1/2 Marathon

Mile 8.  Not too many other runners near me at this point.  I was in the last third of the pack.

I know it looks like I'm walking, but I promise I was running.  I was also trying to get the gummies out of their package that Scott had just handed to me.  I was starting to feel a little low on fuel by mile 8.

Running up the hill to the finish line.  Scott and the kids were also running to beat me there from the car.

Finished!!!  Time 2:34:57.

My goal for the year was to run another 10k, but I have some crazy runner friends at church that convinced me to sign up for the 1/2 Marathon.  I was already up to running 5 miles when I started to train, so it took me another 8 weeks to train.  I was really worried about the race, because I started to have knee and hip problems, but amazingly, I was able to run the whole race without have to stop and walk.  It was a slow pace, but I just kept going.  There were so many hills, and one of them was almost a mile long, and very steep.  Also, it rained during the whole thing!  I was soaked to the bone by the time I finished.  I was proud to finish and happy to say that I've run a 1/2 marathon.  We started the race in Oregon, ran across McNary Dam along the Columbia River over to Washington, ran a few miles on the highway and through a little town in Washington, crossed the bridge back over to Oregon, ran beside the river for a few miles, and then back to the start/finish line.  Scott and the kids drove to different spots along the way to cheer me on and give me snacks and gatorade.  It put a smile on my face each time I saw them, and gave me the energy to keep going.  The last mile was definitely the hardest.  At that point, it was a mental game to keep my body moving, because it just wanted to stop.  I got my last burst of energy when I spotted my family again at the end, and Max ran with me across the finish line.  I shed a good tear when it was all over. 

My cheering section and me.  I was so cold, wet, and sore.  I was glad that they had those aluminum blankets to keep me warm on the drive home.

Pumpkin Patch

Max was so excited to go to the Pumpkin Patch with all of his preschool friends this year.  He picked a big one right as he stepped off the hay ride, and then he had to wait for all of his friends to finish picking their pumpkins.  Ginny loved the hay ride and was thrilled to get a cookie at the end.

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Lucas is 6

Cupcakes in Kindergarten.

Yep, he asked for an R2-D2 cake.  This is the best I could do.

Opening up his big present from mom and dad.

Lego Dino!!  Just what he wanted!

Happy 6th Birthday, Lucas!

Luke turned 6 on Sunday.  This kid is so smart, sweet, and goofy.  He has two inches on his older brother and I just hope that he doesn't pass me up before he turns 12, at least.  He loves Kindergarten and reads up a storm.  He loves to play with his friends and his brothers, and he is so sweet with Ginny and loves to give her kisses.  We are sure glad that Luke is a part of our family.

18 Months

*She hates nursery!  Probably because all the little girls in nursery treat her like their own personal baby doll and she is terrified.
*She talks a bunch.  My favorites are "Wow, wow, wow!" and "Whats that?"
*She is starting to like baby dolls and animals, and it is so sweet how she wants to give them kisses.
*She hates her hair clips and rips them out of her hair whenever she gets the chance.
*She loves her daddy and cries whenever he walks out the door.

*She is finally 20 pounds!  20.6 at her Dr. appointment, to be exact.
*She loves baths, jumping on the trampoline, reading books, and walks in the stroller.

*She is starting to become a little mischievous (climbing up on the kitchen table, emptying all of her clothes drawers, opening up all the kitchen cupboards that have broken child locks, running away naked when we are trying to change clothes/diapers, etc.)