Happy Thanksgiving!

Although I've learned to adjust to both a little better in my old age, I've always hated cold weather and kind of hated running. So what better thing to do on Thanksgiving morning than run a 5K?

I've been running as my form of exercise pretty much every day since the middle of the summer. It gives me a good workout, it's quick, I can do it anywhere and I actually sort of enjoy it now. When my friend Jaime asked me if I wanted to run the local T-day race, I was a little hesitant. But, it's been a strange year after losing my dad and the holidays and birthdays just aren't the same. What better way to clear my head on Thanksgiving morning than run with the masses?

Jaime and I with our feathered friend before the race.

My longest run is typically 2.4 miles, the length of bike trail by our house. Up until Monday before the race, I hadn't run three miles since my last 5K, about 10 years prior! I knew the course was extremely hilly, so my goal was just to finish without stopping to walk at all. I did it! My time wasn't going to break any records (37 minutes), but I did pass quite a few runners. I had a little bit of gas left in the tank at the end, so I know I could have run faster, but I wanted to be sure I could meet my no-walking goal.

Good stride to the finish. :)



I had to get an after race shot. I drove myself over (Mike was still asleep when I left and the kids were watching the parade) so it's a self portrait. I was proud of myself. :)


This year was also the first year I handled all of the cooking duties. The casseroles, potatoes and stuffing different worry me - it was the turkey that had me leery! I rarely eat meat and never eat anything on the bone, so the thought of prepping the thing gave me the heebie jeebies. Honestly, it was as bad as I had imagined, haha, with the whole remove the neck and giblet bag issues. Ew, ew, ew. But, my mom and Mike said it was delicious so I guess it was worth it!

I had zero idea how to carve a turkey! That was always my dad's job, but I did my best. I think he'd be proud. :)

Part of the spread.

They liked drinking out of the fancy glasses (yes, they are Christmas glasses; give me a break ;) ).

Taylor and Mommy.


Taylor and MY Mommy!


Us! After a cold morning, it ended up being a pretty mild day.

We capped off the day by cleaning and playing Yahtzee. A great day!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Halloween '11

Did October just fly by for you? I couldn't believe one day looking at the calendar and realizing that Halloween was just days away. The kids and I got to work on the pumpkins - they painted small pumpkins and drew the sketch for the face of the big guy, while I handled carving and cleaning out the guts. Taylor, bless her heart, helped me with the gutting despite being completely grossed out.

The finished products. No, your monitor isn't crooked, the pumpkin is. :)



I volunteered in Taylor's class for their Halloween party. The first grade teachers decided to do a playground treasure hunt instead of a traditional party and it was a hit. I got to write the clues and hide the treasure and had just as much fun as the kids.

We found our booty! All of these kids (and one who was absent) are in ONE class. Bless her teacher's heart. She's awesome.



The weather was perfect here this year for trick or treating and Mike and I joined our Wacko Fairy and Pirate for a stroll through the neighborhood. We live on a horseshoe-shaped street and get a ton of kids who live out in the nearby rural areas. I'm talking 400 kids! We always run out of candy.

Our annual Halloween picture.


Our former neighbors came back to the old stomping ground and joined us for trick or treating. They only live five minutes away, but we miss them!


Pirate Michael, Fairy Taylor and Firefighter Ben.

Can't forget cutie Reagan!


Michael was hilarious the whole night. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was wired. After every single house, he'd come running down the driveway, announcing what he'd gotten. "Mommy, I got another Starburst!" "Mommy, I got chocolate!"



Because what harm is little more sugar going to do at this point?


Making a candy necklace.

I remember savoring every piece of my Halloween candy over the next few months when I was a kid. I got rid of about half of each kid's loot, and dumped the rest into a big bowl. They have completely lost interest in it. Do your kids do that?

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

The Tooth Fairy Has Been Busy

Taylor's two top front teeth have been loose for what seems like forever. I thought for sure they'd fall out over the summer, but nope. About three weeks ago, I noticed that those teeth had separated from the side teeth and moved forward. Still, they just wouldn't fall out. (I have to note that Taylor is not a wiggler. I think it kind of grosses her out!)

Finally, I convinced Taylor to let me work with one of them and voila! - I had a tooth in my hand.

It's hard to tell because of her bottom teeth, but one tooth was out. Also, notice Taylor's new earrings? She was sad when soccer ended, but that also meant she was allowed to get her ears pierced. :)


The one-tooth look was a funny one! She was a self-dubbed "Wacko Fairy" for Halloween and the smile just completed the costume.


The second tooth came out two days later. It's been a week and the new teeth are already dropping into place!

Hard to see the missing teeth here.


There we go! I think she looks darling. :)


Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Joanna, Awards & Soccer

My birthday was on a Monday this year, kind of a forgettable fall day sandwiched between work, school and soccer. That is, until my dear friend and current San Francisco resident, Joanna, emailed the day before to tell me that she was in Columbus visiting her parents and wanted to stop by for my birthday. What a great surprise!



Notice the tasty treat? Joanna's made a special German dessert that was delicious!


Moving on to school...Taylor has had an excellent first quarter, finishing with the highest marks in all of her subjects. She just loves school and works hard. She makes us proud.

First quarter assembly certificate.


Soccer just came to an end, too. Taylor's team finished second in the league and earned a berth in the district tournament. They played a tough little team that had finished their regular season undefeated. Our girls played great and had a game-tying goal waved off after the whistle at the end of the third quarter that would have made it 3-3. The other team scored twice in the last quarter, but I was still proud of our girls. Taylor had assists on both of our goals.
Nice form!

Bundled up.
The girls before the big game.

Ready to attack.

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Bonnybrook Farm '11

For the second year in a row, Taylor's school organized a special discount day for its students and families. We were really impressed with the place last year and were excited to go back. We live in the country (well country folks would say we don't, but I grew up surrounded by interstates and factories, so it's country to me) so there are no shortages of pumpkin patches to visit. Bonnybrook is the best, in my mind.

Our annual picture in front of the wagon. Notice the summery attire. It was sunny and hot this year!

Michael's favorite - the little tub and fish hook game.


Taylor's favorite - the giant tunnel slide through the mountain.

It's not for the faint of heart!

We met up with some other school friends for the hayride (sans hay).

Cuties Ella, Taylor and Grace. Grace is Taylor's kindergarten teacher's daughter. They met for the first time after spending all last year drawing pictures for each other. She's a doll.

Ella and Taylor.

Another picture with Grace.


Can't forget the Pony Ride pictures.

I took this cute picture of the kids (all three) back at home when our ONE tree started to change colors.




Two more random pictures of Michael. We get a lot of quality time in when I'm finished working and Taylor is still at school. One of his favorite things to do is build train tracks. He's really good and can come up with some great designs without much help from me!

Michael, Red Dog and the track.


Until next time,

Mommy Kel

OSU Game with Old Friends

Last month, we got the chance to visit one of my best friends from college, Tony, and his ridiculously cute family for a Buckeye game. The outcome wasn't the best, but we all had a wonderful time and asked ourselves why we don't get together more often!

I wanted to do this post a long time ago, but this cute picture is the reason why I didn't.

Taylor and Gracie are just eight weeks apart and Carrie and I took a picture in this same pose, girls on our laps with the OSU blanket in the background, about seven years ago! I wanted to scan in the original for the full effect, but never got around to it. I'll edit this post someday because it's fun to see them side by side.

All of our kids being silly. Mia is about a year older than Michael and the four of them played together so well.

Cute little Buckeyes!

Our summer '04 girls. :)

I have some more catching up to do!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel