Halloween Parade

Every year, for the sixty-one years (!) of its existence, the boys' preschool has the Annual Halloween Parade. This year, Nathan was a hammerhead shark! What a cutie! My mom came in town to watch him in the parade, and Scott was even able to make it. It was so much fun!

The Painter

We're repainting our pergola in the back yard. Jack, of course, decided to help.

Autumn Cuties

My mom made these shirts for the boys, so I used that as the perfect excuse to get some cute pictures of them before school!

Pumpkin Patch Time!

When I told Nathan that we were going to the pumpkin patch, he shouted, "The pumpkin patch!? I LOVE the pumpkin patch! It's my favorite place!"

First order of business? "The cow train," as we call it. Nathan LOVED it last year; he did not care for it too much this year! He only rode it once, and then he said, "Mom, that was going too fast."

Nathan did the underground slide. He went FAST!

Then, the boys tackled the spider web. Jack loved it!

 

Then time for bouncing! Jack totally didn't meet the height requirement, but we pretended not to notice and we let him go in anyway. I mean, he weighs as much as a three year old, so I think we're good!

 

 

It was then time to run through the corn maze. . . over and over and over again!

 

 

We had such a great time at the pumpkin patch--as we always do! It's surreal that we're coming "back" to the pumpkin patch this year. We're making traditions. . . in Virginia!

 

Race Day

On Saturday, I ran in Race 4 Their Lives--a four mile race through downtown Roanoke. The race money goes to support an organization that helps women get back on their feet who have been involved in human trafficking.

I ran the race with my friend Allison. I was a little nervous, as leading up to the race I had 2 weeks of lousy running. I generally get 3 good runs in every week. I just kept having bad runs; so I wasn't sure how the race would go.

It went great! I felt so energized the entire four miles (which is funny, considering I got up at 3:44 AM). My first mile was 9 minutes, and I kept thinking, "I'm so glad I ate all that peanut butter for breakfast!"

Allison and I ran into our friend Sam, and the three of us ran the first 3 miles together.

My guys skipped Nathan's soccer practice to come and cheer me on at the finish line. I was so glad they did! I felt motivated that last mile, knowing they were waiting for me!

It's incredible what eight months of running will do for you! I finished the race in 39:20, and we didn't have time chips, so it took me 30 seconds to get out of the gate. My actual running time was under 39 minutes. I am very happy with my time!

I love running. I am so glad that God has motivated me to stick with it. I was planning on competing in a 10K this fall, but there isn't one in Roanoke. So, that's my goal for the spring!

Strawberry White Chocolate Cookies

Y'all. 

I made these cookies last night for life group, and they were goooood. The hubbs was singin' my praises! Honestly, though, I'm not sure I've ever made cookies so moist and soft and yummy! I got the recipe from OMGChocolateDesserts.com.

You will need:

• 1 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp of baking powder
• 1/8 tsp of salt
• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 4 oz. of cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup of chopped, fresh strawberries
• 2 tbs of lemon juice
• 1-2 tbs of flour
• 5 oz. of white chocolate, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line pans with parchment paper or foil and spray with Baker's Joy.

2. Chop strawberries and set in bowl. Pour lemon juice over strawberries, and let them soak for 10 minutes before straining.

3. Whisk together 1 1/4 cup of flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

4. Beat butter with sugar and cream cheese until it's light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.

5. Gradually add flour mixture and mix well. 

6. Stir in {chopped} white chocolate.

7. Sprinkle strawberries with 1-2 tbs of flour and toss. Gently stir them into the batter.

8. Drop tablespoons of batter onto pans.

9. Set the cookies in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking.

10. Bake at 350 for 13-15 minutes {until the edges become golden brown.}

11. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Enjoy!

The National Aquarium

I know I mentioned in a previous blog post (about our trip to Cape Cod) that we stopped in Baltimore to see the National Aquarium. Well, here is our photo! Fun, fun!