Thursday - We spent a nice lunchtime/afternoon at Pat and Roger's enjoying delicious steaks and tasty pumpkin pie.
Friday - After a relaxing day around the house and visiting with good friends Scott and Meleah, we headed out to Brian's aunt and uncle's house. It was quite the gathering that included the Browns (Tara's husband's family - both parents + siblings + kids), the Kruses (Brian's aunt and uncle + kids), all the Hodens, and all the Huinkers. Tony and Tara were definitely missed and were the subject oftentimes....in case their ears were ringing, they now know why. After coming home and getting kiddos to bed, the adults (as in, our-age adults) all gathered at our house for conversation and games while the various grandmas and grandpas took on babysitting duties.
Saturday - A day at Pat and Roger's which included The 13th Annual Huinker Family Turkey Trot, more delicious food, lots of playing amongst the kiddos, a little shopping for Beth and me, and a sleepover for Olivia and Grace.
Sunday - Time to catch up on sleep - everyone took naps, and I took two!
And...here it is - the Turkey Trot Press Release brought to you by Beth Hoden...
Turkey Trot 2013
As most of you know, the turkey trot has not been one of my favorite traditions. Every year I start thinking about it mid-October and every year I do nothing other than think about it! Other than year 1 (2001) when Brian was still recovering from his broken leg, arm, foot, etc. and the year that Amanda was 7 months pregnant with Grace (2009), I have gotten last place. So basically, I have never beaten a legitimate competitor. Until now. Thus...I am doing the recap this year. I told myself years ago that if I ever beat someone, I would write it! So here goes...
The tradition we all love to hate continues for a 13th consecutive year. Rules remain the same. You run it no matter where you are in the world. Never did we think this would actually mean someone would be running it on another continent!
Unbelievable weather in Decorah on race day (Saturday November 30) It was a bit windy on the straight away, but overall we couldn't have asked for a nicer day to run!
Runners started the race at 10:30 AM...just in time for us to recover slightly from the night before, for Grady to be up from his nap, and to allow the kids to eat lunch and be at the free movie matinee with Grandpa Rog by noon!
Kiddos were fabulous this year. All 4 of the big kids (Max, Mya, Olivia and Grace) gave it their best shot. To see those little legs moving around the track was awesome. At the 3/4 point of the first lap, Chris was yelling at Max to slow down. He was keeping up with him step for step. Olivia, Mya and Max all finished the race and got a recorded time! Grace officially completed 3 laps, but we could count it as 4 considering how much running (just not on the track) she did. Looking forward to watching these guys grow up together and continuing the tradition.
Everyone really enjoyed not being lapped this year. Spirits were much higher at the end of the race, even if times were down a bit. :)
Yellow shirts were in full effect. It took some digging, but we found our old "Go Tara" shirts from 2007 and made some homemade "Go Tony" shirts. It was sad that they weren't there to run with us, but we wanted them to be with us in spirit!
Twenty two days after giving birth, after completing lap one at a walk, Amanda was out jogging around the track while pushing the stroller and finishing with a respectable time all things considered.
Rog and Pat were on kid patrol and timing duty. I fully expect Rog will be back in action next year. A certain 2 year old was a handful this year. :) She wanted to continue the tradition that one kid has to start bawling as soon as everyone takes off. Next year my bet is on Grady.
Overseas runners didn't quite get the trot in on time even though they are 15 hours ahead of us. Tony had to leave for mainland Japan, so they were a little late on the run. Don't worry though...we did not reveal our times until after they ran. I didn't want them having an unfair advantage! (like they need it, but hey..)
Times for 2013 are as follows:
#1: Anthony Brown: 5:54
#2: Chris Hoden 7:48
#3: Tara Brown 8:20
#4: Max Hoden 9:02
#5: Beth Hoden 9:04
#6: Brian Huinker 10:35
#7: Mya Hoden & Olivia Huinker: 12:55
#8: Amanda Huinker: 13:35
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