Happy Halloween!

We went to the Trunk-or-Treat party and then trick or treating, it was such a beautiful evening, we had a really good time.

Reagan wanted to be a zombie and went in to character for his pictures. We had so much fun putting together this costume, what is it about being destructive that makes kids get so excited.

Elise wanted to be a Mermaid, so we put together her fins and a matching top, she loved being the color of the sea. We went to the school for the kids' parade and they were both so adorable.

When Mollie saw what we were doing for Elise, she quickly jumped on board with the idea of being a Mermaid too and I loved having them match. So pretty.

Ashtynn got to be my little black cat. Mainly because it is a no-brainer costume and she was too cute. Mollie went as a cat when she was this same age, so I guess that makes it tradition.

I love these little girls, need I say more.

Boo!

The end of our summer vacation

It's pretty sad when it's the end of October and I am finally getting around to posting the end of our trip to Michigan this summer. But I guess good things come to those who wait. So, here you go.

Henry Ford Museum

This is one of only 2 family pictures we took on this trip, sad that we didn't get more and sad that the girl taking it didn't get it in focus, aaagghh!

Carrie got us some tickets to the Rouge Factory tour, and when you are in Michigan cars are a big deal. So we jumped in the car and drove about an hour to Greenfield Village where the Henry Ford museum is and a number of other tourist activities. The Rouge Factory is about a 1o minute drive form there, so we got on the bus and rode over and then joined the tour; fascinating. It was amazing and as part of the tour we walked over the factory itself and go to watch them assemble the Ford F-150's. I would love to have been able to take all of my history classes on a field trip there. So cool.

Tyler, the kids and the infamous Henry Ford

This was inside the bus, it was a cool bus and they showed an historical film on the way that was very interesting.

Each of the kids picked their favorite vintage car and got to take a picture with it.
Reagan liked the 1949 Ford


Elise went for the 1956 Ford Thunderbird, sweet

And Mollie liked the class Ford V8

They also had some cool rubbings the kids got to try out. Sadly, this is the only area where we could take pictures, so there was a ton more on the tour, but they are pretty strict about photography.


On our way home we stopped at White Castle for some lunch, neither Tyler nor I have been there in years and it was fun to try it again.

Cook House

I figured I would include some pictures of our host's home, so here is Carrie's house, it is a beautiful home and in a gorgeous neighborhood. We had fun there enjoying family, frogs and fondue. Ok, not at the same time, but they were both pretty cool. The girls found some little frogs outside and were fascinated. One night Carrie treated us to fondue, a favorite in the Cook household and my kids were thrilled with the tradition.

So many trees, their back yard is a forest, very cool.

Here is the frog:

So cute!

Yahoo, chocolate fondue

Running

While training for the Spirit of Twin Falls 1/2 marathon I was struggling with some pretty nasty leg pain. I have dealt with shin splints through much of my life and assumed that's what I was dealing with again. So, I went through the normal home-remedies; icing my legs until they burned, eating copious amounts of bananas, strengthening my calves, walking on my heels, massaging my shins, all of which have cured them in the past, but this time nothing was working. I self-diagnosed stress fractures, (I know should have gone in to a doctor, but I didn't want to).

I lived on Advil pretty much around the clock. I never ran without needing some ibuprofen relief. But, I was determined my training was not going to go without the final "celebration", the run. So... I rubbed some dirt on it, sucked it up and continued running, with the promise that when I was done, I would take time off to heal, which I did. 6 weeks of no running during the summer made me pretty crazy. After that I decided I would start, ease back in to it and get right back where I was.

No such luck. One morning, my running partners and I did 7 miles and I knew I was in trouble. My legs hurt just like they had during my earlier training. So, I decided to stop again. I walked, I did weights, I did Pilates, but I avoided running. Then I read a book. This book.

Rachel, my running inspiration and sister, suggested it and sent it to me on CD. I was hooked the first day listening and actually I think I may listen again. AMAZING!

Without giving away the book, basically the author makes the case that our bodies are made to run. So, I am now trying new things, I have changed my running form completely, I occasionally run bare foot and want to get my hands on some Vibram Five Fingers, but more than anything I have been re-inspired. It is slow in happening, but I can feel myself getting stronger and faster with every run I go on, and I love it.

