Glad I Walk at 0630

The day just seemed to slip by and before I knew it, it was 1600 and I was just getting home from a day out on the town with Mum, Dad, and Tammy. Didn't really do anything very exciting but did change things up a bit, went to Einstein's Bagels instead of Panera. I know how can we live with the excitement. Stopped at Target and picked up a few things and then it was back to the house. Had a few things to get done at Tammy's and then I headed home.

When I got home found Dan had come and gone, he had a couple of jobs this morning and then one later this afternoon so he had a few hours to kill and decided home would be the best place to do that.

We did start with a walk at the lake and let me tell you just starting an hour later sure makes a difference, it was so much hotter then when I start at 0630 and the sun is way to bright. But we still got two miles in at a good pace.

Wednesday

Weight Watcher's today, so I was up bright and early. I never sleep well on Tuesday nights, think it is because I set the alarm so I leave the house by 0530 and even though most days I'm up early enough to do this I don't want to take the chance of sleeping in. So with the alarm set I am constantly waking up and looking at the clock. Pretty strange. I lost this week and I'm pretty much staying right around my goal weight although today I'm at the lowest I have been in years.

Did all my errands and just puttered around the house, seemed weird that I had no where to go this afternoon but it was nice because I knew what we were having for dinner (fried rice) and it was ready to eat by 1700.

Just before dinner Dan looked out into the back yard and the red-headed woodpecker was on the tree. Didn't want to chance trying to get the screen door open to get the picture so I shot from the kitchen. Lots of glare but the bird turned out nice and he was pretty big.

Around the House

Another day, another walk, the consistency remains and that is all I can ask for. Have been moving my start time up as it gets lighter earlier, not a lot of time but I am ten minutes earlier then when I started.

I spent the day working on and off out in the pool area moving things around and putting up the bug and sun screen on the gazebo. Would have been much easier if I was a bit taller, a ladder really wasn't the way to go because I would have had to move it too often so I just gave my arms a workout holding them over my head for what seemed like hours. The area is starting to come together.


I also moved plants around, have a few more to move and would like to get some pots for flowers. Most of our plants right now are non-flowering or succulents so we are pretty green for the time being.

The weather has been beautiful that last few days, low to mid 80's with a constant breeze. Hope it last for a bit longer.

Tomorrow Starts My Summer Break

Started the day with a walk, still staying pretty consistent, three miles in 44:29.

Today is the end of the semester or at least the days that I need to worry about. When Andy and Nikki start back for the summer they go on different days so I won't be watching the kids very often.

Today was really good day for all of us. Started with some Play-doh fun, we worked with it at the table because it is to hard with Kaleigh being so mobile now. She is right there all the time and I get tired of pulling play-doh out of her hands and mouth.

Unloading everything, have to look at each piece and discuss it. What color, what shape and anything else that may come up.


Then it gets rolled out so shapes can be pressed out of it.


And Kaleigh really wanted to be up where the action is.


Then we did some coloring and just played. The afternoon went by very fast, probably because I didn't arrive until almost 1500. We watched a couple of movies and then it was time for dinner while the second on was playing.

Kaleigh went down shortly after eating. Riley and I worked on buttoning and unbuttoning my sweater. He really wanted to do it himself but the buttons are so small that it was pretty difficult but we must have gone through all of them three to four times. Then I put on the news for a bit so I could find out what was going on in the world and Riley wasn't happy about that. I told him he could watch one of his shows if he let me watch the news so we watched about 20 minutes and that was all I could take. Put on Aladdin and Riley was sitting next to me and the next thing I know he has put his head on my arm and is fast asleep. I really couldn't believe it.

Nikki got home just after that and put him into his bed, so they lucked and should have a quiet evening.

I got home and Dan had put the gazebo up, we just have to move it a bit to be in its proper place.


Andy stopped by on his way home from school to vacuum out his car and we visited for a bit.

