08.31.09

I dont know what I am doing here....I have been trying to upload photos for over an hour to update this blog. Not much luck, so I am going to work with what I could get on here.

So, in my trail running explorations I have found this whole other side to Holden Arboraetum and the beautiful area surrounding it. I ran into some folks on horseback and have learned about a mecca of trails back there.

Most of the area surrounds the Chagrin River and we have taken to spending a few hours there with the kids here and there. It's beautiful and the kids love it.












Here is Eli cruising the waters before he had learned to walk.
He may have ingested a few river pebbles, but he liked it.












We took the girls to Fairport Harbour one Saturday
and stopped for ice cream on the way home. This was
Ninah on her own being a little lady.




















Ninah, totally loving the cul-de-sac and her
ability to ride the bike.












Ok....Ninah & Cia were just adorable with the
Lemonade stand this summer. Mint from the
garden, fresh lemonade and 2 beautifuls girls.
They actually made $15 in not much more
than an hour.

They worked as a team and did really well.












Eli trying to pry the gate apart to get into the
pool at Mike & Michelle's...












Eli's 1st Birthday party. He fed himself the cake
and then smeared it, as he should do.




















Cia at the microphone....lovin it.




















Ninah started 2nd grade last week.
Mrs. Williams is her teacher this year.
So far, she is still loving it.

08.29.09

Eli dancin to "pot holes in my lawn"...only the most intellectual music for my kids. We were trying to get him pumped for the birthday party....doesn't take much.

08.24.09

Holy Crap! I have been totally consumed by Facebook....What's worse is that I'm not even posting much on FB since I am paranoid about 6,255 people somehow being able to steal my family photos.

So, I am behind on photos....I am behind on videos. BUT I do have them all on memory sticks, so I promise that I will update this week. Here is the quick update on where we are:

Eli: turned 1 on 08/28/09. He is walking and a super happy guy. We had a family party this weekend that went really well, he's growing up too fast.

Cia: turned 3 on 5/27/09 she is the next CEO, COO, CFO, whatever....she knows what she wants and generally gets it....she'll be in Pre-School after labor day. She is such a character :)

Ninah: 1st day of 2nd Grade tomorrow. She has had an awesome summer, we love where we live and Ninah is finally getting to meet kids that she will be friends with for life. She is really growing up too fast.

Rania: managing the 3 above and having a pretty full summer; I'd like to say that she has it pretty good...and therefore I have it pretty good...being able to stay at home with the kids has been one of the best things we could've done...n our opinion. We LOVE our house & location....love it, love it.

Me: still running....training for a double marathon (52.4 mile) trail race in October. Rockwell has been a great place for me.....I am finally getting back to being myself....

...well, I will write and post photos....shortly.....

04.12.09 Easter

Ok, here we are still pasty & white before we hit the beach...we have a little more color now, but still look like we came down from Ohio.








Cia is closing her eyes from the wind.



Ninah in mid-jump into Bebe's pool on day 1.

Eli hangin out on South Lido beach. He loved the sand.....drool & sand make a great combo.

Eli & Daddy at Selby garden....moments before he passed out for a while. Such a little lover boy.

The girls looking for the bald eagles (which we found) up in their nest that the have been coming to for 36 years.

I turned 33. Sweet.

Girls at Selby posing the same.

Eli Bath time! Soooo happy all the time.

All my girls and the boy.

Cia on the backyyard swing at Grandpa Johnsons house.

Catching a bit of light in Kirtland before we headed off to Florida.....yes, we have light on occasion.

Lastly, here is a little video of Eli in the bath making eyes at Ninah.

04.11.09

I love this......This is Cia at the Selby Gardens in Sarasota, FL. What a beautiful place! They have these great Banyan trees in the yard behind the original house. It started to get really windy and the kids got all excited....

04.07.09

I know.....I know....I know.....I have been sooooo bad about not updating the blog. Facebook is stealing away all my personal home PC time rather than the blog. But, since we are in Florida for a couple weeks, I should have plenty of time to update. 

We sent to Selby Gardens yesterday and had a beautiful time with the kids, it was much like the Cleveland Botanical gardens except that they focus primarily on Epiphytes and the grounds were given to Sarasota in the late 50's from the homeowners. 

I will transfer a couple of good pics & a video I got later this evening. We are loving the weather for now..... I see that there is snow on the ground again in Ohio, while I just finished a nice 9miler (run) and it was sunny, windy, & about 70. Anyhow, I'll update shortly. 

z

02.27.09 video test

This is a test to upload video to the blog.