Visitors To Cheer Tom!

This month - October 6th actually - Tom's big race happened.  We were so lucky to have some family come to help cheer for him on that big day!  My parents arrived on Thursday night/Friday morning, and in grandparent fashion, brought all kinds of exciting things for the kids.  Such fun!  The kids had school that Friday, so Mom, Dad, and I took the opportunity to head to Holy Hill for the afternoon.  Unfortunately, the weather wasn't great, but it was still fun to visit.  (Next summer, we'll get you there on a nice day, Mom!)  That night Tom made it home from a business trip and also Jeff and Jason made it to town.

Grandpa's first surprise - A Southern Ringneck snake that he found back home
while working by the mailbox.  The kids were facinated by this snake! 
Me?  Not so much!  It went back home with Grandma and Grandpa!

Dad figures is was a full grown snake since they don't get too big.  This one
was about 14 inches long and had a circumference about the size of my pinkie
finger.  Want to know more about them?  Check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diadophis_punctatus

Grandma and Grandpa's second surprise - A dozen Geode rocks!

The kids - and Grandpa too - had fun breaking them open
and discovering their beautiful crystal insides! 

Saturday morning we enjoyed a little breakfast at home and then headed to downtown Milwaukee so Tom could pick up his things for the marathon.  The kids had fun making posters for Daddy, and Tom also picked up a few marathon souvenirs.  Again it was a bit of a gloomy day, so we decided to stay downtown but indoors, and visited the Betty Brinn Children's Museum.  The kids had a great time, but I have to say, I've been to better kids' museums.  Right as we were leaving, the skies opened up and dumped heavy rain on us!  It was crazy... thankfully we were in the car before it got too bad so we weren't wet, but it wasn't easy to drive in.  We made it home and enjoyed a nice meal - one that wasn't going to load Tom down too much.  Then it was off to bed early for everyone!!  Race time was 7:30 the next morning and Tom had to be there by 6:00.  That meant he was leaving our house around 5:00 and up well before that. 

All of us looking a little chubby in the mirror at Betty Brinn!

Our future power business woman!

Morgan was diggin' the "bank office" that was set up
at the children's museum.

And maybe she will be a meteorologist...

She especially liked being one with no body on the screen!

Or maybe she will be a motorcycle cop?

And Jackson being silly... he wanted me to send this
picture to Uncle Jeff.

Sunday was race day - more on that to come in the next post!

And sadly, everyone had to leave come Monday morning, but they did get to see Jackson off to the bus. It was a quick trip for everyone, but so wonderful to have them here to support Tom. Thanks Mom, Dad, Jeff & Jason. Can't wait to see you all at Thanksgiving!