One Tough Man

This post is a little delayed... I was waiting for pictures from the hubs.  Needless to say, I had to go on his Facebook page and steel some photos.  Mark trained for weeks for the Tough Mudder.  It was hard to both be training at the same time, but it's what we both need, so we make sure to find time for each other to workout.  Mark did his training with a group and a trainer.  Then they all came together on the day as a team.  Mark loves this!  It's exactly what he loves to do.  I'm so proud that he makes the time in his crazy busy schedule with work and the kids.

So, being the great wife that I am :) I literally made him shower and jump in the car the second he arrived home.  He was hobbling and full of injuries (because this race is so not safe!).  It wasn't the nicest thing to do, but it was for a good cause.  The Cardinals were in the playoffs and my brother and sister-in-law offered to take the kids for the night.  We had to go!

It was fun and the kids had a blast! When we arrived home, we all collapsed with exhaustion!

Way to go Mark! You look amazing!

New Opportunities

I really wish I could say our weekends were slow and uneventful, but that never seems to be the case! We did have a slow week before the weekend to help us gear up.

Mack had his first showcase and what do you know? He brought his excavator, excavator books and had his excavator song was playing. He did great showing it all off-until someone got too close to his stuff;)

The other nights were spent relaxing outside... kind of like Mama cat!

Then the kids and I ventured down to the lake to hang with my parents. I brought my camera and never got it out. These are just a few shots I captured with my phone:

My parents decided to sell the lake house which makes us sad, but also happy for my parents. They have more freedom to do more things and can live a more relaxed life! The boat has a new home where we can camp and swim at our pool.  The kids and I will still have many opportunities to be down there because Marks parents have a place too! The memories we have from this house will always be in our hearts-it's not the house its the time with family! New adventures are to come and the kids will still get to go to the lake just like they have!

Apples Anyone?

The apples are still around!  We picked all the apples from our trees and now are finding ways to use them!

We have handed out bags and bags of apples!

Hopefully we can use up the last bit I have before they go to waist.  This week, I perfect my applesauce!

It Went Like This

It started off with cute kiddos getting ready for school...

Then I get word, while teaching a class, that Avery had fallen off the monkey bars. She tends to be dramatic at times and I thought this was one of those times. I said I would take her in ten minutes after my class was over. She seemed fine with that. When I came back to get her, she started to say she was sleepy and wanted to go to bed. This concerned me and the fact the tears were genuine! I had a doctor friend take a look at her and she suggested we go get it checked out. Mark saw right away on the X-rays that it was in fact broken! My poor baby!! 

We have to wait for the real cast, but in the meantime, there is a lot of care going on with this girl! Let me tell you-the guilt went out the door once she realized the attention which goes into this:) she suddenly made the connection to when Mack was super sick. There are a lot of, "I get to this because I broke my arm." I love this is her approach rather than feeling the pain! 

We are a little spoiled with family! She's gotten a teddy bear with balloons from Nanny and Papa H., warm cookies from Uncle Jack and Aunt Meagan, decorations and pins for her sling from her cousins, and extra gooey grilled cheese from Mum!

My first though was to cancel my race in St. Louis. Mark assured me she would be fine and off I went on Saturday. My friend Mary Clair has never run a race and I have only done one. We have enjoyed our training together and had a blast driving to St. Louis for our big half marathon!! We got our packets, had a carb load with my family, and went to bed at 8:30! We were ready! 

Waking up to my dad waiting at the counter was very refreshing. He hasn't done a race in 25 years and I wanted so bad for him to do it with me. We don't train together since he lives away from me, but we did encourage each other by talking about our training. So, seeing him the morning of my race was so (let's face it) AMAZING! He's 62 years old and still pushing himself! I told Avery how lucky she is to have a grandma who plays tennis everyday and a Papa who runs a half marathon! Plus a daddy that can conquer a Tough Mudder(that is a later post)

My last half marathon training was intense.  I followed the program and felt such anxiety.  This time I had anxiety, but was excited!  The atmosphere was inviting and energetic.

We ran past the Fabulous FOX Theater...

and right by my brother and sister-in-law's house.  This let me observe a cheering section with 6 cute kids, my husband, my mom, and my brother and sister-in-law.

Then Sarah and her friend joined me for a "joy run":)  I am thankful for this-I would have walked, but their energy and company challanged me to push on and finish 5 minutes faster than my last time.

Mark got shots of Papa high fiving his grand kids.

Mary Clair came by too!

I finally found my family after the race-there were 14,000 people!

What an amazing feeling!  We then took the kids for lunch and walked over to the circus.  We made it half way through when we realized everyone was just plain exhausted!  

As you can see below:

Mark and I were/are exhausted!  Today my emotions have set in.  Avery has a broken arm!  Sometimes I wish I could just take a mental health day.  Instead I let the kids do this-they are all home enjoying a day with Meme and baby Kalen!  This makes my heart happy!!!!

Summer May be Over

I can't believe we are starting a new season.  It's amazing how much life has changed; Avery turned 5, Mack turned 4 and Lincoln is potty trained.  Summer may be over, but we will have all those great memories and it hasn't stopped us from being outside.

The nights have been beautiful-the below pictures are from an evening where the view couldn't be more perfect.  Especially the people!

We have enjoyed bonfires on the weekends.

Lincoln is always half dressed in my pictures.

Then we had time with our cousins for a BBQ and bonfire.  The Watson kids are a crew!  They love each other and it's fun to have them around.

Avery and Ireland were ready for the camera.

Each season change makes me reflect on how fast things are moving.   Life is easier with the three of them and it makes me appreciate the time we have together!