We have a long string of birthdays starting in September through the end of October, first starting with Kourtney's, which you saw on a previous post, followed by mine, then Kris' and then Keegan's.
This year I turned 32...My birthday fell on the first day back to school so it was pretty crazy! That evening we went to the Korea House in East Lansing. It is my favorite place to eat! Then we went home and had cake and ice cream. Yum-Yum. Kris made my cake!
Kris' birthday was an eventful one. It first started out by the whole family attending a tail gating party on MSU campus. It was a bit chilly but fun all the same. After visiting with Kris' colleagues, we determined it would be easier to take a bus back home and then pick up Kris' truck later that day because the walk was so far! That afternoon Kris and I left the kids at home with a babysitter and he and I took a bus back to campus and watched MSU football take on U of M. Great game-great fun!
That afternoon we had cake and ice cream. I thought it fitting to keep with the MSU theme of the day and make him a State cake.
Keegan turned 2 years old on October 29th...and he couldn't wait to have his cake. Here's a picture of him getting caught sticking his fingers into it and then eating it. He didn't even try to hide the fact that he had been at the cake for a while, hence the green frosting and chocolate on his face!
Keegan's presents were pretty much all boy this year (we're trying to get him to play with things other than baby dolls and dress-up shoes)...although Ellary uses Keegan's basketball hoop more than he does. She has an awesome shot-great form!
Nana and Papa got him a basketball hoop, like the one he loved playing with in Grand Junction last summer.
Kris and I found a tool bench on Craigslist that he loves, and so did all the other kiddos. They spent most of the day playing with it.
Alyson made this bath time basket of toys for Keegan. She went to the dollar store and she found funnels and measuring cups and sponges that she cut into sea creature shapes. She even found a bath time puzzle there and then put it in this basket. It was very affordable for a child to buy and a hit with Keegan.
Our little guy is growing big...can't believe he is 2 years old already!
Our family participated in three runs this fall two of which are highlighted in this post. The first was the Allegiance Step to Step 5K and kids run in Jackson. The day started out a little rainy but then dried up just in time for some fun on a kids' climbing wall and for the races.
I did the 5k and set my best personal time...I won't say what that was just that I did better than I had hoped to do.
The girlies participated in a kid's fun run. It inspired Alyson to enter a 5k race you will see shortly.
Kourtney after her kid's run
Kris ran with Ellary. She was so excited to participate.
The second run we ran in was the Junior Achievement Step Up for Education 5k and Halloween Fun Run. Alyson was the only official runner in this race but everyone participated in one way or another.
I ran it with Alyson, although she high tailed it the last 3/4 of a mile and whooped my tail!
Here she is just having crossed the finish line.
And this is Alyson's official run time. We have some high hopes for her if she continues to want to run. She's a good little runner!
Ellary and Keegan both participated in the fun run. Here is Ellary in her costume. She wanted to be an MSU cheerleader. I think this stems from her crush on Sparty, MSU's mascot. Right out of the blue while we're driving down the road or playing at home she'll say something like, "I miss Sparty." It's really cute, but it makes me wonder why it is he has left such an impression on her.
And here is little Keegan taking up the back of the race with Alyson beside him. He fell just before he crossed the finish line but got back up and finished the race without crying. Boy, he's getting big. 
Besides the race, there were several competitions. Kris won the cackling like a witch competition and he received a $100 gift card to a casino southwest of here. We don't gamble but we hear the buffets are good. We'll see.
There were also a lot of kids' activities including painting fingernails and spray painting hair. See how Kourtney's nails are pinkish-red? Well, Kris spray painted her hair the same color to match. Fun, huh?
Ellary and Keegan got a lot of use out of their costumes this year and had a lot of fun wearing them too.
Remember how I said Ellary has a crush on Sparty? I think she just really has a fascination with mascots in general. Here she is with I think it's the Red Robin mascot. While some kids are terrified of people in costumes, she's a brave, beaming little girl.
Ellary really liked the Buffalo Wild Wings Buffalo. She kept going near him and waving at him. Here she is holding his hand.
Remember Kourtney's pink hair? Here it is with her daddy.
There was also Zumba instruction at the race. The girls had a fun time getting into it.
And the chicken dance. I think this was Ellary's first time with a go at it. How could she resist doing anything the Red Robin was doing?
