Flat Stanley Visits Mimi and Enno in Holland!

45 1/2 miles this week

This is a new weekly record for me and I'll say I'm proud of it.

I felt good this morning, running the last 6 miles for the week. I went to the rec center to run, only to find out they are closed this weekend for recarpeting. So I hit the road on foot, which on the one hand is very healthy for me to do, but it was a chilly 40 degrees (sun blocked by the clouds) and my toes were frozen for the first mile. Running outside felt great. I don't get to do it that often since the time change. I've noticed that when I do run outside, my pace is a bit faster than what I do on the treadmills. I averaged a 9:10 mile today, which might sound slow to some, but I'm quite thrilled with it:)

Many people out of town this week for Thanksgiving (the university is closed all week)and very peaceful running through the normally bustling campus. I made it to the top of ole' Watertower Hill (which is like a mountain when running!!!) and it always feel so liberating to run back down the hill, passed the golf course, looking out over the town. By the end of the run, I was in shorts and tee, sweatshirt wrapped around waste, which tells you that I did in fact warm up.

The pictures posted above were taken over a month ago, just before the leaves started to really turn colors. This green tree space is actually along my running route from this morning.

Thanksgiving Feast

A yummy feast today at BJ's school, in good company with so many family friends. Strange how in just one year, since last year's feast, we've gotten to know so many more of the families that BJ goes to school with each day. We are so blessed. BJ is showing you his pilgrim hat that they made. The children also made placemats, which I'll keep forever, and turkey placesettings that were darling. Such fun. CJ's best friend in first grade, Dylan, has a little sister who goes to BJ's school. BJ and I sat with Dylan's family today and had a good time visiting. Now we're looking forward to our own family feast this Thursday:)

BTW, joyously celebrating, this proud mama, Topher finished his first chapter book this week, all by himself, thanks to a little encouragement from his precious, precious teacher. She understands his ability and really holds his feet to the fire, not just getting by, if you know what I mean. We're thrilled b/c the world of chapter books is SO much fun and his world is going to change!

And Flat Stanley is apparently making some visits...CJ's teacher read to his class two postcards this week, one from Granny and one from Grandma and Grandpa! Keep your eyes open, as Flat Stanley may be coming to visit you soon as well! We actually have two Flat Stanley's going in our family, as mom was so clever to download one in Holland for us:) I happened to be in his class volunteering this week just as she had started sharing the postcards/letters and it was delightful conversation shared between the children and Miss T and myself. What an awesome activity! CJ grinned from ear to ear when he found out that it was a postcard (x2) from his family:) Mom, I think I still need to get you their school's address so you can mail your post card....yikes!

Happy Thanksgiving Week to all!

on the edge

Hmmmm...not sure how to describe this moment of discovery that made Rick and I laugh and laugh last night.

On the one hand, we were delighted that BJ took his glass to the kitchen from the breakfast table without being asked to do so...

on the other hand, with all the counter space to work with, you see his placement selection. Indeed, on the edge!

That's our BJ!!!

My we did laugh!

daddy's birthday

keeping us busy...

Baby quilt made for friend using the vibrant, cozy, soft fabrics mom sent me from Holland.



Making candy apples on Halloween morning...

Production at BJ's school...

These were shared with us from a friend at BJ's school. We haven't had the time to download our own footage from our cam, so I'll just post these for now. It was a really cute production where the kiddoes sang a few songs. These are just little clips that will give you a taste of the fun the kids were having.

Ha ha...I just listened again to the first video, and the kids are singing, "my grandma is a tickler, a tickler, a tickler.." and they are doing a tickling motion. The song was full of different sounds with hand gestures.

BJ's yellow mask on his head signifies that he is a duck.