Ice Castles

So a few weeks ago, I saw some pictures of the Ice Castles in Eden Prairie.  Apparently, they were at the Mall of America (MOA) last year.  I do vaguely remember seeing posts about them, but it didn't really resonate with me until this year.  Ever since doing my photo shoot with the waterfall, I've kind of wanted to do a seasonal photo shoot using the same element (water) just in a different form... and maybe winter instead of summer.  This was my opportunity.  Inspired I set plans in motion to make it happen.  Two weeks to get ready is not ideal, but it sure did make me buckle down and get serious about my eating and exercise.  Thankfully, my favorite photographer, Adam, of Flashfillfoto was on board with the idea and met me there for some fun pictures.  Here's a sneak peek he sent me of how they turned out:

Can't wait to see the rest.  Many more taken during the daylight hours.  As always, it was fun.  I will come out at a later date and maybe write a longer post about why I've started doing these.

Chest Day

Apparently it's chest day for Bubbles, too...

Seems like a good enough reason to have "The Beruit" for lunch.

Can I Keep Them Forever?

Totally in love with my baby squirrels and the messes they leave me. Can I keep them forever?

 Bubbles the elf stayed head first in the oranges for two days. Daddy must have intervened and even I can't find it. I'll post an elf on the shelf picture just as soon as I can.

But for now...4:45 am wake up before the alarm means I get a jump start on my week with my first two leg day workouts in a week in a long time. Rockin' the just rolled out of bed Shetland pony hair look this morning. But happy. Good Morning!

Watch Out for #7

It has begun...

Gotta watch out for that #7.  Basketball tournament time.  Kinda cute to see him setting picks.  Seems like this might be how we spend most Saturdays in the next few months.  And that's ok by me.

Everybody Wins

Running's my favorite. Jingle Bell time.

I heard there's a Jingle Bell run in town.

Shadow selfie.  Kind of has a Cindy Lou Who feel to it.

Today's Jingle Bell Run for juvenile arthritis was a total blast. Ran as part of Team Middle Kid.  5k morning run with a good friend, pancakes, winning costume contests, tying for the bronze medal, winning super hero glasses in the raffle. Great way to start my day.

Team Middle Kid

 

Thems pancakes right there... hungry!

And more Elfie Selfie photo ops.

 Selfie with Sully... inspiration for Team Middle Kid. He finished in 29 something. Amazing!

Winning again.  Costume contest wins are where it's at, apparently.  Won tickets to seek The Peking Acrobats.  Awesome?  I think so.  Tickets for four.  Looks like it's going to be a double date.

But most of all, I came away from today with this.  "I am thankful that in God's design, He planned it so your path crossed mine." Nicole.  New friend.  Feels like old friend.  One of the best things that happened to me this year.  Now put that in your pipe and smoke it.  (It's really a candy cane.  I don't smoke.)

Raffle winner of super hero glasses? I think so.  We tied for the bronze. Good thing they had extra medals.  Boston qualified!  Only serious businesses races for us.

Run, Run Rudolph... uphill... making a break for the finish line.  Focused.  But most of all.  Happy I'm running with my friend.  In a race such as this?  Everybody wins.

Not Rushing It

#82 of #100gratefuldays: Thankful for an enjoyable, pony tail swingin' 6.2 mile run on a beautiful evening. And for modern phones that help translate schweaty into artsy. Heh. And for calenders made out of little boy handprints, bats on the wall, and for the stuffed animal wolf sitting on my countertop. Not rushing it. They could stay this age forever, if they want to.

Then Demolish Them

#65 of #100gratefuldays: Happy Friday morning! Wearing one of my favorites from a good friend... "Set some goals. Then demolish them." Thankful for Fridays.  Also.  I love clothes.  Wore leggings today.  It's beginning to feel a lot like fall.

Birthdays and Wishes

#55 of #100gratefuldays: Thankful for birthdays and wishes. But most of all for good friends to celebrate on the patio with. Making good wishes. Hope they all come true.

Spent the day helping ate a milestone birthday.  40 was a tough one for me and I was determined to make hers memorable.

We covered a few miles... celebrating... 40 for her and 41 for me... I am happy to share my birthday month with this girl... and thankful she shared her birthday day with me... Virgos rule!

Ka-Pow!

There is a lot to be said about a friend you can enjoy being silly with.  So thankful she's mine.  Turning 40 is serious business.

Poking Fun

A few pictures from our moonlight bike trail run this afternoon/evening... poking fun at the moon?

Tour de Cy 2014 Complete

#37 of #100gratefuldays: How many miles on a bike to complete Tour de Cy? 34.99 miles that's what. Finished at 2:30ish a.m. Took about five hours to complete the final Yellow Tail Tri of the season. That's a total of 30 Cy sightings... except for the mall disappointment. And guess what??!! My friend, Nicole, won! Her first EVER Yellow Tail Tri win. I was really wondering if the event would get canceled but we managed to finish off the lap pool swim despite the lightning overhead. So happy for her. So happy. I feel like we made good time. Our transitions could have been a little smoother, but overall, it was a great race for both of us. What a ride! What a way to go out! So proud of my friend.  Stay tuned for more photo evidence. In the meantime, we'd like to thank our proud sponsors, Yellow Tail, Lay's Kettle Chips, and Swedish Fish, for making this great season possible.  We take ourselves vewwy, vewwy sewiously.

For instance.  Stop #29! Catching a ride on Super Cy's cape on the home stretch. Almost there! There's only 30 of them. We battled through strong head winds last night. Thanks, Cy! Now THAT is some Hilton Magic, right there. I think this is where she pulled ahead of me for the win.

12:01 a.m. - Casey's provided a mid point refuel break. Wasabi Ginger Kettle Cooked chips... sushi in a bag. So awesome.

Me: "We're making good time." Nicole: "Really? What time is it?" Me: "I don't know. Let me check."

I rest my case.

Trying Not To

#28 of #100gratefuldays: 

I think this is one of my favorite "pool" pictures of the summer.  Always entertaining to watch my husband fly out of the end of the drop slide.  Always.  Twenty laps and a spin around the lazy river tonight. I think that might be a wrap for the year. Trying not to feel sad about that.

We Biked a Marathon

#27 of #100gratefuldays:

Thankful for friends with awesome trackers so we know how many times to circle the parking lot on our bikes to get in a marathon bike ride. 26.2 miles in fourish hours. Do the math. I feel like we really pushed ourselves to our limits yesterday.

Who Says You Can't Buy Happiness

#27 of #100gratefuldays: Look what I got in the mail! Big shout out thank you to my good friend, Sarah! Love you! *mwah* I headed to the gym this fine rainy morning instead of baking cookies to give these beautiful G-Loves a trial run. I heart Wonder Woman gloves.  They made me work harder.

In other news, you should NEVER, ever send me to a party supply store alone. Bought myself an early birthday present today. Look at his cute little booty. Whomever said you couldn't buy happiness is a liar.

And.  30 swimming laps today at the pool.  Three days in a row.  Uncle Darryl (a classmate of Craig's) is visiting.  I have some happy boys.