My Marathon Man

Alliteration... haha... takes me back to Mrs. Cannady's 9th grade English class.  Wow, starting with a tangent. 

Ok, back to the point.  Brandon FINISHED the Raleigh City of Oaks Marathon!  It has been something that he has trained hard for since March.  Through the hot summer (meaning early, early Saturday morning runs before the heat), crazy work weeks, and overall exhaustion he trained... and trained... and trained some more.  I could not be more proud of him. 

It's something, really, to watch someone work so hard to complete something and then seeing them finally doing that which they set out to accomplish.  He was ready, boy was he ready!  After those many months of preparing mentally and physically he was up to the task.  The race started at 7am from the NC State Belltower (couldn't have been a better place).  He left home around 5:45 that morning.  A feat alone if you're asking me.  Anyway, he started at 7 and ran and ran and ran until he crossed that beloved finish line (again at the belltower) at 11:39.  A mere 4 hours and 39 minutes later, only to have travelled 26.2 miles on foot.  On foot people! 

I met him a couple of times out on the course at miles 14 and 20.  At 14 he seemed like it was nothing.  At 20 he seemed more tired and he said his legs were hurting.  Then I rushed home to grab Adelaide (huge thank you to Amber for coming over during her nap) and get back out to the finish line.

The end was all a buzz with cheering people everywhere and so much excitement.  It was really neat because I knew that all those people were there to cheer on their special someone, but yet they were cheering on everyone else's special someone too.  We made it out there with a few minutes to spare and then he came running by.  Tired of course, but going hard nonetheless.  He crossed the finish line with his arms spread out like he was flying... a perfect ending!  He was immediately given his medal and a shiny wrap thing to help keep him warm.  Then came the hugs, congrats, and kisses.  He got to see the "Go Daddy Go" shirt I made for Adelaide. It was emotional for us... more so that I thought it would be.  That first family hug will stick with me for a long time to come.  Anyway, after stretching and walking a bit he ate some pizza and we headed home.  Praise the Lord, he did it!

Mile 14

Mile 20 (14 is going the other way)

Water break and meeting up with Travis.  He is a marathon runner and met up with Brandon at Mile 20 to bring him home!  What an encouraging friend.

FINISH LINE

He's on the way!

 Love it!

So proud of you!

Quack Quack

Meet the cutest duck you ever will see

This Halloween was a little more exciting that last year.  Remember this?  Just 5 weeks old last Halloween.

 My Mama got Adelaide this cute duck costume and we thought it was perfect.  We went Trick-or-Treating with Trey, Amber, and Graham around our neighborhood.  Us parents enjoyed showing off our little ones and then snacking on the candy later.  We figured we would enjoy the candy now because in a couple of years I'm sure that won't be acceptable ;-)  

The duck and cow

Look at this cuteness!

Fun with Daddy!

Ok, Ok, I'm almost done with the pictures.

Happy Halloween!

 

Lunch

Apparently Baby wanted lunch too!

When its cold out...

and there is hurricane remnants around this is how we roll as we watch Haydyn's soccer game.

Pre-Halloween fun

With Isaiah and Lily

Our girls

Adelaide was flat out hugging all over her and Lily could have cared less. Love them and how much they love each other.

Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O

And on that farm we had a party! Old MacDonald's farm was the theme for your 1st birthday party. A couple of months before your birthday I began thinking of what theme to use for your party. The fact that you give us sweet smiles when we sing the Old MacDonald song to you, you love the Old MacDonald hand puppet we have, and you love all animals made it easy.  We stuck with the theme and decorated using red and white as well as cow print balloons (and a barn with animals one for you), hay bales, and a rocking horse.  We had it September 22 from 12-2, the Saturday before your birthday, at a nearby park. It was a joyous time of celebrating your first year with our family and friends.

About to sing.  This was such a sweet moment to me.  Hearing everyone sing to you made my heart smile.

Daddy giving you your smash cake.

Surprise, surprise you went for the graham cracker "door" first.

Not excited at all but atleast you touched it.

Daddy decided to pinch off a little for you to taste.

Well maybe we can say you tried it.

Our little cow in the dress that Aunt Kim made for you.

As I was looking for ideas I came across this cake and I just had to make it for you.  It was a labor of love for your Daddy and I and we are super happy with how it turned out.  The barn was your smash cake and the pig, sheep, and chick cupcakes were cute additions.

The cake and cupcake table.

Ham and turkey sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, mustard, and mayo.

Miss Adelaide's Garden of cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, and carrots with red peppers serving as bowls for the ranch dressing.

Chicken feed, a pumpkin patch, hay bales, fresh eggs, tractor wheels, and muddy fence posts made for some yummy treats.

Don't forget the cow patties and tails.

Water and capri suns with a basketfull of apples.

Family and friends...

who love you so much!

We love you, Adelaide.  Happy Birthday!