This is gonna be long, because....

.....a lots been goin' on around here!

First things first, we have a kindergartener!! Last Thursday was Norah's 1st day of school, and she absolutely loves everything about it. I knew she would! We are falling into a new morning routine, no more laying around in jammies till 9 or 10. Up around 7, breakfast, clothes, teeth brushing and hair fixin then Nolan and I walk her to school. She is in class for 2 hrs and 40 min which means Nolan and I get some one on one time and that is so nice. This week she gets to ride the bus from my cousins house and she is beyond excited for that.
Here are some pics from her 1st day.

In front of our house just before leaving

Walkin to school

Waiting to be let in the building for class to start

Let me just say it now, our Labor Day weekend rocked!!! I couldn't be more happier with how it turned out, it really was one of the most perfect weekends. Friday night we had the Martindales and Newgards over, always a great time. We love our friends :)

Saturday Casey and I took the kids on their 1st day hike. We hiked up near Mt. Rainier in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. We went to 3 cute little lakes; Pothole Lake, Bertha May Lake and Granite Lake. We hiked a total of 3 miles and the kids did amazing, especially Norah who we didn't hear one complaint out of. Nolan did well too, we did have to carry him for short periods of time but he probably did 70% of the hike on his own 2 feet! The lakes are gorgeous and we are hoping to do an overnite trip up there next summer with the kiddos.

Casey & the kids on the trail

Nolan had to have a stick & rock in hand at all times

Taking a well deserved rest

Cute little waterfall we hiked past

This picture is courtesy of Norah
Bertha May Lake in the background

Nolan is "fishing" and Norah is searching for things in the water

Bertha May

Granite Lake

Fabulous views of Mt. Rainier

Sunday we headed up to Greenlake to register for our 1/2 marathon and pick up our shirts(horrible neon green, BTW) and packets. Then we headed To REI, I got an early birthday present, a new pack for our backpacking trips :) I really needed a new one. My old one is almost 10 yrs old and not fitted very well for me. I love my new pack and can't wait to use it next season. After we left REI we took the kids to The Rainforest Cafe for lunch. If you have little kids and haven't been there it's a must. They loved it! Sunday night the kids headed over to papa's for a sleepover and Casey and I went to bed early in preparation for our run the next morning.

This morning was race day! It was Casey and I's first 1/2 marathon. I was unbelievably nervous, more nervous than I have ever been for a race. The race started a 9am at the Redhook Brewery in Woodinville. We did the race with our besties the Newgards, and I think we all had a great time! It wasn't nearly as bad as I had built it up to be in my head and in the end I was very glad that I decided to do it. Before the race I said that this would be my 1st and last 1/2 marathon.....I might have changed my mind ;) Congrats to Kory, Tiffany and Casey who all ran fabulous races today, love ya guys!
Me.Casey.Kory.Tiffany