Well, no pictures on this post, just a little update. Ryan and I are leaving tomorrow afternoon for our favorite place on earth, CHICAGO!!!!!! Yep, this weekend is the big race weekend. I ran Chicago in 2002 and I am really looking forward to doing it again. The atmosphere there is unlike any other and it will be
soooo good to be back "home". (just wish the
cubbies were playing) So I hope to set a PR this time, and with the two previous marathons in the past 6 weeks at high altitude, I hope to beat my 4:24. Ryan and I are meeting with some super awesome friends-- the Aussies who live in Indy, Beck and Jamie, and our friends from Springfield, Jeff and Pam and of course it wouldn't be Chicago without Greg and Linda from Grand Rapids. We are kid free as Micah is going to have them here in
Farmington for 3 nights!
EEEKKKKK! I have never left them for that long before, but I have all the confidence in the world in that girl. So wish me luck and pray I don't die. You can track me on the Chicago marathon website, please don't laugh--too hard! The race starts Sunday morning at 8 am Chicago time.
Happy Birthday sweet sweet girl!
I can't get her to stop calling the cake "pancake"
Even Jack loved the balloons.
Trying out Sofie's toys
He is already getting into her stuff!
Finally our boy is standing in his crib and sitting himself up. Now it is time to put the mattress down! This is how I found him after his nap Friday afternoon.
Birthday girl waiting for her guests to arrive for her birthday.
New play kitchen.
Opening more presents.
One super happy boy!
After 4 and a half hours of running, I was actually crying at this point, but I put on a good face for Ryan at the finish line. I didn't hit a wall til mile 25, pretty good considering I usually hit one at miles 18-22. It got so hot 84 degrees people in the neighborhoods were spraying us with their garden hoses. 
Our friend who came to see us Linda and Greg from MI and Pam and Jeff from Springfield.
Shanker and Pam the two best friends a girl could ask for.
We went to the American Girl store and got Kit for Sofie. She is mesmerized by this doll, I think she is also a little afraid of it cause the eyes open and close.
This is a kitten that was on our back deck two weeks ago. Something got to him he only has half a tail, he had a pneumothorax, which resolved on its own. He was a bag of bones, so after a trip to the vet for some diarrhea and antibiotics, he is thriving. But we don't need another cat, does anyone want him?
Morning of the race, Ryan was a peach and went down stairs and got me a coffee from starbucks. Can't run without coffee. Or do anything for that matter.
Getting ready!
Coffee and getting ready to start, so many people. A fun race.
The sun coming up over the lake.
Everyone waiting to start, it was this crowded the entire time. People of all shapes sizes and ages were running. This sport knows no limits when it comes to shapes ages and sizes. It is very personal and the entire team you worry about is yourself. It is nice to only compete with myself in my own mind. Crazy what you can push your body to do.