Back From Kim's

Had a really good time this weekend. Celebrated Cole's birthday (which is actually May 7). Had cake on Friday, Madagascar II theme and it was very cute and of course delicious.


Then on Saturday, bright and early we headed out to Chuck E. Cheese. We got there right at 0900 and spent about 3 hours. A good time was had by all especially the Birthday-Boy.


When we got back to Kim's after a stop at Wal-Mart to pick up some stuff for dinner, Dennis got the bonfire going in the backyard. Burned all the brush and miscellaneous wood that was in the yard and then it was time for smores. First we had to try toasting some peeps that Breann had from Easter and the only thing I can say is, "Don't knock it until you've tried it!" If you like marshmallow toasted you will like peeps also. The sugar crystallizes and gets all nice and brown and forms a right tasty treat.

Today we got up, went for a walk, packed up the truck and headed out. I was home at about 1300.

Here are more of the pictures from the weekend, most are courtesy of Tammy because I was busy with my peeps.

Chuck E Cheese

Today we took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese, played lots of games, ate pizza and just had a good time. When we got home got the bonfire going, made smores and roasted peeps. I really liked the peeps, the sugar crystalized and the inside melted, very tasty.

Cole's Early Birthday

We are at Kim's to celebrate Cole's birthday this weekend. Tomorrow we are heading to Chuck E Cheese for pizza and games. More to come when I have a computer to type me entry.

Phone

We are now officially ComCast phone customers. Had to do something because we were paying way to much for a phone we pretty much only use with the fax for Dan's work. Our bill should be about 60% less so that makes me happy. The installer arrived at about 1000 and was done just before 1100 so everything went smoothly and is working fine.

I used my new GPS for my walk this morning and I really liked it. For one thing I walked about 30 seconds faster for each mile. Hope this was just because the other GPS wasn't meant to be hand held and was seven years old and the new one is more accurate. I'll be able to get a better idea when I walk in the 10K next month so I have a preset course to follow. I did the three miles in 43:45.

Not much else going on today. The weather is starting to get warmer, but so long as it keeps cooling down at night the house stays cool for most of the day. I put off turning on the AC as long as possible.

Short Day

Got home from my morning errands and the yard was full of squirrels, guess they were mourning their fallen comrade, hope they take his misstep to heart and stay away from things that can hurt them and cause our power to go off.

The semester is winding down for Nikki and Andy so my days have been shorter with the kids. Today I didn't have to head over until about 1415 and Dan drove in just as I was leaving. Riley and Kaleigh were sleeping when I arrived and slept for about another hour and they both woke up at the same time. Just spent the afternoon playing and having a good time.

When I got home my new GPS was there, so now I'm charging it and hoping I can figure it out before tomorrow morning so I can use it when I walk.

GPS

Edited to add:

I was just a tad bit quick on the blogging tonight. I was watching Jeopardy when there was a huge explosion in the front yard and all our power went out. Dan went out to investigate, making sure there was no arcing and sparking while I called OUC. Everything for OUC was automated so I answered all the questions and headed out to see what was going on. We found the cause of the problem, a squirrel just out for his nightly run on the power lines had a slight misstep which ended very badly for him. We were pleasantly surprised to see the OUC guy was here in less then 30 minutes and power was back on in about 45. He had to move his truck twice to get the bucket to the right place to replace the fuse.

This isn't what you want to see when looking at the fuse for the transformer. We are very experienced with this because it is what kept us without power for a week after the hurricanes in 2004. We have a fuse between our house and our neighbors and because it only affected the power for two houses it wasn't high priority in their book, didn't matter what our book said.


Well my GPS quit on me again, low batteries. It goes through batteries way to fast so I ordered myself a GPS made for runners/walkers and you wear it like a watch. Should get it tomorrow, can't wait. I did do three miles and I guesstamated my time at 45:55 because that is about what I have been doing lately.

I also watched the kids for a couple of hours today so Andy and Nikki could do a few errands, just easier without the kids sometimes and it gives me a chance to be with them.

