Beth's 34th Birthday and Conference Sunday

The weekend before my birthday was conference weekend. It was so nice to be able to spend all that extra time together. On Friday night, my dear friend, Becky Smedley, came to spend the night. Jerry, her husband, was in town working, and they were going to have a belated anniversary weekend together. We spent all Friday and into the wee morning hours talking and then spent Saturday morning hanging out and taking Morgan to soccer. Jerry met us there while Cody and Pepper cleaned the chapel and ran errands. Afterwards, Becky, Jerry, Cody and I went out to a super yummy lunch at The Rail before the Smedleys headed off for Cedar Point. I tell you all this because I do not have ONE SINGLE picture of our time together!!!! I was so mad at myself when I realized this later on Saturday. Anywhoo, it was so, so fun to see our friends and hopefully it won't be that long before we see each other again.

On Sunday, we decided to celebrate my birthday because Tuesday was going to be a busy day for Cody with work and a high council meeting that night. Also, I'm pretty sure the kids could not last one more day trying to keep me presents a secret. It was more than Pepper could handle! 

Hymns Made Easy piano book for me to practice with from Cody's parents.

Everyone wanted to help me unwrap.

I have been wanting a new waffle maker since we got married and Cody registered us for a Belgian waffle maker. Thick waffles are not my favorite and the kids don't like them either. Here's hoping we can all enjoy waffle dinners as a family now! And since they're heart shaped, we might even get Pepper to eat them! 

Pepper picked out a new charm for my Pandora bracelet. It was a rose with a pink stone. She was very, very excited.

Before conference we spent a lot of time trying to organize our downstairs closet and bookshelves. We policed up all our craft supplies and put them in one big box. It really helped keep the older kids entertained during conference once Hazel went down for her nap and wasn't around to mess everything up. 

Pepper did not want her picture taken.
Personally, one of my favorite pictures of her. This is a great visual of her personality!

Snuggle time with Morgan captured by Pepper.

After Hazel's nap and before dinner, we decided we needed to get out of the house and recorded the second session to watch later. We headed out to the Nature Realm because it was a beautiful day. So glad for local government parks that the federal government couldn't shut down!!

Running to find his favorite grove of trees.

Collecting leaves and eating popcorn. A perfect fall afternoon.

We found a beaver swimming in the marshy area on the other side of the bridge. Pretty cool to watch.

Pepper set up this shot and requested I take it.
I'm glad I did.

Beautiful sky!

On Tuesday the 8th, I turned 34. I celebrated by having a doctor's appointment, running errands and having Cody gone that evening. I stopped by Bekah's house that morning to hang out before heading to my appointment. She wanted to know what I was doing to celebrate and I told her nothing because we had already celebrated on Sunday. Later that day, Bekah texted me to bring the kids over at 5 and Gary was going to feed everyone dinner, that's all EIGHT kids, by himself, while Bekah and I went out to dinner and dessert. Just not having to feed my kids dinner was the best present they could have given me but it was also great to spend some alone time with one of my favorite people! Bekah and I had a delicious dinner at Panera and then got some frozen yogurt at Sweetfrog. I got to spend two blissful hours hanging out with my friend and relaxing. Happy Birthday to me!!! I didn't even mind taking my 3 crazy kids home and getting them all bathed and in bed by myself. I think we actually managed to do it with no yelling, another bonus! Well, that's how I turned 34 this year and it was just perfect. I write this on the next Sunday night while Cody is busy in the kitchen making me fried chicken and waffles on my new waffle maker. I am a very blessed person and I am so grateful to be another year older with my beautiful family!

Apple Picking at Bauman Orchards

On Thursday morning, Oct. 3rd, Hazel and I joined our church playgroup to go apple picking at Bauman Orchards. We have gone there every year and always enjoy ourselves. We were a little concerned that it might rain but it turned out to be a warm, sunny, perfect apple picking day. 

Hazel tried so hard to get this apple off the tree but just wasn't strong enough. After that, she just worked on eating it and left the picking to me. 

Jen Lloyd with baby Grant and big sister helper, Ava. Kate Tolman and her girls in the background.

Heidi Jones and Miles join the group. 

Kortnie Haslam and her little guy, Christian trying to get some good ones.

Always more fun with friends!

My helper saying, "cheese."

A very nice, older gentleman who worked at the orchard came over and told our little group where a couple honeycrisp trees were that still had some apples. Total score for us because they didn't cost any extra!

Checking out the animals in the barn. I could not separate Hazel from that apple! She even dropped it in the dirt and I had to wrestle it out of her dirty hands to rinse it off before she kept eating it. 

The new miniature donkey was a huge hit.

Trying to get apple girl to take a picture.

Oh well, close enough.

Hazel wasn't too sure about the hay bale maze but walked through it with me. 

Then back to eating that super yummy apple.

Found this little leaf in Kourtnie's driveway. Made my day a little brighter.

I'm so excited that all the fall fun has officially begun. Pumpkin patch here we come!

Firefighters Visit Woodland Preschool

On Wednesday morning, Oct. 2, the local fire department visited Woodland Preschool. I was there already for a parent association meeting and the firetruck ended up blocking my van so I was there a lot longer than I had originally planned. Morgan was also there that day because his school was closed and he wanted to visit Ms. Susan and help out in her class. She was very happy to have Morgan visit and told me that she tells "Morgan stories" all the time. I guess crazy is memorable, haha! 

I also had Emma Griesmyer and Hazel with me, so it was a full house morning. The firefighters were very nice and had lots of great tips. 

The firefighters had everyone's attention.

Getting ready to fire off the hose. They said their truck hold over 500 gallons and most of the time they can put out a fire without hooking up to the hydrants.

The firefighters were even patient while we tried to move the kids around so we could see everyone. 

Ms. Susan and Miss Bobbie's preschool class plus two older brothers. 

Akron Marathon Kids Fun Run 2013

The Akron Marathon Kids Fun Run was on Saturday, September 28th. We headed out early and met up with the Griesmyers and Smiths. While we were waiting for the race to start lots more friends from church and momsclub joined us and we had quite a group going.

Watching the pre-race festivities. 

Rykker and Brigham joined us, too.

Hazel kept holding Gary's fingers and Eli was trying to get her to hold his hand as well.

Bekah and Lesli taking it easy before the race.

To keep the kids from going stir crazy, Cody had them run back and forth from a lamp post.
Race them before the race. Well done, Cody.

Pepper fell on one of the lamp post races so she needed a little extra love.
Thought the chimney stacks made for a cool shot.

When in doubt hand slapping game.

Morgan got a hold of the camera.

At least it kept them entertained for awhile.

Finally, getting ready to race after waiting a VERY long time!

Starting line.

And their off!

Lesli and Lafe going strong.

Scott and Leo from Momsclub.

I managed to run most of it and catch up with Cody to give him the camera. 

Look at that air!

Nearing the finish line.

Such a trooper!

Bekah pulling in with Eli and the girls. Crazy lady even tried to run for awhile! Can't slow this pregnant lady down!

After we finished the race and got our goodie bags, we had to race back across town to get Morgan to his soccer practice. Not an easy feat considering all the roads blocked off downtown but we managed to make it and get him there in time for the team photo.

Hazel kept stealing soccer balls and running on the field. This little lady keeps us on our toes! Cody even had to fish her out of the goal at one point.

Saying "cheese."

Cody's killer outfit was my favorite part of the whole day!!!!

This was our 5th year running the Fun Run. I love this family tradition and look forward to many more to come!!!