Mud Run

I agreed to do a mud run with LaDonna and her family (team name: Mud is Thicker than Water) without really knowing what I was getting myself into. It was a 6 mile run with lots of (mostly fun) obstacles along the way. It rained so much in the days leading up to the race that it was more dirty water than actual mud. I was proud of myself for doing some things I normally wouldn't do, like jumping from a 10-foot platform into 7 feet of water. Heights and water are two of my least favorite things. I had a great time and can't wait for the next one! Oh, and we definitely had the best costumes there, thanks to LaDonna and her sisters.

Random

We spent a Sunday afternoon at Shelley Lake feeding the ducks and playing on the playground.

The kids, especially Colin and Madeline, LOVE the rain.

Train Museum

Jason flew to Salt Lake the last week of September to fly fish with Chris Moore, our brother-in-law Chris, and our friend Dave Hansen. While he was gone, I decided to keep the kids as busy as possible. It's not how I usually handle his absences, but it worked out great. On Friday, Ethan got out of school early so we went to Panera Bread for lunch, then to Chuck E Cheeses. I hate that place, but the kids have been begging to go for a while, and we hadn't been in over two years, so I gave in. It turned out to be a (dare I say it?) pleasant experience. It was pretty empty, the kids were really good, and when I said it was time to go, they happily left. Go figure. The next day we drove 2 hours out to Spencer, North Carolina, to the tiny transporation museum there. We rode on the roundhouse turntable, the train, and looked at all the trains and cars. Ethan was really into all the information about transportation. It's fun to see them growing up.

Yard Work

We are determined to get our yard under control. We weeded, dug up some dead plants, and ordered 3 cubic yards of dirt and 6 cubic yards of mulch. Jason built a raised bed and we planted pumpkins, arugula, broccoli, and mustard greens (for our lizard). Of course, we had the mulch delivered on a Monday during a week when Jason was gone every single night and a hurricane was headed to the NC coast that weekend. Let's just say I burned a lot of calories that week. At least the yard looks great!

In the Rain

Colin turns 4!

Colin is so full of life. He is enthusiastic about everything and a complete charmer. The little girls at preschool just love him. He is getting easier as he matures and adds a lot of life to our family.

He is obsessed with Pac-Man and wanted a Pac-Man cake. Luckily his dad did a Google search and found a great idea for one.

We did a very low-key Transformers-themed birthday party that involved Sunday dinner with his cousins, my dad, and Carolyn. I love having cousins close by...it makes celebrating birthdays so easy. We love you so much, Colin!!!

First Day of School

I got a babysitter the day before Ethan's first day of school so we could spend some time just the two of us. We went to a playdate with his class and then lunch at Five Guys. I'm going to miss him when he's in school all day!

Off to 2nd Grade!

Maddie and Colin started preschool...Colin in the 4-year-old class and Maddie's first year of the 2-year-old class. She still argues with me that she is supposed to be in Colin's class. She is convinced the 2-year-old class is beneath her.