Pumpkins at the Patch

This is our third year at a Pumpkin Patch (Click on the year to review 2008 and 2009), and it was so fun to introduce Henley to this tradition.

This was the first pumpkin Brody picked up and I really think it's the one he left with. I like his sense of commitment.

Of course, Owen when for the first "puntin" he saw. It was a little too big of a "puntin".

Oh, he temporarily found a tiny pumpkin, maybe for sister?

It was quite a chore to get them both to look through at the same time, as you can imagine. Notice Owen is screaming because his head it "STUCK". Well, it's stuck because he's screaming. Once he closed his mouth his head fit through nicely.

Brothers!

Our little pumpkin!

This is the only picture I have of all three of them. Thanks for the help guys!

Sleepin in the pumpkins

Grammie saved her little girl

Yes, Brody was sure he could move the mums. It occupied him for quite awhile.

Here he is smelling the flowers (yes, he is blowing on the flowers). He doesn't quite have the concept of smelling the flowers down.

hmmmm....

totally pooped!

Big Boy Beds

We finally did it!

Big Boy Beds for the big brothers!

I knew the time was coming for the boys to make their way out of the cribs, but I was hoping to get Henley into her own room before I moved the boys. I had a feeling my time was running out when Brody was crawling out of his crib at least three to four times a night before falling asleep. We would put them to bed as usual and before long we would hear a bump or giggling on the staircase or a door slam. Then back to bed with tears. We knew it was really time when Todd went in to get the boys up for school and Brody was on a self-made bed on the floor. I guess he had the forethought to throw all his pillows and blankets out before he jumped ship. When he got tired, and didn't want to get us, he must have just curled up on the floor and passed out.

They have done so good in their beds. I was so worried I would have two little boys in my room joining in on the midnight feeding with baby sister. Brody doesn't get out (very often) anymore and they hop into bed for nap and night night without complaint. Whew...what a relief.

Owen especially loves this new set up. He is so funny. He calls out each morning "Momma, wake up!". For some reason he won't get out of his bed. He is such a big brother. When Brody was escaping from his crib we could hear Owen "bye-bye Nowen" on the monitor. At least he was giving us a heads-up. When we converted their beds, Owen took his stuffed animals that had always been in his crib and tucked them into a drawer. I guess he felt that he was in a big boy bed and no longer needed his "baby stuff". Yes, I cried. No worries, when Nana made them Buzz and Woody blankets for their new beds, Brody went and got Buzz and Woody out of the drawer and put them back on Owen's bed.
Moral of the Story...Big Boy Beds = SUCCESS!!!!

Momma is 32!!!

That's right I'm 32. Happy Birthday to Me!!! Henley was all dressed up for lunch with the ladies!

Brody enjoyed the cupcakes Grammie brought over.
"Come to me!"

He may not look like me, but he is an icing man just like his Momma!

Brody and Dad can have our cake!

Sweet Owen giving Momma some birthday lovin!

Even Brody was a good sport about taking pictures on his Momma's big day!

Thanks to my family and friends for making it another great birthday!

Marathon Man

Todd and I headed to the windy city...

Chicago was absolutely beautiful. The weather was wonderful and we had a great time
This is the real reason we were in Chicago. The Chicago Marathon! This is the wall outside of Nike Town on Michigan Avenue

It was a list of every registered runner for the marathon

There he is!!!!

We squeezed in some touristy stuff too. This was a boat ride that when through the canals in the city and showed off the beautiful architecture, then we finished with a speed boat ride on the lake. So fun!!!!

We hit the expo to pick up Todd's race packet.

This year's marathon was on October 10, 2010 (10-10-10).

This is such a beautiful city. It was covered with signs for the marathon and there were tons of people there to run. 47,000 people were registered to run. Who knew there were that many crazy people out there!

Todd is so silly!

Recognize that fountain? It's the one from the opening scene of "Married with Children". It was right outside our Hotel, The Blackstone. (I highly recommend this hotel. It was an old hotel restored with modern decor. Plus an amazing restaurant with to-die-for black truffle eggs Benedict.)

I'm not near as creative as Todd in my poses.

Ready to run!!!!!

There's Todd!
This was at mile 13. I spotted him at mile 2, but the crowd was so crazy and the runners were still so bunched up that I didn't get a good pic. I had a great spot at 13 and got there nice and early so I got to see the wheelchair participants and the professional runners. The professionals passed me at mile 13 at 1 hour and 1 minute. Yes, they were running 13 miles per hour!!!

This was mile 17. I ran (ha! I shouldn't complain looking at all these folks) so I wouldn't miss Todd. Somehow, I missed him. I panicked when the 3.30 group passed and no sight of Todd, but by the time the 3.50 group arrived I assumed I missed him and started bookin it to the finish.

Oh! Here he is! This is at mile 26! He looks so good! Only 2 tenths of a mile to go! Too bad it's up hill!

Me and my marathoner!!!!

I am so proud of him!

Todd and his partner in crime, Dave. Gotta love that facial hair!

I can't believe he's standing!

Todd was the 2526th Male to finish

He was 486th in his age group

He was the 3005th person to finish

He finished in a time of 3 hours 29 minutes and 58 seconds

(Keep in mind there were over 45,000 runners)

Here's the Midland Gazelles (Todd's running buds)

I am so proud of Todd's accomplishment. He trained so hard and was so dedicated to this goal and he did it! Can't wait to cheer him on again!

St. Ann's Fair

Todd and I took the kiddos out to the St. Ann Catholic Church's Fair. They were celebrating their 60th year and did a great job. I had never been to the fair and was very impressed! It was a perfect "first fair" for the kids.

The motorcycles were the first ride. Our boys waited eagerly at the gate, ran to bikes, hopped on, and waited for the other passengers. Brody studied his bike and patiently waited (we were rather shocked). Owen was all grins, but the longer we waited, the more nervous he got...he bailed! After seeing Brody take a few laps, Owen wanted on! He then had a hard time waiting for the next go-round.

Brody loved the ride, HATED the bracelet required to ride. He is a quirky guy. You should see him when I cut his nails. It renders his hands useless. He looks like he has wet fingernail polish.

I loved the concentration on Brody's face

We buddied up on the four wheelers

The train was kinda lame. Can you tell?

Airplane was a hit. I was nervous they would flip out mid-air and there would be a huge problem!

The rockin twisting boat was fun! Daddy made it even better!

Waiting in line for the big ferris wheel. Not scared at all!

That's my boys at the top. Owen peeked over the edge to see momma

Dad said this was the scariest ride. Holding onto the boys as they alternated going up and down and not really doing their part to hang on.

pooped!

in a sleepy daze

Henley was wide awake. She slept the whole time we were at the carnival!