Ravinia

Last night, Cheese, me, my sister Ellen, and my mom went to Ravinia. For those not from the area, Ravinia is the outdoor music venue in Highland Park. They have a pavillion, but the real fun of Ravinia is bringing lots of food and rink, and picnicing in the lawn with your friends. Last night, Lyle Lovitt was playing, and while I have never actually heard a single song of his, I thought it would be fun to go.

Ellie just chillin'.

My mom, doing the same.

I have no idea what we were laughing at, but this is one of my favorite pics of the night. Also, despite the fact that many of the people around actually sort of dress up to go to this thing (for example, please expand picture to see the girl it the background in a black dress and scarf - the scarf thing which, by the way, is a whole post in itself), we ran out of time yesterday with all of our errands, so I ended up going in my running tights and IMeg tee shirt, hair in a bun. Yeah, it was pretty hot - the outfit, not the weather.

My mom, munching on a strawberry, contemplating what dance moves she was going to break out on us next. And lemme tell ya - ol' girl's got a bag of them!

Self-portrait that, when trying to take, he actually spilled all over himself. Yeah ladies, he's all mine.

My mom got me and my sister these blinky light rings, and of course we got a big kick out of taking a picture of Cheese on bended knee. It was a really fun night, just hanging out, listening to music and eating our faces off. This morning called for a 10 miler, which is now in the books. Right now it's time for a little nap before heading off to the airport.

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Oh, and I guess I forgot to mention this (Andra called my attention to it on Facebook) - so I hurt my back. I think I might have said something in passing about a week ago, but it's gotten progressively worse. I went to the back doctor last week, and again tomorrow. I thought maybe I pulled a muscle, but it also feels like I have a lot of muscle crap build up that, if massaged, will go away (I have been running a TON with virtually no back doctors or massages since IM in APRIL). It's hard to tell the exact origin, so I am just going to treat it until it gets better. Of course, I thought about dropping the race this weekend, but I decided against it. Spirit of Racine it is...great.....