Pumpkins and 13.1

We had our annual pumpkin picking trip last weekend...here are a few pics. Spencer went on his second annual barrel train ride and Shoshi follows in her mom's footsteps with a love of kettle corn.

What is most amazing about the pictures is to compare the kids at the same patch last year:
http://robynandjon.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html

And 2009 (scroll down to the pumpkin patch pics):
http://robynandjon.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html

And 2008 (scroll down):
 http://robynandjon.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-07%3A00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=24

I am spending today (Friday) with Spencer...after a long week of work and barely seeing the kids it's fun to hang out with him (and Shoshi for most of the morning). Next week I am headed to NY for a few days of work and then spending Friday night with my family. It's always sad for me to not be home at night or in the morning but if there's a spot to travel to, I'm always up for a NY trip!

Tomorrow morning is my first 20-miler of this season's marathon training. Several weeks ago I ran what has become my favorite 1/2 marathon - the Denver Rock-n-Roll. I had a goal of finishing under 2 hours and came in at 1:59. Hooray! I thought I fell a little behind pace but realized with just over a mile to go that I could come in at my goal so my last mile or so (thankfully downhill) was nice and quick (for me). It's a really cool course that goes downtown and around a few local parks. Anyone want to join me next year?

We are headed tonight to the "spooktacular" where the kids go to daycare. Then it's another fun weekend ahead. It's a beautiful time of year here with the weather still close to 80 degrees and the trees changing color.

Have a great weekend!

Shoshi has fallen in love with Elmo ("Melmo")

For some reason the kids won't take a picture together. Go figure.

Here's Spencer on the jumpy pillow

I love this series of pictures

Spencer on the barrel train

Just chillin'

Celebrating in South Dakota

Last month we spent a weekend in South Dakota celebrating Jon's brother Chris's marriage to our wonderful new sister-in-law Cathy. Here's a few pictures from our weekend.

Jon, Cathy, Chris and Shoshi facing the wrong way

Jon's dad, Lewie and Shoshi

Cousin Gavin and Spencer

Chris and Shoshi

Jon's other brother, Charlie and Spencer. These two bonded after spending a morning fishing together.

Sister-in-law Kari and Grandpa Don

Grandma Vonnie and Shoshi

Fall...

There's nothing more beautiful than fall, although the weather has stayed somewhat summer like. Last weekend we took the kids on our annual hike to see the beautiful yellow aspen leaves. Both kids loved hiking and Shoshi preferred walking to hanging out in her backpack (see pictures below). Each year we hike the same route, which helps us realize how fast these kids are growing. If you look back to 2007 we took this route when Spencer was about a month old and I had to figure out how to nurse while on the path. Thankfully those days are long gone!

This weekend was finally one where we had time to relax! Saturday morning I ran 18 miles with my group. It was a beautiful morning and generally a good run, although 18 is definitely a long way to go! I  felt pretty good the rest of the day and was thankful to have no plans last night so we could walk around the park, drink a glass of wine, eat some Indian food and a cupcake and then early to bed (after a little Jersey Shore...the most non-intellectual tv show that somehow I still find marginally entertaining and good for nights when I have no energy to read).

Today we hit the farmer's market, a gymnastics birthday party for Spency's friend Emily (we learned that Shoshi loves the foam pit). Tonight we put Shoshi to sleep and then me, Spencer and Jon played a board game...brought back fun memories of playing board games at night after dinner with my dad.

This week should be a fun one and nothing too out of the ordinary (unlike last week where I had a very amazing Monday in jury selection for a murder trial...talk about fascinating!). Saturday we will hit the pumpkin festival and then Sunday is the Denver Rock-n-Roll 1/2 marathon. Whoo-hoo!