Buddy's Cancer Race 2008

This weekend was a good one! I had to work all day yesterday, but then I came home to a nice lazy night of movies in front of the fire! It was so cozy and reminded me how blessed I am to have a nice warm home and how much I love being home with all my family.

Sunday was the ususal busy morning at church and then we grabbed fast food and went home to quickly change into very warm clothes. Today was the 2008 Buddy's Race Against Cancer and the entire Griner family participated. Last year Andi, John and I ran the race along with my mom, Ryan and G-Mama. This year Mike decided to run too, so I decided I would walk and push the little ones. I only have a single jogger stroller so my friend from church DeAnna pushed Landon and I pushed Addi. The big kids made pretty good time walking / running and Mike made really good time running from some other men from church. DeAnna and I had fun walking with Landon and Addi and they did really well. We had to make a few pit stops along the way to give out snacks and toys, but I think they had fun too. It was very cold so we were really bundled up!
G-Mama also did the race, as well as Aunt Samantha. We made our In Memory of Dad signs to wear during the race and it was a good reminder of all the many people who are affected by this disease.

Now, on to another busy week.......


Andi and Allie all smiles after finishing the race!!


The entire Griner clan after we all crossed the finish line!


G-Mama, Aunt Samantha and me showing off our signs to remember Dad. Even Landon and Addi show off their signs on the strollers.


My fellow stroller pusher DeAnna, a good friend from church.


Mike displaying his In Memory of His Dad sign for Fred Griner.


Mike and Chris, DeAnna's husband, before the race trying to stay warm.

Disney On Ice....

This past weekend was a fun one! John and Andi went on a youth retreat with church and had a really good time. Mike had to work, so I took Landon and Addi to see their first show. We went to the Knoxville Colesium to see Disney on Ice. We had such a nice time!! The kids loved the show and were in awe of all the lights and action!! Addi wore her Cinderella princess dress and was so excited about seeing her. Their favorite parts were Buzz, Mickey and Minnie and Cinderella! Addi could not get enough of Cinderella and if asked, Landon would say he liked Buzz but his ultimate favorite part was the Zamboni during intermission. I should have known!! They also each had their first snow cones, it was funny to watch them experiment with how to eat it. I love doing things with the kids for the first time, it makes the best memories! We had a great time and we were all worn out!!

Sunday afternoon we went over to Aunt Samantha and Uncle Dave's house for a little while so I took a few pics while we were waiting for them to get home. Hope everyone else had good weekend too!!

Here are some pics....

When we first got there, Landon was a little overwhelmed with everything and would not smile for the camera.


Landon and Addi checking out all the toy vendors!



Landon decided on The Incredibles Car (of course, it was the only vehicle) and Addi chose a Cinderella.



Hard to see them here, I could not get the lighting right for my camera, but you can see the ice behind them.


Yummy Sno Cones!! They did not eat all of it. Most of it melted, but they had fun with what they did manage to get into their mouths.



Landon playing with his new car before the show started.


The empty ice ready for the show. We sat on the 7th row from the ice, so we had great seats.


Addi excited about Cinderella!


My one attempt at a pic from the show. Pictures never do these things justice.


They both loved seeing the car come out on the ice! It was the highlight of the first act.


Addi intently watching the show. Gotta love those cheeks!


Landon and Addi after the show all smiles!!!


Landon and Addi being silly and laughing out on Uncle Dave and Aunt Samantha's steps!



Landon decided to see if he could pick up their pumpkin! Notice Addi's Lightening McQueen in the background. Lately, she has had to have a McQueen with her at all times!

Happy Halloween!!!

We had a great last week, full of all kinds of fall activities. Wednesday I went with Landon's class on a field trip to a pumpkin patch. It was so much fun being with his class and being with him. He loved having me there and was very cuddly with me the entire time. I loved it!! Unfortunately I forgot my camera, but I made up for those pictures on the next couple of days. This is a rather long post.

