More of Thanksgiving 2014

A select few here...

If the boys ever start a punk band, I will make sure this makes the album cover.

The weather was perfect for kite-flying.  

It was "cold" for the beach, but not too, by any means.  This was early morning Thanksgiving.  It actually got quite warm, especially out of the wind.

Jonah working on our project.  We had the forethought to bring three real (not beach toy) shovels...

Only one braving bare feet that early.

The project.  These three holes got so big that we tunneled between them, with tunnels so big, the boys could crawl through them.

Daddy (Travis) and Teagan.  She was getting over some sickness, but man is she sweet and sociable.  It  wa so nice to get to know her, and spend substantial time with Jonah too.  I cant wait to watch her keep this smiling reputation.

Amazing sunrises and sets...

Thanksgiving 2014

We met up with family at Emerald Isle, NC, for Thanksgiving this year.  Many more photos hopefully to come, but I wanted to get this one up first.  Perfect kite-flying weather and we dug holes so big and deep that we had tunnels in between that the boys could crawl through!

                                            

While on a birding walk

I also grabbed these gems from Lesley's phone.  While Heath was at a friend's house last Sunday, and while I was scavenging firewood from a roadside tree, (I am so happy that) Lesley took the opportunity to take Alder to Midlothian Mines Park to see what waterfowl was around.  They got to see lots of Hooded Mergansers in breeding plumage, displaying, diving for fish, etc. - quite a treat.  Other treats included a delightful Alder pose and two videos he grabbed:

Several of the many reasons I love my wife...

are captured in the fact that I found these pictures in this order on her phone (she knew I was looking):

Written note, pic taken, texted to sitter.

Idea for how we might do an island in the kitchen.  Or... the way she wants the boys and I to look and act?  Oh NOO!

looking forward to this!

not looking forward to this!! I think I was there for this actually.  We deduced Bear.

And for total contrast, ... a nice orchid from somewhere.

2014 Richmond Marathon

I am getting nervous, but mostly excited about the weekend coming.  Travis, Ana, Jonah and Teagan, and our friends Jason and Nicole are all coming to visit.  Saturday will be my first full marathon, which I have spent, with support from my wife and boys of course, many hours running/training for since the first of September.  I'll be running with the collective adrenaline of over 16,000 others running, starting in prime upper 20's temperature, with no rain.  I think Lesley and the boys at least will be able to make to the route to cheer some around mile 8 and/or 12ish.  I have warm clothes to start in and jettison as I need. All that is in my favor.

Who knows what I will feel like afterwards, but I must recover in time for a Neighborhood Fall Festival that we have been helpin to organize - live bluegrass, BBQ, bonfire, local brewery beer - as a fundraiser for our pool.  (the 7pm end-time on the flier is not true)  Locals reading this, come on out!

The marathon is also significant because (1) I have often said, I would never have the desire to do that.    I had no idea.   So far the worst part is the time spent training - many  many weekend mornings spent just running.  This in itself is good for some reasons, but it is a bit monotonous.  So far the best part is that I can hit the road right now and run anywhere from 8 to 13 miles with no discomfort at all.  I hope I can stay in this shape, to be able to jump out and run for an hour or 90 minutes whenever I want, and then justcarry on with the rest of the day.  Its also a significant personal goal becaue (2) a year ago I was not walking.

I cannot believe that through all of this training, my foot has given me zero problem.  I think this points to the importance of doing what the doc and Physical Therapists say to do.  And most of all, I think this goes to show that pretty much anyone can do this, or at least something like this.  It just takes the desire and training.  All that said… still knock on wood.  Alot can still go wrong.  Feel good though.

Fall Beach Trip

Oh!  Its been too long!  So, lets pick up with our 7th(?!?) annual Fall beach trip.  Every year we feel even more fortuante to be doing this so routinely.  Everyone is getting older, but the fun is relative.  Everyone gets back together, right back at it.  We love how it comes so naturally.

I love these of Katie.

Here are many others, picked from many more, that speak for themselves.  Every year, we get there, make sure we have all the food and drink we need, and we stay right there, between the beach and the house, plain and simple.  Its always more than enough to keep us looking forward the the next time.

Sand and water.  And kids can find endless entertainment.

The waves were enormous and brutal, still fun, this year.  And Alder never got enough.  

Heath stayed a little more shallow, but still enjoyed a mild beating from the breakers.