wings & waves

Michael's sister and family are in Florida this week visiting Matthew in Daytona. This past weekend was the big airshow so we went down to spend time with the crew. We booked a room at the Hilton which was center stage for everything that was going on with the show. It was a mad house. Cars and people everywhere. While we waited in the valet line Morgan had a sandwich and Addison guarded the luggage.

The show had just started when we got to our room on the 8th floor. The girls thought it was great to see the planes so close.

After we settled in we walked up the beach four blocks to meet up with everyone at their hotel. The girls loved the planes except for the time when the jets snuck up on us and Morgan's heart was about to beat out of her chest.

Matthew with Angela and Scott.

The earplugs did help a little.

The weather on Saturday was perfect. The girls swam in the pool and played in the ocean with their cousins. I'm pretty sure it will probably be their last water excursion this summer.

That night we went to dinner with the entire crew. The restaurant was right on the intracoastal and it was so nice outside. It felt and smelled like fall.

 After dinner we headed back to the hotel and we could see the ferris wheel lit up from the car. It was a very short walk from the hotel so we decided to go for a ride. I think this was the first time the girls had been on one.

On Sunday we did it all over again. This time the right side of me was a little burnt and it felt 10 degrees hotter. I spend most of the day like this. 

It was fun to go away for a night and spend time with family. A mini vacation not too far away.

pumpkin patch

I hope you're in for an overload of cuteness. I went to the pumpkin patch with Morgan and her class and she was super excited. There were pumpkins and big spiders everywhere. She smiled the whole time we were there. I think she like Halloween just as much as I do.

The hayride was a trailer hooked up to a golf cart. The guy driving that thing was flying around the church grounds. I could hear the kids screaming for him to go faster, but I'm not sure that was possible.

They had this big pumpkin set up that was supposed to be Cinderella's carriage. Morgan could barely look through the little window and when she did she saw water right under her chin. She wasn't too happy about that.

But she did like riding the mice that were leading the carriage.

At the craft table they got to decorate a bag to take home their planted pumpkin seeds and small pumpkin they picked out.

I asked Morgan if we could take a couple of pictures with the pumpkins. She would go from pumpkin to pumpkin and just smile. I didn't have to ask her once to look at me. And the crossed legs and arms in this one picture was totally her doing.

I was able to stay for storytime and then I had to go. 

This was a fun little patch. They had all kinds of things for the kids to do and they were truly entertained. I want to take both of the girls back and get some pictures in something other than the school field trip shirt. 

corn maze

Last weekend we arranged for a few of Addison's VPK friends to go to the corn maze together. It was great for her to spend some time with them since they haven't seen each other since school has started. We hopped in the car and headed toward the maze which I thought was only 30 minutes away. Totally wrong. It was an hour and 15 minutes at least before we arrived out in the middle of nowhere. The farm was full of all sorts of animals. I liked all of the chickens just running around. Addison decided to ride a horse. And Morgan was freaked out by everything.

A nice rain the night before left puddles six inches deep all over the property. Everyone was filthy by the time we left. Addison slipped and fell at least twice. Their feet were soaked, but I'm glad they had tennis shoes on. Those of us that wore flip flops got ate up by the ants.

Still freaked out, Morgan would not get in the big pool of corn. I took her place though and let the kids bury me in corn. 

On the hayride we stopped to feed the cows. They knew the drill and were not one ounce afraid of people. Addison's cows got a good snack since she feed them about 8 times. 

Don't I wish we had one of these at homes. It would make time out much more significant. (Don't call DCF. I'm kidding.)

Morgan had a blast in the maze. She crossed the bridges all by herself and just ran and ran.

The girls wouldn't leave until they rode the cow train. I offered, but Michael insisted on getting in the cow with Morgan.

I had a great day with these girls.

Addison gets to go again with her class this Friday. Hopefully there won't be as much water on the ground. That will make for a long bus ride home.

arboretum

Do you know what an arboretum is? I really didn't either. Basically it's a place where trees and plants are studied. There was also a lake with fish and turtles and a lot of trails for hiking. And a lady who gave us dog food to feed the fish. Evidently it's better for them than bread. They don't need the carbs either.

The girls love being outside so we decided to make a morning of it. Of course, the girls wore their best dresses for the occasion. Don't all girls hike in dresses?

They picked flowers along the way and threw rocks in the lake. Then it was time for a snack.

One of my friends on Facebook linked to THIS article recently. It basically says that no matter how you look or how you feel, you need to take pictures WITH your children. I'll normally take pictures with the girls, but if I look like a hot mess I'll either delete it or file it away. This was one of those mornings where I felt like a hot mess. I was tired and worn out from a migraine the night before and hadn't taken a shower that morning. I just felt rough. But it doesn't matter, because the girls love me anyway.

Neither one of them would turn around for a picture so I just took it anyway.

Addison took these two pictures. Anything to use my phone.

It was a fun morning making memories with my little family.

happy birthday best friend

"Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them,

but you know they are always there."

"Best friends. It's not a label, it's a promise."

I love you Shannon! Hope you have a fabulous birthday!

happy weekend

Last weekend the girls wanted to have a camp out. I put the Barbie tent up in Morgan's room, loaded it with blankets and pillows and they both climbed in. Before settling down for the night, Addison read Morgan some books.

These girls have been bickering with one another a lot lately and it's starting to make me a little crazy. But then I catch moments like this. They really do love each other.

Downside to a tent camp out? They were both up before 7. At least they entertained themselves for an hour or so.

the cute picture

I just found more race pictures online and had to redeem myself. See, some of them can be cute as long as they are taken at the beginning of the race.

It's funny how pictures at the beginning of the race are so different than ones taken at the end. Michael told me I look so serious. I was serious. Serious about finishing under 30 minutes.

That's all I got until next time.

just another 5k

This past weekend I ran another 5k. I had my timing chip on and I was ready to go.

The course had photographers taking pictures. I found this sweet picture of me about to cross the finish line. I knew I had a good chance at breaking 30 minutes so I was pushing it hard. Note to self: make sure to look pretty when there could be a possible picture.

My friend Jill ran the race with me. She was the one I was supposed to meet up and do the first race with, but I could never find her. We found each other this time. This was after the race.

I felt really good running this race. I had a good week leading up to it and I felt really prepared. The finishing clock and my iPod both said I had made it in under 30 minutes, but nothing was official. I hoped I had reached my goal.

That night I checked the results. I did it! 29:33. I improved my time by 2:18 seconds. 

This running thing is starting to become fun. I like signing up for the races because it keeps me going. I get out and run at home. I go to the gym. I even started throwing some Jillian Michaels videos into the mix. I'm going to shoot for another 5k in about 2 months. Then we'll see if I'm ready to up the mileage.

10 years

My grandfather has been in heaven for 10 years today. It feels just like yesterday that we were eating tootsie rolls and dancing in the dining room. I think about him all the time. I still miss him just as much as I did the day he died. I still tear up when I think about him. I'm sad that he never got to know my girls, but I know that they will meet one day in heaven.