Roadhouse and Trail Run

Got the most random enjoyable dinner in the world together last night at Texas Roadhouse thanks to Sarah and Samantha's planning and flexibility. It's amazing what you can do last minute when you invite people who don't have plans.


Sorry Laura. The only good picture of you was a bad one of Samantha, and you're not in town to kill me.

In order to check how many text messages it took to organize this event, I took a look at my online account details (something I should do more often). Not only were 200 text messages sent or received in order to organize dinner, equally surprising was the 850ish 943 texts (in and out) which will be on my bill this month. I'm only behind high schoolers by about 400.

Steve Fruendt and I have planned this trail race for months, but it almost flew past me. With a quick reminder this week, we made it on this beautiful snowy day to Wildlife Prairie Park. Growing up with a Mom who grew up here meant that cool places like this were a part of my childhood, and I'm grateful. I've got to visit again this summer.




The trail was more rough than I realized. A quick run over by a four-wheeler was all the prep I could see. Considering how good it felt at the end, the length (6k), weather and hilly terrain were actually fun.

Steve's been sporting his toesie running shoes (because I don't know what they're actually called) around church events, but I hadn't seen them in action. This was some serious action too. Kept his feet warm and dry though.

On a side venture, I met a couple of Jason's future co-workers :-) Apparently they can remove the stink glands from a skunk!

Horsey

Giddy up cuz the next activity on Saturday was an afternoon of horseback ridding organized by our seasoned cowgirl, Amanda. Amanda took us to the Rockin' P Ranch in Pekin. Check out the Picasa page for a full listing of pictures.








We had one more outdoorsy event on the schedule Betsy and fam invited everyone to a cookout at her place in Tremont. It wasn't long before Josh and I noticed we were the only boys in the chatty room so....

Time for some guy time.

And little doggy the size of my foot time.

Thursday was multiple opportunities to worship beginning with a great crowd from our Sunday School class checking out the Rescue mission service. It's a different experience than the South Side Mission, where you get to see and hear more about the work God is doing and making available to us in their hearts. But PRM is still a great challenge and blessing. Especially when you have a whole team leading music instead of my shaky self.

Next stop, sending off our friend Holly with prayer and a little social time at her place. Holly, second row, second from the right, was headed to South Africa with a team from church the next morning.

Things got a little nuts Friday night. A quick really long game of mini golf with the three Amigo's got violent at times, but ended with few injuries, except to Amanda's pride. Good job Sarah!


This is proving to be the year of being outdoorsy for me. Can't get enough of it. Chris let me break him in after a year off the trails with some mountain biking at Farmdale. It was great to finally finish the entire BMX course (below) without stopping or crashing like last time a couple years ago.


Jere had brunch prepared for us upon our return (I'm a liar) and it was wonderful!! Thank you for some old roomie catch up time guys!


Question for you all. Do you prefer to put the fork on the right side of a place setting, or the left? Your answer may determine the future of Chris and Jerelyn's marriage, so please be honest. Please respond to the survey on the right side of the blog.