Dinner with Griffey

We've been spending portions of the weekends in Lancaster lately, so Emerson gets lots of fun time with Auntie Jes, Uncle Jared, Mia, Poppy...and of course, GRIFFEY!

A must at Mia and Poppy's, and any grandparents, that the grandkids sit on phone books!

"Griffey, I love you so much!"
"But sometimes, YOU love me TOO much!"

"No, really, Griffey! Stop loving me so much!"

Oh, the ball went over the fence? That's ok. Just throw my son over to go get it.

Child of the Earth.

Emerson loves to play outside. In the morning. The afternoon. Evening. Whenever he can get "aaa-siiide," he does. Since the warm-up (and even before) he would tear at his clothes so that he can run naked while outside. He doesn't do this inside. At least not as much. It's like the Earth is calling to him to just run and be naked. So we let him.

The Elephant Walk!

Last year, we found out about a fun little secret in the Grandview area, the Elephant Walk. After the last Barnum & Bailey's show at the arena, the elephants walk trunk-in-tail to the trains in Grandview, right down Goodale Avenue. We loved it so much last year, that we decided to continue the tradition! We met up with the Shaws and Snyders, (friends by way of the Aunties Kerry and Jess), and stuffed everyone full of Dewey's pizza before we headed to Goodale. Emerson and Cormac are so much bigger this year, and had a blast running around before the elephants came down the street. Truth be told, I think Emerson was more impressed with the police cars than the elephants, but the boys had a blast, nonetheless!

Jason wrestling with Emerson and Cormac while we wait...great entertainment for two busy toddlers!

Cormac wins best giggle this side of the Mississippi! So cute!

More wrestling...


Emerson has been jumping on the bed and off of couches for quite a while. Making the transition to solid ground is another story. Hilarious to watch him!

More wrestling...

Little boys in blue...

They're coming!

Such an awesome sight to see...they are such amazing animals! Being just a few feet from these is incredible!

The trunk-in-tail is too cute.

And the horses are pretty cool, too!

Until next year!

Good things come in big boxes.

After being out of town last weekend, Jason and I were so glad to have some down time this weekend with Emerson. This includes homemade waffles, lots of walks in the neighborhood and running around outside, and fun things like trips to the zoo, the Elephant walk, etc. Some of the best moments are the unstructured activities. He has a small bowling set that he couldn't get enough of this weekend. He must have set up the bowling pins (milk jugs) and thrown the ball (round mooing cow) at them 100 times!

He loves to make pillow mountains with the cushions and pillows from the couch and dive from the couch. With a toddler, the simple things, like an empty box, turn into loads of fun!

He would close the lid and say, "Buh-bye."

Clearly not claustrophobic!

The box ended up totally destroyed...this was a calmer moment.

He'd roll and dive out of the box...sort of a tuck and roll motion.

One of his favorite spots. And when the neighbor is mowing, or sometimes not even outside, Emerson says, "Hi, John!"

A little airplane time. Look at all those random bruises! This boy plays ROUGH!

We're goin' to the zoo, zoo, zoo...how about you, you you?

We had so much fun at the zoo last summer with our family pass, that we decided it was time to renew it for this year! Emerson is at such a great age for the animals, and with the pass we don't have to rush around to see everything in one day. Living 10 minutes from the zoo makes it easy!

Saturday morning offered perfect zoo weather!

Emerson's ready...is everyone else?

Poor little guy rubbed some sunscreen into his eyes.

He makes all the correct noises for the animals! Well, mostly.

Elephants sometimes still make monkey sounds.

The last stop before we left...the chimps. We all know that Emerson belongs on the other side of that glass.

The ride home...

13.1

Well, I did it! Check that one off the list. I ran 13.1 miles in the Cap City half marathon a couple weeks ago. I ran it all, strong, and finished strong. I had two great girlfriends (and 9,000 others) to run with. It definitely helps to have buddies running with you, and friends cheering you along the way! I was surprised by a few who came out with signs and cheers. Such good friends!

As you can see from the pictures, the skies were ominous. I didn't mind running in the rain, and may actually prefer it. I felt bad for everyone watching. They were getting soaked! Poor Jason and Jess forgot umbrellas!

I finished in 2 hours and 47 minutes, with an average of 12.5 minute miles. I loved the challenge, and I'll definitely do it again. Now that I've met this recent goal, I can turn 30 this year!

Oh those skies...

"OK, we saw them start...now what?"

Peeking from the stroller...

Done!

Proud supporters...(Jess even made signs!)

Nice face, Emerson.

The sun, and the sand...and a drink in my hand...

A big weekend ahead for Emerson! And Mommy and Daddy!

A dear, old friend of mine from grade school, high school, and college, Jonathan, is getting married in Charleston, South Carolina this weekend. We head out before the sun on Thursday, to make the 10 hour drive. We’re staying with 12 of our nearest and dearest to celebrate Johnny’s nuptials in a fabulous vacation spot, in a beautiful beach house.

Life has been crazy lately, and Jason and I are very excited to check out of life for a few days.

This is the longest that Jason and I have both been away from Emerson, at the same time. Jason’s had work trips, and I’ve had work trips, that have been longer than we’ll be gone. This will be the first time, though, that we’re BOTH gone! Emerson is lucky enough to have Auntie Jessi staying with him for the weekend. She always has fun plans for Emerson when they spend time together, and he adores her. She smothers him with love and attention, and cares so much for her godson.

My Mom still tells the story of when she and my Dad had a getaway weekend when she was pregnant with me. Jessica would have been a little younger than Emerson is now, and she punished my parents when they got back, in wanting nothing to do with them. It must have made a big impact on my Mom, because she tells it like it was yesterday.

We’ll be sure to bring back lots of fun presents to avoid any punishment by Emerson Rex! Off we go…with Emerson in more-than-capable hands. And for Mommy and Daddy...the sun, and the sand...and some drinks in our hands!