Halloween 2018

The Rowitz family (Rotell’s and Witzel’s) hosted a Halloween bash again this year. While it can be very frustrating to select a costume, Troy and I both really love having a reason to dress up. This year Troy really committed to his costume and I think it turned out pretty darn good.

Everyone seemed to agree because we won the costume contest. It was a good thing Troy really committed because there were really creative and fun costumes this year. Honorable mention to the not pictured Mama and Baby Shark by Carissa and Brody. Totally a hit for the craze of that song this year.

Of course the kids were way more adorable than any of adults could ever be.

Michelle and Keeley did a great job of entertaining the kids with several games. They played a touch and feel game. So funny to see their reactions when they are feeling the item and then also when they find out what it is. Cauliflower isn’t so gross unless you think it is a brain, haha! Classic pin the nose on the pumpkin, bean bag toss game, and bobbing for apples were a few of the other games.

The kids definitely had a lot of fun but once the kids were in bed us adults made sure to have a little of our own fun. Bobbing for liquor bottles might actually be easier than apples. Maybe there is a rule to drink a few cotton candy shots before attempting we forgot? Either way lots of fun with great company. It’s always a fun night for adults and kids alike.

The holiday fun had just begun because up next was pumpkin carving time. Each kid got to pick out what design they wanted on their pumpkin. Then we got to work. We left the kids to do most of the dirty work of cleaning out the pumpkin. Sevea doesn’t mind it. Brynna LOVES it. And Cohen we had to insist he help and he would only use a tool and not his hands. In the end I think they enjoyed the gooey slimy fun of scooping out the pumpkin.

Then it was time to carve the pumpkins. We’re working our way into the kids doing more and more of their own pumpkin so each kid outlined the design of their choosing. Troy was then responsible for the cutting the designs out. Sevea attempted cutting some of her own out as well. The finished Jack-o-Lanterns turned out great. Sevea chose a puppy which oddly to me looked like a creepy bunny. Cohen did a Super Mario Bros mushroom and Brynna wanted a witch.

Last but not least it was time for the candy! Mario, Princess Belle, and our Zombie had a great time gathering up candy and came home with smiles on their faces and bellies ready for SUGAR!

Family Ride

This summer we experienced something as a family that I started to wonder if it would ever happen.

We went on a family bike ride. It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!! While I thought 2017 would be the year for no training wheels for at least one kid, we didn’t end up getting there. Somehow we just didn’t get the bikes out and make it happen. But this year we not only got Sevea on two wheels but Cohen as well. Last year Cohen was looking like he could get it but he wasn’t ready to trust he could do it. Sevea was still nervous and unsure she could do it. We reminded her of all the balancing she was able to do at gymnastics and that she just needed to trust herself and pay attention to keeping herself balanced. I think this really helped. She got good at riding straight and then after many failed trips around the basketball court at school she finally was going in circles. Then before we knew it she was riding around like she had been on two wheels for years. I’m certain she could have done it sooner but we just didn’t stress it. One of those parenting battles that really isn’t worth it. Cohen on the other hand needed very little encouragement from us to try this year. I think a little sibling comparison was all he needed. Brynna even took her training wheels off for an attempt but quickly decided she didn’t feel ready. All three out of training wheels in one summer would have been crazy. With just one out of training wheels would have been a highlight so we could bust out the bike trailer that has collected years of dust. With both Sevea and Cohen able to ride confidently and with a good amount of speed and endurance we were able to go for some good bike rides. Brynna just wasn’t able to keep up enough with the training wheels so she loved the bike trailer. It was so great to get out and be active in the beautiful summer weather. We are looking forward to many more of these family rides next year.

Anniversary outing

This was the 3rd year that Troy planned an anniversary outing for the two of us. Each year I am as thankful as the first year for a day together that I didn’t have to plan at all. Well I wouldn’t say at all because each year has gotten a little more loose in plans and I am asked if I have a choice between certain things. Our anniversary seems to sneak up on us both given the summer is so busy before it. So Troy may not make as many concrete or elaborate plans as he would like. But you know what, it doesn’t bother me. This celebration continues to be great because it involves two things: beer and Troy. Totally kidding yet not kidding at all. Of course the anniversary outing better involve beer Troy, but the beer does spark a lot of conversations. Maybe it is even a conversation about beer. Even just a couple sips of beer get the conversation flowing that might not be as plentiful when we’re at home with all the distractions of normal life.

