As a parent of a red head this article made me laugh right out loud. You have NO idea how often people stop me to ask where she got her read hair. Honestly...if I take her to the store I can easily get stopped at least three or four times. And each time I give my standard "four generations back on both sides" response. And then when you add the curls...the ridiculous questions continue. I honestly had a woman ask me if her curls were real. As if I have nothing else to do other than curl my two year-old's hair every morning. Or even worse...that I got her a perm. Duh, people.
RANTS FROM MOMMYLAND: Red-Headed Kids...Please Ask Stupid Questions: So, we got a lot of comments recently about kids who don't look like their parents...and you parents of redheads seem to get more questions ...
Honey Creek Acres Apple Farm
A few weeks ago we went to a local apple orchard with Gretchen, Adam, the kids and Grandma Toni. It was an absolutely perfect morning and we got there right as they opened. The kids had a blast picking apples and playing on the big pile of hay. It's always fun to get the kids all together. They play so nicely together and give us parents a break by entertaining themselves!
Pumpkin Farm
We took the kids on our annual trip to the Sander's Pumpkin Farm in Vinton. It really is the greatest little farm - the kids have fun and their prices are so reasonable!
They have pigs, goats, ducks, geese, chicks, ostriches and turkeys for the kids to look at and feed. Ella had a blast trying to keep up with Josh and Lauren and LOVED the pigs!!
Then it was time to go look for pumpkins!!
First Josh found his pumpkin...
Then Lauren found hers...
And then my littlest pumpkin found HER pumpkin...
Then it was just time to play on the big old tree and in the sand!!
In the end we had to leave because the wind was so strong and even though we were all bundled up it was still too cold for our fingers! Nonetheless, we got our pumpkins, our bale of hay and our Indian corn. So we are officially ready for fall and Halloween!!
They have pigs, goats, ducks, geese, chicks, ostriches and turkeys for the kids to look at and feed. Ella had a blast trying to keep up with Josh and Lauren and LOVED the pigs!!
Then it was time to go look for pumpkins!!
First Josh found his pumpkin...
Then Lauren found hers...
And then my littlest pumpkin found HER pumpkin...
Then it was just time to play on the big old tree and in the sand!!
In the end we had to leave because the wind was so strong and even though we were all bundled up it was still too cold for our fingers! Nonetheless, we got our pumpkins, our bale of hay and our Indian corn. So we are officially ready for fall and Halloween!!
What Goes Up, Must Come Down
Well, a quick update on us. My laptop died a few weeks ago and today we finally broke down and bought a new one. So after spending all day updating the computer and getting our iPods correctly synched I figured I might as well break it in with a couple blog posts. And once I find my other camera...I'll post some more.
The weather has pretty much been a roller coaster around here lately. One day it's 90 and the next it's rainy and a high of 65. Last weekend was beautiful and so we figured we'd take advantage of the gorgeous October weather and do a little yard work. It was actually so warm that the kids asked if they could run through the sprinkler. Ironically, the only reason I said they couldn't was because....it was October. And running through the sprinkler, even when it's 90 out, just didn't seem right.
Ella took on more of a "supervisory" role. I'm training her for upper management.
And a quick pic of our Mattie...who officially turned ten less than a few months ago. I do believe it's safe to say she's FINALLY out of the "puppy" phase.
The weather has pretty much been a roller coaster around here lately. One day it's 90 and the next it's rainy and a high of 65. Last weekend was beautiful and so we figured we'd take advantage of the gorgeous October weather and do a little yard work. It was actually so warm that the kids asked if they could run through the sprinkler. Ironically, the only reason I said they couldn't was because....it was October. And running through the sprinkler, even when it's 90 out, just didn't seem right.
Ella took on more of a "supervisory" role. I'm training her for upper management.
And a quick pic of our Mattie...who officially turned ten less than a few months ago. I do believe it's safe to say she's FINALLY out of the "puppy" phase.
A little red head to brighten your day!
Here's Ella driving the train in Marion Square Park. She's not a happy girl or anything. ;-)
Especially for You Race - 2011
Well....I hit my next running milestone already!!! That was quick!! :-D And I'm not gonna lie....I'm pretty proud of myself!
Sunday was the annual Especially for You Race in Cedar Rapids. It's all to help raise money to fight breast cancer and each year it grows and grows. This year there were nearly 16,000 runners/walkers. It was AWESOME!
It was an absolutely perfect October morning! The sun was shining and even though it was a little chilly, once I started running it didn't take long to warm right up. The start was a little hairy. There are so many people and it's really hard to break free from the crowd. So even though my time was fabulous for me...it probably would have even been better had I got to run from the get go. Instead, it takes a good three blocks to finally get some space enough to run.
Nevertheless, I cross the finish line at 35:18!!!! That means I ran with an average mile of 11:21!! UN-FREAKIN-BELIEVABLE!!!! Oh, man...I was so proud. Still am. I was on cloud nine the rest of the day and kept shouting at random moments, "35:18"!!!! I knew I was moving at a good pace but even I was shocked when I saw the time.
Here's a shot of Team Bricker/Lewis after the race -
My next time goal is a 10:00 mile but given the fact that I just signed up for my first 8k in November...I'm more focused on finishing 5 miles regularily. ;-)
Sunday was the annual Especially for You Race in Cedar Rapids. It's all to help raise money to fight breast cancer and each year it grows and grows. This year there were nearly 16,000 runners/walkers. It was AWESOME!
It was an absolutely perfect October morning! The sun was shining and even though it was a little chilly, once I started running it didn't take long to warm right up. The start was a little hairy. There are so many people and it's really hard to break free from the crowd. So even though my time was fabulous for me...it probably would have even been better had I got to run from the get go. Instead, it takes a good three blocks to finally get some space enough to run.
Nevertheless, I cross the finish line at 35:18!!!! That means I ran with an average mile of 11:21!! UN-FREAKIN-BELIEVABLE!!!! Oh, man...I was so proud. Still am. I was on cloud nine the rest of the day and kept shouting at random moments, "35:18"!!!! I knew I was moving at a good pace but even I was shocked when I saw the time.
Here's a shot of Team Bricker/Lewis after the race -
My next time goal is a 10:00 mile but given the fact that I just signed up for my first 8k in November...I'm more focused on finishing 5 miles regularily. ;-)