Not much else going on around here, just keeping it quiet.

More EPCOT Pictures

First here are some more pictures from yesterday at the Flower Festival.

The old legs didn't want to get moving for my walk this morning, but I forced myself and didn't do to bad, three miles in 45:41.

I spent the morning going through pictures and decided to just put the link to Kodak Gallery because there were just to many.

Watched the kids this afternoon and our schedule was all out of wack. No lunch before I arrived because they had a late snack and by the time I fed Kaleigh she was starting to fall asleep but she got most of her grilled cheese eaten. Then she went right down for a nap.

Riley and I watched Toy Story and played for the time that Kaleigh was sleeping. When she got up she helped Riley finish his afternoon snack and she looked so cute at the coffee table.


Then Riley got very cranky so it was time for him to go down and he was pretty much out like a light. As you can see he just climbed into bed pulling his blanket across his chest.

Kaleigh and I had a really nice afternoon, this is the first time in a long time that Riley has been asleep for so long while she was awake. She played by herself and it was lots of fun to watch. Then we played some peek-a-boo around the leg of the coffee table. We were both laughing during that.

Nikki got home a bit early, just as I was getting ready to feed Kaleigh dinner. So she got to have Mama feed her.

It was nice getting home a little early and eating dinner.

Flower Festival

We were off bright and early heading for EPCOT to see the Flower Festival. We were greeted with topiaries of the princesses with their princes as the entrance, this is Belle and the Beast.


Stitch happened to be right there for pictures and wouldn't you know just as we got to him it was time for a pineapple juice break so we waited until he got back. Riley did very well and was actually enjoying himself but Kaliegh wasn't feeling the love and just wanted Dada to take her away.

Today we did lots of things we haven't done in ages; the boat ride in The Land, Finding Nemo and Talking with Crush in The Living Seas. This was our hidden Mickey for the day, at the bottom of one of the large aquarium tanks.


Kaleigh really liked looking at the fish. Think she wanted to join them here.


Another of the topiaries, The Lion King. The topiaries were beautiful but there weren't as many flowers as in past years.


This is what both the kids looked like right after we came out of the Living Seas.


Riley was glad he woke up in time to go in the splash pad, he has such a good time in the water and he is always so good about coming out when it is time.


Eating up the last of his grapes. We were just walking around at this point, Andy and Nikki had gone to use the fast passes for Soaring.

When we all met up again they headed out of the park and we went back to America to hear The Ventures perform in the Flower Power Concert.

You're not going to believe this but Dan and I didn't walk out of the park until just before 1830, the latest we have stayed in a long time when we aren't actually staying out there.

Stopped at Publix on the way home because we needed milk and Dan got a sub for dinner. Got home and just sat down to relax.

Quiet

Did three miles today in 45:08, as you can see I'm pretty consistent with my times.

The rest of the day was catching up with chores and things I put off this week because I was out and about on both Thursday and Friday.

I started working on Kaleigh's outfit for her birthday party, have to try it on her to make sure of the length and adjust the waist although she has more of a belly than a waist for right now.

Dan worked today and got home at about 1600. So it was very quiet around here.

Characters In Flight

Upped my miles today, I was going to do it this weekend but the days got all turned around with what we are going to do and I wanted a rest day before doing five miles so I would be at my best. It worked because I did it in 1:15:43, just over a 15 minutes pace.

When I got done I checked my phone and saw that Tammy had called about a million time, or maybe it was 4 times. They wanted to know if I wanted to go with them to Downtown Disney to try out the new helium balloon. I jumped at the chance, Dan and I had just been talking about and I thought I could give it a try and report back to Dan to let him know all about it.

We made a couple of stops along the way because it was still a bit early and we arrived just before they would be opening.


But it turned out that it wasn't going to be our day to go up in the balloon. The winds were to high and the Chief Pilot told me he didn't think they would die down enough today for the balloon to lift off. So we will just have to try another day.

