Last weekend was Bryan's second Chicago Marathon. Here we are after eating the traditional pre-marathon spaghetti dinner:
We got up bright and early and saw the Chicago sunrise- which I have seen more this summer than ever before, due to the sharp increase in marathons/triathlons this summer....
Our two youngest spectators waiting for the train:
Our three runners walking to the start:
Half of our cheering squad:
The youngest cheerer:
Carolyn was very cuddly and a just wee bit crabby about having her picture taken this early in the morning:
And they're off! We managed to catch Bryan and Aaron and sometimes my dad (who we missed by just a few minutes a few times) at each one of our six cheering stops- Mile 1, 4, 11, 17, 20, and 25.
Here come the strollers, racing through the sea of runners, on to our next lookout spot:
As the afternoon heated up, Carolyn reminded us all that a popsicle makes everything better:
Here's Hannah, cheerful as always:
Here comes Aaron at Mile 20, ready for a high five:
And Bryan, "No time for high fives, can't you see I'm running here?!"
Here are our runners at mile 25.5- less than a mile to go!
Dad is in The Zone...
And here come Bryan and Aaron, still going strong to the finish!
Proudly sporting his medal and ice bag:
A few minutes of rest before the long trek back to the train. The spectator team was ready for a rest also- after walking approximately 8 miles around Chicago chasing these runners around! And yes, I actually added up our miles- thanks to
Gmap pedometer.
So proud of this boy:
The three marathoners:
And here is sweet Carolyn, still smiling even after a long and crazy day- what a champ!
And little Abby was precious as always:
Here are the girls (minus Hannah):
Not sure why we don't have a group shot of the boys, including Aaron who is somehow missing from these pictures, but they were all there. We had a wonderful time, and are so grateful for our friends!
The only challenge with our "guest room" is that it is currently 28 degrees back there. (this picture was taken this morning when it was only 30 degrees, but it has, amazingly, gotten colder since then.)
Bryan changed out the medicine cabinet and lights, while I shopped for a new shower curtain and towels. Before:
During:
After:
Even small changes can make a big difference I think!
Here Hannah shares her bee-antenna with Uncle Bryan. Awww :)
Congratulations Flinn Family!
I love this face Hannah makes:
Then tonight we enjoyed smores in the Flinns' firepit. Yum!
And a complete group shot, now that Aaron figured out how to use the timer:
Half of our cheering squad:
The youngest cheerer:
Carolyn was very cuddly and a just wee bit crabby about having her picture taken this early in the morning:
As the afternoon heated up, Carolyn reminded us all that a popsicle makes everything better:
Here's Hannah, cheerful as always:
Here comes Aaron at Mile 20, ready for a high five:
And Bryan, "No time for high fives, can't you see I'm running here?!"
Here are our runners at mile 25.5- less than a mile to go!
And here come Bryan and Aaron, still going strong to the finish!
Proudly sporting his medal and ice bag:
A few minutes of rest before the long trek back to the train. The spectator team was ready for a rest also- after walking approximately 8 miles around Chicago chasing these runners around! And yes, I actually added up our miles- thanks to Gmap pedometer. 
The three marathoners:
And here is sweet Carolyn, still smiling even after a long and crazy day- what a champ!
