Gratitude

We're grateful for a lot of things here in the Warehouse, but mostly we're grateful that Thanksgiving is here and we should have more exciting things to report. Between business travel Monday and Tuesday, youth activities Wednesday night, enrichment and a business dinner Thursday night, Tracie and I were just grateful to spend Friday night walking around Costco together. And after training runs of 8 and 7 miles on Saturday, we were content to just sit on the couch together Saturday evening. Luckily we have this cutie to keep us entertained with his constant energy and smile.

I wonder where he learned to smile so nicely?

The ever studious Brooke, who is excellent and coloring and keeping herself entertained. Grateful that she is good at spending quiet time.

We have been enjoying the sunny and nice weather, getting stuff done outside, and hopefully this week, getting all the Christmas decorations up. But once that sun starts to come down at 3:30 or 4:00, it's time to get inside and stay warm.

Usually that includes a lot of climbing on Mom and Dad.

First for Everything

Yesterday we celebrated 2 things...Brooke's first time participating in the Primary Program and Connor's first official day in nursery.

Brooke did awesome.  Memorized her line ("He got the plates") and sang every single song.  I was so impressed and proud of her.  Half the time I'm in Primary covering for someone on the piano she's just sitting in her chair dilly dallying so it was nice to know that she does actually pay attention.

To be honest about Connor...he's been going to nursery every now and then since I was called to be in the Young Women's.  On Sundays, when both Troy and I taught, it was too difficult having him in class with us so we finagled him into nursery.  We're lucky that the nursery leader is one of our good friends and loves Connor.

Brooke has become quite the swimmer. I can actually see her moving from point A to point B.  It's pretty cool seeing her do so well.  Now if only it was summer...

Fall Festivities

 With fall in full swing we've been prepping the house for winter.

 

Connor wanted to go out and help with the raking.

 He got his hands a little dirty but luckily didn't scatter the leaves too much.

He also got a little sidetracked and decided to test his skills with T-ball.  Still needs to work on his form but at least he gets the idea.

 I've been on a baking streak for the last 3 weeks.  The amount of pumpkin stuff I have made is insane.  Here's a brief rundown:
Pumpkin Gingersnaps
Pumpkin Donut Holes
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes -I made the batter and just stuck chocolate chips in it.  Delicious!!!
Pumpkin Creme Brulee
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Cornbread
Pumpkin Toffee Cookies with Salted Caramel Glaze
More Pumpkin Toffee Cookies with Salted Caramel Glaze
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Bars
Salted Caramel Apple Crumb Bars
It's a good thing that Costco sells big cans of Libby's pumpkin for a great price...or maybe it isn't...

We celebrated Troy's birthday and somehow managed to take a family pic with the timer and have everyone looking at the camera.  Not too shabby.  Troy walked away with brand new socks, leisure pants, and glow in the dark bouncy balls (courtesy of Brooke).  The bouncy balls were a big hit last night with the kids.

Brooke celebrated Halloween at preschool where everyone dressed up.  I think her teacher did a great job in being a Lollaloopsy.

Connor was sick with Strep on Troy's birthday but still managed to be in semi-good spirits.  I'm glad I trusted my instincts and took him in.  He had a low fever that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before Halloween.  Was fine Monday and Tuesday morning I found that he had broken out in a rash. I thought it could be roseola but still felt like I should take him in.  After 2 days of antibiotics he was finally acting his normal, happy, mellow self and now you can't even tell he was sick.

We did take him out to a few houses though so he could partake in the trick-or-treating festivities.

Brooke has become a pro when it comes to knocking on doors, saying trick-or-treat, and ending with a thank you.  She even got 10 pieces of candy from one house!

Can't believe October has come and gone but bring on the turkey!!!!  I love November!!!!!

Pumpkin Fest

Saturday was our neighborhood's Pumpkin Fest.  Brooke loved seeing all the different costumes everyone had and Connor was just happy to be in his chicken costume.

 Recognize the chicken costume?  Brooke felt very pretty in her princess dress.

Thought I'd add in a rare family pic.  And no I'm not pregnant.  Horrible angle, stripes, not sucking in my gut, etc.  The list could go on.

This was the first year that there were bulls at the Fest.  We somehow managed to convince Brooke that it would be fun and cool to sit on one...just like the penny rides on the horse at the grocery store except no bucking.  She totally bought it and sat happily.

 Connor was very interested in the pumpkins. Picking them up...

 Sitting on the them.

Gotta love this time of year.  The weather has been great and we've been able to catch the changing fall colors and bake up a slew of pumpkin goodies.  I love fall!!!!

We Be Tough Mudders

After having a week to recuperate I'm finally ready to blog about our great adventure.  We left last Thursday for Austin and stayed with my old college roommate, Briana, and her family.  Friday the boys and girls separated.  Troy and Dave played a round of golf while us girls took a step class in the morning and hung out the rest of the day.  Later that evening we met the rest of the team.  Saturday was the big day.  Up at 5:30 and out the door by 6:30.