Here is the balloon and the capacity depends on wind speed with 30 being the most that can ride at one time. It takes 2 minutes to ascend, 2 minutes to descend and 5 minutes at 400 feet in the air. I saw pictures online of the view from the top and I can't wait to see.



I spent the afternoon catching up on some tivoed shows and enjoyed the cool breeze that blew through the house.

Time Just Flies By

The weeks just seem to fly by. Here it is Thursday again and almost time for the weekend. Went out with Mum, Dad, and Tammy. Started with a walk at the lakefront and of course after that headed out to Panera to get a bagel and build our energy back up. Then it was on to Lowe's, BJ's and Publix.

This afternoon I did laundry and played Animal Crossing on the Wii and before I knew it Dan was home and it was time to make dinner. Then we alternated playing Animal Crossing for the rest of the evening.

Lifetime Member

Today I finished up my six weeks of maintenance with a bang, down 1.6 pounds, so I'm right where I want to be for now. It also means that I am now a lifetime member. Thought I would show you a before and after, slight difference. Not really sure when the before was taken but that doesn't really matter.



Got all my errands done and when I got home I called Weight Watchers to get my monthly pass canceled because one of the benefits of being a Lifetime member is you can go to your meetings for free. I wanted to keep the E-Tools that I use on the computer and my I-Pod Touch to track my food and I thought it might be difficult to get everything straight but it was all resolved very quickly. So I'm a happy camper right now.

Watched the kids this afternoon, one of those days. No one napped so we were all getting a bit crazy by the end of the day. Riley was hungry for dinner before I expected. He climbed up in his chair ready to eat and I still had to cook his meal. So Kaleigh was eating, Riley was sitting in his chair and I was sitting across from him. I started making faces to keep him amused and it just set him off laughing which set Kaleigh off. I had never heard Kaleigh laugh like this and she was definitely laughing at Riley and not me because she looked at him the whole time. It was all very funny and passed the time until Riley's dinner was ready.

After that we spent the rest of the evening until Andy got home reading and discussing the alphabet.

Rain, Rain, Rain

Got my walk in before the rain started and I'm real glad I did because it rained and blew all day. We really needed it so there is no complaining coming from me. Another three miles in 46:24.

After I did a few things around the house I went over to help Andy with an Excel spreadsheet he was working on for one of his classes. It turned out to be much easier then I thought so I got to play with Kaleigh while I was there. Riley and Nikki were at a moms group so I'm sure they were having fun.

I spent the day going through magazines to see if there were any articles that I wanted or websites that I wanted to look at. The day went by so fast one minute it was noon and the next it was 1700 and I thought I had looked at the clock wrong and did a double-take.

Dan didn't get home until after 1930, he only had two jobs but one was multiple installations that took all day.

I Couldn't Help But Laugh

My walk was much better this morning, felt like I was in control again. Did the three miles in 45:24 so very happy with that.

Dan was off today so he finished up a few things that he just didn't get to over the weekend. I, of course got to watch the kids.

This is what I couldn't help laughing at. Kaleigh was standing on this booklet and she really wanted to pick it up but it just wouldn't come out from under her feet. It took her a while before she realized that she would have to sit down to get the book.


I took the Children's Encyclopedia over for Riley today and it kept him interested for most of the day. We just kind of flipped through and talked about different things. I think this is going to be one of our favorite books for a while.


Riley went down for a nap quite easily today but Kaleigh was another story. She was very tired but just didn't want to go in her crib. She would lay in my arms all quiet and not moving and as soon as I lifted her towards her crib she would start crying. I tried this twice and gave up and just held her. I know this won't last for long so I'll enjoy it while I can.

She actually had dinner before Riley got up from his nap so she was all dressed for bed while I got his dinner ready and he ate. She crawled around the table while we were sitting there but she was getting so tired she couldn't even pull herself up any more. So off she went to bed and was out like a light.

Riley and I were watching Nemo and reading the encyclopedia when Nikki got home.

I'm Addicted to Technology...

