Thankful Day I & Family photos

Since it's November, the month with Thanksgiving I thought I would copy an idea from my friend over at The Truth from Where I'm At and write a daily post on what I am thankful for.  Right now that feels like a big undertaking, not being thankful, but doing a daily post.

Since today is November 1st  and I just received a CD full of family photos, it made my day and the first of my daily posts.  I am thankful for family and family photos.  I am thankful for two sweet little boys and a loving husband. 

Is this too many pictures for one blog post?  Nah, and but seriously they are ALL my favorite.  We spent a sliver of a morning with a renowned photographer from C&A Productions:)   Andy even commented a few times, "man she takes good pictures!"  So thank you a million times over Alisa!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Three years ago today our lives changed drastically and I became a mom.  My little pumpkin turned 3 today!  He is all sorts of crazy, loud, noise, energy, giggles and sweetness. He is one self sufficient little boy, helping him self when ever he can (of course only when he wants too). I love how some days when I am waiting to wipe him that he looks up at me so sweetly and says "I love you mom".  Now isn't that what every mom wants to hear?  Not that he is always that sweet because his disagreeable side has been shining through lately.  He is always ready to play games involving a ball and loves having books read to him. 
His current phrases are:
" I still love you"
"Can you hold me?"
"I don't want to do that"
"I'm cold"  then 2 seconds later "I am hot" then 3 seconds later "I'm cold"
"I'm pinching my 'nickels'"

Dane we love your entertaining personality and energy.  You make us laugh and smile and have fun, though I think that is your constant goal.  Love you buddy.

He really wanted a baseball themed birthday party, so that is just what we did.

the baseball cupcakes (idea from family fun magazine)

the banner

one of the birthday gifts that he thinks is too big.

 .

take one

 

take two

This morning for his actual birthday we decided to let go of his leftover helium balloons outside.  Then we put candles in his breakfast sandwich, birthday boy's choice of food, and sang happy birthday to him several times today.  He is pretty excited to FINALLY be three years old!

 

 

yeah, I let him have candy for breakfast

Finish Line

It's been a busy day, actually a busy weekend.  But today we ran a 5k, went to church, had a birthday party for Dane and went trick or treating.  Since it was such a busy day we forgot to even take a quick picture of us at the race, so here is the aftermath, it will have to do.

Yup I ran my first official 5k today.  I ran in a 5k fun run once and almost puked, but this is the first one I had to wear a number and pay. I ran the entire way, no walking breaks!  Not saying that I didn't want to.  As far as the couch to 5k training program is going, I still technically have a week left of the 9 week program.
I ran with Andy so that was really fun and no stroller!  My goal was to not walk at all; to actually run the whole thing.  We finished in just under 30 minutes, I am informed that that isn't too bad, though all I wanted to do was finish.  I did want to puke at the end, but I didn't.

Here are my running buddies nestled in their wonky wheeled double stroller earlier this week.

Pumpkins

my little pumpkin

 I fear we have used up the last of our warm autumn days.  The past few days have been beautiful!  We have been meaning to get to a pumpkin patch for the last month and we had a coupon that expired at the end of the month.  Speaking of expired, most of the pumpkins were almost expired as well.
This morning we went and visited Grant again at his rehab facility.  Then Andy had some comp time he took for the afternoon and we headed to the country.  Cade is ready to be a big boy and gets giddy excited at every new experience and Dane has reached this new phase where he is fearful of anything new, but I think everyone had a great time.

tractor ride

winding down

running down the hay mound

love him

chilling on the pedal go-carts

two little pumpkins

wheelbarrow ride

Autumn Glow

My measly peasly pictures can't even capture it but I love how when I walk upstairs there is a pinkish red hue glowing from my room in the morning light.  It is one of those little things that just makes me happy.  Despite Dane's forty minute spell where he was sobbing because he wanted daddy, which then turned into both boys wailing and crying for no apparent reason.  He hasn't even gotten in trouble today and I haven't been crabby, this room still perks me up.  Isn't that a great view to wake up to? 

Productive Pinterest Project Weekend

 I was able to cross a few projects off of my long Pinterest to do list. Starting with sewing new buttons on a Goodwill sweater, turning a Goodwill sweater into a pillow, and a birthday bunting/banner for Dane. Whatever you prefer to call it.  Though a bunting is lightweight cloth used for a flags or festive decorations, you be the judge.  I had a difficult time picking out the corresponding fabric for the bunting.  Dane really wants a baseball themed birthday party and he fell in love with the baseball fabric.  And when you have a boy that likes something at the fabric store you better go with it because that is a rare occurrence.  The problem with the baseball fabric is that most coordinating fabrics made it look very much Americana in style.  gag.  I think we found a happy medium and are pleased with the results.  Now I just need to find a few more cable knit sweaters with large buttons!

getting started

sneak peak of the birthday bunting

Before as a sweater

After as a pillow

Week 7: Day 2: Complete

I have been at it a little over seven weeks now!  Maybe it never gets easier, you just like how you feel in the end?  Actually today my lungs finally felt a little better, I didn't feel like I was gasping for air about to keel over when I was done or in the middle or beginning or after every hill.  I even pushed through the hills instead of stopping at the top.  Well all except that one big hill that I refuse to run up.  I have worked it out to where it [the hill]  is usually close to the end of my run, so it is my cool down walk, which I don't usually get cooled down from walking up hill.  The training program has pretty much leveled off at run for 25 minutes and it ups the minutes each week, no fabulous walking breaks.  Can't say that I am actually able to run that entire time either, but I am taking short quick breaks as needed.  Usually they come about in the form of stopping to adjust one of the passengers.  My personal goal is to not slow down until I am past half way.
Benefits to pushing a stroller?  It provides a nice place to hold my ipod and all the layers that I slowly strip off.  I am too much of a wimp to step out into the cool weather without bundling or probably over bundling.  I just like to be warm.  Off comes the 2nd fleece jacket, off come the mittens and off comes the ear wrap.