Honored Hero Run

Today was the half-marathon I registered for back in the summer, pre-boating accident. I still can't run on my injured foot without it flaring up (though I have been able to start using the elliptical machine, since it has less impact on my foot), so I converted my registration to four runners in the family fun run, and we all headed out.

John ran with Josh, and Josh was booking. I ran with Lucas, who did great most of the time but did hitch a ride on my back for part of the race. Try running on an injured foot with a three-year-old on your back sometime!

Anyway, we all made it across the finish line, to much cheering from the other runners. Lucas got the biggest cheer. The combination of his tiny size and the very determined look he wears when running won their hearts.

Josh and Lucas each won completion medals:



It was a great family experience and a great way to support a very good cause--the registration fee goes to help children who are fighting and surviving blood cancers.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

We made our annual Pumpkin Patch trip this past weekend. Last year we drove north to Grapevine, TX. This year, we decided to try a farm to the south. It had all sorts of fun activities for the boys, starting with farm photos themselves:






Then, on to the pony rides. Lucas found a perfectly sized pony for himself:



And Josh was an old pro:

There was a fun wooden train on the playground:

And a petting zoo (FULL of poop -- when we first went in, I told the boys to try not to step in the little poop pellets and John just laughed. It was deserved -- they were EVERYWHERE! Completely unavoidable).

Fun halloween photos:

(and farm photos):

Self-portrait on the hay(less) tractor ride:

Sun was too bright, I guess, but still cute:

Then, finally, we headed into the actual pumpkin patch to select our pumpkins. Lucas found his first:

Josh had a harder time deciding among the larger ones:

And before we left, another round through the bouncy houses:

A little bean bag toss and some horseshoes (not pictured):

(P.S. Check out John and Lucas' matching style)

And, a final photo op:

John and Josh were in a heated horseshoe battle, so only Lucas made the last photo. Josh won the horseshoe game 10-9, so he left happy too!

Success x 2 (x2)

We had another successful weekend of soccer with Lucas. Not only did he once again actually play during his game, but he scored TWO GOALS!

And then a few hours later, Josh scored TWO GOALS for his team as well. I thought he actually scored three goals (out of his team's total of four), but he says it was just two. He had at least one assist too (and likely assisted on the other one too, where I thought he was the one who had scored). He is the scoring machine for his team.

Great weather and great teammates, plus good play and good sportsmanship by Josh and Lucas, are making for fun soccer Saturdays.

Success!

With the help of a little bribery, Lucas finally actually played in a soccer game. Meaning he not only went out on the field (and then just stood there), but he actually ran around and tried to get the ball. I was so proud. Everyone was cheering for him. He was so great.

He was even excited before the game:



Going after a ball at mid-field:



His kick-in:



Some tough defense:



Staying at it:

Run, Lucas, run!

He loved it too! He was proud of himself, and had a lot of fun. Hopefully next week will be another good experience.

Our new home

We moved this weekend, from our rental home about 30-40 minutes north of the city to a neighborhood close-in, about 10 minutes from downtown. It's a nice old established neighborhood with big old trees, wide streets, and a cute brick-paved main thoroughfare. We are renting here as well, and hopefully will stay here awhile. There are some great shops nearby, and it feels a lot more like the neighborhood we left behind in Portland.

Here are Josh and Lucas modeling the new house:



I don't have good pictures of the interior yet. First, there are boxes everywhere, which makes it difficult to photograph much of anything (other than boxes). And without drapes, the light is pretty severe for photography (but great for enjoying the sunny fall weather!). But here's what we've got for now.

The living room:



Josh's room (which is a nice size, and fits his new double bed (formerly the guest bed) very comfortably):


(and Sammy!)

Lucas' room, now with bunk beds!





Moving is exhausting though! Yes, he's really asleep in this picture, just like that.



Josh's new school has a dress code, and he looks so cute in his preppy clothes:



But before we left, he had to make a special card to say goodbye to his love, Ashlyn:





One of the things he's really looked forward to in this move was our promise that, at his new school, he could go to after-school care (because John will be substitute teaching in the Fort Worth school district, so he really has to. But because he really wants to go as well, we made it sound like a special treat). I think it's funny that he drew a picture of himself playing ball in after-school care inside Ashlyn's card.


More photos one of these days!