...and proud of it! Just found an app, so now I can post to my blog from my I-Pod Touch. Not sure how much I will use it because the keyboard isn't user friendly when you have bunches to type. But now I know it is here.

Happy Easter and My 600th Post

Just noticed that this was going to be my 600th post today, hard to believe. I haven't missed but a couple of days since Jan 1 2008 so I guess it isn't hard to have the number climb so high.

Happy Easter to everyone, we had a really nice day. Of course what made it so was that Andy, Nikki, Riley, Kaleigh, Ashley and Chris joined us for the festivities.

Riley really liked everything in his basket and was ready to put Finding Nemo into the dvd player and watch it right away. We convinced him he could watch it later at home.


Kaleigh examining the contents of her basket, not sure if she was very impressed.


Then it was time to hunt for eggs. At first he just wanted to take the eggs from Andy and Nikki baskets but then realized there were eggs all over the house. He did a really good job spotting the eggs and had to open each one as he found it.


The little ones had quarters in them and the bigger ones had matchbox cars. He was equally excited about both. He learned right away that the quarters went into the bag so he could put them in his piggy bank when he got home.


After the hunt it was lunch time, while Riley was waiting for his sandwich he had a couple of strawberries. They were huge and very delicious.


After sandwiches it was brownie time. Kaleigh isn't a big sweets person but she gave it a go and try them. She would have liked more grilled cheese sandwich.


Then it was outside to use the chalk they got in their Easter baskets. We had quite the Art Festival going on.



Dan and Kaleigh decided a ride in the wagon would be more fun, so off they went. Only got as far as the neighbors where they stopped to watch the barking dogs (they drive me crazy).

By this time it was getting pretty hot on the driveway in the sun so we went back inside and talked for a bit. Riley was getting very tired so all the ill-gotten booty was loaded in the car and they headed home.

It was a great day and I think the next gathering will probably include swimming because the pool will definitely be warm enough or it will be hot enough out that the pool temperature won't matter.

To Much To Do!

Started with a walk and I just couldn't get into a groove, I knew I was walking slower then I have been but I just couldn't step it up.

By the time I got home Dan had already gotten a couple of his chores done, I know one was the litter box, always a favorite and can't remember what the other was. Got my shower taken and we were off to do errands. Wal-Mart, Pinch-a-Penny, and Publix. Publix was all ready for the Easter Egg hunt they were having this morning, there were plastic eggs everywhere. I wonder when they will find that last egg that probably rolled behind a shelf or under a freezer.

When we got home we both went to work. Dan was building a step leading into the back door that we use all the time to match the one by the deck. As always we needed to make a trip to Home Depot because you can't do a DIY project and get everything you need the first time. We also had to make another stop by Publix because I ran out of fresh vegetables for salads, guess I didn't check very well before I went shopping on Wednesday.

Got home again and Dan went back to work on the step but got tired of being on his knees so he mowed the lawn, the first mowing of the year. Lots of prep work because the yard was filled with pine cones, but now it looks really good. Then he fertilized the yard and maybe it will turn green sometime soon. After that brief intermission he was back to the step and finished that up. So everything is looking really good. Also filled the pool, we never did get enough rain to make much of a difference and it doesn't look like there is any in the forecast.

While Dan was doing all that, I was busy in the house. Vacuuming and washing floors, making up Easter Baskets, getting eggs ready to hid and all those things around the house that never seem to get done or stay done.

Finally ate dinner at around 1800 and then we called it a day.

Did my four mile walk today in 60:45. Next week is the week to increase my long walks to five miles so I have to figure out a route for that. I have one mapped out in my head just have to measure it and make sure it is five. I'll be sticking to that for six weeks or so.

Nothing much going on today until of course right after Dan got home, not that that had anything to do with the excitement. First a police car zipped by the house to the end of the road and went down the dirt road, then about three minutes later two more police cars, then a rescue unit and finally a fire truck.


