Happy Halloween

 Happy Halloween! Hadley dressed up as a mermaid. Tal, Hadley, and I enjoyed trick or treating on our street, which is a one-mile circle. The weather was in the 60s. There were many families outside, and lots of houses passed out candy. (Savannah stayed home. She's getting older, and she wasn't interested in wearing a costume or going trick or treating this year.) 

Grandma's 106th Birthday

Today is my Grandma Rowell's 106th birthday! What an exciting milestone! Grandma is my mom's mom. The girls and I were blessed to visit with Grandma in the nursing home when we traveled to Illinois in June. We love you, Grandma!

Growing Up

 Our baby girl is growing up. Savannah, who will be 13 in February, got contact lenses and bottom braces this week.

Tuna 200

This weekend our family cheered for Tal when he crossed the finish line in the Tuna 200 race in Atlantic Beach. On Friday and Saturday, Tal ran 17 miles in a 200-mile relay from Garner to Atlantic Beach with his F3 team. We are so proud of Tal!

At Benny and EJ's house, the girls made race signs that said "Go Dad Go! I love you so much!" (Hadley) and "Go, Uncle Tal! I believe in you!" (Harper) and "Daddy=Awesome" (Savannah).

On Friday, Tal started his first leg in the relay by running 4.3 miles.

Water Break

On Saturday, Tal ran 5.6 miles in his third and final leg of the relay in Atlantic Beach.

Close to the finish line

Tal's brother Benny ran with Tal for a few moments

After the race

Tal and his mom

After the race, the girls and I walked on Atlantic Beach and played in the ocean waves.

Yates Mill and Howling Cow

For the second time in two weeks, Hadley and I went to Yates Mill Park and Howling Cow Ice Cream. Today we went with Grandma Judy and our friend Linda. We hiked the one mile loop around the pond and visited the historic grist mill. Due to recent rain storms, the pond was murky, and the waterfall at the grist mill was loud and gushing. After the park, we ate yummy ice cream outside on the porch at Howling Cow and admired the cows on NC State's dairy farm. It was fun and beautiful day!

Birthday Celebrations

Hadley turned 7 years old on October 10, but we have been celebrating Hadley and her birthday for a couple weeks. 

Before Hadley tracked out from school on September 30, I brought her chicken tenders and fries from PDQ for her birthday lunch in the cafeteria. Hadley was so excited! 

On track out day, Hadley loved having pajama day and passing out birthday treats (Rice Krispie treats) to her classmates during snack time. 

On October 1-3, our family enjoyed having Grandma Barbara stay with us and celebrate Tal and Hadley's birthdays. In the photo below, Hadley said that she was rich when Grandma Barbara gave her money. Haha! Grandma Barbara took Hadley shopping. Hadley used her money to buy a paint set and slime supplies. Then, Hadley put the rest of her birthday money (from Grandma Barbara, Grandma Judy, and Gran) in her savings account. 

For her birthday activity, Hadley chose the trampoline park. The girls loved jumping on the trampolines, swinging into the foam pits, and playing basketball.

For her birthday treat, Hadley chose cupcakes, so we picked up cupcakes from one of our favorite local bakeries. Hadley's favorite cupcake was the vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting!

Hadley also played at two parks to celebrate her birthday!

Beach Day

On our second day at Wrightsville Beach, the weather was cool and cloudy, but the rain stayed away while we were on the beach. We enjoyed relaxing in our beach chairs, watching the ocean waves, walking on the beach, and playing in the sand.