Little Chef: Part I

Etta has really been showing an interest while I have been cooking. She will get into "her" drawer, pull out a measuring spoon or cup, reach up and try to help mommy. One day after I finished up I put MY apron on her so she could be the head chef. With a little double and taking the ties around her little body twice it fit!

A couple more...

Just a couple of more pics from last weekend.

Visiting the Aplets & Cotlets factory in Cashmere. It is just a couple of blocks from Kent and Annie's house. I gave Etta a bite of a blueberry and walnut(?) one and she LOVED it. So of course we had to have a photo op.



And some "private" time with mommy. Would you like to sit with me?



We had a fun day today. I love you, Etta.

Oktoberfest!

With all of the things we did last weekend we did squeeze in a bit of the Oktoberfest activities. Kind of difficult after Etta sat through over 3 hours of mommy running (no nap), a lunch (where she really didn't want to eat anything) and just overall excitement of being with her good friend Brooke. We caught part of a parade and Bob ended up walking Etta around while we were waiting for our food. Later that evening Kent and Annie were generous enough to "watch" Etta after she had gone to bed and Bob and I were able to head back into Leavenworth, have an ice cream cone (one of our favorite past times when we were in Germany...) and stroll along. We didn't head into the beer garden as there were already a LOT of really. drunk. people. The cops were out and we didn't really want to spend the $$$ just to get in and see more drunk people. It was a fun time.

Pumpkin Pickers

Here's a good one.



Or this one.



Let me taste the stem on this one.



This one looks about my size.



Nice pair of melons. Or should I say gourds?



Let's see if I can lift this one out.



Nope, probably just easier to climb in.



Perfect.



And this is my friend Brooke with her own perfect pumpkin.



We were able to take six pumpkins home. A huge thank you to the church that we were visiting. Their generosity was incredible! And it turned out to be an even bigger blessing in disguise because we were going to go to Pomeroy, WA this weekend for a fall festival. Hay bale mazes the whole works. Pomeroy is only about 30 miles away from us so it was going to be great. Bob looked up the web site yesterday. Apparently it is not the TOWN Pomeroy but the Pomeroy FARM that is near Vancouver, B.C. (even farther!!)...Well, at least we found out before we took off on Saturday. But it could have been an adventure I guess.

Forever Friends

We had a great time visiting with Kent, Annie and Brooke. The girls got along amazingly well. I am seeing forever friends here!

This is Dora. This is how you drive. This is how you push buttons. This is how you say, "Mine! Mine! Mine! Go, go go".



Want some crackers? They taste better than rocks!



Weeeeeeeeeeeee! Throw your head back and let the wind blow through your locks!



So. Much. Fun.



And visit here:

http://www.kentanniechalmers.blogspot.com/

For more, better pictures. (There are more of them and they are WAY better!)

Race Day!

This past weekend we traveled to Cashmere, WA to visit with friends Kent, Annie and Brooke (more pics to follow soon!). I also managed to fit in the Leavenworth Oktoberfest Half-Marathon. Despite weather reports that promised rain and wind I was again blessed with a perfect day for running. Beautiful scenery, sun, cool temperatures and a lot of energetic fellow runners. (Over 1,500!!) It is hard to believe that after 2 half-marathons, a full marathon and a few other shorter running events - and after seven months of running training - I am basically done for the season. Although I was VERY happy when I did not have to go out in the cold and dark this morning! I am going to continue with pilates, yoga and try out some water aerobics to get me through the winter.

Family pic on race day. Happy runner with a very supportive crew!



Bob prepping for the day.



What I was running toward for part of the race. All I could think of was "The hills are alive..."



I missed the "official" start and was caught off guard. Ripped off my long sleeved shirt and went. Although it's not like I was competing and was going to start out of the blocks...



The race begins



There was also a "costume" portion of the race. Some were really creative and some were, well, probably last minute. And along the course there were a ton of spectators. A lot of whom were already enjoying the fruits of Oktoberfest. My favorite was the group of guys (probably about 8) all sitting in the box of a short box pickup. It looked like a hot tub. Only not...









They were waiting for me at the end of mile 4. It just happened to be during one of my one minute walks. =)



And they were also at about mile 12.5 I think. My knee was hurting at that point and I just wanted to be done.



Usually Bob is really great at getting me crossing the finish line. Unfortunately this guy...



stepped in front of him. And when I finished I wasn't in the mood to stand around and take smiley pictures. That is why I need my Christine with me. She paces me and enjoys the smiles and the tears (of happiness) when we finish.

What Up, Dawg?

Thanks for the hoodie Uncle Jim.