Myrtle Beach Marathon 2009

Jackson and me at the Fun Run

Tod at the starting line



My spot at the 26 mile marker

Tod at the half way point still smiling as he grabs a gel for the second half!

Barely smiling in the rain at the finish. A job well done!

This past weekend, our family headed down to Myrtle Beach for their annual Marathon weekend. On friday night there is a 5K and a family fun run (which Jackson and I did) and then on Saturday there is a half and full marathon. Last year, Tod and I both did the half and had a great time. Due to some nagging injuries, I decided to sit the race out this year and I was so glad that I did. It allowed me to focus on Tod's first full marathon. He has trained so hard for this race and had set a goal of 4 hours. After weekend after weekend after weekend of long 18 mile runs, the race was finally here. We awoke to perfect running weather; cloudy and in the upper 40's. There was rain in the forecast but we were hopeful. I headed out with Tod to the starting line and watched the huge mob take off. I then headed to the halfway point to wait for Tod to come through. I was able to watch a lot of my friends finish the half marathon course while I waited. Much to my surprise, Tod came through at 1 hour and 50 minutes, which equates to a 3hour and 40 minute marathon. Much faster than he had planned but he was feeling good and strong and smiling big as I re-loaded him with gels for the second half. I was very nervous about whether he would be able to hold his pace or if he would crash from going out too fast. Time seemed to stand still as I waited at the finish for him. Finally at 3 hours and 54 minautes I saw him coming in. It has started to rain about 20 minutes earlier, but all in all the weather held out for him. I ran him into the finish and he ultimately beat his goal by finishing in 3 hours and 55 minutes; an awesome marathon time, especially for a beginner. And while he hobbled around much of Saturday and Sunday but felt much better on Monday (he even got on his bike to start training for his triathlon in 4 weeks!!!)

The rest of the weekend was spent shopping and eating and playing. Jackson and I did the Family Fun Run on Friday night (his second time) where he came in at 10 minutes for 1 mile; his best time ever! All in all we had an awesome time and can't wait to go back next year!

Winter Wonderland 2009!

Okay, well not quite a winter wonderland, but it's as close as we've seen around here in a long time. It did end up snowing most of the day, but unfortunately, did not accumulate very much. Nevertheless, the boys made the best of their day off of school and played in the falling snow. It was the first time they have seen snow and while they still don't fully understand what it means to play in the snow, they at least know now how it feels (Jackson thought snow would feel like cotton balls rather than ice!).

Our house in the snow

The deck got the most accumulation

Austin and Jackson

Of course Austin had to try riding his scooter in the snow. I drew the line at skateboarding in it though!

Happy New Year 2009

Our family attended a special "Family New Year's Eve Party" last night with some friends (and former neighbors) of ours. Before the party, we gathered at the Grants new home in Landfall and were in awe at how beautiful it has turned out. The Grants used to live 2 doors down from us, and although we miss them a ton, we still see them a lot (maybe more than when they lived near us!!!). We also met up with the Inghams there and enjoyed getting to know them better. After the tour and the girls finished getting dressed, we headed over to the Country Club for the party.

The party started at 5:30 and was totally geared towards families. There were two separate buffet tables; one for kids and one for the adults. Both were awesome. After we ate all that we could, we hit the dance floor. The kids had a blast and definitely worked off the sugar rush that they had acquired at the dessert table! We danced for over an hour and then just before 8 pm, the dance floor cleared and was covered in bubble wrap in anticipation of the countdown. Bubbling cider and champagne was passed out and at 8pm sharp, the countdown began. At "midnight" (well 8:00) balloons were released from the ceiling and the kids (and some adults) went WILD jumping on the bubble wrap making as much noise as humanly possible! We all had a blast. Some of our kids literally crashed on the dance floor out of exhaustion but we are already looking forward to doing it again next year!

Shayla and the boys (although Austin didn't want to be in the picture!)

Austin comes around to be in the photo!

Counting down!


The balloon drop!



Maris enjoying something yummy!



Tod and Austin with their cheesiest grins!



Austin finally found a balloon on the dance floor. He had been trying to score one all night!




Chocolate Chip Face!



Happy New Year!