Thursday were the preschool Fall parties and costume parade. The kids were sooo excited to wear their costumes to school and they looked so cute!! I was able to be at school that day too and took lots of pictures. The parade was so sweet and then I helped out with Landon's class party. He had a big time!! Addi's class had a small party but did not get too off schedule. The two year olds, including Addi, get a little unerved when there are too many things out of routine. It really threw her off with me being in and out of her room on Thursday, and then she got upset when I had to go to Landon's class. It is the first time I have had to leave her crying, but she was fine after I left. Now I understand why Addi's teachers think it is best not to have all the parents in the room for their parties. It makes them too upset.

On Friday we went trick or treating and the kids did great!! Landon was all business and Addi was a little distracted by all the other cosutmes! Right after trick or treating we went to the football game where the entire band had dressed up for Halloween. John and Andi had a great time and there were some very "interesting" costumes! It was a late night, the little kids did not get to bed until 10:30 pm, but it was a lot of fun!!

Now, onto Thanksgiving.......

Addi all smiles the morning of the preschool costume parade. Our little Cinderella!! It is so funny how she says it, if I could spell it I think it would be "Tee-ah-re-yah"!


Addi looking suprised and happy as we talk about trick or treating!



Our Fireman Landon and Cinderella!


Landon giving me a good smile!


Addi admiring her crown and her Cinderella brooche!



Outside pictures before preschool! Landon loves our pumpkins, even though we did not carve one this year. Where does the time go?!?


Landon proud of his nametag.


Addi posing by the pumpkins.


Addi always bites her bottom lip when she is being silly!


Admiring her beautiful dress!


What a sweet brother and sister, or should I say fireman and princess.


This is Addi's "tense" face!


Landon showing off his big ax!!


Addi in her classroom the morning of the parade having a quick snack. She looked kind of funny in this picture.


Addi in class with other classmates. I loved the Yoda.


Landon in his class coloring before his parade. Notice his M&M teacher in the background!


Landon drawing trucks, of course his favorite thing to draw!!


Landon holding up his hands and showing his teacher that he is being quiet! What a good boy!


Landon watching the other kids parade by. Doesn't he look thrilled?


His hat was tad bit too big. Thank goodness he is not fighting any real fires!!


Snow White(another one of Landon's teachers) helping Addi's class parade by. You can see Addi towards the back of the line.


This is when Addi first saw me watching the parade!


I thought Addi's facial expression was soo funny here. She is like, "ok what is the big deal?"


Landon coming to parade through Addi's class.


Landon on his parade and Addi watching.


Landon showing me his cool shirt he was making on his way out to paint it!


Landon decorating his cupcake.


Me trying to get a picture with Addi. By this time she was getting weirded out that I kept coming back in her class.


Addi's pretty princess bun.


Landon seeing Addi while parading through her class and giving her a funny face.They get so excited when they see eachother at school!!


Landon busy at work on painting his Halloween shirt! He was very proud of it!!




Landon listening during story time.



Finally, Halloween day!!! Do you think they were excited???


Addi was so happy to be Cinderalla again!! This is her Princess Royal Profile and two other very smiley princess pictures!!




Landon all smiles and looking forward to candy!!


Addi giving daddy a kiss!


Landon and Daddy!


Dad with his princess and his fireman!!


Addi showing us how a princess curtsies!!


Landon with his big ax!!


Showing us their buckets!! Landon's was cars and Addi's was princesses!!


Me and my two cuties!!


Waiting in line to trick or treat!


Addi admiring her candy!!!


Addi walking to the next house!!


Addi heading up the driveway for more candy!!


Addi was REALLY excited to get more candy!! She is moving fast!!


Landon walking to the next house!!


Both on the way to more candy!!


Addi getting some help from her dad!!


John in his very original costume!!


Andi caught in the stands texting as a Geisha!!


Addi at the football game eating more candy!!


John playing in the stands!


John chillin' in the stands!


Landon and Addi eating more candy yet again. They were really wired!!


Andi on the field performing for halftime!! She was one of about 4 other Geishas!



John performing on the field during halftime caught at a very interesting angle!!



All four of my crazy Halloween kids. You can tell Addi was getting tired!!


Andi showing off her costume!!


Landon the morning after Halloween night trying to warm up with some coffee!!


Addi was all smiles that morning, and ready to play!!!