Who's Yo Mama!?

Today it was me against the city streets of Edmond. Eleven miles of city streets to be exact. And who came out on top? This guy.

I'm very happy with myself, especially considering what happened when I tried to run 9.5 miles a few weeks ago.

Today I was prepared. Today I fueled ahead of time and continued to fuel for the entire race. Today I won. I joked with Nick earlier in the week that I was packing a picnic lunch to take with me. And, while I didn't do that, I did pack myself down with 7,239 Cliff (90% organic) Energy Gel packs. They tasted nice, but OMG how can anything be so thick?

Did I just say "OMG" on my blog? Yep. That's how thick they were.

Me + 11 miles = sore knees with a big smile

- S

Baby Pineapple

For Mason's birthday we knew just what to get him - a baby pineapple plant! He loves fruit, especially pineapple. He loves baby things, especially fruit. And, he loves to watch stuff grow. So, on his actual birthday we took him to Home Depot and let him pick out his very own pineapple plant.

It finally ripened, so it was picking time. Isn't it cute!? 

You know what's more cute? The tiny curl hanging down at the top of the picture.

- S

Oklahoma State Fair 2010

I have a million fair jokes. But, I'll save them for next year.

*cough, Tweety Bird shirt, cough*

Each year the Trougakos family heads to the Oklahoma State Fair. We like to go the first Sunday it's open because all of the crazy folk who go on Saturday night are still sleeping. Also, the non-heathen-church-goers of the world are at church and we, the non-crazy-non-church-going heathens, get the fair (almost) all to ourselves.

We don't go for the grease-dripping food, we dont go to win prizes, we don't go to ride the death traps, er...I mean rides. We like the old school qualities of the fair. Animals, big blue first place ribbons, crisp fall air, families enjoying time together, etc. You know, all that stuff they promote in Charlotte's Web. We dig that kind of stuff.

- S

Just Me and My Beagle

I'll give it to him, he's one cute dog.

Many of you know of our beagle troubles. Over the years he's been the source of much frustration. He eats everything. I mean everything. The back of the house, Mason's toys, our window screens, Mason's snacks, Baylee's shi...whoa! Stop right there. Yes folks, it's true.

He's also been a big (that might be a stretch) inspiration to us. Nick and I have always wanted (since purchasing him for $100 from the dreaded trailer in Marlow) to open our own pub and name it The Thirsty Beagle. Since the dream seemed a bit far-fetched, Nick decided to start The Thirsty Beagle Beer Blog instead. I trust that you all visit the blog regularly, and have 'friended' TTB on Facebook. *wink, wink*

Over the Labor Day weekend I decided to make friends with Buster. Mason and I started including him on our nature walks. Buster is in heaven. He loves his walks, he bays when he doesn't get to go for a stroll. I keep reminding myself that his loud bays are endearing, not annoying. After six years, I'm here to announce that Buster and I are pals. He's my dog.

I've given Baylee to Nick. She's old and her nose squirts blood. She's too high maintenance for me.

- S

Bats That Eat Your Head Off

Today was Grandparent's Day at Mason's school. He was very excited and so was Grammie!

Just look how cute they are.


Mom said when she got there Mason was working hard drawing a picture. After he was done his teacher, Mrs. Crain, asked the kids to sit on their square and bring their journal with them. They all promptly plopped down on their assigned spot and sat on top of their drawings.

Mrs. Crain then started picking students at random to come forward and share their drawings with everyone in attendance. One little girl got up and showed her drawing of a rainbow. "I drew a rainbow because I love them." Then a little boy got up and showed his masterpiece, a little dog. Another girl got up and she also drew a picture of her dog, Chloe. Lots of "Awwws" were heard from the grandparent-filled audience.

Next up...Mason. He walked to the front, full of confidence, not at all rattled by the increase of adults in the classroom. He said "Ok, this is not a story about Randall (his imaginary monster friend, more on that later)." *laughter from the crowd* "This is my picture of a dungeon. There are two bats that will bite your head off and two rats." *Lots of laughter from the audience.*



What are we going to do with him?

- S

Our Family, Six Seasons

Season #1

Season #2

Season #3

Season #4

Season #5

Season #6

All that money and still no National Championship.

- S

Football and a Shower with a Baby

We celebrated our 6th football season as a family and an OSU victory last Saturday!

Our friend, Sarah was in town for the long weekend. She's pregnant and precious! I told Mason we were going to Aunt Mel's house so we could go to Sarah's baby shower and he said, "But Mom, why would we go all the way to Aunt Mel's house to take a shower with a baby?" Man, he's really cute.

We made onesies for Sarah's baby, such a fun craft!!

Congrats to Shiva and Sarah!!!! We can't wait to meet your new family member. :) xoxoxo

- S

What's up with crickets anyway?

I'm a nature girl. I love the sounds, smells and sights of nature. I'm much happier outdoors enjoying fresh air than cramped up in a stale house. One of my favorite parts about camping is listening to the night animals/insects right before I drift off to sleep. I'm always amazed at how loud they are.

Last night I had no plans of camping, nor did I intend to soak up the sounds of nature. However, Mr. Cricket had other plans for me. I listened to him chirp all. night. long. Just one guy...one tiny guy (whom I could not find) just chirpin' away. So freakin' happy to be a freakin' cricket.

Nick wasn't bothered, he was sound asleep making his normal night noises (which are squeals just slightly lower than the crickets chirp, by the way). And there I was...all night long...listening to Mr. Cricket's symphony. Wide awake, unwillingly taking in the sounds of nature.

- S