XC Season

 Ethan is doing Cross Country again this year.   He started off on the wrong foot, as he seemed to outgrow his shoe inserts, which he uses for his flat feet, right at the beginning of the season.   So he could not really train too much until his new inserts were made and arrived.   But, now his new inserts are in, and he has been running most days.

This weekend was the Westmoor Invitational.   This is a big race south of us in Daly City, with most Bay area high schools competing over the course of the day.  It is a pretty hilly course and each year, Ethan moves up by an age bracket--this year he had to run JV.   

Alaina and I went down to cheer him on--Jason was enroute to Minneapolis--and all things considered, he did well, beating his time from last year by 5 seconds, at 20:57.   I am proud of him for perservering though his personal challenges, and pushing through--not to win the race--but to beat his own best time.   Now, he just needs to keep up his training in the off season so we do not have another insert debacle next fall!

Home Makeover

For the past 6 weeks or so, we have been embarking on a home make-over.   Our roof was leaking last winter--and though we temporarily fixed it, it was time for a new roof.   And it was also time to paint.   And our grass was a mess.   

Now we have a new roof, a new house color, and turf in both our front and back yards!   We are really happy with how it all turned out--so fresh and clean!

 

 Around the time the exterior was finished, our au pair's contract was up, and since we no longer need an au pair now that Ethan is driving, we took the opportunity to redo that room into a combo office/guest room.   We got new skylights, painted the ceiling, added a ceiling fan, and touched up the bathroom--it turned out great!

A great refresh!

Anniversary

 On Sept 2, Jason and I celebrated 18 years married!

We were lucky to spend the weekend with our friends, the Tomas, at our cabin.   (No back problem this year!)

Over Labor Day weekend, we enjoyed participating in the annual cabin tour, taking a hike to Point Mariah, and going out for dinner at Sardine Lake.   The weather was perfect, and it was a nice get away.

 

 

This past weekend, Jason and I went to dinner to celebrate by ourselves--to one of our favorite Marin restaurants--Buckeye in Mill Valley.   We had a great meal, and it was nice to mark the occasion together!

Division Party

 The weekend after we got back from Croatia, we hosted our annual party for my pediatric anesthesia division.   This year we had about 30 guests!

 

It was, as always, a lot of fun to see everyone's family and kids.   My kids were conspicuously absent--Alaina was in Sacramento at a softball tournament (yes, she already started up again!), and Ethan was in the city with friends.   Jason and I are getting a taste of what being empty nesters will be like!

In any event, the party was a lot of fun, and I feel fortuante we were able to host again.

Back to School

 I am a bit behind on my posting, but about a week and a half ago the kids started school!

Ethan is beginning his junior year (!)

And Alaina is starting 7th grade.

Kids are off to a good start.   Back to the routine!