Thanksgiving 2018

We had a pretty incredible Thanksgiving with Mark's family. In the morning I got to go to an amazing yoga class that had a message and flow that was exactly what I needed after this tough week at work. Then I came home to happy children playing board games with their Grammy and the parade on the TV. We named our turkey Murphy. Amazingly, despite my later start, the meal went really well. Probably my favorite turkey to date.  Good thing ...as that was the ONLY thing Henry ate.....dear lord. Maggie made place cards and secret notes for each person that were filled with love and light. The dinner ended with a PERFORMANCE!! from Maggie and Frances...complete with programs. Filled to the brim with gratitude.

Birmingham Alabama

I had work meeting in Alabama. The last day I woke up early to run to the Civil Rights Museum and park and to run a route that has quotes dedicated to Civil Rights Protests. Wow. So moving, so poignant, so gut wrenching and sad. I so respect how the city puts the horrible parts of the past on display - to honor the souls impacted by the horrific actions taken.Our country has to do better.

Halloween 2018

This was big year for Halloween. Originally, Maggie was going to be a cheerleader, Frances a football player, and Henry her coach. Then, Henry had a week of lots of schoolwork, soccer, basketball try outs, other extracurricular events and the Timbers do-or-die playoff game. So, Henry chose to not trick or treat. Big day. After some sadness, Frances agreed having alone time with mom might be fun and Maggie went with a big group. Mac was a soccer player. 

Players Become the Cheerleaders

Maggie always cheers at Frances's and has won over all the parents on the sideline.

For Maggie's last game, two of Frances's teammates, their parents, and their older sisters came to cheer for Maggie. They brought signs, they did a half time show,and they overall made Maggie feel so incredibly special. Such a gift.

Family Friday

When the kids were younger we used to go to Family Friday at the MAC all the time. We haven't been in years. This Friday though Maggie had gymnastics and Henry had a dance, so we made an appearance. Holy flashback to old times. Kind of crazy to go back and realize how much different our kids and our parenting is  now. We took some fun pics.

Awesome Spirit = Meeting Emily Menges

Before the playoffs the Thorns had a competition that the school that showed the most spirit and tagged the "Thorns" in their picture would get to have a player come visit them. Maggie's amazing coach coordinated a photo shoot....and they won.

This week Emily Menges, a defender for the Thorns, and one of our favorite players came to their school. To say that the girls were overjoyed is an understatement.

Outstanding October

We have had an INSANELY gorgeous and warm October. Henry was in his first OGA Golf Tournament today (big deal!!!) in Camas, Washington. Frances wanted to go and cheer for him....the whole 18 holes. Maggie had CCD and we thought it may not be worth the 45 minute drive to have Maggie follow-along....likely not her jam. So, Maggie and I had a day together. We took Mac to one of my favorite places in the universe -- the arboretum. MAGICAL. She spent many hours there in preschool and it was so funny to hear relive her Opal adventures.

When in Eugene..........

Frances had a game in Eugene....but Henry and Maggie had games in Portland.

So, Frances and I had a "date" to the fun college town for her game. In preparing I realized there was a football game that day. Ouch- traffic.

Frances LOVES to watch football. She wakes early on Sat to watch and often she has a football helmet on (her Halloween costume). 

I looked for tickets, but the game started 30 minutes after her game started and the tickets were not cheap as it was against #7 ranked Washington.

It was a gorgeous day, so I thought to bring our bikes so we could at least bike around the town and stadium before driving the 2.5 hours back.

Her game was great - they won.

We quickly got to the place where we could park and bike. Got the stadium....and then I saw a scalper trying to sell tickets. It was five minutes until the first half was over.

I got him to sell me them for 5.00 a piece.

We checked our bikes in at the bike valet and in we went.

SO MUCH FUN............ minus the really drunk people.

The bike ride back was like a drunk person version of frogger.....but we made it and my girl was overjoyed to see it in-person.

Pumpkin Patch with Janis

When we have a day off of school we always try and fit in a visit with our amazing Janis. We lucked out today as the weather was INCREDIBLE, so we took her to the pumpkin patch. So much fun in the sun with one of our favorite people.

THIS YEAR:

Last Year:

This Year:

Seawheeze Half Marathon in Vancouver

Almost  year ago I applied in a lottery to run the Lulelemon Seawheeze Half Marathon with girlfriends. I got in, they did not. Bummer.

The race was the weekend of my bday and my parents graciously offered to let me and mark go for a solo weekend.

HOLY MOLY.  That has been a while.

It was awesome.

On Friday, you check in, go shopping, do yoga, medidate, get your nails and hair done, do more yoga and race prep.

Mark went for a solo run

Then we rested and went to ONE OF THE BEST DINNERS I HAVE EVER HAD in Chinatown. WOW. WOW. WOW. As you can tell by the sneaky pic Mark took - I loved it.

Race Day was off to a bit of a bummer start. It was POURING. But, you start out, you get wet, and you move on. It is a beautiful course, the people are amazing and there is lots of fun things along the way. I loved it.

After the race we ate lunch, watch the Thorns final (sniffle sniffle), took a nap (what?!?!?!?!) and then headed to Richmond for the Night Market we read about in the NYT. So fun.

Then we had a Sunday....to ourselves.....and it wasn't rainy.

WHAT ?!?!?!?!?!?!?

We biked for three hours all around Stanley Park, saw my MOST favorite outdoor sculpture series EVER, took the ferry to Graneville Island, and had a pure bliss day hanging out. I do heart my sweet husband.

It was THE BEST birthday present a girl could ask for.