Run With the Foxes

start line

For the past two years a group of us have participated in the a trail race/walk at Morgan-Monroe State Forest instead of doing the Indianapolis Mini Marathon. You can choose your distance, from a 5k all the way to 13.1 miles. Last year it had rained several inches the week before and it was slow going in the mud. We stopped at 10 miles because of the time and the amount of mud on us! This year it was a beautiful day, dry with a little breeze. We did the 13.1 miles and enjoyed every minute. The woods are so pretty in early May, the leaves are new, birds singing, sun shining through. Most people that do the further distance are runners, so it's very peaceful in the back as a walker!

2009

2010

finish line (a 3 mile loop is done right before this point)

The event is sponsored by the Hoosier Hikers Council and the volunteers are awesome! They maintain a beautiful well marked course and are as friendly as can be. More info here.

Springtime in Indiana

The weather in Indiana this spring was fantastic. Bailey and I walked as often as we could and one day we took the camera. The spring blooms were so beautiful, the temperatures were in the mid 70's, sun was shining. Nothing but blue skies!

Blue skies
Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see

great sidewalks along 131st

Bailey loves the shade!

duck enjoying the pond

love this house and sunroom

tulips in a neighbor's front yard

grape hyacinthe

new pine cones!

cherry blossom tree

spring wildflowers along the walking path

Spring Break 2010 - Aloha to Keiki!

I was lucky enough to be able to travel back to Hawaii in April during our spring break to visit Adrianne and Elliott and to be present at the ultrasound of the BABY! What a thrill it was on my second day there to be able to witness the miracle of life.

Keiki (hawaiian for 'child' and being used by us until they tell us the name!) is due October 25!


Of course, we went straight to Babies R Us which quickly became our new favorite place! Adrianne tested the gliders but was still suffering from morning (and noon and night!) sickness so that didn't last long. Elliott "kicked the tires" on a few strollers and we just plain celebrated the news!

Babies R Us with palm trees

testing the gliders

checking the tires

of course she does!

Sunday was the first full day I was there and we spent it hanging out at the beach. We went to Lanikai, which is where Adrianne and Elliott lived the last time they were stationed in Hawaii. It's really just around the corner from Kailua. It's so beautiful and so quiet!

adrianne and elliott

view of the mokes from lanikai beach

During the week, while Adrianne and Elliott were at work, I spent my days the usual way - slept in, walked to the beach for breakfast and reading. Came home mid afternoon, showered, cleaned up a little and started planning dinner (i know, rough life!). We also spent Easter at Erin's (and celebrated Elliott's birthday), watched Butler basketball with friends in Honolulu, and spent one night watching five episodes of House Hunters while Elliott was in class. I think that's the show I miss the most since canceling my satellite service!

morning coffee spot

Holly was visiting Hawaii with her family and we met at Adrianne's house one morning to walk to the beach while Charles and the boys explored the North Shore.

beach park entrance

view of the mokes from the farthest kailua beach park

walking along the water

watching the Butler game - go Bulldogs!

Erin and Arkitz (sp?) were kind enough to extend an Easter Brunch invitation to me. They have a gorgeous studio apartment and yard. We had an Easter Egg hunt, a trivia game, a fabulous meal and also celebrated Elliott's birthday. It was great to see the gang again!

Easter

mom and adrianne with our tiny eggs found in the hunt!

trick candles on the birthday cake :)

I had so much fun on every day of the trip. The only sightseeing we really did was at Babies R Us :) We spent most evenings relaxing. Adrianne was worn out when she got home from work and we encouraged her to rest as much as she could. One evening we fixed Chicken Enchiladas and their friends came over (everyone brought a food or drink contribution). It was a super evening; Adrianne and Elliott have great friends and they always make me feel welcome and included. I loved spending a week that way. It's always over so fast.

beach bike

I rode Adrianne's beach bike on the couple of days I had a schedule. I visited her classroom on the morning I left and then spent the afternoon with Rahul, who took me to the airport after our whirlwind sightseeing tour of a couple of new places for me.

visiting Adrianne at work (St. Anthony's)

temple from LOST


tree at Botanical Gardens (Rahul at base)

Loved taking my regular flower walk with the camera! They are so vibrant!

Brown County - Birthday Surprise

In February, several friends traveled to Brown County State Park to set up a surprise weekend for our dear friend Pam's 60th birthday. We spent the weekend together laughing, eating, playing games, relaxing by the fire, hiking in the snow. We traveled into Bloomington for a dinner out at Nicks. So much fun with such great friends. Pam, you are an inspiration to us all - you live a happy life and you make the most of each day - Happy Birthday!

(pictures soon)