Palo Duro (20K + 50K) Trail Run 2015

the party planning committee getting ready for Grandma & Kyle's arrival. 

Who needs $40 knuckle lights when you have $2 Target (party) finger lights that sorta do the same thing...

Ready to rock

in the dark, just before 7am, when the ultra runners begin their races via headlamps

Always amazed at how beautiful the canyon is and how it is basically in Amarillo's backyard.

Why we trail run.  Seriously, look at this spread!  Pecan pie bites!

I know this food isn't entirely for us-- there were people logging SERIOUS miles (50K + 50 mile runs) but it was still fun to partake.

Getting to run behind & talk to Shirley was a major high-light of this run.

(I had her son, Maverick, in 3rd grade when I first moved to Amarillo... and now he is about to graduate from Randall High.)

DONE!

(and Running IS Our Therapy.  Seriously.)

Such a perfect day for this race.  Much warmer than our race back in 2013.

Kyle looping around with 18.4 miles down... 1 more loop (12.6 miles) to go...

and he's off...

Grace content up on Laura's shoulders.

So glad that Ben + Claire brought the kids down to the start/finish line.

I was able to meet Kyle for the final segment of the run and jog with him the last .25 miles to the finish line.  This is about the only time that we can run together-- when he has already gone over 30 miles and my legs are fresh.  

and he still ended up (in seemingly effortless, fluid movements) blowing past me in the last 20 yards

the face of a guy who just ran 31 miles... at once... 

(5 hours, 33 minutes)

with only a couple breaks for snacks, coke/beer and maybe a fireball shot after the marathon mark.  :)

Representing Missouri.

At the start/finish line there were a row of Texas flags as well as a row of various state flags.  

Miss Gracie

attempting to get a few family photos with mom and Kyle... and the kids...

finding a dead rattlesnake

great view of Palo Duro Canyon

That night we attempted to go to the balloon glow (with everyone else in Amarillo) at the Discovery Center.  It was a bust as the wind picked up and they weren't able to inflate the balloons.  

 

making popcorn at home instead

rocking with Grandma

Maxwell's Pumpkin Farm 2015

Another Saturday of forced family fun. 

Ben suggested Maxwell's last weekend, but I (was tired) and insisted the 80° weather was too nice (hot) for such a quintessential fall activity. 

Seriously, doesn't the phrase "pumpkin farm" conjure thoughts of sweaters, hot chocolate, fall leaves-- not scorching sun? 

3 ninja bros on a hayride to the corn (ahem, sorghum) maze.

Luckily Nathin had this particular weekend off and our families did the whole pumpkin farm in peace. 

Julie & Evelyn

Nathin working some magic with the map

We somehow hit Maxwells at just the right moment in time – between rainstorms – because they were pretty desolate. 

 I think we turn this way.

We made it through all 12 checkpoints... Fingers crossed we win the $1,000 drawing. 😜

Owen & daddy

(About the time Ben really started feeling unwell)

Ninja chops? 

(Poor Evelyn)

Kaden and Luke

Going down the big slide

Riding stick horses

These kids can't ever say they "didn't have a fun childhood." 

Personally, I think the "giant air pillow" is worth the admission alone.  

Who needs the rest of the pumpkin patch; I love this thing!

move out the way, kids

Kristin & Julie... acting normal

Grace & Evelyn bouncing on the air pillow

If you could have heard Grace giggling...

Julie climbing up one side... and then back down the same side.  Ha!

Notice that the photographer stayed put on the ground.

SUPER-fun afternoon