Thanksgiving

This year Jeff offered to host Thanksgiving which worked out perfectly for us to run the Marlbank neighborhood turkey trot.

Norah wasn't sure of the giant turkey at first.  We told her it was just Uncle Robbie but it took her a while to warm up to him.

Robbie is going to be fun to have around

They had Robbie start the race and for the first mile he was in the lead with Colin right next to his side.  People behind us running kept commenting how fast the turkey was! ha!   Mary stayed with Sarah and I for the first part then bolted to go catch up with Robbie.  He was holding out on all of us with his running abilities. 

Brent made it but I'm not sure how long I will have to wait to talk him into another race.   

We went for a walk before eating pie and Joel and Norah wanted to walk Lenny.  Lenny pooped and I made them scoop it up and then Joel carried the bag of poop like that the rest of the walk - or I think until Mary felt bad for him and took Lenny back.  I told them this was good practice to having a dog.

It was a good thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for. 

Musical Performance

Last year Joel did not want to go sing in his music performance.  He complained and really did not want to get up in front of everyone and sing. 

This year Joel came home and said he had a speaking part and his teacher wanted to make sure he was going to be there.  So I sent back the signed sheet and couldn't wait to see what speaking part Joel had.  He was so excited.

Joel couldnt wait for this night to get here.  It was so fun seeing him so excited. 

Joel kept talking to his friend next to him out of the corner of his mouth the whole night.  When they weren't singing Joel was talking.

We are so proud of Joel!

Weekend fun

A few weeks ago I drove up to Richmond to run the Richmond Half Marathon.  Its crazy to think how fast life goes.  This was our 5th time running and also our slowest! Ha! I haven't seen Bethany since last year so we ran and talked the whole time.  Before we knew it we were passing mile 4 and were commenting how great a shape we were in and were feeling great... until a 2:30 pacer guy passed us up about mile 9 then we looked at each other and decided for the first time to stop and use the porta potties.  haha I wasn't sore the next day so I think we did take it really really slow.  I just love Bethany and love that we get to do this each year together.

On our way up I picked up Holly after work and she came to hang out.  It was so good to get to spend that time in the car with her.  She is expecting baby #3 so she had a great reason not to train with me this fall - even though I missed all our training runs.  It wasn't the same without her.  But very thankful she still came and cheered us on with Sarah.  It was so much fun all hanging out Friday night and Saturday at Sarah's.  They met us at the halfway point and were at the finish line waiting for us.  Its fun to have people cheer you on. 

I needed this weekend with great friends who are so encouraging.

Before I picked up Holly on Friday I dropped Colin off with MaMa-maa and Grandpa for an amazing weekend.  Hokie basketball game on Friday night and Football Game on Saturday. 

He had a lot of fun and said some of his favorite parts were the games, and all the food.

These were all pictures Colin took. He enjoyed taking selfies! 

Brent took Norah and Joel to Chuck E Cheese and they played with friends all weekend.  Joel said he was sad Colin missed out so its good to know he wasn't upset he didn't get to go.  He was a little but then we told him he had to go to not one BUT two games and have to stay the whole time (since Grandpa doesn't leave early) AND spent 10 hours in the car and Joel was very happy staying home. 

When we were all back together and talking about our weekends I said to Colin "now the real question I have for you is did Grandpa get me a Christmas present from the campus emporium"  haha I was just teasing but Colin can't keep a secret and said yes and then realized he said too much.  Colin keeps talking about this yoda hokie shirt he liked but I guess Grandpa asked him if the got it would he forget about it until Christmas.  Growing up we were always out shopping and were told to forget about something until Christmas.  Colin never forgets anything and said he couldn't forget about it so they put the shirt back. 

A great weekend for everyone but I was very glad to all be back home together.

Goodbye farm

We said goodbye to the farm this weekend.  And it could not have been better weather or more beautiful.  It was such a gift for saying goodbye to a place we love so much. 

Its hard to say goodbye to the farm.  Its saying goodbye all over again to my grandparents. So many weeks and weekends were spent there with them.  I really got to know my grandarents and am so grateful for those times spent with them.  And I miss them so much. 
 

Lots of walks to the creek

Mud man got stuck in the mud.  He couldn't get out, the mud was up to his knee. 

Then the next day Joel slipped on the rocks and fell flat on his back in the creek.

I think my grandpa would've loved that because he always said someone (mostly sarah) always fell in.

Cindy joined us for the weekend and it was so nice having her with us.  We took her all over - the creek, the big rocks, the mill. 

 

 This mill is on some civil war maps

 Lots of fresh air and walking wore this girl out. 

 We were at the creek and colin headed off alone.  I knew where he was going and let him go have some alone time on his rock. 

When I got there he said with tears in his eyes "mom you know how some people think paradise is white sandy beaches?  I think this is paradise."  Colin and I both cried the whole way home. 

When we were little we started going up with grandma and grandpa for day trips.  The fields weren't clear and we would work and help clear the land and then eat hot dogs for lunch that we cooked over the fire.  We thought it was a perfect last meal to have at the farm. 

I always put flowers on grandpas grave whenever we go up. I cut some roses and realized the kids had gotten there before me. They left their treasures for him.

I could not have done this weekend without sarah there. 

We left our mark at the farm.  But the truth is this place has left its mark on me.  I'm so thankful for the many memories. Its so hard to say goodbye.