Camping in the Mountains

We went to Verona camping this weekend and it was wonderful. Mike and I took our time Friday, pretty much slept in and then finished up some last minute packing. We got to the mountains around 3 and it was perfect. It had been really warm at home but it was nice and cool by the time we got there. We usually go earlier in the month but going later this time, the colors were much more vibrant. I didn't take too many "scenic" pictures. I just enjoyed a lot slower pace kind of schedule. Shortly after we got all settled in, Mike went for a good run workout. (about 6 miles) Hunter and I colored with the windows open and right by the window so we could enjoy the scenery. It was so relaxing. We had to go out to get some laundry detergent and ate around the corner at the Wendy's. We love it there because of their yummy salads. Their prices are so good on everything...you coulnd't make a salad at home for what they charge:) Always looking to save a buck you know.. Anyway, we had their yummy chili since it was getting colder. It really hit the spot. Then, we went back to the campground and enjoyed a little lounging. It was nice. Saturday, we slept in again and then went to the apple orchard to get some yummy apples. I picked up a bunch for me and the family. I love them for snacks. Hunter loves them too and I'm all for him eating fruits and veggies rather than candy. By the time we got back, the kids were already getting ready to trick or treat. We hurried in to get Hunter Man changed and he got to Trick or Treat. He was Mickey Mouse and he spotted another mouse he really fell for! She was so cute with him too. Lots of the sites were decorated so creatively. Mike cut out our pumpkins the night before after I printed the patterns from the KOA site. While he and Hunter worked on that, I worked on the pumpkin seeds. (We ate them the entire trip up:) There were 1 or 2 haunted houses that Hunter was so interested in but wouldn't dare go in:) By the time we were done, he was ready for his nap. He took just an hour nap and then we went to dinner. We took a side dish and the campground covered everything else. They had cooked a pig. It was more food than you could imagine. We went to the playground afterwards and played for a long time before going to settle in for the night. It was a great time to just relax. We did alot of resting and it was really well needed. We usually go somewhere and stay busy so by the end of the weekend, you feel like you need another trip to recoupe. We are talking about going camping one more time this year. No plans yet but we didn't go as much as we had planned. We were doing so much cleaning and home improvements that we didn't get to go much. Seems like the summer just slipped away:( Hopefully, we can get our other home improvements done before the Spring so we can enjoy next year. We just need to take care of some things before we start thinking about moving. I'd love to move away close enough to come home on a weekend but far enough to have some space and see other parts of our country. Mike is a civil engineer and is getting ready to take his 2nd big exam to be licensed. After that, our possibilities are endless. He sends me emails about living in Europe all the time for 3 year intervals. I'd *LOVE* it, but as long as I have family here, we don't think we can. (Especially the Grandparents) We'll probably stay pretty close though:)
Anyway, getting off the subject...my batteries died in my camera so I'll post some more pics later. I'm tried. Mike and I went to the Olive Garden for his bday and then played around with the IPOD so I can use it tomorrow morning. We're both running 5k's this Saturday for Toys for Tots so we need to get working. Good night:)

A trip to the Pumpkin Patch

We went to the Belmont Pumpkin Farm this past Sunday with Hunter. Boy, did we have fun! There were lots of pumpkins and beautiful fall foliage; I got lots of pictures, as usual:)
Hunter rode on a big hayride down to the pumpkin patch. We brought his wagon so we could load his own pumpkin and it really came in handy. One of his best buddies, Maddie and her family were there also and she got to ride in the wagon with him. He was SO EXCITED..I think he has a little crush. (that's cool..she's a very sweet little girl) He also got to see the pigs, goats, ducks and turkeys. He loved it...he kept running from the duck to the pig, almost confused on which one he liked better:) We had so much fun playing. I was tired when I got home but it was just a memorable experience. It was his first time. My mom goes with her kindergarten class every year and told me about this place several years ago. It's really neat! I hope to go for many more years and have lots of pictures to tell stories for a lifetime!

To My Better Half

Mike had his big half marathon today and I was SO proud of him. It was really a big deal for him and he was a bit nervous. He's done a ton of 5k runs on the base that he works on but this was the longest run he has ever done. He runs longer distances at home, though so I KNEW he's do fine. He did wonderful and I was so happy for him. He set a goal and he did it. He ran 13.1 miles in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 30 seconds!! He's hoping to do longer races in the future and I'm hoping to do some with him. I had a fun 5k that I ran Saturday and I was pretty disappointed in my time and performance. My MP3 player went dead for no apparent reason the first lap in the race. I got so frustrated that I nearly gave up. I finally pulled it together and lost the attitude to finish but it was HARD without my motivation. I'm hoping to do better next time but on the brighter side, this race was a benefit for MPS, a great cause, and it was my first run. Mike and I are planning to do some more runs together in the future but for now, I'll just keep trying. He was SO supportive of me and he REALLY is my better half. He is my lifeline, my confident, my best friend and I'm so lucky to have him. He really made me feel better after my run and I nearly cried with pride for him after his. I'm just proud of the person that he is and what he stands for. He is really the best and I love him so much!

