Fall Fifty

This past weekend, Colin, Ellie, and I trecked up to Door County for the Fall Fifty relay race. We went up on Friday night and had a good meal with everyone. The entourage for the weekend was Colin, Ellie, and I, my friend Jennifer, her husband Chris, and their two boys, Andy and Jack, and Chris's friend Annie and her boyfriend Eric. After a late meal on Friday, Ellie and Jack (5 months) were definately ready for bed, Andy (2 1/2) had a little bit of energy left, and most of the adults needed to rest up for the big race so it was a pretty early night. Saturday was race day, so off we went, 3 vehicles, 6 adults, and 3 babes under 3...stop and go, in and out of the car, for 50 miles, which took us just under 7 hours! It was a really fun day, nice weather for the most part (a little windy), and ALL of the kids did great!!! Andy had a blast playing at every checkpoint with Mom and/or Dad and/or Eric and Annie. Annie didn't run so she was able to help out a lot. Jack was just chill all day long. He was a little marshmallow in his layers and bundled up in the stroller. Ellie bounced from car to stroller to being carried to loose in the car when we were waiting. She did so good and even napped 3 times throughout the day. The race was a success, we finished faster than anticipated, and even managed to cross the finish line as a team (with Andy and Ellie too). Chris and Eric were our die-hard runners - splitting 30 miles between the two of them. Jennifer, Colin, and I split 20. For those that know Colin, he really DOESN'T like running so I had to do a lot of sweet talking to convince him this would be fun. Well, it was fun, and he even said he'd do it again next year - yeah! =)

That night after the race, Jennifer and I took Andy and Ellie swimming at the pool which was fun too. This was Ellie's first time in a pool and she was so calm and just loved it. I didn't get any pictures unfortunately, my muscles were so tired, it was hard enough just keeping her contained in the pool area let alone work the camera in there too! =) As it was, I had her all dressed after swimming, and as I was trying to dry myself off and get dressed too, she crawled in a big puddle by the pool! If Ellie is on the floor, she's certainly not still so you have to move quick!

Hangin' out in the stroller



We created a 'play area' in the back of the Explorer for time when we were waiting between legs - Ellie thought it was really fun!



Another time waiting at the halfway point, Ellie thought 'driving' the car with Daddy was SO much fun!



With Mom before her run



And Dad before his



Jack hangin' out in the stroller



Andy was really excited that we were going to run across the finish line with his Dad



Jennifer and I



The three of us at the post-race pizza party. Notice my bling...we got these massive '50' medallions on big thick chains...they were our gangsta medals =)

Some Random Shots

I have these pictures on my camera, they don't really go together, but thought I'd put up some random things from the last couple weeks.

Two weekends ago we took a little road trip to northern Illinois for Chrissy and Joe's wedding. Once again, Auntie Shannon came and met us for the night, so when Ellie wasn't havin' the reception anymore, she went back to the hotel with Auntie. We had a great time, but I seriously have no pictures. Too busy dancing I guess =) Ellie wore a new little skirt from Suzy (which I didn't even get a picture of because we were late and rushing when we got down there), but Shannon got a picture, so now for her to just update her blog =)

I did get one shot with some of my favorite girls!



Last weekend, Auntie Steph and Joe came down on Thur. night (a week ago). Steph had tickets to the Rascal Flatts concert so she and I went to that. This was Steph's 4th time seeing them (I thought Sara was the only crazy Rascal Flatts fan in our family!), so she IS a big fan. I'm not that big of a country fan, but I like going to concerts, and I thought they put on a really good show! Taylor Swift was the opener, and she sang good, but I couldn't really take her seriously...she just looked like a little girl acting big up there. Her songs are popular though, so I had heard them at least. There were screaming teenage girls in short skirts and cowboy boots (like Taylor) everywhere you looked. It was a fun concert and our ears were ringing when we left.

Steph and I



The stage and lights were pretty good





And if the concert wasn't enough excitement, the Packer fans there were in heaven...there were about 15 Packers that came out at the end to hand out drum sticks and guitar picks and sign autographs. I think they were 'main' players, but I couldn't tell...Obviously I'm not one of the crazy fans; one of the few in this state I think.



That same weekend, Colin and Joe went down to Madison for Andy's bachelor party. So, Steph hung out here, and on Sat. night my Mom and Grandma came down too. We shopped, went out for dinner, and just hung around home. Ellie got some new crocs (from Grandma), and we discovered a new favorite food - mac n cheese!

It was also 80+ degrees here this past weekend!! Not October weather AT ALL!





I mentioned mac n cheese, well Ellie's also taken a big liking to cottage cheese this week!! It's a total mess when she's done, but she just shovels it in!

8 Months

Ellie is 8 months (almost 8 1/2 since I was slow to get this up!), and this last month was another one full of milestones. She's a crawling queen, getting anywhere and everywhere, and pretty darn quickly too! She's also standing up on everything, and even getting a little brave standing with one hand - oohh...She was standing up against our couch the other day and tried to turn around to go to the coffee table; she took a little digger in the process, but she's definately starting to show interest in moving on 2 feet. She moves around the coffee table little steps at a time. We've baby-proofed our house for the most part - shelves are bare because it was just easier to remove the temptation! She's giggling and laughing a lot, and her new thing is the 'eye smile'. She basically smiles as BIG as she can while opening her eyes real wide and raising her eyebrows. It's pretty funny! All four of her top front teeth are coming in right now, but with none of the pain and discomfort that the first two bottom teeth brought, which is really nice for all of us! Ellie's also decided in the last couple weeks that she no longer likes baby food. Give me the big kid stuff she says!! So, we've been experimenting with all kinds of table foods lately - both at home and at daycare. So far she really likes noodles, bananas, beans, yogurt, applesauce, hamburger casserole, chicken, cheese, cereal, grapes, pancakes, bread, and rice. I can usually sneak in some of the pureed foods as long as I mix it with something a little chunkier like noodles or rice. But, she's basically 100% finger foods and bottles now (still loves her bubba). We've tried the sippy cup a little, but she pretty much just chews on it, so that'll be yet to come. Ellie's favorite things right now are Puffs (she kicks her legs and gets all excited when she sees the yellow container), playing chase (she crawls, you chase, and it's even more fun when you 'I'mmmm gonnnna get you!'), rolling around on the floor with Mom, and peek-a-boo with Dad. I don't think we could have asked for a happier baby this past month!

Eating like a big girl. She pretty much just grabs and shoves her whole palm/fist into her mouth, so needless to say mealtime is much messier these days!





Eye smile



Getting into everything



Sassy personality these days. My Aunt bought her this shirt, I couldn't get it all in the picture, but it says 'Cute, petite female seeks intelligent male with full piggybank. Must enjoy finger painting and stuffed animals' =)



Go Huskies!

School Pictures

A few weeks ago Ellie's daycare had a photographer come in and take 'school pictures'. I told myself I didn't need to buy any (since they fell right around 7 1/2 months), but they turned out so cute, it was really hard to resist! I got a few wallets and a couple big ones for Colin and I =)







They took a class picture too. I think it's really funny. All the kids have this 'what the heck is this?' look, and the teachers are like 'let's get this over with!' L to R: In the back, Adam with Miss June and Ellie with Miss Peggy, and in the front Carter, Mason, Jack, Bella, and Henry.