2012 Monster Dash

On Friday I started showing signs of the cold that the kids had earlier in the week. So on Saturday morning, I was not super excited about running 10 miles. It was T's first race of this length, so I suited up to run with him.

It was cold, cold, cold. Lots of costumes. I wore my tutu. It was an easy "costume" to run in. The race started at the Cathedral in St. Paul.

The race went pretty well, considering my cold. T did an awesome job. He cramped up a bit, but finished strong. I finished in 1:40:00, which I was happy with given my cold. Post race we grabbed a beer at the Town Hall Tap with one of T's friends who also ran the race.

Pumpkin carving

On Thursday, T carved some pretty awesome pumpkins! Sully chose the owl pattern. Harper wanted a puppy and I found a golden retriever pattern online.

birthday celebration

T made reservations at Mill Valley Kitchen on Tuesday night for birthday dinner. The food and wine were both excellent. I had bologonese, one of my favorites. I also ordered a bunch of sides. The best of which were the sesame carrots.

Then we had mini-desserts and ended the night with my favorite beer at the Town Hall Tap.


On my actual bday, we had birthday dinner at home with the kids. Of course we had cake!

Big sis turns 40.

My sister's 40th birthday week celebration started on Saturday. I joined her and a few friends in Chicago for a night of dinner and fun.

We stayed at Hotel Sax, which I thought would be fairly centrally located. It had a great view of the "corncobs".

After piling all of our stuff in the room, we headed to dinner (tapas) at Emilio's. The food and wine were both excellent. The company was stellar as well. We ate, talked, laughed and had a most fabulous time.

We headed back to the hotel for cake and presents and to chill out before the "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind" comedy sketch show.

We headed back to Rockford early Sunday morning, after a Starbucks run of course. Then T and I packed up and headed back to Minneapolis.

Jordy vs Leo: I wish they were friends

Apparently these 2 puppies only get along when outside on a leash together. Then they completely ignore each other. All other times look something like this:

2012 Making Strides in Rockford

Oh boy was it a full house this weekend at my sister's place! T, the kids, Jordy and I made the trip down for Making Strides.

The trip down on Friday was long, but pretty good. It is nice NOT to have to stop for gas driving the fuel efficient Jetta TDI wagon! Friday night we ordered pizza, made introductions and played with the dogs before the kids all went to bed -- Syd and Sully shared a room, Cass and Harper shared a room. Jennie, T, Mom, Dad and I stayed up talking, having cocktails. Fun stuff.

Saturday we rounded up some of the troops (Jennie, Mom, myself, T, Harper, Cass, Sully) and were off to the Making Strides event. The kids brought scooters (and skut bike for Sully). We didn't make the entire walk, but were there to show support and walk some of the course. The kids then had some play time at the playground. And we took some family photos with the fall colors before heading back home.

fall colors

The leaves finally changed on Jack's tree.

T planted some mums, which he referred to as "my flowers".

Jordy loves playing in the leaves.