Omaha Half Marathon!

On Saturday the Waters, Bryce, Andy and myself headed from Des Moines to Omaha so that Jon, Bryce and myself could run the Omaha Half Marathon.  When we got to O-town, we got our race packets, checked in the the hotel and then hit up one of my favorite places in Omaha, Upstream Brewery.  We had some appetizers, a drink and then eventually our dinner.  My great friend Sunita was able to meet us for dinner so that was awesome!  After dinner we walked around the Old Market for a bit then headed back to the hotel for some down time and to rest up for the big day!  On Sunday we were up and at 'em early for our 7 AM start time.  It was a COLD one!  But I'd rather run in cold than hot conditions.  Before we knew it the race was starting and off we were.  The course was a lot more hilly than I was anticipating but I thougth it was a good course.  My goal was to finish around the 2 hour mark and luckily I did finish in 1:54.11, so with missing 5 weeks of training, it ended up not being too bad.  After the race we showered up, grabbed some lunch at Michaels and my other O-town bestie Abby was able to meet us...Michaels is her grandpa's restaurant and it brought back so many memories because her dad owns the Michaels Cantina in Norfolk, NE where Abs and I waited tables (and she bar-tended) while we were in college in Wayne.  The food was as good as I remember!  Yummo!  After lunch we headed back East...we met my mom at the Elk Horn exit, picked up the boys and headed back to Ankeny.  All in all, it was a great trip!!

 Getting ready for the race to start...a little 'before' picture

 What I loved about this race...the Marines present.  At the end of the race, we got our medals placed around our neck by Marines...so cool!

 Just about done!  Woo Hoo!

the 'After' picture!

Wordless Wednesday

Love our little Michelin Man!

A Mommy/Son Day

On Saturday Andy made his way to Iowa City for the Iowa vs UNI game.  He had a great time tailgating but unfortunately the Panthers couldn't pull out a win.  With Andy gone all day (leaving at 6 a.m. for tailgating fun), that meant a Mommy/Son day with my two boys!  In the morning we did some painting and ran to Target.  Then it was lunch time and naps for the boys.  After naps we headed to Polk City to play in the park and to visit my friend Ashley, see her new beautiful home and give her some maternity clothes (she's due in December) then it was off to the park in PC and to our favorite spot, Reising Sun for some ice cream for Brady and some much needed coffee for mommy!  Then it was time to head home, play outside, eat dinner, have baths and go to bed. It was a great day with my little guys!

5 Months Old

Our baby boy turned 5 months old last Wednesday.  It's hard to believe that next month he will already be 6 months old.  Time is going way too fast!  Mason continues to be smiley and happy most of the time.  He is in his last few size 2 diapers, then it's on to 3's!  Our blue-eyed boy's hair is a little thicker and still way darker than big brother's.  He adores Brady and watches him nonstop.  He's still getting up 1-2 times a night to eat but we've started some homemade veggies and cereal so hopefully that will keep him fuller longer and less likely to eat in the middle of the night.

Mason, we love you and can't imagine our family without you!

Orchard Fun

Last Sunday we went to the Center Grove Orchard to get our season passes and so we could enjoy the weather, small crowd and see all the new features at our favorite fall spot!  We can't wait to go back again and will make it a staple during the fall weekends!

 Checking out the new tractors they have

Getting ready for the hay ride

Wordless Wednesday

He's getting a little better at holding baby brother!

Labor Day Weekend

We had a great Labor Day Weekend!  I got up super early on Saturday to do a 10-mile run for my half marathon training.  Luckily my foot seems to be handling the running just fine so I may just be in the clear for the half!  Woo Hoo!  Then we drove back to Kimballton, dropped the boys off at my parents and then headed up to Elk Horn to the new Brewery for my 15 year class reunion.  Well...out of 27 in  my graduating class, only 5 were able to be there...major bummer.  But the 5 of us had a great time talking, eating yummy pizza and gelato, drinking some great small town brewery beers and laughing, laughing, laughing.  It was a great time!  We went back to my parents for a little bit then it was time to head to Audubon for my great aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary.  It was great to see some family!  Then on Sunday we had our annual Petersen family fish fry.  It was so yummy and we were able to see some more family!  Then we headed back home and have been busy doing things around the house.  3 day weekends are great!  We hope you all had a great Labor Day as well!

 The mighty 5 that made it...Jason, Melissa, Me, Nick and Alexa

 Chris and Mason at the fish fry

 Brady and Taryn on the teeder-todder

 All that playing sure does make them thirsty!

Thomas wanted to get in on the picture action!

PreSchool!

Last Tuesday was a very special day for Brady...he started 3 year old PreSchool!  He was SO excited!  Andy and I both had the morning to spend with him.  We got up and ready, took Mason to Lori's and then took Brady to his favorite donut shop.  Then it was off to school.  Of course we made him take lots of pics on his special day!  He had so much fun and kept asking all morning if it was time to go to preschool!  We can't believe he is already going to school!  He's growing up way too fast! 

 All ready to go!

 Love his look in this pic!

 Out in front of his school

He basically raced in to school!