Ragnar Relay

We headed down to Gillette Stadium--home of the New England Patriot's--to support a few friends at the finish of the Ragnar Relay. It was 198 miles; twelve people and from what I hear lots of work and fun! Most of our friends had finished running earlier in the day but we were glad we made it (by mere seconds!) to watch the team enter the stadium.

Becky and Melanie

Congratulations!!

Jackson had fun with us on Friday while his Mom was running but David decided to put Desitin in Jackson's hair. Our poor friend is still looking a little greasy here--that stuff is hard to get out and dish soap is the only thing that does the trick.

The whole team. Go I Be Pro Fun!

David found his friend Chris.

As always, Will was firmly attached to his Daddy.

I've been in awe as I've watched my friend Melanie run four times each week in preparation for this race. She has been preparing since January. Sometimes Melanie ran twice on Saturdays. She even trained on her vacation. It has been really motivating for me to see her make and achieve such an amazing fitness goal. I've appreciated the night time texts inviting me to the gym. Why does working out always seem easier when someone else is there with you?

Congratulations to Daija, Becky, Heidi, and Collette as well, I'm so impressed.

For you runners out there Ragnar holds several races in the West including the Wasatch Back in Utah, the Del Sol in Arizona, and the Northwest Passage in Washington. All sound wonderful. I think my Aunt Heidi Hansen and my cousin's wife Cara Lyon have participated in Utah. I'm particularity intrigued by the one in Washington starting out in Blaine and ending at Deception Pass.

Penny's "P" Party

Our little friend Penny turned one. The boys and I were invited to her letter "P" themed party. It was the most darling idea! The kids were to dress up as something starting with the letter P. We saw a pencil, a punk, polka dots, pink and plaid, and many other fun costumes. The star of the party was a picnic table. She wore a red and white stripe dress and a head band that had all the things you'd find on a picnic table attached.

Here is a pirate and his mom; a purple crayon.

What did my boys go as?

My original idea was to have them go as pillows but Brad liked his idea better...

Prime numbers!!

The numbers conveniently correspond to their ages.

Here is David pinning the patch on the pirate. The girls put a crown on a princess. The reward was a Blow Pop.

We had peaches, pears, pineapple, peanut butter sandwiches, punch, and of course a huge "P" cake. Penny's Dad took lots of photos and even wore a paparazzi tag around his neck.

Even though most of the adults didn't dress up we figured we were all parents and people so that had to count for something. Happy Birthday Penny. Thanks Dave and Jessica for such a fun time.

Happy

Birthday? Mother's Day? I forget. Poor Brad and dare I say poor me? At one point we were out in the foyer with both kids during sacrament meeting and all I could think was what a fantastic day we were having. With little kids Sundays are tough, especially with 1PM church. Maybe the real disappointment was the realization that being a grown up is hard!

My two little sweethearts...

The birthday boy...27 now...I guess 30 isn't too far off!

David and William had Brad's presents unwrapped in no time, it was funny and cute but FAST. He got mostly clothes along with a book and a sleeping bag just in time for the camp out next weekend. We also went to see Ironman last night and wrapped up the evening with a little grocery shopping.

Brad thanked me for being a Mom with some gifts and a really sweet card. He was also very helpful cleaning up the dinner mess...even on his birthday.

The highlight of the day for both of us was how much my Mom loved the webcam that we got her. I love this picture because you can see from the side of David's face that he is smiling.

If I had you fooled thinking that I was spotless and superorganized sorry, this is normally what my desk looks like. I wish it were different but it isn't.

Brad called while I was at Costco and asked if I'd planned a birthday cake. I said no. He said pick up a cheescake. Thanks for the save honey. Our birthday boy got a little more attention at a belated Cinco de Mayo party (on May 10th) with friends.

Happy Birthday Brad, thanks for sharing your day with me. You always seem to do that.

The Swans Are Back!

I was so proud of myself for finding something fun to do on a GORGEOUS day. Thank you, Boston Central. We enjoyed discovering the Swan Boats at the Public Garden for Brad's birthday last year. We admired the real swans on the lake as we were paddled around. Little did I know--the swans winter at a local zoo and are released onto the lake each spring complete with a very special ceremony.

Ready to see the swans. Already a little dirty...

Will is so cute.

A park ranger read "Make Way for Ducklings" and there was face painting and a live band with a little parade to march the swans to the lake.

I'm curious Danielle, is this the uniform you'll be wearing?

The story and really most of the festivities were beyond the boys but we just loved being outside in the summer-like weather.

Will wasn't too happy the entire time, but I wasn't about to go home for his nap either.

Swans

Here they are just after being released into the lake. At this point David was either trying to splash in the water or run around the lake in front of the crowds on the edging. He didn't fall in but I'm really glad another Mom grabbed him for me. A plus for balance right?

