking for.  I told my dad while waiting in line for the biffy that I didn’t think I could run it without them (I’m not nearly as mentally tough as I was last year, nor am I in the same condition.)  Somehow, I managed to run it all and do better than expected.  Granted, I’ll never run a 1:55 half marathon again, but my foot is different now, so I need to accept it and be proud of what I CAN do.  Which is a hell of a lot!

Official Time: 2:15

My best running friends!! Thanks to Gretchen for all those training runs (and Jamie even drove down from the cities to run with us once!!!)  They were only a couple of minutes behind me, but I just couldn’t find them.

Don’t worry Sport Pix, you’ll get your ca$h.  This is actually a good photo of us.  My Dad kicked my butt by one whole minute! Way to go, Dad!

Thanks to my family for running around like crazy people trying to cheer me on!!  I saw them twice (and missed them a couple more times.)  Kevin was using my iPad to track me (since I run with my iPhone for music and my ipad & iphone are on the same apple id, etc etc crazy technological stuff involving portable hotspots and GPS signals,) but I ended up being faster than the signal updated and they didn’t make it in time twice.  Oh well.  When I saw them at mile 11 in Sibley Park, I really needed that hug that Jack gave me.  I was choked up for about a  block afterward.  All in all, it was a good day! Unfortunately, I paid the price for about a week afterward with Bronchitis and a sinus infection.

Marathon expo

Here we are at the expo checking out the fun activities and free stuff.

Bowling at the expo

Here is Jack doing the toddler trot (50 yard dash.)

Here is Lauren running the 1k race. She started near the front of the pack this year (probably about 35 kids in front of her) and finished 9th or 10th.  I was super proud!!

A fall walk

Tonight, after dinner we explored the trails around the dog park.  We had never been there before and weren’t sure where we would end up, but it was a nice night for a few fun photos.

Everyone found a walking stick and away we went….

We played “scared you” by hiding off the trail and waiting for the rest of us to come along.  Here is Jack hiding.

 

We did a little “off roading” onto a different trail and found out we were pretty close to the river.

It got dark pretty quickly, so off we went.