Soulard Oktoberfest and Halloween Fun Run

October 12-14th, 2012

Lauren came into town for a fun weekend around St. Louis and I think we went to just about every community in St. Louis.  Friday we started off in Clayton by eating at Barcelona followed by Sasha's.

Saturday we woke up, got our race packets, shopped, ate lunch at Crushed Red, watched the Mizzou game in Central West End, went to Forest Park, all before heading to Soulard for Oktoberfest.  Since going to Germany and seeing the actual area for Oktoberfest we wanted to see how St. Louis celebrated the event.  It was bigger than either one expected. 

Sunday morning we woke up early for a Halloween Fun Run.  I ran a 10k with a 9:16 race.  Afterwards we met up with some of Lauren's friends for breakfast then showered and went to the zoo.

The weekends go by so quick, especially when it's nice outside and you get to see your best friend!

Mahomet, IL

Here are some pictures we took with the Andrews family.

The boys got to camp out in the basement so they made ghosts.  That's what is hanging on Ty's bookshelf now.

Girls Weekend Away

October 5-7th, 2012

I believe this is the first girls weekend where my mom and sisters all took some time together.  Chris and Rachel just moved to Mohamet, IL which is right outside Champaign, IL.  We headed to their house for a evening with the boys before our Indiana adventure.

Friday evening we just got to enjoy the new house, home cooking, and hanging out with the boys.  We played games and laughed until we cried.  Saturday morning I woke up bright and early to do a "quick" 12 mile run.

Afterwards we headed for Indianapolis, Indiana for a girls day out.  We headed for the downtown area where there was Circle City Mall.  First stop, California Pizza Kitchen before we headed to the shops.  I think my sisters like to shop with me since they know I'll buy whatever they tell me is cute. 

After a stroll around the mall we hit the adventures of Indianapolis downtown.  We headed to the state capital and monuments surrounding circle city.  We stopped for a snack at Starbucks before heading to Lucas Oil Stadium.  It was quick chilly, but fast walking made it worth it.

Afterwards we headed to another mall before a quick stop at a Mexican restaurant with the name Don in it.  We kept giving our waiter a hard time and calling him Don and acting like he was the owner.  He gave me a penny to put in the wishing well, hit on Jordan, and showed us the largest Tequila collection anyone could ever see.

Before heading out of town we stopped at the Indianapolis Speedway.  It was dark, but we got a glimpse of the neighborhood and the massive size of the structure.

It's a weekend to always remember!  2 cities in one weekend, but I'll be visiting Mohamet soon!

Ronald McDonald House

The University of Phoenix partnered with Ronald McDonald to support their golf tournament.

Blake and I sat on the hole in one green enjoying the great weather!

I think we did great!

Tofu Meatballs and Taco Soup

September 22, 2012

My mom had saved a few recipes that were in the recent newspaper and we decided to "tackle" these projects together.

We first headed to the store where my mom had her first adventure of picking out tofu.  Then we headed home for my first adventure of making a vegan meal.  I learned not to put a spatula in the blender when it's still on.  My mom didn't learn that lesson the same time I did, so she learned that on her own shortly after.

Overall, it was fun cooking and even better tasting!  I'm set for several months with freezer food and boy does it taste wonderful.

Thanks Mom for saving these recipes for me!