Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Going the distance

I almost forgot this picture--My friends surprised me last month for my birthday by taking me out to dinner at El Patio. I thought I was just meeting Ashley there. It was so yummy and such a fun girls night out!!

I had my 30th birthday last month. I thought I would be a lot more sad and depressed about this milestone but I wasn't. For me, thinking about the fact that I have a 7 year old makes me feel older than my age. Or saying that I've been married almost 10 years and out of high school for 12. Those kinds of things make me feel old. But this birthday was a good one-- Mike and the kids surprised me while I was at work and bought me 30 balloons, 30 flowers and made a 4 layer chocolate cake with 30 candles. Then Mike and I rented bikes in San Francisco and rode them across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, took the ferry back to San Fran and went out to eat at one of our favorite restaurants.














I did it!!! I finished my very first 1/2 marathon on Halloween morning. I've always wanted to do one and a few months ago my friend, Laura, convinced me that it would be a great way for us to get in shape after having babies. So we started training. Things were going well until after an 11 mile run, we all got injured. Thankfully, none of the injuries were serious and karen, laura, and I were all able to finish the race.


This is the only picture of us running and unfortunately it is in the ugliest spot of the entire race. The marathon was up in Healdsburg which is wine country and our run was through most of the vineyards with the leaves changing colors. It was BEAUTIFUL!! Thanks to Laura and Karen for keeping me motivated, to Mike for driving us and the kids up to the race at 4:30 in the morning, and to my parents for coming up to support me and cheer me on. What a great experience!!


The kids at the pumpkin patch. I'm surprised the wagon didn't break.



Look at that sunset!


Makenzie and Tyler trick-or-treating. Tyler was batman and Makenzie was a cross between a witch and a fairy (don't ask). They had the trick-or-treating thing down this year. They literally ran from house to house for 3 hours straight. it was so nice not to have to follow them up to the door and help them ring the doorbell and make sure they didn't fall on the way to the next house. I could get used to this.






Our pumpkins --



7 comments:

HeatherD said...

Soooooo cute! I can't believe you ran a 1/2 marathon. Congratulations on that! Your kids costumes were adorable. We miss you guys tons. Hopefully we'll be seeing you very VERY soon. ;)

Kimberlee said...

Aawww! Good post. Congrats on the race! You look great Mel! The kids look so cute for Halloween. AND Happy #30 again! What a good few weeks for you!:)

Cheri said...

Your pictures are awesome!

I need to email you the group picture from El Patio.

Way to go on the race!!

neuroticmom said...

Wow, you are one of "those" running girls now! J/K, it is very admirable. I wish I had the motivation and the time. Congratulations! The kids looked adorable for Halloween. Can't wait to see you in a few weeks. Yay! We might, just might, be planning a quick little trip to D-land right after Thanksgiving.

Angie Lewis said...

Cute pics - way to go on the 1/2-marathon! You're amazing! Glad you had a happy birthday. We had a card to mail and I think it's still sitting in the house somewhere...oops! Maybe I'll save it for next year :) I'm such a slacker!

maline said...

Good job girl! I told you could do it! We'll have to plan one to do together sometime soon. I'm so glad Mike took such great care of you on your birthday! I'm pretty impressed with his efforts this year! :) Love the Halloween costumes. That little Austin is just delicious..... So darn cute!

Sarah said...

Mel, you continue to amaze. . . Looks like you've been busy and having fun. I'm sorry you had to turn 30. I know how difficult that is. sigh. . .

You may feel old, but you LOOK GREAT!