Pumpkin Patch

This weekend we headed out to Wilson Banner Ranch for the harvest fair. As I have already mentioned, our own garden yielded plenty of beautiful pumpkins this year, but we still couldn't resist giving Kendry a genuine pumpkin patch experience.

The walk out to the patch was a bit too far for Kendry's short legs, so he hitched a ride.

My handsome fellas:

Kendry attempted to lug a big one by himself.

When it wouldn't budge he resorted to climbing.

Then he gave it a few kisses.

Someone is looking a little tired...

Then the search was over - Daddy found the winning pumpkin!

Kendry agrees!

Having found our Charlie Brown Pumpkin (think "The Great Pumpkin" meets the "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree"), we headed back to the pavillion for music and games for the kids. This was a hanging apple bobbing contest.



Kendry was a bit too small to participate this year, but we bought him a farm-fresh apple for practice. Look out for this little chomper next year!

As for the pumpkin, this thing has so much character I'm not even sure it needs to be carved.

The Half-Marathon

Its official: I've been transformed. I've been denying it for several years now, but its time to face the music and fess up.

I have become a distance runner.

{GASP!}

Two weeks ago, this former sprinter competed in her first half-marathon in Leavenworth, Washington. The scenery was gorgeous, the weather perfect, and the company fantastic.

The run was tough.

At mile 3 I was still breathing well enough to cheer on other runners, specifically two moms who were running and pushing their kiddos in BOBs up a two mile incline. At that moment I wished I had Kendry cruising along with me. (This sentiment vanished at the mile 9 incline.)

Around mile 6 I was still smiling and admiring the beautiful fall colors displayed throughout the course, but I was starting to think: "It would be perfect if the run ended right here because I am still feeling great and would love to enjoy the rest of my day in Leavenworth."

By mile 7 I realized that I had erred in my choice of apparel. Although I had trained for several weeks wearing leggings, I opted to swap them out for spandex shorts on race day. Why? I do not know. But my inner thighs paid the price.

At mile 8 I finally spotted my wonderful hubby and kiddo, who had found a playground along the course and were waiting for me to pass by them. Here is evidence that I was still smiling at mile 8:

I don't remember much of miles 9-13.1, except that I kept telling myself "You can do this!" over and over again. And it worked. I ran the entire 13.1 miles. I did partake of the water stands along the way, but always made myself keep running. This wasn't a pride thing - I just knew that if I started walking I may never get myself running again.

One hour, fifty-two minutes and thirty seconds after the starting gun went off I was crossing the finish line...along with this strange guy wearing only a speedo, tennis shoes and a gladiator mask.

And you wonder why I gasped earlier about being classified as a distance runner?

DONE AT LAST!!

I finished 18th of 216 women in my age group (30-34), and 80th in a total of 908 female participants.

A finisher medal and hugs from my little man helped me recover quickly.

In all actuality the smile on my face reads: "Thank you, Lord, that my inner thighs are no longer being rubbed raw."

So maybe I'm not a true distance runner yet since I only learned after the race about Band-Aid's friction block stick that prevents this sort of running mishap. This knowledge will come in handy on my next half-marathon, if there is one.

Ten on Tuesday

1. God bless the young man in the Taco Bell drive-thru who addressed me as "Miss" instead of "Ma'am" the other day.

2. I have already told you how much we love hats around our house.

3. I haven't exercised in over two weeks now, and I still don't miss it.

4. Disney Movie Trivia: "Can you stand on your head?"

{Last week's answer: The Incredibles}

5. I am trying to incorporate my love for fall with each TOT post from now until Thanksgiving. This week its the pumpkin welcome when you pull into our driveway. I don't know how we ended up with so many green pumpkins in our garden this year but I love it!

6. One BIG plus to having a fall wedding: you have enough fall decorations to last you for life.

7. Our five year anniversary is only three weeks away. Wow!

8. I'm pretty sure I'm getting the greatest anniversary present EVER, but its still technically a bit hush hush. Shhh!

9. The professional photos taken during our family reunion in July arrived in the mail yesterday. Justin and I often balk at the price of professional photos, but believe me when I tell you these were worth every single penny.

10. This Week's Blessing: A raise at work. Praise the Lord!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Hooray for a four day work week!

2. Perhaps its a good week to wean myself off my caffeine intake a bit?

Nahhhh!

3. We awoke to a 36 degree morning today, which means Kendry finally got to wear his adorable Levi's winter jacket. As with most of his outfits, I was way more excited about this than he was. I bought this jacket at a yard sale when Kendry was just two months old. Now, fifteen months later, it is finally cold enough to warrant him wearing the jacket, and it barely fits. But its just as precious as I imagined it would be on him.

4. I'm going to be an auntie again any day now. We can't wait to meet you, Baby Londyn!

5. I have recently been inspired by creative mom sites like I Can Teach My Child and FunMoms.org. While I was home with Kendry on Monday I set up his first sensory tub with oatmeal, funnels, and measuring cups and spoons. My clean freak side came close to having a nervous breakdown as I watched oatmeal spill all over my kitchen floor. Naturally, I had to snap a photo of this as evidence to my hubby that I do let my kiddo make a mess from time to time.

And the oatmeal held Kendry's attention for 10 minutes straight. That has got to be a new record!

6. Disney Movie Trivia: "Oh, no. Elastigirl? You married Elastigirl? Oh - and got biz-zay! It's a whole family of supers!"

{Last week's answer: The Rescuers Down Under}

7. Did you know that dryer sheets help ward off deer? All five young trees in our back yard look like they have been TP'd, but its keeping those young bucks from scraping their antlers on them.

8. I am sooo very excited about a new young women's Bible study starting up next month!

9. We have taken to hiding some of Kendry's favorite books from him. In our defense, we only hide them after they have been read for the 20th time in one day.

10. This Week's Blessing: getting to be a stay-at-home mommy for a day.

Fall Creativity

HAPPY FALL FROM THE GIMLIN FAMILY!!

Fall is my favorite season by far; and as such, it inspires my creativity. This pumpkin project was in this month's BH&G, if you would like to try it for yourself. It is fairly simple if you have the right type of blade. I even used one of the pumpkins from our own garden.

I hope you are having a wonderful fall season!