Pumpkin Patch 2010

Last week, some friends and I took our kids to the pumpkin patch in Blue Mountain. I have taken my children every year (except one) since they have been born. I keep thinking that they are outgrowing this experience, but so far, they still want to go.

I took this picture of this beautiful pumpkin while out at the patch.

My children are so used to posing for pictures, that they can drop into position, with a smile on their face, at my command. I cannot believe how grownup Kirsten looks in this picture.

This old pickup makes a cute backdrop for photos.

Alec was having a somewhat difficult day on this day and didn't cooperate quite as much as I would have liked for him to do.

Running together to be the first one to ride the trikes at "Haytona Speedway."

Just swingin' on the swing.

We had all the kids pose together for this photo.

Alec picked out his own shirt for this outing. I wish that I had made him change now that I got some good pictures otherwise.

Riding in the wagon to the patch.

Alec picked out a great pumpkin to bring home.

Kirsten took a little longer to make her final decision.

Crazy Hair Day

Yesterday, for cross country practice, the kids had crazy hair day. It was sooooo much fun!!

Forrest lost a bet and had to wear all pink to practice. He was a good sport about it though and we all had a good laugh at his expense.

Hannah won the best crazy hair award. It was AWESOME!!

Booneville 5K

On Saturday, October 16, most of our team drove to Booneville, MS, to run in this 5K.

Most of our Spartans led the pack on this beautiful day over this fast course.

Alec ran a good race.

Kirsten was able to run the whole race without walking and that was her goal for this race.

Alec enjoyed a funnel cake and a frozen drink after the race.

Kirsten and Martha enjoyed visiting after the race.

Wacky Obstacle Course

Our cross country fall practice schedule is coming to an end, so we have a few really fun activities for the kids to participate it.

Coach Sheri gives last minute instructions for this Wacky Obstacle Course Race.

All of the kids had to put on multiple articles of clothing and then run to the other end and take them all off and run back to tag their teammate.

Alec's turn to get dressed.

Kirsten runs fast for her team.

Having a Jonah Day and Pictures from this Weekend

Have you ever had a Jonah Day? It is a day when everything is going wrong and you just want to run away from home (at least that is what it means to me). Alec woke up in a good mood, but it quickly soured and has gone from bad to worse and he has just not snapped out of it -- it doesn't seem to matter what his punishment is and what the consequences are. I am praying that it will end soon. Today, he has just decided to question my authority and my parental control over him on every issue.

So, I am taking a short break from dealing with him and posting pictures from this weekend!

Alec, Brandon, Macain, Mark, and Tyler all ran in the Walnut 5K on Saturday morning.

Alec ran into the finish line with a time of 24:30 (a new PR). However, this race is a tad short so that time translates to a 25:26 for a full 5K. It was still a great time for his finish.

Mark won 1st place in the 10-14 boys; Macain won 1st place in the 0-9 boys; Alec won 2nd place in the 10-14 boys; Brandon won 2nd place in the 0-9 boys; and Tyler won 3rd place in the 0-9 boys. Way to go SPARTANS!

10-14 male winners!

Before the XC meet in Ripley, an open 5K was held with several Spartan participants.

The boys Varsity race was exciting to watch.

The girls Varsity race was GREAT!

The JV boys and girls ran together and had a great race.

Kirsten runs into the finish line.

There was a one mile fun run that some of the smaller Spartan kids ran.

Coach Sheri with some of the girls and the 1st place trophy!!

Corinth Rotary 5K and Union University XC Meet

Saturday morning, Mitch took Alec to Corinth to run in the Corinth Rotary 5K.

Alec really enjoys this course and was excited to run this race.

Alec and Eryn S. running into the finish line. They were neck and neck...

...right until the end, when Eryn edged Alec out. Alec had to stop twice to tie his shoes and he also lost his racing chip but they were able to figure out where he finished and what his time was. He finished 2nd in his age group of 10-12 year old boys with a time of 26:49.

Alec is so happy with his 2nd place trophy. This race gives out tennis shoes as awards along with the medal, because it is sponsored by Austin Shoes.

Kirsten and I drove to Union University in Jackson, TN, on the same Saturday morning to compete in a XC meet. This is a picture of most of the Spartan girls.

The Varsity girls ran a very good race and finished 3rd out of 11 teams with a total score of 79. There were a total of 76 runners competing in this race.

The Varsity boys finished 10th out of 11 teams, but most of our boys set a PR (personal record) for this distance. We were hoping for a better finish, but once we saw their times, we were very excited. Eighty-one runners competed in this race. Their score was 276 and we see big things in the future for this team.

Some of the Junior Varsity runners get loosened up for their race and some last minute instructions from Mr. Don.

The JV boys and girls ran in one race and there were 118 runners total in this race. Our boys finished 5th and our girls finished 4th, but several runners also set a PR for this race and we are proud of their effort. This course was a difficult course with two long uphills to conquer in addition to them running a full 5K instead of the 2.1 miles they normally run.

Kirsten is rounding the last corner for the finish. We are proud of her effort in each race and hope for fast times in her future. Once she conquers the uphills better, her times will improve.