The "routine"

Carlie at the start of class talking to her teacher.

Carlie on Beam

After gymnastics we always walk down the street a little to the hot dog vendor. He tells Carlie how beautiful she is and she orders a hot dog with mustard. I order my turkey dog and a diet coke. We go find a good spot and eat lunch together. She swipes my diet coke, and gives the hot dog bun to the birds! It's always a good day!

What diet coke?????

Morning walks

I love getting up early before anyone else and going on a walk. I especially love taking the camera. I think I missed my calling- not that I'm good at it, but just that I love taking pictures!

Ballet?

Carlie told me she wants to be a ballet dancer. So, we're taking a break from gymnastics to find a ballet studio for her to join. She's such a character! The last picture is Alex and Carlie playing with the NEW hose! They play with that thing for hours! Why do we buy all the cool toys? A box, a hose, a bag, some dirt and worms. Good entertainment for hours! I remember when i was a kid playing with black widow egg sacks. We'd find them in the rock piles and in the basement. We'd spray hairspray on them and light them on fire. We could do it all day. I don't remember very many toys I had though. I also remember pulling weeds up out of the ground and twirling them around our heads- these were our weapons against the evil neighbor boys- I still remember their names. Chris Anderson and something Peterson. We had forts dug into the hillsides, armed guards (armed with the killer weed torpedos) and we were constantly trying to steel each others turf, or fort. Ahhhhh, those were the days!

A few pictures...

Favorite spot to watch a movie. Dare me to get closer?

Carlie's favorite tune is "I need a Hero" from the 80's!!!

Alex looks so pre teen here! Ack!!!

Airlife Memorial Run 2009

What a great time we had today! We got up early and headed off to Hudson Gardens for the 5k run this morning. Alex and I ran the 5k, and Carlie did the kids fun run after- I think it's about 1/2 mile. The gardens are really nice this time of year, and there were small streams all over.
Alex did great! She finished right at 27 minutes, without practicing before the race. She's quite the athlete! My only goal was to not stop, and I wogged the whole thing without stopping! I haven't been running either, but I do love it! I was a little depressed when the race walker passed me and I couldn't catch him, but I kept plodding on. (did I mention the race walkers start 5 min after we did?) I did beat my last years time by about 10 minutes - last year I only ran about 1/2 of the race.

After the race there were giant slides for the kids, a trampoline (see picture of Carlie in the trees) and lots of goodies. This is by far my favorite race. After the race we went to Tokyo Joes for lunch, then home to play before we do an afternoon bowling tour, then a bike ride before dinner. Sundays need to be about 5 hours longer! Now I'm looking for another race this next Sunday!

At the stream after the race.

Carlie holding Alexs' hand before the start of the kids fun run All the kids at the start Not the best picture, but oh well! All of the girls just as I finished the race - Alex literally ran behind me and pushed me the last 20 feet! Thanks!

Carlie on the trampoline- what fun! Alex was doing double back flips!

The end!!!

Carlie's Birthday Party

Just before the party. The clouds went away and it was beautiful just in time. We were lucky! Like they say.... the box is what they end up playing with in the end! Matt and Matt

Carlie and Luke

The balloon swords were a big hit.

Carlie and her cool horse cake! How much fun is it to be 4?! Carlie in her party dress
All the kids. We had face painting and balloon animals - everyone wanted balloon swords.

Kendall and Alex wrapping one of Carlie's presents.

Pizza! All kids happy!

(see the cool cake? - I thought that was the best!)

Carlie and her dimple!

We had horses and ponies come out for the kids to ride. They had a blast.

Hubby!

Carlie got a unicorn painted on her arm

Hayden (or is it Hunter?) with his face painted. We had 3 sets of twins come to the party. All live within 3 houses of us, and they're all identical sets. Crazy, huh? There must be something in the water out here! Hayden / Hunters dad, Alan in the background along with Matt - other neighbor. We all plan on moving at the same time when we move, and going to the same new neighborhood! We really get along that well, it's awesome to have such a fun neighborhood.

Alex on the horse.

Carlie in her party dress.

Carlie on the horse

Horse helpers with Carlie

Kendall, Alex and Allie

What's in there?

They brought a little pony to brush and decorate

Face Painting

The princess and the princess pony!