Monster Dash 5k

After returning back to Bowling Green, relaxing a bit and grabbing a light supper, we met back at Keriakeis Park for the Monster Dash 5k. It didn't start until 7pm, so it was already dark. It was crowded, too, and since this was our second race of the day, we were aiming to finish, but not in record time.

 

Bundled in some warm running attire, we were smiling and ready to go.



Honestly, it was a hard race, and not my favorite by far. It was dark. Yes, there were people with light wands, flashlights and lanterns along the way, but I like being able to see where I'm running. Karalee and I finished at the same time, around 33 minutes, I believe and Amy was right behind us. The downhills were hard on her knee, but she (and it) held it together and we were one of the first 350, so we got fun finisher medals.

 

Here's Karalee and I right after we finished. I'm still not sure why I never got around to putting my hair up, but it kept my neck warm as I ran. Heath and Derek met us with the three little boys afterwards. Some trick-or-treated while some went to Trax to warm up and roast some marshmallows. Shew! It'd been a long day!

Race for the Cure

Race time again! This time was a bit different - we had been planning this race since the summer, it was out of town in Brentwood, TN, and it would be the most populated race we had been a part of. The Susan Komen Race for the Cure 5k was October 27th, and Karalee, Amy and I were ready for a girls' night and some racing fun.

 

Friday night, Karalee and I picked up Amy, ate some Panera in BG, picked up our race packet and shirt for the Monster Dash, and then headed to Brentwood. After we got there, we attempted to drive the course, but with the rain, darkness and, I guess, lack of skill, we had a hard time following the map. Oh, well, we figured we'd be fine the next morning.

 

 

Look! It's AOII Headquarters! Karalee, Amy and I are all AOIIs, and our chapter headquarters is on the route that we would be running. We stopped to check out the pink pandas and pink balloons they had used to encourage the runners. Truth be told, the pandas looked a bit depressed because they had been rained on, but we appreciated the effort! :)

 

After we got to our hotel, we laid out our shirts, bibs and all the pink that we planned to wear during the race. Karalee's bib is in the middle, pink, because she is a survivor. We chose not to pay the extra money for a timed chip, so our numbers were all the same - 2012.

 

We popped some popcorn and watched old Friends episodes until we decided it was time for lights out. A perfect girls' night!

 

 

Up and at 'em! We wanted to have plenty of time before the race to check out the Village and get plenty of "swag" and freebies. There was also a special place for survivors that we wanted to check out, too. I can describe the morning in two words: PINK and COLD.

 

They were giving out all things pink - including balloon flower coursages.

 

Here's Karalee signing the board - it was covered in signatures and special messages.

 

I had signed it right before her. See my name? I wrote "for Bubba" under my name -- and then Karalee wrote her nickname with her's. :)

 

Here's our "team." Bonita, a fun gal that works at Trax in BG, met up with us, and so did Mary John, a friend and survivor from BG. Bonita was the overall female winner finishing the race in a little over eighteen minutes. Wowzers!

 

We saw all sorts of fun things as we were walking around the Race Village.

 

What's Karalee so happy about? She's a survivor! (I think she was laughing at something actually.)

 

I know why Amy is so happy - she found herself a spot under a heater in the Survivor's area!

 

Love this girl! She was dancing and having a grand time waiting for the race to start!

 

Coffee - the perfect breakfast for any runner!

 

I had to take a picture of this guy and his wife. His shirt reads "Hunters for Hooters!"

 

Bonita was busy getting her picture made with the most extreme, pink racers, too.

 

This is the finish line. The pink arch is for the survivors to run under. They also had a pink carpet at the finish line, too, where they were handed pink carnations.

 

Everything was pink - even the bottled water waiting for us at the finish line.

 

 

After we had collected one of everything that was free, we took our loot back to the hotel, left our coats (brrr...) and headed for the start line. The race wasn't too bad, except for the cold wind. Karalee and I had stuck together for the entire race, and right at the last stretch, the wind really picked up. We finished together in 29:34, a PR for me. Amy right behind us, struggling with her knee most of the way. It was a great race, and I loved the atmosphere. There were so many runners and walkers! I think it was over 20,000!

 

After the race, we changed into warmer clothes, took a few more pictures, enjoyed some lunch and then headed home to Bowling Green. It was only six and a half hours until our next 5k...

