Playing Catch-Up!

Last weekend (21st and 22nd), Amanda and Matt came down to watch the girls Saturday night so we could go to game night and some friends. We had a great time and the girls were good from Uncle and Auntie...of course!

The next day after church, Rebekah and I randomly decided to do the Pumpkin Works 5K...no big deal right, just a trail run, out and back course. But, nope, it was mostly all uneven ground with LOTS of sand and hills...ugh! It was really, really rough...I even walked a couple spots and I didn't feel up to par the entire race...could never get a rhythm. However, I managed to get 3rd in my age division 25-29. Rebekah could have easily beat me probably, but she had a late start because she was charging her phone in the car when the race started...oops!

My time was 31:29.9 and I was 22nd overall out of 60.

This weekend was quite busy...

Friday (27th) we headed to the library for Music Makers storytime and Fairbanks Park playground with Abbey's daytime crew (her 2 kids and 2 others). Then, back to the house to clean-up for Bobby's parents who were coming into town. Once his parents were in town, we headed out to eat and then back home for bedtime.

On Saturday, we did a TON! Started off at the library for Family Learning Day, which was really busy but fun! Not sure what Natalie's favorite thing was...I think she was a bit overwhelmed by the crowd, but I thought the Chinese writing of their names was neat!

Natalie's                                                                                Aubrey's

After the library, we headed to Fairbanks because they were having a small fundraiser festival for a local organization. The best part was they had free horse/wagon rides. Natalie was too interested in playing on the playground, but Aubrey LOVED it! We later were able to talk Natalie into riding, but it took a little convincing :)

After the park, we were off to the Cory Apple Festival where we enjoyed the fish fry, walking around looking at mostly junk :), then finished it off with yummy desserts! My favorite was the apple cider slush (yummy!), Natalie enjoyed eating an apple, Bobby enjoyed trying everyone's, Aubrey and Grandma Andreae enjoyed beignets, and Grandpa Andreae enjoyed a corn dog (is that dessert?!). I also bought a 10lb bag of apples and made homemade applesauce! Thanks for the super easy recipe, Kristen!

The girls also enjoyed a couple carnival rides. Aubrey rode the carousel twice, Natalie enjoyed the carousel and 2 other rides and was ready to be done riding after her 3rd ride.

We had perfect weather all day and were all a little exhausted by the end, except for Natalie who NEVER stops moving!

We all have colds (mostly the girls and I) with awful coughs that I hope go away soon!

Aubrey is WALKING!

We finally think it is safe to say that Aubrey is WALKING!!!!  Yay! Good job, Aubrey!  It only took 16 months to build up enough confidence to let go and be free, but she finally did it. It is so strange to us to look up and see the girls walking side-by-side. Now, Natalie likes to hold her hand while they are walking sometimes, too. Although she still crawls some, she can pick things up from the and stand right back up, lose her balance some but keep going...she is just growing up too quick!

Zoo...Again!

Today, the girls and I headed back up to Indy because I had a scheduled photo session with a friend of mine from college, she was in my sorority. Her little guy is SO cute and I have already arranged that Aubrey will be his first date in about...30 years...haha!  His dad brought up an interested suggestion that I never really considered...what if Natalie wants to date him too...oh boy!  I can just imagine what the girls' teenage years could look like...I'm scared!

We had originally planned to take pictures at Military Park, but since there was an event this weekend, they were still cleaning up from that! We met at the zoo, which is basically right next to that park and it worked out great because we did pictures in the gardens by the butterfly gardens and there was no one even around! Afterwards, we walked around the zoo and it was fun catching up with Diana and her little family.

The girls were AWESOME during my photo shoot!

Today, we heard the lions mating all the way across the zoo, but luckily didn't have to witness it!  The gibbon, named Elliott gave us quite the show!  There were hardly any people out and the weather was perfect...cloudy and cool! I love Fall!!!  I didn't tell Natalie we were going to the zoo, just that I was going to take pictures. Both girls fell asleep on the way over to Indy and when she woke up, we were in the zoo parking lot. She opened her eyes, saw the butterfly exhibit, and yelled excitedly, "We're at the zoo!!!" It was fun to surprise her!

 

More snack, please!

Elliott the gibbon

Video of Elliott the gibbon:

Color Me Rad 5K and Indy Zoo

Year #2 for the Color Me Rad 5K!

It seemed much more popular this year and the course was different than last year. Even though we had to wait for a few waves of people to go in front of us, it was still a much better organized race than the Color Run last year in downtown Indy. Once again, Amanda signed up, but couldn't do it because she had mandatory parent/teacher conferences at her job, so Bobby took her spot. Matt was signed up, too (because Amanda signed him up), but decided not to go since Amanda couldn't go.

Last year I was still working through my Couch to 5K program to even run an entire 5K without stopping (I was on week 5 last year). Last year I finished at about 42 minutes and this year Bobby and I finished at 29 minutes!  That's right, in a year I was able to shave off 13 minutes!  I'm pretty happy with that. My average pace this year was right around 9:30/mi. I'm sure I'll sign up for a few more 5Ks this year, but I'm hoping by my birthday...the big 3-0...that I can run a mini-marathon without stopping...I think that may be realistic?!

A few weeks ago, my mom mentioned her idea of walking with Natalie in the stroller for the race. Bobby and I both thought it was a good idea, but weren't sure how Natalie would handle color being thrown on her. While we were waiting to start, Natalie sat on Bobby's shoulders and they through color...she wasn't a huge fan, so I only hoped she would behave and want to finish the 3 miles with my mom okay. Not only did she love the 5 color stations because she was getting "dirty" (what is better than "colored dirt"...haha!), she walked the majority of the 5K with my mom!

So...while Bobby, my mom, Natalie, and I did the race, my dad was in charge of Aubrey. She behaved for him, but we told him that next year, he will have to walk it too so that both Aubrey and Natalie can walk it!

Aubrey giving my dad a look as she crawled away from him while we were running:

What I believe Natalie was telling Aubrey: "Aubrey, look how dirty you can get next year!"

BEFORE

AFTER:

LAST YEAR:

Cassie and her family ran too!

 

After cleaning up at Amanda's house and grabbing lunch at Mug N' Bun, we headed to the zoo, which was crazy busy! It's been awhile since I've gone on a weekend day and boy was it busy! My dad hadn't been since Amanda and I were little girls, so probably at least 20 years or so. There were a few exhibits that were closed like the Desert and Butterfly Gardens, but we still got to see most of the animals and it was a beautiful day. Natalie walked the entire time we were at the zoo, too!  Her little legs have to be tired after all her walking today!

Up close and personal with a pretty bird:

BOTH girls talked Grandma/Grandpa into a ride on the carousel, but it didn't take much convincing!

 

After the zoo, we headed back to Amanda and Matt's house to hang out until it was dinner time. Amanda's birthday is next week, so my parents treated us all to dinner at a place called The Library. We had good food and fun! Happy Birthday, Auntie Amanda!

While at dinner, Aubrey used her first sign for 'Please'! Also, Natalie stayed dry all day, even during the 5K. I'm so proud of my babies!  They are growing up too fast!

We had a great day with family and now we are all wiped out!