Christmas Island

Tod and I decided we would take the boys to Grand Cayman before Christmas this year. For the past few years, we've tried to take them somewhere warm either before or after Christmas. We were so excited as we headed to the airport on the morning of December 19 to board our 9:30 flight. We were slightly disappointed when our flight was delayed for a 20 minute maintenance problem, but still felt good about our upcoming flights. That 20 minute delay, unfortunately, turn into a few hours and caused us to miss our connection to Grand Cayman in Charlotte. Hmmm.. What to do. After over an hour of searching flights, the gate agent booked us on a 9:00 pm flight to Philly where we would overnight and fly to Cayman the following morning. Back home we went to kill a little time. Then back to the airport around 8 to board our 9 pm flight. Only it was delayed. And delayed some more and then delayed again. We decided to head back home to let the boys sleep a bit while we watched the flight status online. By the time we got home, it had been cancelled altogether. US Airways had no idea how they would get us to Cayman as all of their flights were booked (make that OVERBOOKED) for the next few days. Luckily, Tod found a United flight online and we booked it ourselves. So we slept from midnight until 3 am and then drove to Charlotte for our flight. What a relief to be in the islands finally. A day late but totally worth the trouble. It was beautiful. We decided to stay an extra day to make up for our missed day.

We all had a blast. We swam with stingrays and we took a sunset cruise on a 65' catamaran on Christmas Eve. We swam and snorkeled and kayaked and ate and drank and overall had a very Merry time. We met some supernice people from Cary there also! The kids were both crying when it came time to leave. They loved their trip and didn't want to go home, even to a house full of presents. So, of course, we are begging Tod for another trip next year!!

Tod and Jackson kayaking

The boys at our hotel overlooking the beach at sunset

Jackson was feeling really strong after kayaking with Tod


At dinner

The boys enjoyed a strawberry smoothie every afternoon, while Tod and I enjoyed some adult beverages!

The boys loving their Daddy!

(and buttering him up for another trip!)

The view from our room was awesome!

The boys are snorkeling pros now!

Before dinner on our first night!

Enchanted Airlie

Every Christmas for the past 3 years, we have spent a Saturday night at Airlie Gardens for "Enchanted Airlie". Airlie Gardens is a beautiful botonical garden that is popular in the summer for their awesome concert series. At Christmas, the gardens are lit up and families, groups, and couples stroll through the gardens. There is what our family believes is the real Santa, electric train displays and all sorts of snacks, coffee, and wine available as well. Afterwards, we always go for a nice dinner somewhere to warm up. This year, I believe, we had more fun than any other year. Not sure if it was the unusually cold night or the ages of the boys, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will cherish the memories we've created.

The boys before we leave

Shayla and the boys

The boys and the REAL Santa

The boys hanging out in our favorite adirondack chairs overlooking Bradley Creek

The boys love the electric train displays

Merry Christmas, Round 1

Tod's parents, Tom and Ginnie, spend the past few days with us to celebrate Christmas. We don't normally celebrate quite this early, but Tod and I are taking the kids to Grand Cayman the week before Christmas and the trip limited our options. Anyway, we had a great visit with them and of course, the kids were thrilled to be getting presents so early! We did the full celebration complete with a feast of a meal that we all devoured. Here are some pics.

Austin ripping into the first gift

Jackson ripping into his first

Jackson got an I spy book. He loves it!

Yikes! Austin got his first skateboard.

Jackson got an awesome microscope. Perfect start for his career as a scientist (which is of course his "backup plan" if the basketball thing doesn't work out)

My defiant child (kidding) in his Duke jersey. Doesn't he know we are Tiger fans?

At least Austin knows what team to cheer for!

The boys are dying to help Grandma open one of her gifts!

An Evening with Santa

Austin, Ginnie, Tod, Jackson, and Tom

Austin was a little shy at first

And then he loosened up a bit....

Jackson took his turn

Our sweet friend Maris Grant

Mommy is so proud of the boys' decorating skills but a little nervous about the sugar rush that is sure to follow

Grandma says "That is too much sugar!"

Daddy wants to sneak a bite




Austin enjoys his dinner

One happy family

Jackson is on his second plateful!

What a special night at Landfall Country Club! The club presented an Evening with Santa and it was a treat. We arrived and went straight over to Santa. The boys had both made a list to take with them, you know, just so they wouldn't leave any of their wishlist out. Austin even made a second trip to speak with Mr. Kringle because he had forgotten to mention that he would also like some Star Wars figures. After making all of their wishes known, we went into a special room to decorate Christmas cookies. Each child received their own special "kid sized" piping bag filled with icing and a cookie. After globbing as much icing as they could onto their cookies, they began to decorate them with M & M's, gum drops, and all sorts of goodies. As if that wasn't enough, we went on into a lavish buffet where we feasted and feasted! Tom and Ginnie Durst (Tod's parents) were in town and we were so happy to bring them with us. We all enjoyed a very special night and have started a new family tradition!