Fall Time!

We really enjoy all the different shades of green and yellow and orange this time of year. Fall is so wonderful with all the different kinds of trees. Here's a path Natalie took the other morning near our home we go running on, she did her normal afternoon 6 mile loop.

Nats Happy feet! 

Later this day Natalie's new street running shoes came! She was running in her minimalist trail shoes until we could find some good street shoes and here they are! The Women's Nike Free RN Distance Shield! We went out that night and put some miles on her new shoes and Nic wore his new running pants and both were scores for us!

Natalie with her new kicks!

                                                 
At Merek's school they had school pictures. He was the only boy that didn't wear a button up shirt because he hates, and has always hated, button up shirts so instead of arguing over his shirt we let him wear his favorite shirt and in return he gave us a fantastic smile instead of one of his goofy faced smiles he always throws at us! This was his example of how he smiled on pic day! Win win!

Nat got her work all set up to be able to use our home office as her work base, which means no more having to run all over California for her work! She can do it all from home and thanks to technology wherever she is, which means more time getting outside to run, play and enjoy living! Time is on her side now! Merek enjoys talking to Natalie's colleagues, other doctors, through the computer and when he plays sometimes you will hear him use huge words that come from neurological text lol! She can now give all her conferences and lectures online and create modules, as well as monitor patients and work as a grassroots outreach advocate from wherever she is. Super stoked to have this new found freedom!

Natalie excited after setting up her home base.

Congrats Madison!

Congrats to Madison for being such a super kid! She received an award for displaying outstanding character this month! She really does make me feel proud to have such a wonderful daughter and that all my hard work as a mother shines through each of my kids. All of my kiddos are growing into such wonderful people and this moment is definitely worth celebrating their growth and accomplishments! Great Job Madi!!

The school wrote on the back this:

"Being considerate means giving careful thought to the things that you do. It means being respectful to those around you and taking their thoughts and feelings and reflecting on them. Madison has shown so much consideration in the short amount of time we have been in class already. She's willing to help her classmates as well as her teacher every day and does it with a big smile on her face. She's not only considerate with her classmates, but with her academics as well. She takes her assignments seriously and gives them all she has. She's a great example of what it means to be a considerate 6th grader."

Misc. Pics of Enjoying Life

Merek on the way to class; a pic of him by his school sign.

Natalie and Madison by a REAL Monster Truck-they are holding the monster truck nationals here in Turlock this weekend.

Natalie and Madison with a Real monster truck!

Hanging at home; Madison with Jack.

       

Natalie chilling out under the trees after our 8 mile morning run. 

                                                                         

Natalie all cleaned up and ready to go shopping. We went to Rasputin Music, one of the places she liked going to when she was a teenager. Flash from the past! We had fun shopping in the city today!

Us Out At lexi's Job

We all enjoy going out when Lexi works, feeding the dogs and horses, just so we we can visit the animals and help out too. Its really enjoyable to be out there and the animals are so kind. She feeds and cares for four adult horses, a baby horse, a old pug and two aussie pups. Shes totally in her element!

Along The Tuolumne River Waterford Trail

5k Race in Fresno

We went and ran a 5k race and did awesome! Natalie placed 3rd in women's and 6th overall and Nic placed 4th in men's and 7th overall and there were 200 plus racers that day so not too shabby! We beat our PRs and had a great time! The trail was rolling hills and beautiful views. The trail system was great! The race route was not marked too well so the top runners, including ourselves, ended up running 4.72 miles (thank goodness we all had our garmins on and calculating the distance/time) lol but the race directors apologized to all of us and are fixing result times. But it was a great day to get out and run and regardless we ran a fast/strong 5k, 7k, and if we had run the 10k with our pace we ran that day then we would also have finished fabulously and in the top three in that race as well!:) So yeah to another awesome race adventure! Cant wait to get out and do it again!

Natalie right before the race...

Nat and Nic after coming in and super stoked!

Natalie after the race and stoked to be 3rd in womens! 

Baileys Legacy Run 5k in Newman, CA

Picked up our race bibs Friday evening and on Saturday we ran the 5k race. We rocked it! Came in right behind the lead runners that day, we were so happy. Nats got big running goals and is finally taking her training out to the races! She is loving it! We cant wait to race again this weekend!

Nats running goals, plus she wants to do some trail races and some FKT's and hopefully if all goes well a marathon by next summer:)