October

October has been a whirlwind.

We started the beginning of the month off with a drive over to Chapel Hill to watch the Heels snag a win over Duke.  It was a lovely day but quite warm for October and we all came home from the game with a bit more sun than we had planned for.

Cross country meets and practices were in full swing.  

Senior sports recognition fell on the same afternoon as one of Keenan's meets.  Since our school was hosting the meet, I helped with course set up, made sure volunteers were lined up, watched the boys start 

and took off over to school.  We had our moment on the field before the Varsity soccer game began, got showered on by a passing bit of rain, then hustled back to Bur Mil to pick up Keenan and help clean up after his meet.

The proofs turned out well (and the runners had just come from practice):

A couple days later I dropped Keenan off at his practice in the rain, and drove across the next county (in an absolute downpour) for Kieran's meet.  After not being allowed to go to just 2 of Kieran's meets last year, Kevin and I were determined not to miss any this year.

Thankfully the rain tapered off and Kieran had a strong run.

The following week Kieran headed off for an overnight Senior class camping trip organized by school.

Hobbes was thrilled with some cooler weather.

We got some proofs from our school photographer.  He came to one meet for each of the boys & took some fantastic photographs.  

Yes, we'll be ordering.

These two are just happy once we're all home in the evening.

And just like "that" Keenan's team wrapped up their season with the Conference Championship meet.

The afternoon was quite warm, and once the clouds burned off it got pretty toasty.

Keenan still ran well and was two minutes faster than his opening meet at the same venue.

Don't let his expression fool you.  He was very happy with his time and loves running on team with one of his favorite buddies.

Hard to believe it's the end of an era.  Final middle school meet.

The cooler weather has been lovely.

The cooler weather got Keenan and I into the kitchen to whip up a batch of these lovelies:

Oatmeal sandwich cookies.  They were delicious.  Keenan did the mixing,  I was in charge of the baking.  It was a great combo.

While we did that, Kieran continued cranking out college applications.  He got on a roll and (oh so wisely) decided to just crank all of them out and be done with them.  Hallelujah.  Now we just sit and wait.

The following week Kieran's team had their Conference Championship meet.

It was another sunny afternoon, but much cooler than the week before.

Kieran had a great run and set a new PR.  He was thrilled.  Most of the entire team ran PR's that afternoon and ended the season on a high note.

This group is great.  They have so much fun together.

I mean look at this:

This wee fella has enjoyed cooler weather and had a trip to our vet for another scan.  

Thankfully no new growth or spread so we're very happy with that.

He's just the sweetest, most unassuming guy.

Last week we wrapped up the month and headed to Wilmington for the State Cross Country meet.

Well, three out of the four Rayfields did.  Keenan was not thrilled with the idea of seven hours in the car since we were not staying for the weekend.  He also had a couple quizzes and opted to stay and go to school.

So Kieran headed out and picked up a couple of teammates, and Kevin and I hit the highway as well.

The girls ran first and they snagged third in the state with two of our ladies in top ten.

Then the guys lined up.

The wind was stiff, but the temperature was nice.  Kieran and his favorite freshman buddy ran almost the entire race together, just as they had most of the season.

Kevin and I waited and watched at the finish line and were shocked to see him hit the finish chute waaaaay  faster than he ever had.  He looked up to see the clock & the line and powered through the last few meters.

And demolished his PR from the week before by thirty seconds.

18:43 and 22nd in the State.

The Senior guys:

The runners comparing notes at end:

And the obligatory team photo:

It was a really solid meet & our school walked away snagging 3rd overall for girls (with 2 in top 10), and 4th overall for boys (with 1 in top ten).

Since Keenan was at home & so were the dogs, Kevin and I left directly from the meet.  Several families from the team were spending the night in Wilmington and Kieran's bud offered to let him stay with them.

So proud of him.  He was thrilled.  What a way to wrap up your cross country career.

His coach has been fantastic and has been coaching him since his 8th grade track season.

Most of the team went on to a team lunch, but Kevin and I hopped back on the highway home.

Really thankful our friends let Kieran crash with them for the night.  When he got home Saturday he said it was a fantastic night.  They played Spikeball on the beach, got in ocean, hit the hotel hot tub & pool, had dinner together, then went to the beach arcade/go kart track.

He's going to miss these guys next year.

Last night the team wrapped up the season at a local ice cream spot.  Coach was so proud of how the team ran at states, and handed out a few awards.

This kiddo earned the Leadership award.  Well earned indeed.

See the flannel shirt?  It belonged to my Dad & Kieran wears it with pride.  He would absolutely have loved watching both the boys run.  I know he would be proud & can just hear him saying "Way to be!"