Happy Birthday Jeff!

Jeff is now 28! We went to Myrtle Beach to celebrate with his family this past weekend. I had taken the kids to the dollar store so that they could pick out birthday presents for him. Jacob selected a bag with five whiffle balls which is Jacob's dollar store favorite- he has purchased this particular item four times now. (Hence the necessity of me purging his ball collection from time to time). Hannah picked a ceramic santa that opens up at his midsection. She did debate between that or a mini doll. The "opener" won. Lucky Jeff.

More camping

There was a playground at the campgrounds and it was fun. ( It is getting late). I love this picture of Hannah.

Camping

Wow, that prior post was messed up. I promise I will get better at this one day. Aaaaah, Gorp. That is what everyone is eating in these pictures. This particular blend was fruit loops, marshmallows, raisins, and Reeses pieces (I love you mom). Jacob was a HUGE fan although he continued to break the cardinal rule of Gorp (NO FISHING)!!!

Camping

Sorry it has been a while since the last post, things have been busy. (Fun busy, so I have a lot to post). Two and half weeks ago? ( I get pretty hazy on details after a week). Mom, Dad, Hannah, Jacob, myself, Natalie, and Brian went camping. Jeff had to work. : ( Shoot. I can't remember the name of the place we went but it was a state park on Lake Murray. And it was dark when we got there which made for interesting set up. He he he. And it was raining off and on. And it got really windy at times. The next morning was beautiful though, and we were really glad that we stuck it out. As it was the kids' first time camping Hannah made sure to dress up. Here is Natalie showing off her baby! Bytheway, I hope that the pictures don't seem too lopsided, I don't want to make people uncomfortable by taking pictures of them when they would rather be left unphoto'd. So, I figure the kids and Jeff are my perogative, and Natalie takes lots of pictures of other people so she is game but what I really want to say is "Sorry Brian, there aren't many photos of you."

Marathon update

So here is where I am with marathon training: Last Saturday we did 6.8 miles but I had to walk the whole thing because couple of weeks ago I got shin splints (ouch). My new shoes felt awful (once I got home from buying them of course) so I went to a place to see about insoles. Apparently I have freakish feet and while I wear a size 8, my left arch is in the position of a size 7 foot. The right arch is not quite in the same spot as the other foot (more like a 6.5 arch) and so they had to finagle my right insole a little. Apparently I am a prime candidate for custom orthotics. My shoes feel much better, now that the arch support isn't trying to lift my heel, but they really fatigue my feet. It will take some time for me to get used to them. Not that I can run though so it is a little frusterating. How ever, it does explain why I have had problems with my arches in the past and why I have always found shoes somewhat uncomfortable (I thought it was because I was too cheap to buy quality shoes). So after a couple weeks of wearing shoes that actually fit my feet, the pain from the shin splints should diminish and I should be able to run again. Hmmm.

On a happier note, I have included a picture of Jacob wearing some of his favorite footwear (my heels) and a picture of him after he smeared body soap all in his hair ( and his clothes, and the carpet. What a precious little angel). You can't really tell from the picture, he just looks really pleased.

Halloween- more happy faces

Halloween- happiness is a tummy full of candy

Hannah and Nana snuggling on the chair and Jacob with Baba.

Halloween- the candy

These first two pictures are the kids trying out pop rocks. He he. Next Baba is helping Hannah check out her haul. Jacob sat over by himself to prevent any possible candy theft and tried to accept as little help as possible. (It looked like a mouse had opened his box of nerds).

Halloween part one

Sorry this took so long to post, the kids became sick with croup, Hannah on Halloween and Jacob that next morning. We are all trying to still get over it. But here they are in their costumes, Hannah is Cinderella and Jacob is Bob the builder. Jeff had to work late that night but Mark and Carol came down to stay the night and we had a fun, relaxed evening.