A Second Bite at the Big Apple

Get ready for picture overload. Here we go... On November 2, 2013, I set out for my second attempt to run the NYC Marathon.  As you may remember, last year's marathon was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.  After the cancellation of NYC last year I ran the Dallas Marathon which this year seems to be questionable due to the winter storm Texas is having.  The trip to NYC was great. We actually ran on Sunday and hit the sights and sounds of NYC after the race. 

Here we are at Rockefeller Center in front of the ice skating rink.  

Freedom Tower at Ground Zero

Junior's Bakery a delicious bakery right across the street from our hotel. Yum

 And yes, I did force the group to go with me to Live with Kelly and Michael. We were on the show on Marathon Monday.

 Here is the group just before the show started.

 We hit Broadway for Rock of Ages.  It was pretty good. I would not say it was the best Broadway production I have seen but we generally enjoyed the show.

Picking up our race packets and race bibs at the Expo. 

This picture is Angela and I after we finished.  Angela was the only other one of the four of us who was suppose to run the race with me last year.  It was an emotional finish for us as we never thought we would see the finish line after the cancellation last year. 

 Angela and I at the start line. We never thought we would see the start line either but that was because our day started at 4:30 a.m. when we got up to get to the subway by 5:00 a.m. for the South Ferry Terminal to head over to Staten Island which is where the race started.  Once we got to Staten Island we still had several hours (our wave did not release to the start line until 10:05 a.m.). It was pretty cold so we tried to find places to sit, stay warm and waste time before loading the bus to the actual start line.  The morning was a marathon before the marathon started.

 The four of us with our medals and our ponchos.  Yes, no finisher shirts but we got lined ponchos instead.  We did have to walk another 1.5 miles after we crossed the finish line to get the poncho but we were ready for something warm by that point and the ponchos were a nice surprise.

Considering the cancellation of Sandy and the events of the Boston Marathon I knew that this marathon was going to be memorable.  I started to receive numerous email updates about how there was going to be a lot of security. We would have to be searched when entering the Expo, the Ferry and the race start. Police officers and dogs were everywhere.  When the race started we ran over the Verrazano Bridge.  There were helicopters on each side of the bridge and law enforce scattered throughout the route with over 2,000 surveillance cameras.  I know I felt like NYC really tried to take care of the runners and spectators 

 I anticipated a post of disappointment as it relates to the actual race finish time.  For various reasons, I had not trained as hard this year as I had for last year's race. I was resolved with the fact that I would just finish and enjoy the race because I was finally able to do it.  I would not focus on my time. I only looked at my Garmin two times during the race, once at the half-way point and once at the 20 mile mark.  Once I hit the 20-mile mark I realized I really could finish this race in under four hours and really without having to speed up any. If I just kept my pace I would finish under the four hour mark and have a few minutes to spare.  I was perfectly satisfied with the entire race experience.

So, there you have it, for all three people that may actually read this blog. It only took me one full month to get this posted. At this rate, you can anticipate a holiday post in February. Ha.

She is 6!

Keylee is 6 years old.  Her birthday was actually 11/14 but with all the chaos I have not posted birthday pics.  Keylee asked for bitty baby twins from American Girl Doll.  

Keylee took cake-pops  for her treats at school and they were delicious. I learned that my neighbor who owns 4-Cakes makes cake-pops and many other great desserts.  The class sang Happy Birthday and Keylee seemed to enjoy the day and the added attention she received. I have no idea where time goes. I can hardly believe she is six years old. It seems like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. We are so thankful for her and her sweet smile, hugs and genuinely kind heart.

On Keylee's birthday,  I took the kids out of school a little early to head to Topeka for an event at Barnes and Noble.  Jan Brett was there for a book signing and a demonstration on her illustrations for her new book Cinders. Kira has been writing back and forth with Jan Brett for years. The kids were happy to see Hedgie who appears in several Jan Brett books.

 Below is Jan demonstrating how she draws a Chicken like those in her new book Cinders. Kira actually videoed it, in case anyone is interested as I am sure Kira would be more than happy to share the video.

 The kids in front of the Jan Brett bus.  

After this picture we headed to Freddy's Frozen Custard to get some custard treats. We ate in the car and sang Happy Birthday to Keylee all the way home getting back to Manhattan just in time to drop the older two kids off at basketball practice.  It was a full, but fun, day.

