Happy Halloween 2015

So our costumes were originally supposed to be from the Peanut gang, but after a kid in Preston's class talked up being the Gingerbread Boy, Preston was dead set on being one too.  (It is one of his favorite books so hopefully this other kid wasn't THAT big of an influence. :)  Anyway, I was determined to make the kids a duo this year so this is what we decided on . . . gingerbread cookie boy and milk!

Savannah crafted her own advertisement/coupon for one side

On the other side we had a missing boy ad.  Check out the fine print . . .
"If found, feed vegetables and call 1-800-JUST-KIDDING"

And I even went as the baker with my rolling pin

After a few pictures, people started coming out for the annual block party.  Thankfully we didn't eat dinner because there was a huge spread of food . .  and I ate WAY to much!

Whitmore kiddos

Then it was time for trick-or-treating!  The Clemson game was on so Dave stayed home and I took the kids out to get some candy.  They walked for a long time and finally made it to Katie's grandma's house for hot chocolate, another favorite tradition.

Ms. DeRollo even dressed up this year!!  

So, it's a wrap.  Halloween 2015 is in the books . . . now I just have to stay out of the candy!!!

Lunch Surprise for Savannah

I realized this morning that I had nothing pressing scheduled on the calendar and only one mystery shop to complete, which was the first time in a VERY long time that I wasn't totally stressed out trying to get a list checked off before bus stop time.  It was an awesome leisurely morning getting caught up on a few things around the house and digging through some piles of papers . . . and then I went out for a nice run. :)  While on my run by the kids school, I realized that it would a great day to surprise Savannah by going to lunch with her.  So, I rushed to finish the run, took a quick shower, and made it just in time to surprise her for a lunch date!  I love my flexible "job" . . and my Gracie Bell too!

Here is a picture with Leah, who is one of my favorites!  She wanted in on the picture too. :)  I love, love, love that my kids enjoying me coming to have lunch with them. . . and that I get to know so many kids at school too.

Lunch Date with Preston

After volunteering in Preston's class on Monday morning he begged me to stay and have lunch.  Unfortunately, the calendar didn't allow me to stay. :(  BUT, I promised him that when I came back to volunteer on Wednesday I'd stay and have a lunch date with him.  Today was the day and he was thrilled.  It was so much fun just sitting with his friends and talking to them . . boy do they like to talk!  Truly one of the highlights of my day.

Sunday Fun Fall Adventure

Dave and I realized last week that October was almost gone and we hadn't even made it to the pumpkin patch yet!  It's just been a super full Fall with Y Guides trips, my race, soccer and various other crazy weekend adventures . . but we decided that we would try to go Sunday afternoon.  The weather was amazing and we all certainly enjoyed our hay ride and playing around the kid activities.  And of course, we all got super messy sharing a funnel cake!

The girls on the hayride

The boys on the hayride

Y Guides Weekend #2 ~ Preston and Dave

John Robert, Preston, Hamilton, Cole . . I love these boys!

Preston and Dave ventured to Camp Harrison Friday afternoon for a fun-filled, adventure-packed couple of days!  The weather was awesome and, as you can see from the pictures below, they were able to do quite a few fun activities.  It was a bit smaller than normal longhouse weekends so there wasn't much of a wait for each station, another bonus.

The highlight of the weekend was this huge fish that Preston caught!

All wet in the waterfall on the Sunday morning hike

When they finally got home Sunday around lunch, Preston said that he needed a nap.  REALLY?  That never happens!  So he proceeded to take a shower and crawl into bed.  We had to wake him up at 4:30pm because the rest of us were ready to leave for the pumpkin patch!  He was exhausted!

I'm so thankful Dave is committed to spending this precious time with each of our kiddos. They LOVE having one-on-one time with Daddy, especially doing such fun events with their buddies along too.

Oh and Savannah and I had a pretty good time here at home too.  We started the weekend with a bike ride to Harris Teeter on Friday to get a redbox DVD.  Then we went for a 5 mile bike/run Saturday morning.  Our afternoon was spent shopping (of course), going to a local festival, playing some games, and a yummy dinner of her choice at Chick-fil-A.  Another special weekend in the books. :)

I DID IT! My First Half Marathon

Never in a million years did I imagine I would actually complete a half marathon . . . but this weekend I marked running a half off of my bucket list.  I even met my goal of completing it in under 2 hours!!!  I cried tears of joy in mile 12 realizing that it was going to happen, that I was actually going to be able to run 13.1 miles.  A huge thanks goes out to my running buddy and neighbor, Melissa, who made me realize that it was possible.  Another huge thanks goes to Dave, who let me train for weeks super early on Saturday mornings, getting up with our early risers to do breakfast while I was still out running.

