The kids and dad ran in the Elon Elementary Turkey trot on 11/15. Unfortunately I missed the kids portion of the race.... because ya know, gotta work and it's a 15-20 minute drive. I wanted Anthony to do the three mile run, but due to the enjoyable temps Dad decided he would just have the kids do the one miler. It was a lovely 25 degrees. I got there just in time to see Jayna finish. Anthony and Will cheered her on and told her "Sprint Jayna, Sprint!" and she told. Clearly she's learned something from 3 months of cross country. Anthony was all sweaty but happy and Jayna was looking like she was miserable.
Poor J was trying to smile....
Then we went to the finish line for the 5k to wait for Poppy. And while we waited we made friends with "Bobby".... better known as "Lilly Jr".
Lily Jr watching the 2nd place runner
And then a bit quicker as I just finished taking the above picture.... this
Jayna super excited--- and likely messed up dad's time by 10 seconds and Lully Jr cheering Poppy on
Poppy nears the finish line
The last two leaps to the finish line
Poppy we think set a new personal record--- even with a cute distraction just prior to the finish line. His time was 19 mins 36 seconds.
My favorite runners
my favorite runners and their biggest fan who cheered them on
And yes, even though it was easily 15 degrees colder, my son is still brave, daring, humerous and fun.... He can't do the polar plunge but he did the polar dip.
Colder than he expected
We enjoyed the award ceremony with hot chocolate to warm up with, glazed donuts, muffins, water, bananas, apples and powerade. Anthony won 3rd places and got a medal and a loaf of homemade pumpkin bread. Jayna got 4 which means to award.... so I rewarded her with her favorite... Daddy finished 3rd over all. That knocked him out of 1st in age group. Usually dad gets 1st in age category, but this is even better. He won pumpkin bread as well..... being it was homemade I don't even think he was disappointed about not getting a turkey when you get such a yummy homemade goody from a sweet lady from the nearby church who made the prizes.
We hurried home, got Anthony ready for his Pathfinders church meeting. We had enough time to stop by Sheetz and get Jayna's preferred medal of choice--- aka a slushie.
After I got off crossing guard, we headed to Nana and Papa's house for Bridge Day Weekend. I am aware for those unfamiliar with this "holiday" that sounds weird but it's like a giant fall festival taking place leading up to New River Gorge Bridge , on the bridge and then a bit beyond the bridge. Dad, the kidlets and I go pretty much every year.
We got to Nana and Papa's around 8pm. Zach, Rebekah and the dearly beloved guest, STEELER were waiting on us.
We, as usual, were fed exceptionally well. Thanks Nana!! Veggie soup, fried ham, sweet taters, succotash, salad, fruit salad, bread and all our favorite desserts Strawberry jello salad (my fav), german choc cake (Tricia's fav) and blackberry pie (dad's fav)
We enjoyed chatting with Tricia, Zach, Rebekah, Nana and Papa. Amanda made her way in late after attending her friend's wedding rehearsal. We went to bed a bit after 11. We were up by 8 for Bridge Day fun, grabbed a quick breakfast and were headed to meet up with cousin Trish and the Special K family just after 9.
The kids tested out Nana's new couch, before heading out for the day
We started Bridge day under the bridge using Special K's pass to go down under. You get the close ups of seeing the parachuters floating down and land.
We also got front row seats to watch them "swim" and rescue boats quickly pulling them and their parachute out of the frigid water and to land.
Special K gave his crazy gang a ride back up top, complete with a colorful view out the tailgate!
Then it was time for the Bridge! We started off with cousin Tricia.
It's all fun and games... until you realize the little one (Jayna) isn't strapped in
At long last, we made it to Jayna's 2 favorite areas that she'll chatter about for weeks and even months before Bridge Day and After Bridge Day. First she did the Marine's pull up bar. She successfully did 7, which she was bummed by because she wanted 10. But that's ok my little one.... that is still 8 better than me ( I can do Negative one I think).
We passed her beloved rock wall next. This year both kids decided to give it a try, not just Jayna. About five feet from the top of this 35 foot rock wall Jayna gave up. However this has 3 sides, easy, mid, and advanced and she was on the advanced side. Anthony did the middle side and made it to the top! It was then, that Cousin Tricia had to leave for Aiden's soccer game.
Jayna was pouty after that. But we decided it was lunch time. Jayna and Anthony got pizza while Dad and I got pulled pork w/ slaw. Uncle Zach and Aunt Rebekah were worried about Steeler dog in the car so we parted ways with them. Dad followed them to their car while Anthony, Jayna and I kept going. It was then that they ran into our forever long time family friend Kelvin. I'll have to see him next trip. But they all had a nice conversation.
We made our way onto the Bridge, we stopped a few times to look over and watch the parachuters. We finally made our way through the gigantic crowds to the stage where they jump from. And in time we made it to front row seats to the catapult!!
