On the Town!

We've had a fun Fall - out and about !

My neighborhood ladies spent the evening at Third Turn - our new brewery in Crestwood.

We went to the Bourbon and Wine Festival.

We got out with Kyle and Danielle!

Back at Third Turn with more friends. 

The weather is changing QUICK here and we won't have as many warm nights, so we're trying to make the most of it!

CHRIS HUGHES, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!

On October 14th, Chris accomplished a big bucket list item! He completed the Louisville IRONMAN. 

It's been months and month of training in the making! 

The night before we got him tattooed. He tried to give me instructions on how to put on his numbers. I laughed at him. Hello?! We have two young children. I'm pretty well versed in the application of temporary tattoos.

 675 was his athlete number; 35 is his age group. 

Suited up, ready to jump in the Ohio!

The race was delayed due to weather and water conditions, but he finally got started just before 9 AM.

He came out of the water, suited up and went out on his 112 mile bike ride!

One of Chris's best friends, Dave, and I were out ALL day tracking Chris. We saw him out of the water, a few times on the bike, off the bike and a few times on the run. It was so nice having a buddy driving around town with. 

ALL smiles coming off the bike. The bike is the worst part for me. It is very nerve wracking with him being gone for so many hours, going so fast on hilly roads. On this particular day, I could NOT WAIT for him to get off. Dave and I watched several bikers go by shaking, unable to control their bodies and bikes. It was SO COLD and so few athletes were dressed appropriately. 

It was a long (and extremely cold and wet!) day so the girls only came out for the last 6 hours. They met Chris off the bike and were so excited to hold up their poster and cheer him on!

High-fiving runners at mile 14. 

We saw a lot of fun costumes!

Going a little stir crazy at the finish!

Chris had a very good swim and an even better bike, but the run was tough for him. That's his hardest of the three events and, since it comes last, it can really take a toll on him. His knees started bothering him but he pushed through and just after 9:30 we got to see him run down the FInisher's Chute and hear the magic words "CHRIS HUGHES, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!" It was so awesome!

I'm very very proud of him. It takes A LOT of dedication to train for an IM race. Very early mornings before work, late evenings and a ton of weekend training hours. There were so many days that he went out training that I know he didn't want to. Go Chris go!

Life Lately

When I wasn't traveling in September, I was home having lots of fun with the family!

We introduced Claire to Pizza King.

I got to have lunch with both girls.

I spend time at the girls school every Tuesday working in both of their classrooms and I really enjoy seeing them with their friends. They are so sweet!

Sydney started school with a bit of an advantage. She knows a lot of older kids from the neighborhood, from pre-school and from Maddie's friends so she went in knowing several kids in her class. Madeline's buddy Emerson has a little brother, Sawyer, who sits right next to Syd. This pic is of her and Ryder - his older twin siblings are some of Maddie's really good friends so she had played with Ryder before school as well. In some ways it's been easier with her starting school than it was with Madeline. Even though she's young, I knew she was in excellent hands and would have a ton of familiar faces.

Maddie played traffic guard with grandpa one weekend at church.

We took a spin on Connor and Preston's golf cart.

We played with a lot of friends.

The girls helped me get prepared for my busiest months of the year.

They are a perfect pair. Where Maddie is serious and organized, Sydney is spontaneous and light-hearted. They balance each other out really well.

We've been hanging more with our neighbors. Maddie and David went to preschool together and then have had Kindergarten, First grade and Second grade together. They are great friends!

And that's a wrap on September! I am finally caught up on this blog and now can move forward with normal postings! :)

Labor Day

We had so much fun with Kyle and Danielle at FamilyPalooza!

This game was disgusting! They picked the nose for small prizes. Kids loved it though!

Sydney killing it at Plinko. 

It was a scorcher so the kids had a blast on the water slides.

When it got too hot for us, we went inside.

Always a fun event!

September Travels

September was absolutely crazy - I literally am not even sure where it went. 

Well, I kind of do. I was traveling for 13 days, out of 30. It was hectic to say the least. 

I headed to Disney World first.

This has been a busy year for me - I have flown every other month... and still hate it. I wish I didn't. I typically spend the flight looking around at everyone sleeping, wondering why I am not. Ha!

I had a great time learning about Disney World and seeing some of my travel agent friends!

I came home, washed my clothes, re-packed and flew to New York for an Agent Education Program on the Disney Magic.

Laura and I are both Senior Travel Planners and were asked to go on this cruise together. 

We had an absolute blast.

It was a Canadian cruise which is NOTHING that I ever would have picked for myself. But, it was incredible. 

We stopped first in Halifax, Nova Scotia and visited Peggy's Cove and the Titanic Cemetery.

We stopped in Saguenay and the townspeople were incredible! They were singing, dancing and hugging us giving out samples of blueberry pie and maple taffy.

It was so so pretty!

We had an overnight in Quebec City, which I just loved. It reminded me so much of being in Western Europe.

I learned more about Disney Cruise Line, Canadian cruises and had a blast with a new friend!

While I was off playing working, Chris was at home doing ALL OF THE THINGS and being super dad. 

I mean the timing could not have been any worse and he just pushed through and knocked it out of the park. 

Daddy drop-off in the morning.

Doing his best on crazy hair day!

Getting them ready for Super Hero day!

He worked from home one day so that he could participate in the Fun Run for both girls.

Love these second grade girls!

Sydney tore up the dance floor at the Fun Run. Both Chris and her teacher sent videos of her shaking a leg that had me cracking up. She is the life of the party, no doubt.

They celebrate their survival with lots and lots of ice cream!

Super Dad!!

As for me, I promised the girls they could go on my next trip with me. I don't think I can get away with leaving them at home for any type of Disney trip for awhile!