Run, Mom, Run!

In July, I couldn't run to the corner without needing to catch my breath. But, a night out with friends and a few cocktails later, I had the great idea to agree to run a half marathon with friends. The morning after Corey looked at me, "you're not really going to do that are you?" But, I gave my word. And I wasn't going to just give up without even trying. I figured I'd start the training, see how it goes and then decide if I'd actually officially sign up. So, I googled "couch to half marathon training plan" and the rest is history. It's amazing how a day-by-day schedule can keep you motivated. I can't say I've kept up with the running after the fact but I know that I can do it if I put in the time and effort and I hope to keep up running (shorter distances, of course!) in the future! By the way, I have an enormous amount of respect for those that run full marathons. They're also slightly crazy ;-)

A few weeks before, I took the kids to run our town's 5K. Lill was so proud to participate in her own race!

Our third runner found out she was pregnant shortly after we signed up for the race.
She made a game-time decision to run the 10K and cheered us on at mile 11!
(Hence why she's not pictured here with us at the finish line)

My happy place

All the mess, stress and hair pulling aside, these two are just the BEST.

Tour de Lafayette

Each Labor Day weekend, our dear friends invite us to their house to watch the Tour de Lafayette bike races which go right by their front yard. They have the most adorable neighborhood, right in the city, with some very fun and welcoming neighbors. It's always one of my favorite events (in addition to their wine tasting event and pig roast :-) ).

This was the first year the kids got into it and I have a feeling it'll be a favorite event of theirs in the future as well.

Out with the old, in with the new

Lilly's last day of 2 year old preschool, her first day of 3 year old preschool and a haircut (which aged her 20 years) in between! :-(

We loved Lilly's school but, due to scheduling constraints, had to switch this year. Her new school came highly recommending by a number of my friends and she had a few friends from our Thursday morning playgroup in her class! While we miss her teachers from her old school. her new teachers have definitely impressed us. She was a little sad when I left on the first day (but no tears!) but was b-lining it straight to the baby dolls and waving goodbye as I left on day 2. We're so proud of our big 3 year old.

She insisted on the same picture (and Tyler obliged) that she took on her first day of school.

She wants to be a doggie doctor (vet) when she grows up

What a difference a year makes. First day of 2 year old preschool and 3 year old preschool. Crazy, right?!

TC 2016

33. The number of years I've been going to Traverse City during the 1st week of August. A few weeks were short weeks, but I never missed a visit. Lill has now been there 4 years and Ray made his second trip. Lill is still talking about it and how she wants to go back and that warms my heart more than most anything.Watching the kids make memories just as we did 30+ years ago is beyond amazing.

We had another gorgeous week so we didn't really leave the beach. Lill loved playing with the kids on the beach, burying her self, digging and playing in the water. Ray was surprisingly not really interested in the beach. All he wanted to do was explore. He could spend hours going up and down every hallway and stairwell at the resort if we let him. Baba did and for that reason they are besties. That and they had a night together, snuggling in bed.

Namma and Baba spoiled us with 24 hours of babysitting. I surprised Corey with a trip back to The Homestead, where we got married, for our 5 year (minus 1 month) anniversary. We enjoyed cold beers and reading by the pool, followed by a delicious dinner at Nonna's and a concert on the mountain where we said 'I do'. It could not have been more perfect. We topped it off with a walk around the resort (and down memory lane) in the morning, reminiscing about all that was our wedding weekend.

Kelly(Mike) and Elle were in town and came by to visit
1

Best.Week.Ever

18 months

It's crazy to think our "baby" is now closer to 2 than 1. He's all boy; into everything and a little rough, but also a total mama's boy and the best little snuggler. He's not talking yet so the lack of communication leads to more temper tantrums than not, but we're working on that. He loves to play kitchen ("cook"), dance, go on walks/explore, and read books. He thinks the world of his big sister, Lill, and simply wants to do whatever she's doing (or play the game where she copies what he does...that's hilarious!). The sound of an airplane will stop him dead in his tracks, looking up and pointing at the sky to find it, and every Wednesday morning is spent watching (stalking) the garbage and recycling trucks in the neighborhood. His favorite foods are pizza, pot-stickers and fruit. He hates breakfast but will out-eat any of us come dinner. His favorite movies are Frozen and Rio and he's recently discovered the IPad and all the fun games to explore. He loves the bath and playing in the water but will freak out the second water is poured on his head/hair is washed. He hates being told no but immediately wants to hug and be held after being yelled at, so it's hard to stay mad at that sweet face for long :-) 

Happy 1.5 years, little Bubs. We love you!

Tour de Michigan - Part 2

After our amazing beach vacation with the Bruno clan, we packed up the car and continued on our adventure. Next stop, Namma and Baba's house for my best friend's wedding (also a great movie, by the way!)

Friday night was the rehearsal dinner and then Saturday was spent with the bride helping her get ready, taking pictures, perfecting the last minute details and just generally spending her most special day to date, by her side. It was an honor. It was an intimate, beautiful affair surrounded by their closest loved ones. The weather couldn't have been more perfect either. The guys in suits taking pictures mid afternoon may beg to differ, however :-) We celebrated until the wee hours of the morning and crashed at the hotel before heading back to our little buggers that we missed so dearly.

While I enjoyed spending Friday and Saturday generally kid-free, the kids enjoyed Friday and Saturday being spoiled by and spending quality time with Namma and Baba. Swimming in the pool, Lill's first mani/pedi and a visit to the legendary (to Metro Detroiters) Ray's ice cream.

All around it was the most perfect weekend to cap off an already wonderful week.

Bonus! I got to continue my kid-free streak the following weekend with a quick night trip to Chicago to continue to the celebration of Carly and Chris' wedding with friends at the Arlington Race Track!

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Gronow (Gronow, sounds like Bruno - with a G)! We love you!