Looking over the bridge, down below
Parachuters take that leap
Sky diver and Catapult
After watching people jump for a long while we walked the rest of the bridge... Ok well the girl, was her typical self and did this to pass the remainder of the bridge when not crowded
We made it the entire length, of course! Akind passerby took our photo so it isn't even a so-so selfie
It was sprinkling and colder on our walk back, but that didn't stop us from continuing to have fun. We got some kettle corn and hot chocolate to warm up with, Jayna successfully reached the top of the rock wall, we enjoyed some photo ops and Jayna got her face painted!
We headed back to Nana's and met up with Tricia, Aidan, Zach, Rebekah and Steeler for a while. Then we went with Tricia to Aidan's house to play and hang out. The kids all got along perfectly-- especially jumping on the trampoline and playing in the haunted attack Josie and Aidan had created.
Tricia, Laura and I created some great recipes from the Southern Living magazine using an cast iron pan.
Laura also made a turkey and mashed potatoes. The pictures don't show all the fun and work that went into creating our meal, but who knew cooking could be fun and not a chore ;-) Our cast iron creations were crispy sweet potato and onion cakes and cast iron bristered brussels sprouts.
For dessert we made apple-cinnamon dutch baby with our own twist by adding a bit more apple juice, adding blueberries and vanilla. It was amazing! Everyone loved it, however the kids were wearing down. Anthony had fallen asleep and Josie was inches away from sleeping as well.
When we got back to Nana and Papa's we relaxed, watched a bit of tv and had a snack. Then it was bedtime. On Sunday we went to church. When we got back Nana made us her world famous pancakes--- and seriously you can just never get enough of Nana's divine masterpieces, even the simple sounding things! Of course I also had some veggie soup and fruit salad too. But best of all was crazy-fun Aunt Chris enjoying dessert--- and then some. YES she really did take this giant chunk of German Chocolate Cake.... and perhaps that seems normal enough except Nan is very proper. You get a fully set table, you don't cur desserts with a butter knife, there are dessert knives and special dessert plates.... and this is Tricia's favorite dessert and AUNT CHRIS TOOK IT ALL! Check out a silly Aunt Chris and a devastated cakeless Tricia hahahah. But then to even the score she also had to kidnap dad's favorite dessert, all of it. Yes hald of a blackberry pie. I was smart and ate the rest of my favorite dessert for breakfast Sunday so no one but me got it!
Sadly after cleaning up after lunch, it was time to head back home. Luckily though the count down was on. Only 5 weeks until we would get to return---- and now just a week and a half, because I am soooooo behind on blogging.
Happy yummy birthday to me! And free delicious food is even more yummy!
Anthony, Will and I went to Waffle House for my birthday breakfast where I got a free chocolate chip waffle!
After playing with the boys for a bit, I took a nap since I had worked 3rd shift and would be working it again Sunday night. When I got up I went and got my free birthday sub at Firehouse Subs for Marko's supper-- and a 2nd free sub for joining the email club for him to take for lunch Monday.
Jayna and I had supper together at Koto's. I took advantage of my free birthday meal! We ate with two newly graduated college ladies and a family of three. The daughter of their family is at the LU Law school and her parents flew in from Florida to visit her for the weekend. We had a good meal and nice convo too. And apparently Jayna was extra charming, as the family from Florida requested the waitress to put her meal on their ticket. We were very appreciative!
Monday Jayna, Anthony and I went out for breakfast at IHOP where Anthony ate my free birthday pancakes. He chose strawberry cheesecake. Jayna got free pancakes for me signing up for the email club. She of course chose her beloved chocolate chip. I had strawberry ones--- but paid for mine. Then we went and volunteered at the school workday where we had Little Caesar's for lunch.
Tuesday I did pay for lunch, but easily ate $5 worth of Minestrone soup, salad and Breadsticks at the Olive Garden with my good friend Tanya. We each had $2 off our meal!
Wednesday Mom and I went for our free Heavenly Ham Sandwiches. I used my free bday coupon and gave mom my coupon for signing up for the email club.
I gave Marko my final 2 coupons which he enjoyed Friday out with friends at Buffalo Wild Wings-- getting two free orders of wings. He chose Asian Zinger wings.
But my best meal of all didn't require a coupon or ID, Just a trip to Nana's house!
We've waited a very long 6 years, 9 months to see you again. BEHAVE this time around so your niece and nephew can truly get to know you. Jayna is super excited to have Uncle Ray in town, face timing and calling Uncle Ray are her evening highlights. She was barely three the last time she say him, and outside of photos she nor Ant have any memory of him and can't tell Uncle Derek and Uncle Ray apart in photos.
The next to last time the kids saw Uncle Ray before he got into trouble:
Christmas 2007
Spring 2008
Uncle Ray's girlfriend picked Uncle Ray up and brought him to Grandma Pam's. The kids wasted no time getting to Grandma Pam's on Monday (10/20)
bummer, it turned out blurry! They were both so happy!
And then on Friday, Uncle Ray and Kiki even came to Jayna's cross country match. She was quite pleased to have them there.... even if the other team never showed up, at least Uncle Ray did!
Then Uncle Ray and Kiki really earned some brownie points in Jayna's book, when they gave her money to attend the Scaremare Haunted houses! Thanks Uncle Ray and Kiki and we hope to see so very very very much more of you both!
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