Don't know what went on and we are assuming everyone left the other way and out to Hickory Tree because they never came back by the house. Will have to check out the Osceola paper this weekend and see if they report on anything.

After that we just had a quiet evening.

Will You Dance With Me?

Kim, my sister (in case you didn't know) sent this out in an e-mail this morning and it really hit home. I have a tendency to let the word "no" be the first thing out of my mouth and I really work to control that because usually it isn't what I really mean. So I wanted to save this and just keep it in mind. I definitely want to dance and do so many other things.

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, 'How about going to lunch in a half hour?' She would gas up and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain.' And my personal favorite: 'It's Monday.' She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet... We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.'

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Roller blades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord..

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-Decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to......not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?

Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this to you.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever follow ed a butter fly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask ' How are you?' Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away..... Life is not a race Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND. If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.

To those I have sent this to... I cherish our friendship and appreciate all you do.

'Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!

More Pictures

Went for my walk this morning and when I got to the mile mark and went to check my time found out that I hadn't reset the GPS so I don't really know what my first mile time was. I do know that I walked the next two mile in 29:51 so I was moving pretty good. Did a guess for the first mile and gave myself an overall time of 45:15 because my first mile is always slower. I will be more careful from now on.

Took some more pictures of the kids today and had Andy take a few of the me with Riley and Kaleigh. I never seem to be in any pictures. I know none of us are looking at the camera in this shot but I like it because we were just busy and doing what we do, having fun.


After the pictures Kaleigh went down for a nap so Riley and I got to play for a bit. He chose Play-doh, does that surprise anyone? We played for about a 1/2 hour and then it was time for me to head home. Did some work on a few digital layouts and then Andy called. He asked me to e-mail him some of the photos I took today and I told him I couldn't because I was uploading some stuff to scrapbookpictures.com and he would have to wait. I thought he just wanted some pictures of the kids with me. Come to find out he was trying to let me know that I had left my memory card in his computer and I couldn't do anything with the pictures. So when Dan got home we went over to get it. Again we played with Riley for a bit. He told us all about the flying bear he had seen outside his window. Andy decided it was really a squirrel he had seen, but it made for a really good story.

Stopped by KFC to get some dinner and then it was for us and we called it a night.

I Will Figure It Out

No walk this morning, it is one of my two days off. Started with Weight Watcher's, was up 1.4 pounds. Not sure if this just fits in with 2 good weeks, 2 bad weeks, but I'm still within my range for maintenance and will just cut back a bit this week. Trial and error for me right now.

Gas, Wal-mart, and Publix were next on my list. Got everything done and was home before 0900. Didn't really do much before heading off to watch the kids.

Riley was pretty funny today, while Kaleigh was napping I pulled out some magazines I had brought with me. Riley decided he wanted to read one of the photography ones, so I read the other. Every time I would get interested in an article he would want to switch magazines. Then he would ask all about the pictures in his magazine, but he didn't want to read the same one as me. We had to be reading both of them. So maybe I will be able to make a junior photographer out of him yet.

He finally went down for his nap at about 1600 and was still asleep when I left. Hope it doesn't mess with his sleep schedule to much. So Kaleigh and I had a couple of hours to ourself and we put it to good use. We played with the maracas and danced to the music. She is getting really good at just standing not holding on to anything. It usually happens when she has something in one hand and decides she needs to hold it with two hands and there she is standing.

She was all ready for bed when Andy got home because she was having trouble staying awake while eating her dinner. So Andy may have a pretty quiet night or it may be a really terrible night could go either way.

Picture Time

It was so windy out this morning I was thinking I was back on Adak (Birthplace of the Wind). At one point there was a lull in the wind and I almost fell over, I was leaning so far forward working against the wind. But this must be my kind of weather because my time for 3 miles was 45:48 or a pace of 15:16 a mile, not bad.

Today was the day to get pictures of the kids in the outfits I made them. It went very well and Riley was the most cooperative he has been in a long time when trying to get pictures of everyone together. He doesn't mind the everyday shots I take but to have to sit down and look at the camera it just plain boring. Just ask him.