Sisters Weekend

Every Fall we have sisters weekend and my sisters all come to Manhattan. We buy some sort of matching KSU apparel, we have Starbucks and Varsity Donuts, we attend a KSU football game (thanks to my sisters Tamie and Tisha, the season ticket holders) and eat out after the game. This year was slightly different because, in the past, I have always been the host and now I have to compete with my parents, who live in Manhattan. It is always fun to spend time with my sisters and as I reflect on the weekend I realize how truly blessed I am. It was a weekend full of family, memories and many laughs.

Up - Up and Away

Kira's 6th grade class did a balloon launch.  The students teamed up in groups of three to create their balloons and prepare them for the big launch.  The 6th graders were able to invite their parents and family. The other students from the school also came out to watch the launch.  There were about 18 balloons total and each group created a theme for their balloon.  There were some really cute balloons.  Kira's group did Superman.  Their launch was a success. Since my parents live here now, it was a special treat that they were able to come to watch.  It has been nice to have them so close. Kira was super excited to see them.

Making the Move

My parents decided to leave Dodge City and move to Manhattan. It was not an easy decision for them, I know.  It was hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that I would no longer be able to return to my childhood home. My Dad built our Dodge City home and together they kept it in tip-top shape which is probably why it sold so quickly.  Dodge City is always the place that I considered "home."  When people say "where are you from?"  I always respond, "I am from Dodge City but I live in Manhattan now."  The good thing is Joe's parents still live there and so does my sister, Tamie.  My sister, Tisha, just lives an hour away so I am sure we will still travel back to Dodge but it won't be the same when I can't really go "home."  

The Dodge City House

 My sisters and brothers-in-law really put in a lot of time to make the move happen.  Everyone put in hours and hours cleaning out and sorting through the Dodge City home.

During the move we had a lot of fun finding "treasures" in our family home.  A lot of memories surfaced.  When my Mom and I were cleaning out the storage room we came across old letter that my parents had sent to one another.  The letters were very sweet and they were clearly very much in love. Some of the letters would be close to 57 years old and my parents had kept them all these years.  There was a time when my Mom was also into wearing hats.  We came across several hats.  We also found my Mom's wedding dress.  I put on her wedding dress and the lace was a bit itchy.  I can't imagine wearing that on a hot July day like she did.  I suppose the lace was softer 55 years ago when she wore it.

 My Mom's wedding from 55 years ago

 My sisters Tamie and Tisha and my nephew Gage

Sisters:  Susan, Tisha and Tamie

Back to School

It is that time of year again, back to school and yes, football season.  Our house is busy trying to find a routine.School started with a half-day on August 14th. 

Keylee started Kindergarten and we are super excited for her to have the same teacher Kira and Keenan each had. 

 Keenan started 3rd grade.  I think he will love his teacher and classmates.

 It is Kira's last year in elementary school.  This is the only year all three kids will be at the same school.  Kira is excited about her teacher and class too.

55th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

As always my post is delayed.  We traveled back to Dodge City the weekend of August 3rd to celebrate my parents' 55th Wedding Anniversary. The weekend was pack with activities.  I tried not to do picture overload here: 

Horseback Riding

As always this is Kira's favorite activity.  She would have been happy riding horses the entire weekend. 

Keenan and my nephew, Gage

A picture of some of the men supervising the horseback riding

 Forget Me Not Dairy

My sister, Tamie, organized a trip and tour to a local dairy just west of Dodge City.  The dairy facility was huge and actually very impressive.  I am a little surprised, after seeing the facility, that my kids still want to drink milk.

Not all, but most of the family, arrived soon enough to attend the tour.  We are missing my sister, Tisha and Susan in the picture below.

 This picture just made me laugh.  This is my great-nephew, Briggs.  He was chowing down on a brownie waiting on his turn to ride the horses.  He was not about to let a single crumb hit the ground.

Dodge City Days Rodeo

 On Friday night we attended The Dodge City Days Rodeo which was an annual tradition when I was growing up.  The kids have been back to Dodge for the rodeo before and always seem to enjoy it.  The weather was nice this year. I remember some years in the past the heat has been too much.

Family Dinner

We had a family dinner at "The Cow Town" restaurant.  The theme of Dodge City Days was mustache so my niece, Shelbie, made mustache cut-outs for the family.

 My niece, Shelbie also made a cupcake cake for my parents.  Obviously she is very talented and creative (and she is a great singer).  I am pretty sure she didn't get any of those traits from the Peugh side of the family. ha.

Family Photograph

Finally we had the large family photo.  I am surprised how we managed to get 27 people all looking at the camera at the same time.  The picture isn't perfect but it did turn out pretty good.  

It was a fun and memorable weekend.