Chocolate Ice Cream

A good ice cream cone brings out the best in everyone.

That second time I did a triathlon

Big Sis tends to get me into things. I mean, it's my fault for saying yes, but they typically start as her idea. She asked if I wanted to do a Sprint triathlon with her and some friends because the more they had on their team, the cheaper it was per person. I said yes because I had only been doing cycling and yoga and had hit a little plateau in my fitness. I figured a race would help me do some additional workouts.

Nope.

I swam once in a lake in Seattle and once in the pool. Stupid water aerobics is going on from 8am to 11am every day and I just couldn't fit lap swims. I made it happen once and swam the requisite 400m with ease so I wasn't REALLY nervous, but I had planned on doing more swimming to train. 

I didn't.

And for running? I did a couple runs while on the epic roadtrip and then nothing for a month. I have crazy workout friend who run every Wednesday at 5 freakin AM so I decided to join them. They were doing 6 miles and I figured I'd just run a couple with them and then walk. It was just so fun talking to them and my lungs weren't burning at all (hooray cycling classes!) so I just kept going the whole distance.

And regretted it for a week with a sprained arch in my foot. I tried running again a week later and made it a half mile on the treadmill before it started hurting again so I didn't run again before the race. I mean, I did 6 miles without any other training, a 5k shouldn't be a problem, right?

I was pretty much loathing the entire thing for weeks. I figured I wouldn't get any emotional pay off from finishing because I had already done that distance before. I really debated forfeiting my $40 and sleeping in, but showed up with my sister anyways. Here is our before shot, during the freaking sunrise (I don't like waking up early). We take our power poses seriously.

I did find a renewed appreciation for the Fit. Two bikes without even having to remove a wheel. The same bikes we bought when I was training for that first triathlon.

I didn't even care if Husband came to watch because I was just not excited about this race. The sweet man did come toting the kids, but I ended up finishing just ten minutes before he got there. I did get some pics of my brother in law finishing though.

It ended up being a huge emotional payoff and I was so happy after we did it. My times were so much better than I anticipated and I averaged 8:53 miles. That is faster than I can run 1 mile, let alone after swimming and running. Props go to sister's friend Meg for setting that initial pace and making me want to keep up with her. She motivated me on the biking too because I had a faster transition and she caught up with me. Naturally my competitive spirit wouldn't let her stay ahead of me. I mean, I'm a cycling instructor, right? This was the only part of the race I had actually trained for. Sort of. I averaged 17miles/hr for the 12 miles so I happy with that time as well.

So thanks Big Sis.  It was worth it if only to show this picture to our kids some day in our matching tri shorts.

Vertuccio Farms 2015 style

Lil Sis came down for a visit so Penny could make her debut so we visited the pumpkin patch with all the Maidename ladies and progeny.

Grammy is always up for adventure and jumped right along with.

If there is water, there will be M trying to soak himself in it.

The first time I went here with a groupon, I didn't think we'd come often enough to use this sign. I was wrong. Hooray for yearly traditions!

"No M, stand here"

The animals were a major highlight this time.

You ever feel like your kids are just climbing all over you? This goat feels your pain.

This glorious beast was willing to pose for us.

"Oink"

M is fearless and loved this 2 story slide over and over.

I was trying to convince M to stand in the sunflowers so I could take a magical picture that doesn't truly represent our lives. M thought this was a dumb idea because there was a playground right next to it.  I told him to try and reach a flower.

No magic, just evidence I need to buy him bigger shirts. 3T already dude?

But ducks are magical, right?

Did I mention that October is still miserably hot here? It is. So is trying to slather your albino toddler in sunscreen.

He knew the drill this time.

Cousin had to have a turn too.

Near the exit was the pumpkin patch so I figured I'd take my facebook worthy "Happy Fall" pictures there.

But then I got the magic! Not that I took it off the camera in time to be seasonally appropriate. The photo calendars for next year won't betray my secrets.

Seriously, this kid is awesome!

I'm rather fond of this one too.

And this picture is awesome in so many ways.

I'm so lucky to have so much family I adore being around!

That time I chopped my hair off

In other notable October events, I decided to finally cut 12in off my thrashed hair. Pursuing that gray color had a cost. And since sister demand several photos, the internet deserves the copies.

Round one

Round 2

And the finish!

The stylist complimented me on what a nice neck hairline I had. I laughed because no one had ever told me that before :)

J's Craft Night

I was in charge of the church craft night and spent quite a bit of time on pinterest coming up with ideas to steal. J loved looking with me and setting up the sample table at church She was disappointed she never had a chance to make the crafts. To console her, I said she could have her own craft night with her friends. It sort of took off and she ended up making invitations and inviting 14 friends. We went as all out as $20 of supplies could go.

J really wanted to make some masks after being inspired by a catalogue with victorian masks in it. Hobby Lobby for the win!

And this fabulous 7 year old had just come back from hiking Havasupi the day before. She is my idol because she conquered the Grand Canyon rim to rim the year before. (Also her mother Leah is an inspiration).

And thank you pinterest for the candy corn garland idea. Simply color orange and yellow circles, then cut it like a pie. Boom! Preschool ability crafting at it's finest.