The End of 2011

2011  was a year of great accomplishment for our family.  It was a year that wasn't light on struggles for us at times, but also equally full of many blessings.  And what better way to spend the last day of 2011, than attending a KSU Men's Basketball Game?!

At our last Doctor visit we were told Mitchell could resume swim lessons in February and he is also very excited to try basketball for the first time in January.  While it will take 9 months to a year post-op for all the bumps and prominence of his forehead to subside...we think he looks great and his recovery is truly an amazing blessing and highlight to an unexpected twist to 2011.

I was able to participate in 2 10K's both with times under an hour which was a goal of mine for 2011. Along with a few other 5K's, the 5 mile Turkey Trot last month, I also set out and accomplished
my goal of running 2 half marathon's in 2011!!!

Chad was a machine this year!!!!  He ran a 10K with me a 5 mile trail race, a Half Marathon with me, and a FULL Marathon one month later!  He also ran a Warrior Dash, another 5K with me a triathlon, and in July competed in his first Olympic Distance Triathlon!

April 29, 2012

It's official!

Registration Confirmation
December 28, 2011-Angela Bunger
Thank you for submitting your entry for the April 29, 2012 Oklahoma City Marathon: Half-Marathon.

Registration Confirmation
December 28, 2011-Chad Bunger
Thank you for submitting your entry for the April 29, 2012 Oklahoma City Marathon: Marathon.

I am starting to feel more like myself again but still no running for at least two weeks.  It will be a shortened training schedule for me after a long break from running once I am released to start running again.  Chad has already started training for his 3rd full marathon and now we are officially registered!

Christmas 2011...Griswald Style

Merry Christmas to all! We awoke to discover that we have water backed up into our basement ultility closet for the second time in 3 days. Not the Christmas morning surprise we needed to be certain. But the boys are thrilled that Christmas has finally arrived and we remind ourselves that we have much to be thankful for.

                                                             Some assembly required.......

Thank you to my incredible husband. It has been a Griswald-esk week at our house where if it could go wrong, it has. And to add to that with my surgery and recovery...I have been little help. I know I speak for us both when I say we are ready for 2012.

Back Home

 My surgery went well yesterday and after an overnight stay, I was released this morning and now resting comfortably at home.  My extremely thoughtful husband took today off again as well to take care of me and make sure that I am taking it easy. :)  I am also enjoying the beautiful flowers from Chad and my sister Amy. 

Only 4 days until Christmas!  The boys are very excited as today is both of their last days at school/preschool before the holiday break begins.  It will be a low key holiday for us with no traveling as I recover but I'm sure we will have plenty of excitement as the boys eagerly await Santa's visit!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I go in for some minor surgery that isn't running related.....but it will keep me from running for 3 to 4 weeks.  I am still planning to run the OKC Half Marathon on April 29th, but training will have to wait until late January.  There is never a good time in life to have a surgical procedure, but I am definitely ready to have this behind me and to feel better.

This past weekend we had our first Christmas celebration in Hildreth, NE with the Bunger's.  We had another great weekend and as you can see, starting Christmas early was well received!

Union Station

If you have never had the chance to visit Union Station in Kansas City, we highly recommend you do! We took Mitchell here a few months ago after one of our many post-op appointments and knew we would have to be back with Collin after our first visit.

Our second visit was just as exciting as our first.  Collin really loves trains right now so this place was right up his alley!  And all the holiday decorations, music and atmosphere made for a wonderful mid morning outing after Mitchell's 3 month post-op appointment at Children's Mercy.

Collin could have stayed in the model train room all day!  He told us several times that "he wanted to look at trains alone, please."  I guess he didn't want anyone to bother or distract him so he could take in every possible thing?

Does Collin look slightly naughty in this picture to you?  If he doesn't, he should!  During the ride, this little stinker kept waiting until he was around the corner where we couldn't see him and moving up and over into the next seat.  I think he about gave the volunteer running the ride a heart attack.  Oh, the limit testing......

What do you do when you have been released for normal activities and no longer have to wear a protective helmet?  You ride the Sky Bike and Science City, of course!  Don't worry Grandma....there's a net!

Dr. Singhal was very pleased with Mitchell's progress and we do not have to go back to Children's Mercy until September 2012. He is able to start swimming lessons again in January but still cannot dive off the diving board or jump of the high dive. He was also cleared for basketball in January and can also do soccer and t-ball again this summer. We are taking cupcakes to his class tomorrow to celebrate. I'm sure he is ready to hit that playground again at full speed and will know doubt be ready to be an active participant in a friendly round of dodge ball again very soon.

Sidelined

We made our second batch of sugar cookies this weekend.  We will now start a busy week.....I have one last week of school starting Monday and our 3 month post-op appointment for Mitchell in KC on Wednesday.   Then we head to Hildreth for our first Christmas of the season with the Bunger's on Friday.

I have had a huge cold that has kept me from running for a week. I am finally feeling better with the help of antibiotics. I will try to find some time to run a few times during this hectic week. After December 20th, I will be sidelined from running for 3 to 4 weeks after some minor surgery. I hope to be training for the OKC Half Marathon by the end of January. This will be the longest stretch of time I will have to take off from running in almost 2 years so I hope I will be able to recover from surgery with no issues and return quickly to my training schedule.