#154 of 365~Omaha Midnight Run

http://omahamidnightrun.com/

This is my 4th year posting about the Omaha Midnight Run.  A 5k ran on the streets of downtown Omaha at Midnight, to raise funds and awareness for local non-profits.  I'm very proud of this run, watching it grow and change throughout the years.  It was bitter sweet this year to come as just a participant because that meant that I didn't have a job to do which provided me no excuse for not running.  So, along with a couple of Nick's high school buddies and our friend Bjorn, we geared up for my first 5k as a walker/runner.  I only made it around once because I wanted to take pictures of the guys crossing the finish line, something I had never experienced before.  It was also exciting for me as the school I work for was a sponsor this year and it was cool to see everyone run under the BT arch.

The guys met at our house pre-run for pizza and we watched "The Mighty Ducks 2." We then met our friend Kristina at The Blatt for a pre-run celebratory drink.

 The run started off with a fireworks show

We literally ran by the Overpass that OMR was under during their first public run.

My boys finishing strong

Chris, Nick, Brenden, Me, Adrian, Mr. Schindler, and Sonya

BT Representing!!!

#153 of 365~Time With Aunt Donna

While my Aunt Donna was here for the week, we had set a goal to get her out and about to show her what Omaha has to offer.  I took this task very seriously as 1. she did it for me when I was in Buffalo this summer and 2. I LOVE my city and it has so much to offer 3. My family is too fun NOT to hang out with!  So, here's a post of the few things we did.  Love you Aunt Donna!!!!

Aunt Diane, Great-Aunt Donna, my Sister Racheal, Me, my Aunt Dawn, My Aunt Linda, while you can't see her my Uncle Tom's kid-my cousin Shayla, and my Aunt Kelly's kids/my cousins-Jenna and Andrew. Lunch at Jason's Deli-BIG deal for someone whose never heard of it

A little visit to Little Italy in Omaha

 Aunt Donna with her "mountain man" and "ray of sunshine" at Lauritzen Botanical Gardens

 Our annual meet up and picture with Renea at Spaghetti works

Getting my Aunts and cousins to cross the Bob Kerry "Bridge to nowhere"

 Girl's just wanna have fun!

A beautiful way to end our time together

#152 of 365~Labor Day at the Gardens

On Labor Day, a mysterious benefactor made a donation that allowed Lauritzen Gardens to be open to the public.  So, along with most of Omaha, we took my Great-Aunt Donna on an adventure through the 100 acres of botanical gardens.  It is the time of year to go, right when summers rays begin to fade and the flowers are at their brightest.  We saw everything from tropical hibiscus to cactus.  The trees were lush and green and sky the brightest of blues.  It was a wonderful way to start our day!

Running water and gourds hanging without falter...

...we always make time to check out the whimsy of tiny trains clacking down stick tracks....

...and getting lost in fields of sunflowers with the sun beating down on our backs.

 Buzzy bee's and sunflower trees, make summer's days just right for me!