Tuesday Long Run and Weekend Update

Well, I hate to disappoint, but I do not have an exciting adventure story about how I outran a 12-gauge shotgun totin' hunter in fatigues who mistook me for a deer while I was doing my long run in Galesburg because.... well... I didn't do my long run in Galesburg. I ran only 4 miles with my step-dad. But that was ok. Time just got away from me this weekend so I decided to take today off of work and run along the lakefront. It went surprisingly well. I hate to run alone, but I had my ipod and there was a nice breeze so it went okay. And the best part is I have a massage scheduled for 4 pm today so hopefully my sore spots will be worked out and I will feel minimal pain tomorrow and the next day.

My work party on Friday was fun. It was at Castaways, which is a bar/restaurant right at North Avenue beach. Give a bunch of attorneys - public defenders, no less - free alcohol and things have the potential of getting ugly. While I don't remember the entire evening, I do know that it was a fun night overall. No ugliness.
View from the bar at Castaways. Below, a picture of me and my work partner, Kim. We won the jury together last week. Gold medal, finally! :)
Suzanne (former partner, who now works at Domestic Violence), Kim and me
Me and Kieran....
Me, Jen (former partner) and Jen (law clerk)
Saturday morning, at 7:30 am (!!!), while nursing quite the hangover from the night before, I took our car into the dealership because the tire pressure light kept coming on. Since we were driving 200 miles to Galesburg, the last thing we wanted was to get a flat on the interstate. Well, over $300 later, we have one new tire and one patched tire. There were huge metal nail-like things in both tires on the driver's side. Yikes! Even better, since I was the one who woke up early and took the car in, Kieran had the luxury of driving to Galesburg.

That night, we headed to the farm for my aunt Julie's wedding. Aunt Julie is my aunt by marriage. She married my dad's brother, Tom. I was their flower girl. I am sure I rocked it, even back then. Tom passed away from a heart attack, but Julie, obviously, remained a part of our family. Not too long ago, she met a great guy named Brian and they got married Saturday. We didn't make it to the ceremony, but stopped by the reception to see everyone.

That is my grandpa feeding the dog some cake. That dog loves my grandpa.
Ok we put little man Jonah on this motorcycle parked at the reception. We don't know who's motorcycle it was, but Nicole and I thought it would be a funny picture. The girls posed with the Harley, too. Look at my nieces and nephews.....they are hog riders in training. Woo Hoo!
Sunday, we celebrated Kieran's birthday with my mom, step-dad, grandparents, Laura, Dusty, Kaela and Aaron. Jason was off on a love retreat with his lady and Ben was back at school. So it was a small party, but still fun. How can it not be fun with Happy Joe's pizza and cake and ice cream? I know. Mom is holding up the cake with "27" candles .... oh, my baby husband.....

Kieran and Kaela...she was ready for cake immediately after pizza...I don't think Laura had even finished eating and Kaela's sticking her little fingers in the frosting.
Happy Birthday, Kieran!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!