We're back up north with a bit of a tan, a few more freckles and three big smiles.  We had such a fun week in the sun and most importantly, one magical day at Disney World.  Here are a few highlights.

Nana, Jahred and Axel pose in front of the castle.  This little man has no idea what's coming!

First things first, a very serious "Buzz Lightyear" space ride.  Axel took to the laser shooter quite naturally, helping defeat evil in the galaxy.

He loved meeting the characters!  If I had known this would be his highlight, I would have been more prepared with an autograph book.  Silly mommy, I thought he would be all about the rides?!

Front row, curb-side for the parade, we finally tracked down a pair of ears and Axel was all smiles (and squints).

This was his most favorite part of the day.  Randomly-squirting Tiki Towers held his attention for the better part of the afternoon.  With extra clothes in tow, we let him get SOAKED!  He was in heaven!

Two days later, still in Florida, my non-traditional Axel took a non-traditional Birthday Photo.  Since he captured his own portrait on his first day of school, he thought he should do the same for his 4th Birthday ("My actual Birthday." - as he told everyone he could that night.)  Instead of posing for a candid shot himself, he took this of us, from the comfort of his stroller.  As you can see, we had to adjust to where his lens was pointing to avoid a belly-botton shot, but all-in-all his photography is improving.

A pair of old-faithful Smartwools met the fall air this past weekend.  I was lucky enough to ride middle on one very "boyish" canoe trip as the temperatures dropped to sweatshirt-friendly.

Tyler, Jahred, Axel, Oscar and I paddled around Bluff Lake as the leaves turned before our eyes.  Still quite green in this particular part of Wisconsin, we were treated to changing leaves along every part of the two-hour drive.

We had a beautiful time, burned plenty of fallen limbs, cooked a few square meals, and left our cell-phones in the car.

Do you know what I love about sock season?  Everything.

Pictured below are a few abstract photos of the indoor hobbies I plan for when my socks need to hybernate.  Some hobbies are new, some revisited, perhaps I'll talk more about them in the months ahead.

WARNING:  Minnesota winter on the horizon.  Get your feet aired out while you can!

Cheers.

It's not just any day that your brother becomes an Ironman.  As he crossed the finish line just before sundown yesterday, after 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking and 26.2 miles of running, the world may now recognize him with the elite class of athletes called Ironmen. 

I however knew he was an Ironman long before...like the day we brought him home from the hospital...18 years ago...and took embarrassing of pictures of him in a Christmas stocking.  He absolutely took that like a man, and has everything to this day. 

Here are a few clips of what's "all in a days work" for Tyler.  He was smiling through every inch of the 140.6 miles, was the youngest male finisher overall, and can brag about his incredible time of just over 12 hours.

Checking the course, the night before.

Sunrise over a mass-swim start.  Three thousand racers take to the 2.4 mile course.  Did they get to push off?  No.  They started in the middle of the lake, only after treading water for up to a half-hour.

Just before mile 100 on the bike.  No signs of fatigue.

Half-marathon mark on the run.  Still a thumbs up.

Jombo-tron finish.  Unbelievable.

Time to replace a few calories.

The gorgeous Menona Terrace at night, under a clear sky and a bright moon.  Thank you Madison for hosting such a spectacular event.

Wisconsin's capital in lights, as some of the last finishers victoriously take the finish line.

I snuck away this weekend to a little place called the Black Hills.

Having missed some of the beautiful sights on my first trip here (due to an unfortunate incident with a spider, allergic reaction and steroids to follow) I was anxious to view both national monuments and protected forests through the un-swollen eyes of an adult.

View we did.  Nana, Mom and I set out just Friday morning and returned this evening.  We made fast work of tourist traps, boutiques and one gorgeous benefit dinner for the Boys and Girls Club.

Andy, my brother, recently moved to Hill City, South Dakota to take the reigns as Program Director for the BGC.  We received an invitation to participate in their annual benefit at no other room than the Presidents Dining Room overlooking the 4 faces themselves.

Check this out!

Along for the ride was Nana's very special Birthday Cake (actually a floral arrangement).  We celebrated her monumental birthday (I never reveal a girls age) while she traveled to the Mt. Rushmore Monument for the first time!

Found these cute guys in Custer, an area filled with talented local artists...

...found this cute guy wandering around Custer State Park.  (Just kidding, this is Andy.)

I just love this picture.  It's a completely raw/unedited image.  The Buffalo and their habitat are simply amazing.  I was told a herd of 1500 roam Custer State Park.

Buffalo foot print next to our tire tracks.  We were lucky to have an up-close, gravel-road-meets-herd experience!

Care to see what the view from my dinner chair was?

What a great cause to drive 650 miles for.

It does look better through my grown-up lenses.  Spectacular.

My challenge for you all this spring...go rural!  You could be seriously missing out by sticking to city sidewalks!