*Blogger has been a real bummer tonite so I'll enlarge this other pics later so you can actually see them. But after 2 early days full of fun, I'm ready for bed tonite:)*

Family Ties

Just wanted to post some pictures of what real famiy is to me. These were just in the last week or two. I was looking for some pictures and realized I hadn't posted these. We had to stop by Jeff's, or "Uncle Jeff" and Hunter was really excited. He pulled out some nuts for him because he knows how much he likes them. He had a football for him so they played for a while. Hunter was ecstatic:) The other pictures are of my grandparents with Hunter Man. We stopped by last Sunday after we passed them in the car. Hunter was SCREAMING "Nanny and Pop". I knew we had to stop and they were so glad to see him. (and us:) Nanny picked him right out of his car seat and he just wanted her to hold him. She decided to keep her tree up all year in her living room so he knows he can go in there and cut the lights on. Pop got lots of kisses and seems to enjoy them as much as Hunter likes to give them. The last pictures are of our little family last night. We stopped by the park on the way home from work. Hunter got to swing with Dad until I met them there. It was so wonderful when he runs toward me and wants to love on me! He had a shirt on this morning at daycare that his grandma made him. He was so cute that I couln't resist taking his picture. I just felt the need to post these wonderful family pictures. I realize every day that I am so lucky to have this family that makes Hunter such a big part of their life. He loves them so much...his smile and eyes just light up when he sees them. It amazes me every day the love they have for him. I thank God every day for all the joy I have in my life:)

CU PICNIC FUN

We had a blast at my work picnic. They always have the big slides and we ALL had a ball this time. Hunter took Mommy AND Daddy on it with him...we aren't as young as we used to be BUT we still had a ball. We weren't sure if Hunter would sit still long enough to have his face painted but we were pleasantly surprised. He sat still for the entire thing, even closing his eyes so she could color in the white spot on his eye. They had hot dogs, barbecue, apple sauce, cookies and any flavor you can imagine snow cones. They also had the clowns who did the face paintings and there was a magic show inside. It felt great. It was a little windy, right by the water on the slide. But not too cold. My friend, Randi and her daughter, Kaitlyn went down the slide with Hunter and I. It was super fun but I think I tumbled over her:) It's really hard to get up from those big slides but we had a great time trying. Mike climbed the big wall and made it all the way to the top. Hunter cheered him on, saying GO GO GO! I know that was hard, considering he had flip flops and had to climb up barefoot. He said it was rough on his hands and feet but I know I'm glad he made it to the top. After we left the picnic, we went to the Disney Store to pick up Hunter's Halloween outfit. We ordered a similar one online but it was way too big. They only had one at the store his size so I'm glad we went today. We also ordered Cars and got 4 really cool lithograms in a folder with lots of pics of the movie. Hunter was so good and let me try on the outfit in the store. He just stood right there and cooperated beautifully. He also recognized Buzz Lightyear and Woody from Toy Story, which we just watched last night. I LOVE that movie. He really liked it and I know we want to watch it again before we return it. Anyway, we ended up the evening stopping by "Nanny and Pop's". We say them on the way home and Hunter was SCREAMING "Nanny" and "Pop". It was adorable, so we visited for a short time. He was so happy to see them and I am so thankful for the love they gave our baby:) Well, I'm going to bed now. It's been a great weekend and I have 3 miles to run tomorrow morning:)

Loving a rainy day

What a -WONDERFUL- day to stay home, watch a movie and just be lazy. That's exactly what we've done today too...it's been nice. Actually, we all slept in , had pancakes for breakfast, and went to Hot Dog King for lunch. It hadn't been that bad outside but by the time we came home and layed Hunter down for his nap, it really started pouring. My front AND back yard were both flooded. The front was the worst because the roads were also flooded. My neighbor fixed it though. There was something blocking the drain but he lifted the drain up and now, it looks completely different. These days are so nice. I just want to make a big pot of chili and rest for the evening. (We're planning to watch Toy Story tonite so that will be fun. I'm actually getting ready to call around for some rental car quotes. Hunter has been asleep for over 3 hours and I still don't hear a peep out of him. Bailey and Mike took a long nap and I watched The American President. It's such a good movie...now I'm all sappy and romantic feeling:) Just kidding. (Really-I am a hopeless romantic:) Well, gotta go get my calling done so I can have fun later!

Kissin' Cousins

Just wanted to post a couple cute pics of the cousins together tonite. K has the prettiest blue eyes..I couldn't resist taking the picture of her as she was looking up at me:) Hunter and D had fun playing together too. The treadmill seemed to be the biggest toy of all. I don't think Hunter has the "hang" of it just yet, as he swings like a MONKEY but he CAN run and keep up pretty well.

Ladie's Nite

A couple of us girls went out tonite after work for dinner, a drink, and just a chance to unwind after a crazy week at work. Kim (blue shirt) and Peggy (brown shirt) both went to different offices a couple months ago so we try to stay in touch with them. Lynn, on the right, got it all together...Thank you, Lynn! Laura and Pam were supposed to meet us too but they had some other plans... They left our office about the same time. We had a really great time tonite and it was just SO wonderful totake a breather:) Peggy held her napkin up so my "foo foo drink" would have a nice back drop for the pic. She's so thoughtful. Atleast I stayed healthy with the water and yummy salad. Cheddar's has the best cubed cucumbers on their salad. How delicious:) Thanks, everyone for getting together. Let's do it again REAL soon:)