NYS Fair

 Mom, Papa Bear, Jen, Little Dude and I went to the State Fair a few weeks ago.  I hadn't been in a really long time and was beyond excited for the little things that I remembered from being a kid.  The butter sculpture, 25 cent glasses of the most delicious chocolate milk, the bridge with a different painting on it, the sand sculpture and of course all kinds of animals (with the little ducklings in their pool with a slide being my favorite).

 It was a really neat Dr. Seuss sand sculpture with all sorts of characters and those tongue twisters from the books.  But the bridge was gone.  It should be in the area where the building entrance is but now is a bunch of flowers.  Perhaps it just kind of crumbled and they didn't rebuild.  Disappointment from Jen and I but we did enjoy sitting in the shade with a nice breeze while mom went to get Papa Bear a baked potato for $1.  She didn't want to wait in line for over an hour and walked up to a lady near the front and offered to buy her a potato and drink if she would get a potato for my mom as well.  Hmm, who wouldn't go for the free food and a drink if offered?

 I had to laugh at the cows all buttered up and ready to be judged.  I also felt bad for them since they looked like they needed to go and help make our chocolate milk.  While they were walking they were "leaking" milk everywhere.

 Maybe it didn't smell as bad as you would think in the cow barn because they were washed, blow dried, buzz cut and then shellacked with a variety of products as evidenced in the bin below.  Must be nice to be a State Fair cow instead of back at the farm munching in the fields attracting flies.

 I got a kick out of the sign in the bathroom that said NO Tipping.  Obviously it was meant for an employee who might be cleaning up but still, in the cow barn bathroom.  It's ok to laugh.

 The biggest reason we all went was so Michael could see his first concert.  We took turns dancing with him and he was moving/shaking/smiling the entire time.

I had the pleasure of entertaining the Little Dude on the car ride home so he wold go to bed about his normal time.  I am going to toot my own horn here and say I did a good job with the help of some Baby Einstein thing Jen pulled up on the phone (I make a good "tv" holder) and then just making sil

Michael's First Birthday & 4th of July

Our usual 4th of July festivities kicked off with a delicious meal over at Patty and Danny's place.  We lucked out in that the weather was unusually "chilly" for the holiday.  Usually we are all sitting around sweating but this year we had many people scrambling for long sleeve shirts or pants.  It was actually a perfect temperature but after the heat and humidity in the days before it was a bit of a shock.  

 After lunch/dinner we usually have a poker game but this year we headed over to my parents place where Jen had set up an Ice Cream Shoppe for Michael's First Birthday.  She put a lot of the classic details into the decor and it was amazing.

 Of course the family loved it since we all have a bit of a large sweet tooth.  People sat around chatting and enjoying their sundaes and Root Beer floats.  She had so much leftover too that we invited the neighbors for ice cream and they were in heaven.

 Michael woke up from his nap and was not the happiest of campers.  Usually he is happy but he was just sort of crankity.  Here is Bob tossing him in the air trying to get him to smile before they did his smash cake.

 I might have been kind of unhappy too if all these people were staring at me and I'm not used to all the fuss from that many people.  I am sure that everyone got a great photo of him not smashing his cake while I took one of them all staring at the handsome little dude.

 He did smile for Great Gee-Gee though and had fun sitting in his lap.  Who wouldn't want to smile with Grandpa Zip singing songs and smiling.  He is such a happy guy that it is contagious.

 In the other part of the yard the kids were gathered on the hammock making kickball teams.  Kickball did happen but we were feeding the neighbors ice cream and didn't make it back to Patty and Danny's for that.

 I insisted on giving Michael his gift from Luke and I.  He was very happy and had a huge grin on his face.  It was just what Jen and Bob needed for him to have so he would have some smiling one year photos from the party.  It was a Monsters Inc. inspired coupe.

 Then they did a picture of all the Mikes...

 That night we went to the former Pier One for karioke and drinks.  Our family consisted of about 3/4 of the people there and they were supposed to stop the singing at 9:30 but kept it going until about 1:30.  Crazy.

It was a wonderful 4th of July celebrated with friends and family plus a birthday thrown in there.  A little crazy but that is how most family events are for us and I love it most of the time.

Poppin' Tags

I am not quite sure how I stumbled upon this woman's blog but I did.  Most likely something on pinterest (her North Pole Party is amazingly beautiful) and then I started reading her blog because of her writing and beautiful photos.  Well, her and her sister have a challenge where they go to the thrift store with a set amount and an "outfit" goal (dinner party, picnic...) and see who can rock the budget best.  Check it out here.  I ran the idea by Jen and she was totally up for this.  We set a limit of $10 to get a casual summer outfit.
First up is Jen pretending to dive into the water.  She is sporting her brand spanking new pants from Kohl's (tags still on them at the thrift store) and a new tank with a necklace she had at home.

 Pants $4 and I love the blue color of them.  So refreshing to not see a khaki or black capri.  Shirt $3.  Love that the tank has wide shoulder straps and a faint stripe pattern that is shimmery.  The tank is also longer than most, which I really like because it dresses the outfit up a bit.  Also loving the shape along the bottom of the tank.  Cost of the outfit $7.  She is totally rocking the look and I am sure the pieces will become part of her regular wardrobe.

 I had a tough time finding an outfit.  For some reason most of the capris or shorts that I liked were going to run about $7 which would not leave much for a cute shirt.  I hit the jackpot though with these Bermuda shorts costing $3 (hooray for them being the 50% off color for the week).  I was looking for something that could double as acceptable to wear to school as well for subbing.

