Marathon Weekend...Literally

This picture was just too fabulous to put in order!
So my lovely sister Jill, bro-in-law Kevin and my beautiful nieces Jane and Alice came to visit us this weekend so that Kevin could run in the Akron Marathon on Saturday.

Friday morning Jane joined Morgan at this Little Gym class then we headed out to Smuckers to visit the store and have lunch with Cody.

Jane just loves playing with Pepper. She even named her baby doll Pepper.

Friday after naps we went to downtown Akron for Kevin so get all his race stuff. I've never been a part of a race before so I had no idea all the hoopla that goes along with it.

The free stuff was tons of fun.

Saturday morning Jill and Kevin left super early to beat traffic and get Kevin to the race on time. Later Cody and I brought the kids down for a Fun Run and to cheer Kevin on.

Morgan was super excited about the race, being with his cousins and his new t-shirt. However, he is never excited these days about getting his picture taken. Maybe he'll take after me and be a more behind-the-scenes kind of person.

Waiting for our turn at the starting line.

We were with the hardcore racers as you can tell.

Here are some videos of the kids running and crossing the finish line. Alice was a bit distracted by the leaves on the ground but with the help of her mommy finally made it.

After the kids race there was a kids band Zobapago playing. Morgan was in heaven and was glued to them until they stopped playing. The whole day was a bit rainy and overcast so we had no problem hanging out in front of the band but felt kind of bad that we were pretty much the only audience. At least we were enthusiastic.

Except for Alice who found the whole thing pretty tiring.

After the concert Morgan tried out his first bouncy castle and was quite pleased.

He jumped the queue and tried out the obstacle course before he was escorted off.

Patiently waiting for Uncle Kevin on the mile 26 marker.

Despite the weather we had a great time cheering everyone on. I'm not a runner or an athlete by any stretch of the imagination but I did find the whole thing quite inspiring and unbelievable that people can actually achieve something of that magnitude.

Congratulations to Kevin on finishing his first marathon and still having the energy to enjoy his victory!

It was a very fun, long and tiring morning for all involved so everyone pretty much crashed when we got home.

A little sore but still smiling.

Morgan loved having his cousins there to play with him and we loved having the whole Terry family there to keep us company. On the run Kevin noticed a huge mansion near our area of town called the Stan Hywet Hall, which was the home of the co-founder of Goodyear Tires. So after naps we headed over to check it out. We were too late to visit the mansion but they kindly let us walk around the grounds for free. I stupidly forgot my camera but it was gorgeous and we cannot wait to go back and explore some more. Thank you Kevin for taking time to sightsee while running 26.2 miles!

Congratulations Kevin!

Sunday afternoon it was such a beautiful day we decided to head over to the park for a nice walk and a little outdoor play.

Pepper has finally reach the stage in life where she gets to play at the playground as well. She's regulated to the swings for now but seems thrilled with this new advancement in her life.

Pepper can't get quite as high as her brother but had a great time watching him go.

Just some random shots from Morgan's daily life. It seems that no matter what he's doing a musical instrument somehow gets involved.

A little breakfast with piano accompianment.

Nothing like a good broom guitar playing with scooter helmet to complete an afternoon.

We miss you Terrys! Come back again soon!

Five Glorious Years!

Last Friday the 18th Cody and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.

Cody had the fabulous idea for us to take a night off and go play like twenty year olds!
So we left the kids in very capable hands and here we are at Cedar Point getting ready to remind ourselves that we are not teenagers anymore on some crazy, crazy roller coasters.
They just started their Halloween nights in case you were wondering about the decorations. We thought Morgan would appreciate the rock band.

They have this one ride called the Dragster that literally almost made me cry. It shoots you straight out going 120 miles an hour than goes straight up in the air 420 ft (100 ft taller than the Statue of Liberty) goes over a hump and straight back down. It was the most awful experience ever but I'm kind of glad I can say I did it at least once.

We stayed the night in Sandusky and headed back home after breakfast. It was the perfect way to spend our anniversary. We came back refreshed and ready to start on year number 6.

Happy 5 wonderful, glorious years Cody!

(Oh and nice bat wings!)

I just love having a baby girl!

Just Hanging About

In case you were missing some random shots of our everyday lives:Pepper sporting a very cute dress.

She's already got that "Oh, Mom get off me!" look down pretty good.

I just loved this dress and bloomers. Thanks Minde for having great taste!

I thought this outfit was so cute but by the time Pepper grew into it the weather was too warm. Luckily the weather has begun to turn into fall and Pepper still fits into 3 mos clothes at 5 mos. That never would have happened with Morgan!

I was trying to get her to smile and this is her pity smile.

It sure made me smile!

Relaxing with Daddy, or at least Daddy is trying to relax...I'm sure Morgan is not helping.

Morgan got up on the ottoman to put on a show for us.

He's really starting to become quite the singer, choosing to make up most of his songs rather than sing regular ones. Though every once in awhile we'll catch an XYZ or crocodile "Snap" in there.

We went to Babies-R-Us last Sat. and I found this guitar Halloween costume.

Sadly they didn't have Morgan's size but how fantastic would that be. He could play himself!

Playing with the displays.

I bought this hat for Morgan at the beginning of the summer and this Monday I finally got him to wear it for one walk around our complex. At least I captured the moment on film.

So Morgan's new obsession in musical instruments is a violin. He tells me everyday that he needs a violin and that he wants to add it to his Christmas list. I told him I would work on getting him one and have already enlisted my mom to help me find one or a suitable substitute. In the meantime, completely on his own, Morgan found a temporary violin.

This kid amazes me everyday!

This is the face I get when trying to take his picture.

Yesterday he brought me his book of colors and proceeded to name the color than name all the letters in the word and point out all the pictures on the page by name. I was astounded.

Morgan cannot wait for story time with Daddy every night before bed and begs me to read him books all day long. If I cannot help him he starts reading or reciting the book out loud to himself. This makes me endlessly happy.

On Saturday afternoon we were the only crazies swimming in our very cold pool.

But luckily the kids don't seem to mind one bit.

Yesterday I tried out a new bread recipe.

It's called a seeded wheat bread and was quite delicious.

Didn't look half bad either!

So that was our past week. Now you know!

Photo Shoot at the Zoo Garden

So I'm pretty sure I want our friend Laura to follow my kids around all the time and take beautiful pictures of them. Last week she did just that when we went to the Akron Zoo together.

It's good to have talented friends! Morgan did not make an easy target to shoot.

He liked to run about and always turn away and close his eyes just at the last second.

However, sitting on this stone frog he was too excited not to share it.

I love my little ones!

I thought Mesha would appreciate my ring being in the picture.

I love Morgan's smile but it is nice to see his pretty eyes in this shot.
Pepper is already leaning on her big brother for support.

My pretty little Pepper.

(I'm really enjoying how nice and round Pepper's bald head is. If anyone remembers Morgan at this age, that was not the case!)

Such a cutie and so mischevious!

Tons of thanks to Laura for the beautiful pictures.

I've never taken my kids to a regular photo place for professional pictures and with results like these I may never have to!