After dropping off 3 of those normal life distractions and getting a quick picture together, we headed out to the first beer stop. Badger Hill Brewery in town was having Flight Club which was just the reason we needed to stop in to try 4 new beers. Two of them were brewed with herbs and we quickly learned that both of us agree we do not like that combo. After Troy graffitied the chalk wall, we quickly moved on to the next stop which was a brewery Troy had read about. They served one particular beer in a bowl because it is said to taste the best this way. Back Channel Brewing in Spring Lake Park was indeed on to something. This IPA was delicious and that is saying a lot from a girl who doesn’t like IPA’s.

Our next stop was for dinner. We did indeed learn our lesson from last year. You can see even at the first stop I snacked on some pretzels. Troy made excellent dinner reservations at Iron Tap in Waconia. I enjoyed a fun drink for the special night and we both loved the meals we got. After dinner we ventured back to Shakopee and ended up at one of our local favorites, the Brew Hall. Our time there was probably the best of the day. I’m sure the sips of beer we had before helped but the book I contributed as an activity to the day was the highlight. It was a book to get to know each other more. It was a very simple format that had two pictures and you decided which you agreed with more. If you both answered the same you got a point. It was simple things like how you eat a Kit Kat bar or which way the toilet paper goes on the holder. After 15 years of marriage and almost 21 years together we knew most of what each other would answer. But the conversations around the questions was so fun. It was a great way to end our day. Just might need to find another book for next year’s outing.

Running on Love

I’ve talked before how there once was a hate for running deep down inside me. It was so hard for me. If running has done one thing for me it’s proven that the hardest, the most hated things in my life can turn into such a blessing. Running has turned into something I am so thankful for. I feel so fortunate that my two legs are able to step one foot in front of the other over and over again because I want them to. No matter how long you’ve been a runner or how fast or slow you run, each run is hard in its own way. But running has been good for me in so many ways. Of course there is the obvious health benefits. Then there’s the goodies that are “earned” because of running. I am never opposed to enjoying a cold beer or even better a Bloody Mary in the morning after an early run (well I have yet to capitalize on that perfect idea but Carissa did enjoy one after a Ragnar run).

But even better are the good times I have with friends and family all because of running. Running is an individual sport but yet there’s such a great community for runners. I’m 100% certain that if I had to run alone for every run I’d have quit after that first 5k. I certainly love pushing myself and trying to improve. But that is not what keeps me in love with the sport. I think there’s plenty of waves of intensity of motivation but running certainly motivates me to stay active when at times I’d probably not be. Signing up for races means you have to train for them or at least be active enough to not die on the course ;)

Running in 2018 was really great for personal accomplishments. I ran Get Lucky in March and placed 4th out of 475 in my age group and 10th overall out of 1,162 people. In a large race like that I never would have thought this possible. Really just makes me think they made a mistake but proves a little hard work can provide results that even surprise yourself. I then went on to place 1st female and 7th overall at a much smaller race. Troy just so happened to pull out an amazing race at the end and beat me. I thought I left him early on in the race and little did I know he was just watching me run ahead of him a lot of the race. I guess my backside was his motivation, haha!!!

The healthy competition Troy and I have with each other has done amazing things for our relationship. Running gives us a common interest that not only keeps us healthy but has provided so many fun opportunities to experience as as couple. We’ve trained for races together giving us time without the kids and the adrenaline leaves us in a good mood when we’re done. The feel good endorphins must be the reason we’ve competed in 4 years of the Ragnar Relay Race. 2 days on little sleep running 3 separate times for a total of roughly 16-20 miles isn’t exactly what most people would choose as a date weekend but Troy and I love it. We get to support each other. We get to see new things together. It’s a chance to spend time as adults together with other adults who are the same kind of crazy.

Since we loved Ragnar so much in Minnesota we took the opportunity to do a destination Ragnar. So Cal was our first choice (wine country duh!) but when wild fires ruined that chance we agreed to join the team for Cape Cod. Troy and I would likely have never made a point to travel to Boston and especially Cape Cod so having another reason to go was great. The Ragnar experience was one of the best. The runs were hard yet a little less distance than normal and no heat and supposedly less hills (I think just less steep but there were definitely still hills). The better part was getting more time with the team. Usually for the Minnesota race you meet the day of and while you spend 2 days together there’s little “down” time besides eating pizza and having a beer at the end of the race. This time we flew in early and had extra time after the race as well. For Troy and I we really did consider this a fun vacation. The extra day in Boston by ourselves didn’t hurt either. Troy is way more into history than me and he thought it was great that I got into the history tour so much. I think history is really fun when you have an entertaining person talking to you about it.

Who knew running could bring so many interesting things to ones life. What once was hatred, I definitely think my body now runs on love!