 The shirt is from NY& Co and cost $3 as well (another steal with the color of the week tag).  I love how it is like a tank but the cap sleeves are sheer.  I can tuck the cap sleeves up if I want to go for a more tank look.  I paired the shirt with my own white tank to provide some extra coverage.  Total outfit cost: $6.  Although this style shirt is not likely the most flattering I love that it is "cool" since it isn't clingy for those last days at school or at a picnic outside.  School gets hot since it is not air conditioned.

I have to call this version of Poppin' Tags a tie with my outfit winning on price/deal but Jen's winning on fashion/accessorizing.  This challenge was fun and we may have to consider going shopping together this summer for a different outfit challenge.

Belated Mommy Day

I hope all the Momma's out there had a wonderful Mother's Day.  I wanted to give some recognition to my Mommy since I am pretty sure she is the best.  She is always finding a way to make me smile, or at least make me think I might be smiling.

 Believe it or not she is one of my most favorite people to travel with or just do nothing at all with.  Time always seems to fly by with her by my side.  She is always there for me and doesn't complain about my crazy running life.  She is my biggest supporter and number one fan.  Whatever the race she will be there and always has been since I started running about 20 years ago.  I can count on one hand the number of races she was not able to attend and they were all for good reasons.  But she was always there with me since she gave me a charm to wear.  Any parent wondering if it really matters that you go watch all those soccer games and such--it does to your kid.  Coaching for 8 years there were the parents that were there and those that were sometimes--be the one that is there, it means more than the world and moon.

She still loves getting a homemade card and proudly wears a homemade sweatshirt--saving it to wear whenever the mood strikes.  She still wears the "Run Jen Run" one from Jen's first 5k.  A Mommy loves her kids no matter what and mine is no exception.  She will go the extra mile to make you feel loved and special with a secret surprise of a Perfectly Goofy visor at the end of your race, and taking off your shoes.  Little things always let you know she's thinking of you.  An e-mail with the contents of an article you might like, a cookie, a cold raspberry slurpee on a hot day after mowing your lawn... the list never ends.

And since I know that my mom loves my sister and me,  I know that my sister is going to be a great mom that loves her kid just as much!  She's going to be OK with having a water fight in the kitchen of the cottage, because our mom made it fun and acceptable.  Oh, and if you go out to a bar with your about 10 day old baby and have a margarita you are on the right track to be a fun and loving mom, just like ours.

I also know that you are teaching little Dude all kinds of great things and spending quality time with him.  Look at that face, he loves going running with you and someday he will ride a bike alongside while you run.  Happy Mother's Day to my Mommy as well as a first Happy Mother's Day to my sister.   Here is to many more wonderful Mom moments and memories.

Party 'til you Puke...

 This past weekend Miss New Hampshire came to town from Florida (yup, scratch your head on that one for a while) so a bunch of people met up at Marge's Lakeside Inn for some drinks and to visit with her on Friday.  Marge's is a tropical theme place, local "dive" bar in the best way possible.

 Apparently if you are out drinking with friends for a few hours you turn into a squirrel.  I am happy to report that my mother turned back into herself for her birthday the next day.  To celebrate her birthday Jen came to town with Michael.

 A few people stopped by my parents to visit with her and Michael Saturday.  Miss New Hampshire had to go take a nap that afternoon.  Jen went to the Knighthawks lacrosse game with my folks while Manfriend and I had the chance to babysit.  He woke up from his nap, we played and then did the bedtime routine of bath and bottle.  A few hours later, our babysitting adventure ended in the little dude puking all over about 15 minutes before they came home.  We hope that he is feeling better since he had to travel back home Sunday afternoon.

Happy Anniversary Jen and Bob!

Happy Anniversary to Jen and Bob! The fastest trip down memory lane here for you highlighting the awesome-ness of y'all!

Hawaii party in your early datin' years

Engaged in NYC all decorated for Christmas and married exactly one year later on the most perfect winter day with those giant snow flakes and fresh snow from the storm the day before:

and last year you announced to the family that you were going to be a family by welcoming this little dude in the most spectacular way with fireworks and all:

Happy Anniversary to you two and may you have many more years of happiness and love!

Happy 30th Birthday Jen!

Happy 30th Birthday to my little sister Jen!  All those years that you spent wishing for a cat:

So have your cake (and ice cream too).  We know you've earned it.  Hope that you birthday is filled with lots of snuggles from your little dude who you are teaching very well the importance of ice cream and the art of napping. 

Or perhaps you and Bob can take a photo the reenacts Papa Bears 30th Birthday (except you get to wear the hat).

Happy Birthday Jen!  Hope it is amazing and all that you could hope for.  Sorry that we aren't there to celebrate with you but that just means that you need to move back here so we could surprise you with a party.

The Serial Killer of my back yard and other Halloween stuff

The other day (Sunday) we were watching TV and Cinders was all snuggled up on my chest.  She bolted from me and started going nuts at the back sliding glass door.   A black cat was out there and pounce, pounce, pounce near the bird feeder.  He scampers off with a cute little chipmunk.  He's been back everyday since and we scare him away at least twice.  Leave my chipmunks alone!  Cinder likes watching them and they're cute (even if they make the back yard full of little holes). 

While hanging out at home the other day (Tuesday) waiting for it to warm up enough to mow the lawn and run the mower out of gas for the season for winter storage this went prancing though the back yard:

 We see mommy and her 2 babies (that aren't that little anymore) almost nightly.  Seeing him was a real treat.  He was definitely more hesitant than mommy and babies. Although he did run really fast when something spooked him (he was behind the tree "frozen" so this is the only picture I got of him).

 Pretty soon my decorations will have to move from the fireplace to the front hall so that our Trick-or-Treaters see them:

 And I wish that one really stinkin' cutie patootie would be coming to knock at our door.  But I will settle for cute snail mail from him anytime.  Biggest smile on my face to get this the other day:

Looking forward to tonight when Luke gets to answer the door in his Darth Vader costume (oh the irony).