Odds and Ends

So, I have a feeling when I do get around to posting this is how it will be. I will write about a whole month's worth of activities all in one post. It will be a bunch of odds and ends all tied in together.

This month we've done quite a few fun activities. We started with making pumpkin tie-dye shirts. The boys really enjoyed this and they turned out really well. They wore their shirts to the pumpkin patch. Here are some photos of that....

Friday night of this weekend, we took the boys trick-or-treating at the mall. We've never done this before, and it was a last minute decision. The boys had a lot of fun. They are going as Power Rangers this year. Let it be noted that I am not a big fan of Power Rangers.

Hmm, let's see, what else....Today is my birthday. I got up early and went for my Sunday run with my friends. Then we sat and had some gooooood coffee at a local coffee shop by the local running store. I had the Nutty Squirrel and it was fantastic. We chatted about politics and running stuff and it was so nice. When I got home, the boys and D had made me brownies and some really nice birthday cards. Each of them made me a card telling me why they loved me.


It's been a really nice birthday, so far!

The Chicago Marathon

Last weekend, I ran the Chicago marathon. It was my first in Chicago, but my second marathon. I loved it. Well, actually while running, I hated it. But by the next day, I had decided I would run it again. Hopefully, I can get there again in 2009. I had a great trip to the city. I arrived early Friday morning and met my long lost friend, Jeanne, at Union Station. We got coffee and sat and talked for a while catching up, which was so nice. Then we walked all over the city and ended up at Potbelly's for lunch. It is a great sandwhich place. We went to the marathon expo, Trader Joe's and finally to the condo where we were staying. It was such a fun day without kids! So relaxing.

Saturday we headed downtown to meet my running friends at the Hilton. I met up with Krista and Dave and we went to the expo again. We walked around a bit and then went for a big pasta dinner. I had an excellent night of sleep the night before the race. The race itself was fantastic. So many spectators, so much to see. I loved running through all the neighborhoods of the city. I felt run down and tired while running. It was a hard run, and I was glad it was over eventually. Here are some photos from the weekend. Unfortunately, I don't really have any of me and Jeanne. : (

Me picking up the very important "packet."

Me and Krista at the expo on Saturday.

Me and Krista the morning of the race.

A photo of the runners.

Here I Go Again

Okay, so I finally broke down and decided to do another blog. I figure it will be a good way to record things and keep friends and family up to date on what we do. I might not post very often, and it probably won't be very exciting or innovative, but oh well!
I decided to title it Full Circle, because I kind of feel settled and feel like I am right where I should be. We love being back in Nebraska and I love my teaching job.
We have a good weekend planned. Last night we made monster cookies with the boys and this morning we made tie-dye pumpkin t-shirts. Now we're settling down for a movie, while the shirts dry. Later today we will get our pictures taken down at a local park. I try and get our photos taken at least once a year as a family. I love having them done in the fall. A girl I run with will do the photos. Hopefully J cooperates, as he usually hates having his pictures taken.
Tomorrow, I will go running and then head out to a local pumpkin patch! The boys are really looking forward to this.