650 Miles and Counting...

Did you know that you should only put about 400 miles on a pair of running shoes? Well, that is how I convince Marlene every time I tell her that I need a new pair. :) There are all different brands, but you have to find the one that is right for your foot. My foot prefers the "Asics: Nimbus."

The good news is that training is going very well. My miles per hour have gone from between 8.5/9 minute miles to just under 8 minutes at the present time. I no longer suffer from shin slints or stress fractures on my knee cap. And...if I wear bandaids on my nipples they don't bleed. I am still trying to figure out exactly why I want to run a marathon. Throughout my training cycle, Marlene has decided to make it her life goal NEVER to run one!! For some reason the up side to running out weighs the down side...I am already looking forward to Grandma's Marathon in the spring and I haven't even finished my first one yet.

Fall Family Tradition

Since Jeremy was 12, the same weekend in September every year was spent at Jeremy's grandparent's home in Hayward, Wisconsin. That was the weekend of the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. Jeremy has raced in the Short & Fat 16 mile mountain bike race almost every year since then.

Since we started dating, I have had the opportunity to join Jeremy's family in Hayward and I look forward to this weekend
every year! It is such a great time to relax and enjoy the crisp autumn air. It is a sure sign that fall is underway.

This year Jeremy, Julie & Justin raced. Jeremy's parents, other sister Megan, grandparents, Jack & I saw them off at the start in Cable then headed to Telemark Ski Resort to cheer them across the finish line. It was great! Jeremy earned his best time ever - 1:12:19!!!

I think the best part of the whole weekend was watching Jack be a boy and play in the dirt. I spread out a sweet little blanket and some toys for him. He pushed the toys aside and lifted the blanket. He grabbed handfuls of dirt and of course, put it right into his mouth!

Oh, and Jack finally rolled over too! He went from the front to back! Great Grandpa Al & Great Rose were honored to be able to witness it first hand.

Birthday Fun

Jeremy is the best. He came home and made this cake to celebrate my 28th Birthday (It is made of HoHos - YUM)! Then he took me to one of my favorite little places to eat, Camille's Sidewalk Cafe. He then took me to a class at the Chef's Gallery in Stillwater for a cooking class on Sweet Rolls. He was the ONLY man in the class. Now that is a great husband if you ask me. A man that is willing to sit amidst the rantings of 25 or so women, most of whom believe that they are proficient pastry chefs themselves! It was definitely a memory!! We enjoyed it and can now say that we know how to "roll in butter." Well, roll it into a dough that is...

"Dada"

Yesterday Jack said his first word, "Dada." Well, it was actually like, "Dadadadadadada!" Jeremy was very proud. He instantly set to coach Jack to say, "Mama." Maybe he felt a little guilty that Jack said his name first, but I think he should revel in it!! :)

Jack also is starting to recognize his own name! He loves it when Daddy says, "Jack-Jack." He laughs and laughs!