Nate's Camera: Thanksgiving weekend bike ride.

Nate got a bike this fall and we were able to do a bike ride outdoors up here in the mountains before it got too cold.  We have been confined to our shop for any other training on our bikes.  However, in the valley the weather is just fine.  Nate and I were able to get out and ride over thanksgiving break.  It was nice to do something active with him.  It has been a long time.

 We did a hill called King Kong, or just Kong.  I have run up part of it several times with my group in the valley but I wanted to cycle it.  Nate said it was no more difficult that the hills on the fish hatchery ride we do up here, and I am thankful for our hilly courses to keep us strong.

There is nothing more humbling than seeing your back side in spandex.  While I am pretty fit, i need to eat better and get more toned.  I better get to work! Thank goodness the bike is covering a portion of that mess!

Cycling

 

When it is too cold to cycle on the mountain it is good to know that we can bring our bikes to the valley and get in some good rides.  We did King Kong and it had nothing on what we see all the time up north! 

mikah is fantastic...and the 3rd

I fell sorry for mikah.  being the third child she does not have as many pictures and ohhs and ahhhss...maesyn's first were the firsts of the first...and mikahs..well, her first are the 3rd set of firsts.  But all of the kid's first have been different. 
Mikah weened herself very early.  Around 9 months. At at 2 she has shown great interest in potty training. She loves to go potty in the toilet, but if she wants to wear a diaper i let her and if she pees in it (or worse, in her panties) we say "hey i thought you potty in the toilet! I thought you were a big girl!"

She is also very verbal.  He tells us "i like books, daddy" and tells lame knock jokes.  "knock Knock" whoes there?  "maesyn" (or Jake)  Maesyn who?  "princess". 

She spends a lot of time looking homeless, pushing a shopping car around and wearing shoes that are too big, hats, scraves, and rain coats..and she hates to have her hair done. 

She can put shirts and socks on by herself, and she gives great loves and kisses.

Chicago

I went to Chicago with Nate last week for a conference.  He went to meetings, I hung out.  He took a bunch of photos on his phone, and when I figure out how to work things I will possibly post them.  

Our conclusion of Chicago.  We must go back- and not for anything work related!

While Nate was in meetings I spent one whole day shopping.  Well most of it.  It was sort of overwhelming, so I stuck to what I knew.  Anthro for some knobs, Nordstrom rack for some cute flats, J crew for the most expencive cords I have ever bought- but they are a size 27 which is a size 2 according to J. Crew, so huge self esteem boost.  Gap for some kid's clothes and some great buys at 40% off- some more t's. And then I hit the treadmill for a good 5 mile run.  

We ended the first day at a fancy pants restaurant with expensive food that I was not happy to eat.  I wanted to get a famous Chicago hot dog or deep dish!  Not to mention that when we got in late we settled for cheesecake factory across from our hotel for a late dinner!

 

 On the second day I slept in and headed out for a run along the shore of Lake Michigan.  6.5 miles later I was back in the hotel in a war shower and off to sight see...but I had used a lot of time on my run.  I stopped by the gap and then to Gino's east for some deep dish.  I was sort of hoping to pick up a slice, but found it to be a sit down place and a 40min wait for my small pizza.  I did not realize that a great hot dog place was right next to it.  I was set for the deep dish and following my directions!  It was great- but eating alone is not fun. I ate one slice and toted the other 3 around for my other errands. 

 My boxed up pizza. And eating company- my bag from the gap.

 I did not think I would enjoy deep dish-I'm a thin crust girl, but I really did enjoy it!   I did not have time to go to the art institute but instead I headed out to pick up my race packet and got back to the hotel in time to go out to dinner with the work people again.  

 Our last day started with me heading out on the train to my 5k.  My first 5k ever and I'm happy to say I met my time goal of under 24 minutes.  I got back to the hotel in time to shower and pack so we could see some sites.  We walked all the way to the art institute and rushed through it in 2 hours!   Seeing famous works of art is like meeting a celebrity to me.  It was great, but quick.  We tried to get on a boat tour but it was sold out and we realized we were fine with it and would do it next time we were in the city.  We walked on to get an Italian beef and a Chicago dog at this place.  Portillos.  Recommended by a friend.

I would have to say i like the dog over the beef and the pizza best of all.  Until next time.

Happy Fall

It is wonderful living in a part of the state where we actually have 4 seasons!  We had a little cold week and then it warmed up again and I put everybody to work in the yard.  I had dug up the sprinkler pipes in the garden area and we attempted to till the garden (no success) however, we did make progress on the leaves.  I'd say we have most of the pine needles raked up and bagged and the oak leaves and apple tree leaves are a work in progress.  We will use them for mulch.

 The weather was so nice I let Mikah spend the day in her diaper, and then in the nude!

 The most fun part of raking is playing in the huge pile of leaves.  We set up the slide for a fun game.

 This is the sort of thing I remember from being young. 

One more naked baby bum for good measure.

Little line...

The other morning Maesyn pointed out that her teacher was more girlie than I was.  I made a point to tell her that there were some men that are more girlie than I am!  But although I enjoy buying camping gear more than makeup I do let Maesyn get her fill of girl activities.  

The high school cheerleders did a little fund raiser and taught some of the little ones a cheer that they performed at half time at one of the foot ball games.  It happened to be a very very cold night and here Maes is all smiles after the performance.  She was a great sport- there was lots of crying and frozen toes.

Jake's field trip to Willis Farm

There is a little farm in Snowflake and it seems all the kids go there for their fall field trip.  Jake's preschool was scheduled to go on a very cold rainy day so we rescheduled it for the next day.  It started out cold and overcast, but on the drive out the sun came up and it was beautiful during our field trip but started to rain just as we began loading back up into the car to go home.

 The kids went through the corn maze and found color ribbons.

 Photo op

Loading up all the pumpkins to take back to the vans.