I won't lie.  I was pretty stiff in my legs and sore in my rear all Saturday afternoon and some on Sunday, but it was totally worth it.  The question of the weekend was "will you do another one?"  And now that it's Monday, I think I can say that I will!!  Hopefully the next one will be a bit flatter though. :)

 Straight from the Rocktober half marathon we headed to our weekend soccer game.  It's always a joy to watch this energy jolt running up and down the field . . and at least I was able to sit for awhile. :)

2015 Fall Challenge Runs

Mrs. Columbus' class

 This week was the Fall challenge run week at PSE!  Savannah had hers first on Wednesday afternoon.  She did awesome, running 9 laps in 12 minutes.  She was exhausted and "tricked" me into bringing her home early after the run.

Preston couldn't wait for his first official challenge run!  He ran so fast the entire time too.  He did 5.5 laps in 6 minutes!!!  This kid just lives life in the fast lane all of the time so this was no exception for him. :)

Ms. Bridges' class

They both had a great time and enjoyed being able to have popsicles and a dance party afterwards.

Y Guides Weekend #1 ~ Savannah & Dave

This weekend Savannah and Dave ventured off to their annual Fall Y Guides longhouse.  This time they were at Camp Cheerio . . and unfortunately it was COLD!  At least the weather there was much dryer than it was here in Charlotte, but it was still quite dreary.

Hiking Stone Mountain

The view from the top was awesome, even though it was foggy

Saturday morning the tribe decided to hike Stone Mountain.  They weren't sure what the weather would hold for the afternoon so they bundled up and went hiking early.  The girls had a blast . . . Dave not so much in his boots that rubbed a blister. :(

Ga Ga Ball was the highlight of the weekend for both Dave and Savannah

 Apparently they played many rounds, some with just girls and some with just dads. :)

Painted Pony Princess Tribe

 All in all it was a great weekend for everyone!  Dave did have to miss a Clemson football game, but he never complains.  He is such a super dad and I'm beyond thankful he sets aside this time to pour into both of our kiddos!

Preston and I enjoyed lots of time inside while they were away.  It rained and rained and rained on Saturday, so unfortunately soccer was cancelled yet again.  We had high hopes they would play, but by noon when the skies opened up, we were both very thankful that our lunch activity was getting a haircut instead of playing soccer.  Who did we run into at the salon?  His buddy Hamilton!!!!

We enjoyed lots of TV time, built with leggos, and played games at home.  I used the down time to get a bit caught up on some of my to do list items as well. :)  Everyone was excited when daddy drove in on Sunday afternoon . .  but all in all it was a great weekend despite the gloomy weather.

Rain + Strep = A Weekend at HOME

When Savannah started complaining about her throat hurting Thursday night I thought it was just drainage since she had no fever and her throat really wasn't that red . . . but when she got off of the bus Friday after school I immediately knew something was wrong.  We quickly went home and she had to lay down for me to take her temperature.  I called the doctor right away as the thermometer continued to rise above 101.  Thankfully, they were able to work us in even though all of the offices were completely booked for the day and we left with a prescription  for an antibiotic to make her strep all better.  However, the nurse totally gagged her when she swabbed her throat and she threw up all over the place.  Then again while we were waiting for the medicine and again after she went to bed.  Gross!

Combine that with this nasty weather and well, it's just been a day for Savannah to enjoy lots of TV and quiet time at home.  Preston had a party to go to and we had planned to attend Carmel's 50th celebration and have dinner tonight, but Dave and I worked it all out so that she could stay home and Preston could still get to all of his fun events.

I, on the other hand have been running around like crazy today.  The morning started with a 12 mile run on the treadmill.  It was pretty miserable, but with this torrential rain I really didn't have much of an option to get my last long run in before the half in two weeks.  Dave went into to work so the kids spent most of the morning just playing low key things.  Then once Dave got home to do more work, I left with Preston to take him to his party and run a bunch of errands.  I am just about caught up again with sick child clean up and errands, so hopefully tomorrow will truly be a much, much needed day of rest for us all at the Bachmann house.  :)

When 4 Daddies Have to All Work Late . . .

The wives and kiddies will play! :)  What a fun, fun evening we had last night.  My sweet friend Jenny realized that there might be several of us with husbands working late this week so she planned for us to meet up Thursday at Brixx for dinner.  What a treat to go out mid week for dinner and to be able to spend some time with our friends.  I wish we could have spent more time talking just as adults, but it was nice to at least all be together.  Next time we're going out without the kids though!  It was loud and it was crazy, but was also a good reminder of what the Lord has blessed us with . . . lots of children and amazing, lifelong friends too!