Marathon Man

Chris ran the Philadelphia Marathon today and accomplished one of his three goals: finish the race! He ran it in 4:10 which is impressive when you consider squeezing training in around everything else we've got going on.

The girls and I went in to watch. We saw Chris 4 times during the race and at the finish. I sorta felt like it was my own "mom marathon." I mean, we had our gear, we started off cold and ended up sweaty, we went through lots of water and snacks, we covered some serious terrain today, my legs and arms feel like jelly right now...

Shannon and I made special signs last night with glitter. She loved cheering for the runners and shaking her cow bell. Believe it or not, we found Chris out of the 10,000+ runners with relative ease each time.

But each sighting was followed by a meltdown. "I want Daddy! I want see Daddy! I want Daddy more!" Horrible picture, but check out the crocodile tear rolling down her cheek. :(

Fortunately, she's easily distracted. Playing "runnners I spy" usually did the trick and when desperate times called for desperate measure, I let Shannon run in the race just like Daddy.

Can you find Chris in this pack half-way up on the left?

We missed him crossing the finish, but it was a happy reunion at the end of the race.

Way to go, Chris! You're amazing!

Sisters: Fall Edition

These two continue to be so fun to watch together. It's a mutual admiration society. Shannon dotes on Kelly and if Shannon is in the room, Kelly's got an eye on her.

Kelly is big enough now that they even play "together."

Favorite games include "I wanna be your hat" (in which the adult present holds Kelly and chases Shannon, trying to plop Kelly on Shannon's head), "Boo-yah Kelly!" (in which Shannon runs up to Kelly and screams "Boo-yah Kelly!") and "play in Kelly's crib."

Shannon also likes making Kelly do things "like-a me" and setting herself up "like-a Kelly." (In other news, Shannon is sounding like a little, old Italian lady these days... all sorts of extra syllables "throwna inna".)

And, as a little sister, you run the danger of randomness like this.

Love you, cutie-pies!

Happy Halloween!

It's a good thing the Phillies made it to the World Series again... Shannon was the Phillie Phanatic and Kelly was a Phillies ball girl.

Click here if you need to get up to speed on who exactly the Phanatic is.

That's right... the costume that was 12 months in the making was finished in time to trick or treat. (Just barely, we were sewing and glueing late Friday night.)

The girls were excited to get out there.

We went to the Waltman's first where we met up with Andy and Makayla.

Shannon LOVES candy, so trick or treating was a big hit.

The "Philly 'Attic" taking a break.

Here's hoping the Phillies continue to make it to the post-season (and we can get some more use out of this costume!).