13.1

Today Mark and I ran our first half marathon! Now if you've known me for a while you've probably heard me mention that I hated to run and that I would NEVER EVER be a runner! I was very emphatic about it. I would drive by people running and wonder why they were torturing themselves by running when there are so many other forms of exercise out there. Then my friend Nicole started running while I was pregnant with Ethan. She fell in love with running and would always tell me how great it was for so many reasons. I started to want to run but had a not-so-tiny problem... I was very pregnant by that time. So I resolved that I would start to run the next spring... and I did... and I fell in love. I love how it is a complete break and time just to myself, no one can interrupt. I love how good I feel when I'm done. And I love that it helped me to lose the last of the baby weight and fit back into my jeans!

To help with my goal of becoming a runner, Mark and I signed up for a half marathon last March. At that point I hadn't even started running, and if you had asked me how far I could run without stopping I would have said, maybe a mile (I told you, I hated to run and had never even given it a chance). When we signed up for this half I couldn't believe I would actually be able to run 13.1 miles, that is really far! Anyway, I trained all summer long and went from barely running 2 miles without stopping to running 13.1 without stopping. Take it from me, if you think you can't run, you can!

As we were nearing the finish line and people were cheering us on, I almost starting crying because I was so happy that I had accomplished my goal. I still can't quite believe that I'm a runner!

I have to thank my sweet wonderful husband. He is so good to me. He knew how important this was to me and has been such a big support. Unlike me, he is a natural runner and that plus long legs enable him to run fast, much faster than I can. But he always stays right beside me and encourages me, and I don't know how I would have done it without him. Thank you Mark, you are the love of my life. Thank you Nicole, for getting me started and all the advice along the way. And thank you to our families for all the hours spent babysitting our kids while we ran.

Now I'm on the lookout for our next race and I can't wait!

My little boy.

I remember when I was pregnant with Ethan worrying that I wouldn't know how to be a mom to a little boy and now I think how silly that was. I just adore my little boy! Cala is spending the night at her Mummi and Papa's house so I had Ethan all to myself this afternoon. He was playing in the yard and I was taking some pictures. It was so fun to spend time with just him and enjoy his sweet little personality.

Family Reunion and Airshow

After we left the beach we headed down to southern Maryland to my grandparent's house for a family reunion. Along the way we stopped in Annapolis and fed the kids lunch and walked around the shops a bit.

I haven't been to my grandparent's house in 7 years, and it was so fun to visit them again. I used to spend a couple weeks every summer with them and I have so many happy memories there. It was fun to show Mark around since he's never been down to visit. We took the kids to Solomon's Island to play on a playground that is just to left of this pier. Needless to say, we had a fantastic view while the kids played.

Tons of family were also visiting my grandparents , some of them I haven't seen in years. Here is my brother, his wife, and their cutie daughter.

Lots of cousins!

My granny and grandpa who happened to be matching that day... both wearing light blue polos and khakis! They are so cute!

This is my mom with her siblings and parents. It's been forever since they've all been together. Oh, and don't forget Cala right in front stuffing cake in her mouth :)

My cousin Barrie and Cala found this turtle in the backyard. Cala wanted to keep it as a pet but luckily we talked her out of that!

While we were there we went to an airshow. My granny was so nice and kept Ethan at home with her, so we just had Cala. Here she is sitting in a Black Hawk helicopter.

Some planes that I can't remember the name of. They were really cool to watch though.

My niece Sonnie, she was adorable in those sunglasses!

The coolest part of the airshow was seeing the Blue Angels. They were pretty amazing! I just couldn't get over how close together they fly!

Cala got a good view of the airplanes from Daddy's shoulers.

It was fun to see family and sad to leave. But at least now we only live a few hours from my grandparents so we're planning a trip to visit them again soon!

Beach Vacation

We finally got away for a summer vacation at the end of August. It was amazing and the weather couldn't have been better! Cala loves the beach and we figured Ethan would love it too... we were wrong! Here is sitting on a chair because he cried anytime he got near the sand. This kid never sits anywhere, he's always on the go, but not if that means putting his feet in the sand!

After about an hour he decided to try out a different chair.

Still sitting...

Finally, hours later I got him to sit in the sand, but only for about 15 minutes then he was back to hating it.

And here's my other favorite guy looking all sexy!

Enjoying an evening stroll down the boardwalk.

Mark got to have a true Maryland experience with a tray full of blue crabs. We forgot how long it takes to crack them all open, so the kids were ready to go long before Mark's tummy was full but it was still good.

One morning we dragged the kids out of bed to watch the sunrise on the beach and eat some breakfast. It was totally worth it!

On our way out of town we stopped at The Fractured Prune, a donut shop where the donuts are served hot and you get to choose all the toppings. Donuts are one of my favorite things, and these donuts did not disappoint!

Here's Cala showing off her tattoo from the donut shop.

It was a great vacation! Farewell beach, until next summer!

1st day

Today was Cala's first day of preschool! She loved it and did so well!

4 Years Old!

On a day when our country remembers the tragedy of 9/11, our family also gets to celebrate the birthday of our sweet Cala. I can't believe she's 4 years old already. The time is certainly flying by!

The birthday festivities began the night before with a birthday party at Pap's and Grandma Chris' house. Here is Cala licking the frosting off her birthday cake.

Notice the big swipe of frosting taken out of the middle :)

Opening presents.

We had another party at our house on her birthday. I think I got a little crazy decorating, but it's so much fun I just couldn't stop.

This is the candy bar. I'm not sure how much candy Cala ate, but it was a lot!

Tissue paper pom poms strung in a garland. Whenever I make pom poms, Mark ends up fluffing them up for me (he wishes I had never discovered pom poms!)

The food table.

The cake.

We got Cala a bike and she got lots of other fun presents from Mummi and Papa and Grandma.

About to blow out her candle.

Happy Birthday Cala! We love you!

I miss you H&M

I discovered H&M while on my mission in Finland. My trainer and I went on a couple lovely P-day shopping sprees there :) When I moved to New York, there was a big H&M in the mall just 10 minutes away from my house... what luck! I totally took it for granted. Now that I live in Pennsylvania, the closest H&M is about an hour away... and when am I going to drive an hour with my kids to go to a mall?! Well, today I did! Mark was meeting with someone and H&M was right on the way, so we tagged along and he dropped us off. I wish I could say it was heaven, but my kids were being CRAZY which was making me a big mean mom (can't they just realize that I'm finally getting to shop at one of my fav stores?). So after an emergency run to the potty (2nd potty trip of the day), a search for the lost sippy cup, and rehanging many clothes multiple times after Ethan had pulled them off the hangers (he's quick!), Mark arrived back just in time to handle the kids while I finished up shopping. It was wonderful! When we got home we had a "fall fashion show", at least that's what I had to tell Cala to get her to put on a sweater when it was 90 degrees outside :)

Until next time, H&M! I did get a $5 gift card with my purchase to be used in September, so I might just have to find a reason to drive an hour back there! Hmm...maybe there's a Home Goods in Lancaster too...