Home. New Nephew.

Home for Easter. We did MANY things....

First, a photoshoot with my nephews. I'll post more of these once I get the edits ready.

This is the newest addition to the family, my nephew, Reid.

He's pretty adorable. He likes to cuddle up into a little ball when you hold him. He loves to snuggle. 

 This little booger (who's not so little anymore....) wanted to pose for some photos with Ashwey, too. 

I couldn't NOT snap a photo of this adorableness.

We spent most of the day on Friday at Margaret's playing, napping and snuggling. Here's me and the little cuddler after a tasty bottle. Love this guy. I've actually got a photo of me holding Gray wearing the exact same outfit (the baby outfit, not me).

(me and Gray, circa 2010)

Gray gave me a very special present for my birthday: wooden people colored by Gray to look like Gray and Ashley. 

I can't tell you how my heart melted when Gray would say to me, "Let's play Gray and Ashwey". 

Yes. Yes, yes - let's play Gray and Ashwey.

Sometimes Gray would be Ashwey and I would be Gray. Those times were most funny. 

Me (as Gray): "Aunt Ashwey, can I have chocolate milk? 

Gray (as me): "Um, no. Not today"

Me: "Ashwey, I need to use the potty."

Gray: "Wash your hands!" 

As he helped me flush the inanimate object we had decided was a play potty.

In the photo above we're playing "park" and sliding down the pillow "slide". I had a blast.

Another shot of Gray and Ashwey having a serious discussion in the kitchen. 

Gray has been enjoying being a new big brother and all the fun that comes with it. Uncle Matt and I (both being the oldest in our families) also knew it can be hard to have a new baby in the house. We took Gray to the park and it was such fun for everyone. Matt and I loved watching him play and run and scream with such happiness and abandon. He ran up to kids twice his age and said "Hey Boy, I'm Gray-Gray." the grin and laughter never leaving his face. He was just so dang glad to be there.

We played on every toy Deibert park had to offer.

We headed over to Mimi and Pop's house that afternoon and had dinner there. Marg and Tyson came over with Reid. It was nice to relax and enjoy the family.

On Saturday I met up with my parents and and enjoyed some shopping in Downtown Tuscumbia.

I had a DELICIOUS footlong from Sparkey's in Spring Park.

This isn't my best photo ever take, but it's a memory for me. I loved playing in Spring park when I was little and looking up at the Tuscumbia Water Tower on the skyline. 

We had an early dinner with my Grandma and Pawpaw and then retired to the basement for relaxing on the couch and watching the Three Stooges. Quality TV. I laughed out loud at several parts. Start your kids early on the Stooges. My dad did this for us. Strong comedic foundations.

I didn't bring my puppies home, but I made up for it by doing a lot of snuggling and treat sneaking to this fellow. Andrea's dog, Charlie. He's incredibly sweet.

 

And finally on Saturday night we received this photo in a text from Margaret.

Gray drew this picture of his Uncle Map.

The realism in this is quite remarkable for a three-year-old artist.

Example:

It was a wonderful weekend and I wished it could have lasted longer. As I always do with a good trip home. 

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Disney Princess Half Marathon

13.1 miles

Me and Matt stopping for a quick photo as we ran up Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom.

Matt and I ran in the Disney Princess Half Marathon this past weekend. We started running together last spring as part of a healthy lifestyle change and decided to sign up for races to keep our running motivation going. We had run a couple 5Ks and in November we decided at the last minute to sign up for the half marathon in February.

We went from heavy breathing and fatigue after mile 1 last April to 13.1 miles on Sunday morning. There was still some fatigue to be sure - but it was amazing to know we've made so much progress.

Our goal was to finish the race before the Disney folks came along and picked you up. Which they really do if you aren't keeping their 16 minute mile pace. We actually stayed well above that mark. I finished in 2:57:49. When I looked down at my time after I crossed the finish line I almost started to cry. Doing the race in under 3 hours was sort of a "maybe" goal I wasn't sure I could actually accomplish. To see that I'd actually done it was amazing.

In this race you run through the Magic Kingdom and even get to race right through Cinderella's castle. Matt and I ran together for the first half of the race and then split up a little after that. Matt's pace is just a little bit faster than mine and with the huge numbers of people running with us it was easier for him to keep his pace and run ahead.

