PA Trip

Jeremy took Matty on a trip to PA last weekend to visit his family.  Matty did great on his first airplane rides!  He had fun playing with his cousins, checking out a corn field and horses, going to a Pirates baseball game, and attending a family picnic.

First airplane ride.

Preschool Orientation

This morning, I took Matty to his preschool orientation.  He was a little scared as we were walking in, but cheered up as soon as we entered his classroom.  His teacher put her hand out to shake his, but he instead gave her a big hug!  So cute.  She said that his greeting was the nicest that she could remember.  There are 4 boys in the class and 4 girls.  It was funny how the boys gravitated towards the cars and diggers and the girls played with puzzles or drawing.  They had circle time, said some prayers, read a book, colored a little, and had their pictures taken.  I met the other boys' moms and they seemed very nice.  My fingers are crossed that he will remember how much fun he had today and won't be upset when I leave him there next week!  Here is a picture of him right before we left.

Head for the Cure

This morning, Zach and I attended the Head for the Cure race in Corporate Woods.  We were members of a large team in support of our next door neighbor.  I was planning to just walk through the course, but the race was postponed due to some rain and traffic issues, so I decided at the last minute to run.  Since I didn't know how to fold up the jogger stroller, I had to bring a standard stroller...however, it worked out great and Zach had a blast!  I think he enjoyed whizzing around other runners the most.  We finished the 5k in under 30 minutes I think (the official results haven't been posted online yet).  This was the first race I have run in a few years, and definitely the first ever while pushing a stroller!  I miss running races, so I am going to try to run in a couple more next year.  After the race, we went next door for the post-race brunch...a fun morning for a great cause!

Getting ready for the race.

Z pushing his stroller before the race.

Self portrait.

Celebrating after the completion of the race!

Legends

Jeremy took Matty to PA for a weekend trip, and so I am trying to keep Zach preoccupied because he misses his brother so much!  It about broke my heart yesterday morning when he woke up and ran into Matty's room.  He kept saying "Matt Matt" over and over, so I had to show him a bunch of pictures of his big bro on the computer while he ate breakfast.  He started feeling better once we arrived at the Legends later in the morning.  He had a lot of fun in the outside areas, but wasn't so happy whenever we took him into a store...talk about having to power shop!  He especially liked watching the T-Rex display and all of the fountains.

Zach and the giant turtle.

Don't make me go in another store!

Backyard Fun

Trains & Fountains

We had such a fun morning today...my Mom and I took the boys to the train exhibit at Union Station.  Matty was squealing with excitement and did not want to leave.  Zach was having a blast exploring also, and especially liked the Thomas & Friends trains.  We also saw a neat exhibit that had electric models of old Worlds of Fun roller coasters.  I remember riding the Orient Express and EXT many times as a kid!  We stopped in at a gift shop and the boys chose a few trains to bring home with them.  Then, we went over to Crown Center for lunch and to see the famous fountains...what a great morning!

So many neat trains to see!

The roller coasters were fast.

They had fun playing in the gift shop.

Grandpa

My Grandpa passed away 10 years ago today.  As I write this, there are not enough words to express what an amazing person that he was, so I thought I'd just write a few thoughts about him.  He was always there for my brother, sister and I when we were kids...he attended all of our sporting events and was always so proud of us...he even wore a BVNW husky hat!  He would sit on the couch in our living room and listen to me practice the piano, even if I was just learning a new song.  He could fix anything...he always let my brother and I play with his tools at his wooden work bench.  He loved the KC Royals and the Missouri Tigers.  When Jeremy and I were building our first home, he would visit the construction site daily and give us updates since we were both at work or traveling.  He lost an eye as a child, but never let it slow him down...he drove a tank in WWII and was a very respected air traffic controller after that.  He loved his family more than anything.

10 years ago on August 7th, both my Grandpa and I were admitted to different hospitals.  I was very sick and at the time, no one told me that my Grandpa wasn't doing well.  I never got the chance to tell him goodbye, but I know that he was there in spirit and helped me get healthy again.  I miss him every day...he truly was the best grandpa, father, and husband.

My graduation from Mizzou.

My Grandpa's 80th birthday.

Cloudy Day Close-ups

Sprinklers

The boys love being outside, and they especially like to run around the yard looking for sprinkler heads...don't ask me why, although I think it ties in with their overall fascination with water.

"Hurry Matty, I found one!"

Checking it out.

Plotting their next move.

Taking a break to mow.