The 10K was lots of fun. Small group, quiet morning, cool breezes. It was much more laid-back than the 5K. I don’t even think they timed us. I ran it in this weird empty space between the really fast people and the really slow people, so for the most part, it was like I was running alone! Afterward there were way too many doorprizes and lots of food and music, and we all just kind of hung out and chatted and ate together. A few people asked me about my shirt and why I was running alone, so I got to talk about Micah and the march I missed in Ojai and SMA. Jason and the kids stayed back at the hotel all morning, and it was nice to take my time and mingle a little bit.
The only drawback was that 1/2 mile of the marina stretch was covered with water and slick as ice. We had to run that stretch twice, and it caused me a lot of leg pain afterwards. So much, in fact, that I was walking like I was nine months pregnant with twins by the time we got to the pumpkin patch that afternoon. (And believe me, I know how it feels to be nine months pregnant with twins and trying to walk! Not fun!) So this was the first year that, instead of traipsing out into the far-flung fields at Wemple’s to hunt down our pumpkins, we shamelessly pilfered them from the decorative wagons and hay bales in front of the office. The kids didn’t mind, because they got to play on the hay maze like always. I say “ON” the hay maze, because they never actually touch the ground. The fun is jumping bale to bale over toddler heads and crashing into one another. None of the other kids were behaving this way when we arrived, but by the time we left, they all were. You’re welcome, fellow pumpkin-patch-goers.
I love the pumpkin man! I believe that’s my first. That’s a clever idea which I can see could naturally evolve from folks that see frequent snow men about. That looked like a fun day. Ella looks like nothing should be possibly wrong with her. She’s a cutie. Love you!
That is awesome–the pumpkin man! You win the award for most creative jack-o-lantern!
I love all these pictures with color against a cloudy sky and mountains in the background. I just marvel at how fast they grow!
Over all looks like everyone had a great time and I get more pictures!
Love you all!