I don't think I stopped grinning the entire race. There were friends and family members cheering us on from the sidelines, there were Disney characters cheering you on, there were bands, choruses and tons of music to help keep away the monotony. I was just so happy to be there.

I never would have originally put something like this on my bucket list but I am SO glad I did and I will definitely be doing this again!

Me and Matt - Ready to go at 4:00 a.m.

4:30 a.m. - Making our way to our race corral

Me at the starting line.

Fireworks at the start. The Fairy Godmother waved her magic wand and said magic words to start each corral of racers.

Running through the entrace to the Magic Kingdom parking lot.

Racing up Main Street, USA

Running through Cinderella's Castle

This was about mile 5.5 I believe.

There's Matt right as we were leaving the Magic Kingdom out of one of the side entrances.

Got my medal and quite proud of it.

Funny there's not so many photos from about the halfway point on...

I really enjoyed the race. I am SO glad I did it and now I'm after my sister to join me next year. If you're ever thinking about putting a half marathon or a full marathon on your bucket list I highly recommend checking that off with one of the Disney races. They're not cheap to be sure - but the event is very well done with lots of fanfare. And if you're even only a small Disney fan you will appreciate the characters, music and fun.

Last weekend.

SpongeAsh TallHat

At the sponge docks in Tarpon Springs

Ed and Dale were in town so we took them over to Tarpon Springs to visit the sponge docks and have some delicious Greek food. I had a cappuccino and spanikopita at Hella's and it was DIVINE.

Azalea blooming on my front porch.

My chalkboard art in honor of Valentine's Day.

Porch puppies.

Stevie soaking up the sun.

Wil is happy to be going on a car ride.

Warm sun and someone to scratch a belly. Wil is at his VERY happiest.

Stevie is barking at me to close the door and start the car already!

Hibiscus in my front yard. This lovely plant has survived several transplants as we've moved around over the years and carried it along with us.

Purple heart on the front porch.

More of my lovely azaleas. They're a cool coral color. Unusual color as I haven't seen this color around the area.

My Funny Valentine

The florist mixed up the messages on the Valentine flowers I received yesterday. This note is NOT from Matt - and somewhere, someone got a sweet message from Crotchless4eva (Matt's AOL Screenname from back when we first started dating.) Too funny.

The roses were absolutely beautiful and there's a Happy Valentine's Day balloon attached.

Matt has always done Valentine's day well. Our first Valentine's day together in 2002 he sent a present to my dorm room. It was a little miniature rose bush. I named it Lillian Rose. I think I watered that poor little plant to death, I was so proud of it. She had little pink blossoms and her container fit perfectly on my dorm room window seal. 

He also sent me a Valentine message using those conversation hearts to fill in the words. I still have the paper with the hearts glued on. The words have faded and the color has bled onto the paper around it, but I memorized the message long ago.

Another year he surprised me with a chicken biscuit from ChickFilA and some beautiful red tulips. 

These gestures aren't expensive or over the top, but they're grand to me.

 

Cheers to the weekend

Friday Night: We say Video Games Live at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. We grabbed some supper at the First Friday's celebration in downtown St. Pete. 

Saturday: We took the dogs on a walk and grabbed some breakfast at the Starbucks down the street. Visited a local market in Seminole Heights and did a little shopping. We did some house chores and a little thrift store shopping. 

We're training for a half marathon later this month so we ran 10.38 miles as part of that training (I HAVE to add in the .38 because I am going to claim every step I take.)

After the run we showered and headed over to Jon's for a fire and movie night outside. There was chili, mozzarella sticks, hummus, watermelon, Twizzlers and popcorn popped over the fire.

Sunday: We headed over to Orlando for a little mini vacation. 

Had lunch at Raglan Road Irish restaurant in Downtown Disney. One of the best burgers I've had in a while. Eating was accompanied by Irish music and step dancing.

Found this Cinderella doll in the toy store. Andrea and I would have LOVED to play with this doll. We acted out scenes from this movie all the time. 

Did a little birthday shopping for Mr. Gray Myers who is soon to be 3!!!!

Enjoyed the character parade in Universal. Patrick was hilarious. We also rode a few rides and just enjoyed the smaller crowds. (Superbowl Sunday is a great time to go to a theme park since everyone else is watching the Superbowl.)

Isn't it nice when a weekend feels long? Seems like that doesn't happen enough.