Jackson's Orchard! Part 2

Mom had picked up lunch and brought it along with Baylen and Kennick out to the orchard. Yum!

 



 

She also picked up some yummy cookies with orange icing and sprinkles!

 

Or as B would say, "Pinkle cookies!"

 

After eating, the boys had some more play time - all three of them!

 

We took this same picture last year, except I think Cash was driving and B was in the middle. The X was also not missing in last year's picture. They've definitely grown!

 

This was a new addition to Jackson's this year. You pump this water pumps and make the water flow  floating the rubber ducks down the chute. They boys had fun with it. Dad wondered where they found so many old-timey water pumps...

 

It would have been easier with a step-stool or ladder, but Grammy and Grandad seemed to make do.

 

B liked the 4x4 truck and was content on staying there.

 

Slide time! Kennick's hair rose as he slid down!

 

The two big boys went down over and over again...

 

And, of course, I went down with my little B a few times. It was a wonderful day to be outside. I'm glad we were able to enjoy it. The next day, the temperature dropped and it was cold again!

Cash's first field trip!



On Thursday, October 25th, Cash had his first official school field trip. His class met out at Jackson's Orchard to pick a pumpkin from the patch, take a hayride, enjoy a snack and learn a little about how apple cider is made. Cash was really looking forward to it all. About a week before, he informed me that Grandad was going with him to Jackson's Orchard. I told him that Grandad had to work on that day, but he insured me that Grandad was coming. I called mom to ask her if she or dad knew anything about this, and she didn't. She called dad to see if Cash had talked to him about it, and even though he knew nothing of it, he said, "If Cash wants Grandad to go, I'll be there." (He's sucha great grandad!) Later, I found out that Cash wanted Grandad to go because he intended on picking the biggest pumpkin in the patch and knew that Grandad would be able to carry it for him. :)

 



 

Even though it was a cool morning, it warmed up quick, and we had the perfect weather for a field trip! Here's his class, minus one who didn't come.

 

They were excited to see their hayride coming close. Such sweet kiddos!

 

Here's our tour guide. He drove us through the apple orchard, past the strawberry fields, around through the pear trees and over to the pumpkin patches.

 

Here's Cash's good friend, Gavin, with his mom and little sister, Stella Jane. I kind of wished I had brought Baylen along, but decided that he was probably having fun with Grammy back at the house. Besides, Grammy, Baylen and Kennick would be meeting us later at the orchard.

 

It took him FOREVER to find the perfect pumpkin, but I'll have to cut him some slack. There wasn't a great selection. A lot were cracked, busted, lop-sided - I guess that's what happens when you wait until the end of October.

 

He really liked this one, and carried it over for Grandad to examine.

 

After some discussing, they decided it wasn't the right one. (Not sure why.)

 

So they set off to the other patch - eyes peeled!

 

Mrs. Patterson, his teacher, and Reagan

 

Ava and her mom, Jennifer

 

Finally, the perfect pumpkin!

 

Glad he had Grandad their to help carry it!

 

All smiles!

 

This guy loves his Grandad...

 

After the hayride, we took our pumpkins back to the cars and had some playtime before snacks were served. Here's Hudson, Haddon's little brother having some fun on the small slide in front.

 

Sugar cookies and an apple slush - he liked the cookie, but didn't care for the slush.

 

After the apple cider movie, they got to watch them make some through the windows. Here's Ms. Helen holding Cash up so he could see. He loves her!

 

Watching it all being made - Cash does like plain apple cider. I explained to him that this is where they make that yummy goodness!

 

These tires are Cash's second favorite part of Jackson's Orchard (he told me so)! He loves jumping from one to the next. I love it that he concentrates so hard before jumping!

 

He really gets some air time going from one to the next!

 

Slide time! Katie and Hudson...

 

Gavin

 

little Stella Jane

 

Grandad and Cash

 

Griffin and Whit

 

This is the "favoritest" part of Jackson's Orchard (yes, he told me so). He could spend hours under that tent jumping all over these straw bales!

 

I think Gavin would agree - straw bales are fun to play on!

 

 

Gavin and Haddon

 

Yes, it was a fun morning at the orchard, and I'd have to say Cash's first field trip was a success. We waited around a bit while the kids were playing, and then mom called and said they had arrived with lunch!