Happy Halloween!!!

Here's our little giraffe....isn't she just sooo cute!!  We had so much fun this halloween with her....she loved her costume (which Nana made for her!!!---so talented!!!) and enjoyed wearing it all day long.  We celebrated the holiday last friday too with a few parties so she got to play dress up for two days and she was the happiest giraffe.
She enjoyed the candy part of the holiday...yum, yum!!

Is that me in the mirror??

We surprised Great Grandma and Grandma this morning by trick or treating on their doorstep. How fun!!!
And we enjoyed trick or treating at home too.  We went to a few of our neighbors we know and then she was done!  But she had a blast running to the door to meet the ghosts and goblins!
Here she is with her oh so talented Nana!  xoxoHope everyone had a safe and happy HALLOWEEN!!!!!

PUMPKIN FARM FUN!!

We have had so much fun doing all the fall traditions with Makenna.  This year we took her to three different pumpkin farms and she had a blast at all of them.  Last weekend Nana took her to Johanson's Farm here in Bolingbrook and she had fun feeding all the animals, riding the ponies and going down the slide with Daddy.  We also met up with the Zimo's and did our traditional pumpkin farm excursion and MC & Jack had so much fun together, as they always do!!

Can they be any cuter?  It was time for a hug while we were in the hayride.  Everyone on the tractor was ooooing and aaahing over these two.
Look, ma, no pants!!!
Here we go round the mulberry bush...oh wait..
I am getting so tall~
Two hands on the wheel please!!So fun!!!

Gotta LOVE FALL DAYS!!

Here's a few from our hikes through the forest preserves last weekend.  MC had a blast playing in amongst the trees and in the leaves.

We have a new MARATHONER!!!!!!

A HUGE Congratulations to Scott

         for completing the 

2008 Chicago Marathon with style!!!

He ran his first marathon finishing in 3 hours and 59 minutes, ranking in the top 20% of all finishers.  Wowwwwwiieeeeeeeeeeeeee!!  Is that GREAT!!!! 

It was a hot, very Sunny day here in Chicago but he didn't let that stop him.  His smallest, yet biggest, supporter eagerly waiting for Daddy to run on by.
Running with 35,000 friends, makes it very difficult to catch a picture.  Here he is, at 12 miles, coming off the course very briefly to replenish his supplies.
Scott and his groupies!!
Thank you to our possie who supported Scott all the way!!   Mom and the Z's were so great and instrumental in making this a successful event.  Mom was the first one to see Scott at the 3 mile mark.   At a couple points Kirsten ran with me (in her flip flops) to make it to the next mile markers while John and Mom watched the kiddos.  At the end of the race, John was able to find Scott and rescue him from the heat.  We definitely worked as a team to support Scott and I thank each one of you!!!

Congratulations babe...you continue to amaze me.  A triathlon, a century and a marathon all in a matter of months.  What Success and Pride you bring to our family.  You define inspiration. Love you!!!!! xoxoxo

Weekend Fun...FireKid for the day!

Having Makenna has encouraged us to get involved in our community, something we have wanted to do for a long time.  We have her involved in park district music classes, library story times and playgroups which have all been tons of fun.   This weekend we decided to take her to the Firehouse Open House.  She had fun looking at the firetrucks, playing with the equipment and even climbing into the engine.  She is getting so big so fast, but boy is it wonderful to experience life with her!!

Look at me!!!
Me and Momma, we're there to help!

And Dada too!!



"Wow...look at this!!"
Firekid MC reporting for duty!Hope you had a great weekend too!! 

Makenna and her babies

Whenever Makenna goes anywhere, there's so much to think about. Let's face it, traveling with her is not a light adventure. She's currently in a phase where everybody goes along for the ride, including as many of her babies as she can simultaneously carry as well as Ah, or "Lovie" to Kelly and I.

Some days are a little tougher than others. See what I mean?

Slideshow from Michigan

We're working on doing some more embedding of videos and slideshows to the web and this is my first effort at it using photos that I uploaded to my Picasa account.  Here's hoping it works (and works well).

Michigan Beach House Weekend

Walla... I finally figured out how to work with my pictures again..thanks to my wonderful Scott.  Here are just a few pictures from our Michigan weekend.  There are so many great ones, I am not sure how I am going to pick only a few for our scrapbook page.

Nana and Makenna shared many, many of these over the weekend.

One of MC's favorite things to do right now is to play ring around the rosie.  She loves to twirl around and lands on the ground with gusto.  Here she is going..."and they all fall down!"
One of the beautiful sunsets that we watched each night from our house.  
MC and Jack had a blast together.  They played non stop for three days straight...what a DUO they are.  Of course they had to check out the lake...the cold waters didn't frighten them away.

Ahh...the fire boy.  Brad has many names..and boy does he make a great beach fire!  (As long as he leaves out the rocks..hee,hee...)  Couple this with great conversations and smores.  Fun!
Uncle Brad in all his glory.  All I can say is...wow, BEAUTIFUL!
GOOD thing the mechanics came along for the century ride!Until next year, when all of us will return for another fun, unforgettable weekend.  xoxo

100 MILES on two wheels.....

HE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!

Scott completed the Apple Cider Century Ride this weekend in Michigan with our friend John.  Congratulations you two...what an awesome accomplishment!  And they finished in under six hours of saddle time...now that's getting it done!  We had fun rooting them on and whooping it up as they crossed the finish looking like they were ready for more!

More, for Scott, will be in two weeks when he runs the Chicago Marathon.  Our family and friends are so looking forward to being in the city to see that go down!!!  You Go Get Gem like you know you can!!!  We all can't wait!!!

 More pictures to come of our wonderful weekend!!