Well last year he fit in the basket and this year there was no way he was going to be able to sit inside. Go here to see last year's pictures.


Kaleigh wasn't going to fit either and she wasn't to happy about the whole prospect of having me try.


This is the look you get when you ask, "What does Gramma have in her pocket?" and he knows it is a piece of candy. Doesn't matter that it was in the basket and had been there for a year, it is still pretty exciting to think you might get to eat it.


A cute family shot, when no one is behind me to get the kids to smile I'm lucky to get them to look at me. But it turned out to be a great picture.


After taking the pictures I came home and went through all of them, probably took about 100 - 125. Then I worked on some of my layouts that I've been ignoring so it was a very productive day.

Blustery Day

Had another good walk this morning, my times have been staying very consistent and that is what I like to see. I just have to keep adding the miles and keeping these same times. In two weeks my long walk on the weekend will go to 5 miles and shortly after that my daily walks become 4 miles. So those are my milestones right now.

After my walk the wind and rain came in and it was on and off for most of the day. I guess it is the predecessor to the cold front coming in tonight.

Kaleigh is so close to walking it isn't funny. She will be interested in something and the next thing you know she isn't holding on to anything and is just standing there. She can stand up using just about anything including my pants and she can make her way through the obstacle course that is usually around the coffee table in the living room without falling down or getting frustrated. So we are just waiting for that first step.

Riley is into Kung Fun fighting, learned from Kung Fu Panda and it is very funny to watch him, although it is probably even funnier for him to watch me doing it with him. Kaleigh just stares at us and I really wonder what she is thinking. On the other hand maybe I don't want to know.

For some reason the day seemed to fly by and before we knew it Nikki was getting home. I had just grabbed Riley jammies and was getting ready to change him. Kaleigh got dressed for bed as soon as she was done with her dinner.

Chris was at the house when I got home so we visited for a bit and then he was off.

Tartan Day

Did you know there was day to honor Americans of Scottish decent? Neither did I, click here to find out everything you always wanted to know.

Gatorland

Another trip to Gatorland today, it is one of our favorite places to visit. We have found this is the best time of year because of the birds nesting and the alligators mating. Today the males were defending their turf and that was pretty exciting but I will get to the in a moment.

Got some better shots of the white alligators, there seemed to be more light and less glare today. Two of the four were in the exact same place as we saw them last time.


Kaleigh wishing she could get closer to the goats that Baapa and Riley were feeding.


Riley did very well today, he got pretty close and would have let the goat eat out of his hand but the kernel of corn rolled out before the goat could get it.


Doing what she does best: Looking cute.


Riley was really checking out the gator.


This was out in the swamp walk and looked like it should have be a miniature forest with fireflies in it.


Then we got out in the breeding marsh, last year there were only one or two males grunting but this year it seemed like they all were. The whole boardwalk was rumbling, it was really something. I missed the big tussle but Andy, Nikki, Dan, and the kids saw it. I was hanging back to look at the birds and then there was a gator under the boardwalk just rumbling away. The whole thing was very fascinating.


The males puff themselves up and go up and down in the water and then push the front half of their body out of the water.


The kids found it pretty interesting.


There weren't as many birds as last year but we saw lots of nests.



This is the water park at Gatorland. The water was very cold and hit you like a ton of bricks, this is according to Andy because I sure didn't get wet.


Riley really would have liked to spray me, but luckily they weren't working. He kept trying though.


Going through the water with Dad.


Kaleigh wasn't very sure about this.


I think the face says it all, "How could you have done this to me Dada?"


And then he stood under the bucket and it dumped on their heads.


Just having more fun.



After Gatorland we swung by Target to exchange a shirt and then it was off to Olive Garden for lunch. I thought we might have to wait but we beat the crowd. It was there when we left and the line was quite long. Lunch was very good and we had enough left over so everyone had dinner for tonight.