I signed up for a 1/2 marathon and just days before the race, we had our first snow. I was not happy about it b/c I am a total 'fair weather runner.' Since I paid $60 for the race I knew I had to run rain, show or shine. Kai and Cici were stoked about the snow though.
I run a few times a week with my friend Julie. She is amazing and it really helps having someone count on me to actually show up at 5:30am. I am such a wimp and hate running in the cold and in the dark...Julie is my hero b/c she makes me do both.
We usually run about 6 miles during the weekdays and try to do a longer run on Saturdays. (It doesn't always happen though.) We decided to sign up for the 1/2 marathon with full intention of training for it and ended up just sticking with our regular routine. Guess we like pain.
The HRCA Backcountry 1/2 Marathon was B-E-A-utiful. Simply breathtaking. I woke up the morning of the race terrified with how cold it was going to be. Even thought it was freezing, it sunny with blue skies. Couldn't ask for anything more. There were several highs and lows during the race. I hated running uphill and having to climb moguls at the same time. The first 5 miles were the toughest...not because of the terrain but I was just not mentally there. After I hit mile 7, time flew by and I was feeling great. Miles 7-13 were AMAZING and I was just on a high. I felt like I could have kept going. CRAZY. I was also proud of myself for not walking. Even though I may run slow...I never walked.
This is the route for the 1/2 marathon. My running partner has one of those really cool watches and e-mailed me our route. The running time at the bottom is hers...not mine. I finished like 4 minutes after her.
Number of Results:389
Place:217
Bib:846
Sexplc:67
Div:f2029
Divplc:17
Time:2:12:36
Pace:10:08
Feelin' good! (Check out my foot though...pronate much?)
Waving at Kai and Cic...I don't think they knew what was going on.
...the hill...
A low point...I thought the flags were the finish...I stopped after the flags and looked up and saw my running partner waving me further. Yup...I did that.
This is how happy Kai and Cic were to be there.
Julie (my running partner) and I at the end of the race.
Halloween
Halloween was an absolute blast this year. Best yet! I stressed and stressed about what to buy the kids this year for costumes. I know I don't have many more years where they will let me pick out the costumes so I decided to take advantage of it and make them "matchy". Kai is totally into super hero's right now. We hung out with his twin cousins a lot this summer and they introduced him to Batman. I found these costumes at Walmart for SUPER CHEAP. It was actually a relief b/c I had looked online and at a few different costume stores at other matching costumes and I couldn't justify spending a ton of money for a "weekend outfit."
Ready to go trick or treating! I love this picture of Cic. What a little poser.
Kai and Cic were so excited. (Check out those pumpkins in the background...time to throw them out?! We carved them on Monday (which normally would be ok for Colorado but the weather has been so awesome and hot that the pumpkins suffered.)
Cic was the cutest bat girl I have ever seen!
What a stud.
My Mom sent Cic this cute polka dot skirt. Cic loves it and was so happy to wear it to church on Sunday. Thanks Mom!
Boo At The Zoo
The zoo has a fun Halloween night planned where they light up all the trees and let the kids come trick or treating. It was kinda eerie to be at the zoo with all the lights off. I watch too many scary movies to feel at ease. We had so much fun and met up with a few of our friends there. The only drawback is that it was so dark you couldn't seen any of the animals. I thought that the Zoo would have lit up some of the exhibits, but no. The outside exhibits were pitch black.
Kai was stoked to see that they were giving out full size candy bars though. He wanted to eat them as soon as he got them.
Love these pics of Cic.
They offered free carousal rides for the kids. Cic didn't know what to think about it at first. I was nervous b/c she wouldn't hold on and b/c I am so short I had to hold her up above my head when the animal was at its highest. (It was quite a sight.)
Star struck.
We told Kai that we were going to trick or treat at the zoo and he kept telling us that he was "going to get some candy from the Lions."
Trick or Treat Street
Our community always does a trick or treat street with several of the local businesses. Kai was stoked to put on his costume again.
Love this picture.
Even though the weather was PERFECT it was after I took these two pictures of Cic that I decided to put some pants under Cici's dress.
I do love these two pictures though.
Love that Cic is giggling and covering her mouth. Classic.
Carving pumpkins
For family home evening on Monday we carved pumpkins. The kids loved it.
They had no idea what they were about to do...but they were excited.
"You're seriously going to let me do this?" 
(Yes, it looks like Cic needs some bigger pants. Check out that pot belly.)Kai's finished product.
The "crazy face" is still alive and well.
Cici's finished product.
Just one of many reasons why having a daughter terrifies me...
Am I really supposed to know how to do her hair? I don't even know how to do my own hair...let alone baby fine hair. She has a horrific mullet right now and I don't want to cut it yet.
It is long enough to put into pig tails on top but I would never take her out in public with this "do".
Kai was feeling left so I had to take a pic of "Kai Boy"
