My Marathon!!

I completed my first Marathon in November in Savannah. It was an Inaugural Rock n' Roll marathon. I started training in July with two friends I had met through a class at the Y. There is no way I could of done this alone and am so thankful for these girls and their encouragement and support over all the months we trained. We started in the heat of the summer, and I remember on my 14 mile run (which was the farthest I had ever run at that point) thinking there is no way I'm going to be able to do this. However, the training paid off. My goal was to make it under 4 hours, and I did 3 hrs 52 minutes so I was happy. I was so nervous before the race. I had been sick a week prior and then Camden threw up on me the day before we left so I just wanted to feel good. I felt amazing through mile 20, at that point I couldn't imagine hitting the wall. I even said to Sarah, I think I'm going to take it up at mile 21. And THEN I hit my wall. I had hit walls running in half's but nothing compared to this. We hit the highway at this point, uphill, and against 15-20 mph winds with no spectators. I think it was the hardest thing I've ever done. The next three miles were mental. Once we hit 24 and were off the highway it got a little better for the final two miles.

Erin, Me, and Sarah...I think this was at mile 8 or 12?

My parents were amazing and caught us four times during the race. My mom made this sign from the kids crafts supplies, too cute!

Sarah, Me, Kristin, and Aml...I had a girls weekend with my friends who did the half. We celebrated with a yummy meal out that night! Laurie is missing from picture, I will try to post one later from dinner. These girls did amazing in the half!

My cousins did the half too so it was really fun to have family there as my aunt and uncle came down too. Me, Alexis, Rebecca, and Jordan

Sarah, Erin, and Me

Fall

These too have become close this year, they 'battle' together and their favorite is to play 'doggie' together when Holt chases Camden like he is a dog and she squeals. Whenever I have Camden in the car alone she calls for Holt the whole time.

I had got the winter clothes out on this day and they both wanted to try on their mittens and hats.

This is how I would describe Camden, she LOVES her princess dress up clothes but also tries to shoot her brothers down with their star wars guns.

This was our first Thanksgiving with just the five of us. Jason had surgery the week before so we couldn't go to the beach so we had fun family weekend. Aunt Patricia I hope you notice the hats, I did this from your suggestion. The meal was pleasant for oh..about 5 minutes, one cried the whole time that the food was gross, Camden was up from the meal in about 3 minutes and ate nothing, and the 3rd complained about how he didn't like it. But this is our reality and we are thankful these blessings and the noise, even if it isn't always as we would have it.

For my memory sake..on the fall-

Pierce played flag football and enjoyed it for the most part, he really loves to just be outside in the cul-de-sac, I think if he could earn trophies for that he would never want to do a sport.

Camden and I have done a parent/child gymnastics class at the y all semester. She loves it! She wants to walk on the highest beam, do flips on the rings, swing on the rope and jump in the pit. She also loves the jump up and down song at the end. But her favorite part is the stamp at the end. If only I knew I could of saved the money on the class and bought a stamp and stamp pad :)

Pierce and Holt did Tae Kwon Do for a couple months, but also decided they would rather play with their friends outside then have a week day commitment. They were adorable, especially Holt with his eyes open wide watching the big kids at class. They did enjoy it when they were there. The instructor was great, a great combination of fun, structure, and respect. Maybe they will be interested down the road.

Pierce's Birthday

Pierce turned 7! He had school off the day after his bday and we had his laser tag party. The boys all loved it!

Pierce and William, these two have been buddies since they were born. Laurie and I started having 'playdates' when they were only days old.

We love this boy. He is super silly (as he is entertaining his friends at his party), Mr. social, a leader, loves to learn, an amazing lego builder, creative, bright, a great brother, and has a great heart. He loves to dance (shake his hips), watch Wild Crats and Inspector Gadget, play Mario, build legos, talk silly, play tag, and be outside with his neighborhood buddies.

This is how the party ended, 10 wild boys wrestling, his other favorite thing to do. Holt is right in the middle with a bunch of 7 year olds.

October

This is my climber. Holt will climb anything. Walls as seen is this picture, trees, furniture, people, fences..you name it. We keep saying we need to take him to a rock climbing wall, but for now he just climbs our walls.