One thing I noticed about Austin is that it's really really flat and green and humid.  Luckily for us Saturday was a perfect day for the race.  I think it was somewhere in the mid to low 70s, overcast, and low humidity.

All marked up and ready to rock n' roll

This was during the pep talk to get us motivated.  I think this may have been one of the painful parts of the challenge-squatting for an extended period of time.  I think half way through my legs were asleep.

After the first obstacle, Kiss the Mud.  Notice tha our shirts are still looking white with a bit of mud.

Headed into the Artic Enema; a dumpster full of water that has had ice dumped in it.  The water was cold but not as cold as we anticipated.  I think the ice had melted by the time we got there.

Notice that after the Artic Enema our shirts are no longer white.  For the remainder of the race they stayed that ugly light brown color.  At least it was fairly easy to spot.

The 3rd obstacle was the Cliffhanger.  Basically a steep hill that's been muddied.  Because it took so long for people to get up this hill ropes were thrown down to help.  It helped for the first few people that grabbed a hold but after that it, too, was very slippery.

Eventually we made it up the hill and were even muddier.

The Cliffhanger was quickly followed by Walk the Plank, 15 ft. jump off into water. 

This was the first obstacle that my heart skipped a beat.  I just knew that I had to quickly jump off or else it would turn into a 45 minute ordeal like my bungee jumping.

There were a 7 more obstacles before we reached the one above, the Electric Eel.  Let me tell you...NOT PLEASANT.  Some of the hanging wires carried 10,000 volts.  I have no idea if I was zapped with one of those but getting zapped, period, stinks.  At first I didn't realize what was going on as I crawled my way through but after it was happening very often I finally figure it out.  Strategy for next time-push off the wall so you can go through it faster.

The Just the Tip was one of the surprise obstacles and I was very excited to see it.  It wasn't too difficult to shimmy across even though the foot holds were a caked with mud.

Next up was our favorite obstacle, the Mud Mile.  There were probably 6 of these big holes filled with mud that we had to cross.  One of the pits had a "drier" mud that made it even more difficult.  I got both of my feet stuck and had to be yanked out.

  Having done the Warrior Dash in the summer this was by far and away much muddier.

Dave lost his shoes and ended up carrying until the end of the obstacle and plenty of us got stuck.

This was the Hold Your Wood obstacle.  Of course Bri had to pick the heaviest and stinkiest log for the girls to carry.  Luckily we had some help.

It seemed that after an extremely muddy obstacle there would always be a body of water that we would have to swim through.  Good thing for these...we were able to wash off a bit and maybe relieve ourselves.  Porta potties were few and far between.  TMI...maybe.

The last obstacle was running through hundreds of hanging live wires.  I didn't have enough time to psych myself out which is probably a good thing. 

I don't recall being zinged like in the Electric Eel and I also didn't find myself faceplanted in the mud so I think I made it through unscathed. 

After 28 obstacles, 12 miles trucking through however much mud and water we finished the challenge!  The Tough Mudder was unbelievably fun.  I would do it again in a heartbeat and I think Troy would too.  Besides a lot of bruises and some scrapes we've recovered quite nicely.  Now onto our next goal...

Happy Birthday to...

My Dad!!! My parents flew over last week to celebrate both my dad's and my birthday.

I just realized that I never took a picture of the delicious fresh California Orange Cake I made for my dad.  It was delicious!!!  Much better than the Raspberry Lemon Coconut Cake I made for Brooke's birthday.  Now I just need to find a cake to made for Troy's birthday at the end of this month.  I'm sure anything with pumpkin will do.

If you notice in the pic above we all have our lips puckered in hopes that Connor will copy and blow out the candle.  I think Brooke got to it before he did.

My mom fashioned a paper skirt and hair bow from the gift wrap for Brooke to prance around in.  She loved it and has been wanting to do a fashion show every day since.

 We drove up to Breckinridge to check out the fall colors.  Absolutely gorgeous.

We also drove through Hoosier Pass and had to grab a quick picture before all the old people from the tour bus got to the sign.  Good thing we're still spry and fit!

Our attempt at a family pic.  Connor has gotten to the point that he's now dubbed Mr. Squirmy Pants.  This kid is crazy active.  I couldn't get him to sit still so jumping up for the picture had to suffice.

After 5 1/2 years of living here I have finally hiked the Rock.  Kind of sad to say that it's taken this long but it's a great "hike" for the kids to do so we may have to do it more often instead of waiting every 5 years.

Connor was determined to hike by himself but if we had let him I think we'd still be trying to hike back down to the car!
It was a great birthday week moreso because my parents were able to come out.  I don't feel a day passed 25 but I have a feeling I'll be feeling it come this Saturday.  Wish us luck!!!!