Pumpkin Patching in Nebraska

I got to go back to Nebraska a couple of weeks ago like I talked about in my Thin Mint Cookie Pie post! I feel like we go back a lot..maybe a lot more than most people who live away from home do. I think both Dave and I miss our family a whole lot and can’t wait to move back.

Not that Minnesota is awful, I’ve actually made a handful of friends that I will definitely miss when we go back. And seriously we will need to live near a lake so I can run around it because that is the best.

Side note: Dave’s family is actually visiting us this weekend for the first time, so I need to hurry up with this post and CLEAN!! I wanted to share a little recap to a. show you all my yummy eats, b. show you some Valas Pumpkin Patch (and cute nephew) pictures and lastly c. brag about my run. 🙂 Thankfully I already started the post earlier this week. I know..I’m shocked that I planned ahead too.

Friday

First of all, we have to discuss breakfast.

Peanut butter + nutella + oatmeal bread = pure amazingness.

Couple that with some amazing Pumpkin Spice K cups and you have the perfect formula for 6-7 hours of driving. 😉

 

I may have even thrown the remaining coffee (I’m a slow drinker..) into a Pumpkin Spice Latte Protein Smoothie.

Anyhow, we made it back to Nebraska Friday night and got to have dinner with Dave’s parents.

Bacon wrapped around steak…I cannot tell you how amazing that is. Can you tell I’m from Nebraska??

They had won some steaks (wrapped in bacon!) from a raffle of some sort and were so kind to share with us. Then I got to hang out with sister Rachel watching Hunger Games (and tweeting and watching funny videos on Vine..my 14 year old sister has Twitter and Vine!).

Saturday

I got to sleep in and then have a nice leisurely breakfast while watching Food Network. Seriously, that is my ideal morning. I debated going for my long run (longest training run of the week..if you aren’t down with training lingo) all day, but then it was time to close the laptop and shower for Valas Pumpkin Patch.

Valas Pumpkin Patch

You haven’t been to a pumpkin patch until you’ve been to Valas. This pumpkin patch gets bigger every year. This year’s addition was in the form of the “Pie Barn.” It was this adorable barn with exposed wooden beams galore.

My sister Courtney and I split a turkey sandwich and an unpictured brownie. I also decided to devour a cup of delicious chicken noodle soup. It was perfect for the chilly weather.

It was so fun taking my nephew and exploring the “haunted houses” with my sisters. For those of you who have ever been to Vala’s, they added a basement part to the “adult” haunted house. Pretty sweet. 😉

[Tweet “Check out all of Amanda’s semi-healthy Nebraska eats! #pumpkin #Nebraska #fall”]

After the pumpkin patch I did a quick change into my awesome zebra costume (that I’m wearing for my race tomorrow!) to hang out with some friends at a Halloween party.

Sunday

Even though I wasn’t feeling super awesome, I attempted my 8 mile long run in preparation for my 10 mile Monster Dash race (this weekend!!! eek!!). There was much nose blowing and walking, but I made it 7 miles!

[ Little update on the sick Amanda…I had cold symptoms for about a month (so miserable and snotty and tired) and they were getting worse, so I decided to go to the doctor. Turns out I had a nice big sinus infection so I’ve been on antibiotics the past 5 days and am feeling SO much better! ]

I followed up the run by refueling with some Core Power, PB+J and does anyone else know what the delightful things on the side are?

Twisted chili Fritos!! I used to eat these all the time at the Daddio’s house and I always get excited if he has them while I’m visiting.

I’m already missing Nebraska, but it looks like both Dave and I will be able to head back for Thanksgiving!! Which is good because I haven’t seen my little brother who lives in KC since freaking May. 

 

Wish me luck on my 10 mile Monster Dash tomorrow! Hopefully my costume will give me extra powers. 😉

Tell me….

Have you ever been to Nebraska? What was your first impression?

Do you go to a pumpkin patch every year? Which one?

If you live in the Omaha, NE area..have you been to Valas recently? 

 

PS I’m all about Pinterest this year, so I would LOVE IT if you could pin one (or two!) of these images!

Pin with me!

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Marvelous in my Monday with Katie at Healthy Diva Life

Treat Yourself Tuesday with Becky at Olives n Wine 

What I Ate Wednesdays with Jenn at Peas and Crayons

(All of the lovely link-ups I participate in here.)

 

Disclaimer: there are affiliate links in this post because…you must try both twisted Fritos and Core Power! As always I appreciate the support and I will only get a kick-back if you purchase a product, at no extra cost to you but with the benefit of supporting this blog!