Cutie patooty leg warmers

I love baby leg warmers, maybe it's my love of the 80's you know, my younger Flashdance kind of days. I was amazed when they started coming back in fashion a few years back, I couldn't quite go there for me, but genius for babies. The other day I was at TJ Maxx and they had some socks on clearance that would make the CUTEST leg warmers. So, I bought them, a little snip here, a little snip there and voila, leg warmers for my little girls. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. It helps that I found these super cute denim skirts on clearance at Old Navy a couple of weeks ago. And may I just say, dressing little girls is the most fun thing in the world! So cute.




(Side Note: What is up with my photography? These pictures are so blurry and grainy, very disappointing, I guess I need to get out my manual and read up on my camera. Yikes, sorry!)

Whoop, there it is and a birthday too!

Tyler just got himself some new LeBron James basketball shoes and they are slick. Ashtynn thought she would look like a playa' in them, and I think she was right. It's tough playing basketball in size 15 shoes, especially when your feet are size 5 in baby sizes.

She's got the look for it though, what do you think?

Oh ya and it was my 37th birthday on Monday. What an awesome day. Since it is Columbus Day, CSI was out and so Tyler had the day off, wahoo! My mom offered to keep the little girls, the older 2 were in school and so we went and played. Went to lunch, went shopping, but best of all we spent the entire day together. I love that, and it doesn't happen often enough.

Tyler and the kids made me the most yummy and delicious cake. Chocolate chocolate chip with Nutella butter cream frosting, holy cow, it was sooooooo good. How cute is this, he cut it in the shape of an A for me.

This is the best part of all, my kids love celebrating my birthday with me and were so excited about the cake and presents and wanted me to just have fun. I love these kids.

The rest of Boston

(Warning: Lots and lots of pictures!)

...now back to the story. I have taken too much time in completing the posts about our trip, it's crazy. So, here we are back in Boston. One of the days we were in Boston, after the Aquarium, we headed to the train and decided rather than going back the house, we would get off at another stop and check out a different part of the city; Back Bay. It was a last minute decision and we are so glad we did. It was awesome. We went to the gorgeous Prudential Center, the Apple Store, Northeastern University where my bil received his Master's degree and the Horizon pool in front of the Christian Science building, It was a beautiful part of the city and certainly another one of the many highlights of our trip.

Back Bay

Horizon pool, it was stunning

Aaawwww!

The girls testing some of the Apple products for kids, So cool.

Ashtynn and Ethan, since he had a phone, she felt a need to talk on her imaginary one. Haha

So glad these 2 got to spend some time together.

Rachel and I in front of a really cool church

Look at the cool brick streets, I love big cities.

On the train heading home.

Old North Bridge

The last day we were there we headed to The Old North Bridge, where the Revolutionary War began, you know, "The shot heard round the world." It was beautiful there and what a great day to visit, not too hot, low humidity, gorgeous blue skies, no crowds and lots of grassy, shady areas for the kids to play and run around. Here are a few snapshots from our visit.

Matt, Rachel, Ethan, Hailey, Me, Mollie, Ashtynn and Tyler

I love this picture of Tyler on the bridge, again these were all taken by my bil Matt.

Ashtynn was free and she loved it. I am so glad she started walking right before this trip, made it really nice.

This picture should be in a magazine, adorable.

So beautiful, so many trees, I loved it

Ashtynn and I, another great shot.

We have no idea what this was used for in the 1700's but in 2010, it made the perfect picnic spot. A 2 foot rock wall kept the babies in and the little girls intrigued. It was awesome, cool in the shade. I'm thinking about installing one in my backyard.

Gorgeous Girls! Best Friends!
Matt did such a good job getting some cool shots, that's Rachel and me in the background.

Great family shot, oops missing 2 kids though.

Boston Temple

After the Old North Bridge, we headed over to the Boston Temple, so beautiful and of course, Matt took some amazing shots.

Mollie, Me, Tyler and Ashtynn

Ethan and Ashtynn

Look how the hair bows match, so cute.