Highlights of the afternoon:

Brad met us during his lunch. It was about 20 minutes each way but he hadn't seen his kids in almost five days. It was worth it. As usual, Will didn't want to see him go.

Free Swan shaped cookies and yummy lemonade served by the Four Seasons Hotel. I think someone else was giving ice cream samples. Forget the lunch that Mom packed!

David being able to run around, get muddy, kick his feet in the water, how do you really keep them from doing that?! and just enjoying being a boy.

Seeing three families that we know and love. It was so much more fun to go with the Clark's. It was also wonderful to catch up with the Hull's and enjoy their little baby. I was even more ecstatic to discover Tyler is in the bishopric of the single's ward that is the perfect fit for Danielle.

The really REALLY awkward moment where a group of Asian tourists saw a newborn in our group and literally swarmed us with "ooos", "ahhhhs," and even stranger...started taking photos of her baby and my kids. Without permission. Flattering at first but then...weird! It took awhile to get them to stop. I kept telling David to say bye bye and they didn't get the hint. Probably harmless, but why on earth were we so interesting?

On the way out of the Boston Common garage the meter read "$22.00." I asked the attendant if that was for real. It was. Yikes.

The Conductor Bear

When Brad related this story he had tears in his eyes.

Grandma Packer collected stuffed animal bears. She had quite the impressive array in her front room. Each great-grandkid got to pick one out. Brad wanted a bear for our boys and had been eying a cute little one. He stepped out to pick up a phone call from my Dad and when he came back most of the bears had been taken.

Mr. Thomas with his bear.

I'm not sure why Brad formed an attachment to this bear, but it the one he wanted. Our sweet nephew Thomas asked Brad if David and William would like a bear and immediately offered the little conductor bear the had chosen. I don't think Thomas knew that was the exact bear Brad was hoping for. Brad was touched by this. It makes you think about why Heavenly Father asks us to be like children. One little gesture meant so much.

Of course David loves the bear.

Thank you Thomas for being so selfless.

Goodbye Dear Grandma Packer

Cammack Family (minus me, David, and Will)

LDS funerals tend to be a celebration of life and a family reunion mixed with the emotions of missing the person who is gone. I love that. It reminds me to live better so I can see those I love in the next life.

Right next to her sweetheart...I've never known a greater example of cherishing your spouse! Grandpa passed away just before Brad and I were engaged and I still know of the sweet relationship these two shared. It didn't stop just because Grandpa was gone.

Everyone got to choose a bear from Grandma's house.

Grandpa Cammack and Olivia

Brad mentioned this dessert more than once...

Happy Birthday to Brad, Katrina, and Nadia

Katrina--May 2nd; Nadia and Brad--May 9th

Brad left here early Friday morning and returned late Monday night or really Tuesday morning. He enjoyed spending time with his siblings and their kids. He was also able to see his cousins and his Dad's parents. Jorden reported that Brad played games with his brothers and studied. Do I believe the last part? Not too sure.

Brad said the service was nice, but I'm glad that my sister-in-law was a little more detailed on that point. It was good for Brad to stay at Grandma's house--see it one last time, realize she was gone from this earth, and have a little closure.

I was really glad for Brad to go, but I just couldn't get over the fact that he wasn't on a plane Saturday night or first thing Sunday morning. He left Utah on MONDAY at 4:30 PM Boston time. Sometimes your time is worth something. Maybe if he wasn't so helpful at home I wouldn't be frustrated with an absence?! He got in around 1am and headed out for school early with two tests to makeup.

I'm not sure if the hardest part for me was not being there or dealing with all the stress that missing school for a trip like this brings. It didn't seem like things really settled down until the end of the week. I know, I'm sounding like a real downer now but at least it is honest.

Grandma Packer: We are glad you're with Grandpa but we sure miss you.

Grandma Noelene: We are sad that you can't talk with your Mom and visit her anytime you want but we are glad you got to see her and say goodbye the very morning she left for heaven.

While the Cat's Away

the mice all play!

Enjoy a few photos from our favorite park in Arlington this past Saturday evening.

Just couldn't get enough of this cutie!

I can't say being an only parent for four days is wonderful, but it wasn't as tough as I though it would be either. I was glad for Brad to be with his family and say goodbye to Grandma Packer. Just a little sad (ok a lot sad) that we couldn't go too.

I thought church would be the hardest part but David behaved very well during sacrament.

I was pleased not to feel like I couldn't handle both my kids!

I wished for more bottled water during the boil water order, but all in all it wasn't terrible. Just annoying. A real emergency preparedness eye opener. It is the second time in an month that we've had an official disaster in Waltham!