Happy 92nd Birthday PawPaw!

We were able to visit with PawPaw just before his birthday this week.  Tyler had fun showing off his dance moves to everyone and pushing PawPaw in his rocking chair.  Sam had fun crawling around eating his Puffs.

Mud Run Fun

     Somehow, the girls at work (who, may I add have all run marathons) convinced me that we should do an upcoming mud run.  Sure, why not?  Only 3 weeks to train-  one of which I'll be vacationing at the beach-  ?  Not a problem.  Haven't run over a mile since waaaaaayy before Sam was born?  No worries.  

     Now, for those of you who are not familiar with the mud run concept, you basically pay a lot of money to run through a field, go through several difficult obstacles (all concerned with either getting you extremely muddy or being fairly strenuous), all the while hoping and praying that you don't break a leg or tear a vital ligament in your knee.

     Our mud run was a 5K (3.1 miles) through what seemed to me to be a very hilly part of Saxapahaw, NC.  It consisted of 12 obstacles (though I'm pretty sure there were more), the first of which was a huge, sudsy 50 foot slip-n-slide into a mud pit.  When I first tackled the slip-n-slide I wasn't going very fast, but I definitely picked up some speed at the end-  just in time to smack face first (you know I'm not the most graceful person) into the disgusting chest deep mud pit.  I trudged out of that and from then on was drenched in mud.  Other top obstacles included:  consecutive hills of mud to run over and jump into awaiting mud pits, army crawling under things through sand and/or hay, propelling yourself (or in my case, using Andrew to boost me over) huge upright hay bales, running across old beat up cars (just call me Gravedigger), climbing over these weird ladder things, wading through a chest deep stream, and jumping over fire pits!  It was actually quite fun looking back on it, but not so much as we were doing it.  I convinced Andrew to run with me (he's usually much, much faster than me in case you were wondering) and I couldn't have done it without him being my drill sergeant, and lifting me up or pulling me out of various obstacles - thanks babe!

Before  --  all happy and clean

Our Team

The Honeybadgers

We were seriously so much dirtier than these pictures portray

The Speech Girls

Sam a little confused about Mommy's muddiness

Tyler not impressed with the whole ordeal.

Many thanks to Grandmama and Grandaddy who stayed with the boys while we completed our adventure.  Grandaddy also served as our awesome photographer.  Thank you!

Beach Trip 2012

Back to Oak Island for fun in the sun at the beach.  Although lots of fun, this year we didn't have the greatest weather.  We only had one excellent day of beach weather and the others were mostly cloudy (which is actually pretty good if you have 2 small kids) and one day was completely rained out (thanks Hurricane Issac).  Remember those days when you used to go to the beach and set up your towel and turn on your music and drink your beer and read your book?  I remember those days, but they are long gone for me now.  Now, it takes multiple trips to and from the car to drag out all your beach gear.  You've got to have the tent, the towels, the boogie board, the blankets, the baby pool (yes, it's essential), the sand toys, the chairs, the cooler (now filled with sippy cups and fruit packs-  and a few beers too, you need those to make it through it), the diaper bag, the bag for things that can't get wet (i.e. phones, keys, etc.), and am I forgetting something?  Probably, but I think you get the idea.  Cool relaxing beach day has turned into super stressful workout.  But still fun once everything is settled.  Here's our highlights:

Daddy and Sam-a-lam chillin' at the beach

A little bright out here Mommy for a photo-op

Nana and Sam-a-lam chillin' at the beach

Grandmama and Grandaddy even made an appearance this year!

Tyler was beyond excited to have so many grandparents around.

Here is Sam holding court for all adoring onlookers.

Beginning to eat solid foods-  well, puffs kinda count.

He still hasn't mastered the pincher grasp yet, but he's getting there.

Although using his right hand here, I'm pretty sure he's going to be left handed  :)

The Bar

Sippy cup, margarita supplies, infant formula, wine- you know, the basics

Feeding the seagulls on the Fort Fisher ferry

Thanks for looking at the camera Sam

Mommy and her boys

Spending quality time with Uncle Michael

Nana and Poppa

Nana still has to wear her back brace since her lumbar surgery in July.

Extra bonus points for Nana's excellent use of the top of her brace as a place to stuff supplies

Poppa, whatcha lookin' at?

Face to face with the alligator at the aquarium

Our annual picnic lunch at the gazebo

Clapping, happy boy

Who needs the whole Atlantic Ocean when you've got this awesome baby pool?!?

Making sure the tide doesn't wash us away

Thanks for your help taking care of Sam Poppa

Oh, OK, that's better...

Model Tyler Head