Halloween. A picture with our neighbors Gabe and Piper. Camden loves playing 'big' girls lately. They entertain her and keep her happy much better than me most days.

Can you tell everyone is screaming!

Camden giving Charis love. It has been so fun watching these two grow up. Camden talks about Charis all the time. And Charis..well her favorites at our house are Holt and Putter, but she tolerates Camden who sometimes thinks she is much older than Charis. I keep trying to get Charis to give her lessons on good eating, sleeping, and behavior :) I love that God gave both of us girls at the same time and we get to watch their friendship grow as they grow up.

Amy, Adam, and Charis came trick or treating with us this year. The boys took off with my dad to get as much candy as possible and I got to take Camden with the Patwas. It was a fun night!

Past month

We've had a couple cool nights to roast marshmallows on the fire pit. We have one pyro on our hands who enjoys throwing things in the fire as much as the smores.

Camden loves her dress up outfits. She constantly takes off her clothes to have us put on a princess dress as she calls them. Its been fun watching her become such a little girl.

Jason took the boys to launch rockets, not sure who enjoys it more, him or the boys.

The picture to the right and below (have no idea why the pictures are placed this way on blog) are of the zip line that Pierce and Holt created in the front yard. After going on zip line at a friends house they were determined to have one. They tied rope between two trees and then Holt was harnessed by a piece of yarn that they were determined was going to hold him.

So we decided to build a real zip line in the back yard. Thanks to Pop Pop and many hours of work it was up and running. I will try to post a video of them on it when I have time. Look at my 'safe' boy with knee pads and elbow pads.

10 Years

We celebrated our 10 year anniversary August 11th! Crazy to think we have been married 10 years, met 15 years ago, and now have three children. We are blessed and I am thankful beyond words for a man who loves me so well and is the most incredible dad to our children.

We went to Wilmington for the night of our anniversary and had an amazing meal and great time being away for the night. My parents took all three to the beach so we also got a quiet car ride down together which was such a treat as well! We are doing our big trip in a couple months and counting the days.

August

It rained really hard one day and the boys were stuck inside for a couple hours. As soon as the downpour stopped they got the idea to go get all the water out of the street. They filled up bucket after bucket. Check out Pierce's shorts, I think I rolled them up a bit too high.

Holt's first time on the paddle board.

Camden trying the paddle board, yes in her under ware and life jacket. She had just got up from a nap and couldn't wait to get her bathing suit on. She loved it!

Pierce and Holt took the kayak out in the canal. The next picture isn't very clear but they then decided to tie a tube to the back of the kayak and Pierce was 'trying' to pull Holt behind him. Love their creativity!

The beautiful woman walking down the ramp is my Aunt Patricia who takes vacation every summer to come spend a few nights with us. I think in her hands is a platter with food and drinks she was bringing down the dock. She had just finished working tirelessly in the kitchen to make us all dinner after babysitting Camden all day so I could lay on the beach. She is completed by her husband, a.k.a Uncle Bill ,who is along with Jason is sponsored by Hurley. In all seriousness our summers and Christmas' would not be the same without the time we get to spend with you guys, thanks for making the trip!

I think there favorite thing to do on the paddle board was to try pull their cousin Bill off or to continue to jump off and make him pull them back on.

Love us some Rachel.

I love this picture, Mom Mom playing uno with Camden, I wish I heard the rules for this game.
Camden eating one of Mom Mom's yummy pazelles!

Yes this is my grandmother who decided to try out Pierce's bike. I'm sure I was blamed for this idea but this was all on her own. She really is pretty amazing, she went crabbing with us (only a minor fall), on the beach (a pretend fall- I got in trouble for this one), and on the boat to see goat island.
I wonder what could have them in this trance...

Other fun summer memories...

knock knock jokes, our garden only producing 3 peppers and 2 cukes as the kids call them, Italian ice at the Friday night concerts at oib, playing tennis and baseball in street at beach, always playing together nicely right at bed time, all having to poop at the same time, getting to pick out lunchables one day (you would of thought I gave them $100 to spend at the toy store, it made their day!).