Monday Love

Another weekend came and went and another week has started :)

Extra points if you can guess
who I was dressed as.

That's my girl!

Mark's first visit to Cheesecake
Factory

It was another weekend of waking up at the crack of dawn and going to bed late at night.  But no bruises this time to show for it.  A friend of mine and myself participated in the 3rd annual CASA Superhero Run on Saturday.  After that it was a pretty lazy day with challenges in schedules and the normal stuff that comes along with a house full of kids.  Sunday was also pretty chill for us.  Our biggest adventure was Mark's first visit to the Cheesecake Factory.  I mean who hasn't been there?  Well unless there isn't one near you....It was a good weekend and now the start to a great week. 

Legands

If you're ever looking for a place to just sit back and relax while taking in the beauty of Richmond check out Legand Brewery.  Legand is a small micro brewery located in a pub that over looks the James River.  With an outdoor deck that seats 200, a full menu and with great views of the Richmond skyline what more can you ask for?  Well there is the beer that you could ask for :)

We went with some friends on a Tuesday night and the crowd wasn't over whelming.  I think weekends and warm weather probably draw a larger crowd.  The food was good and at a decent price.  I liked the beer but the verdict is still out on what we actually drank.  Pale Ale was ordered but I was told that we didn't actually get that served to us.  They do have a kids menu and the staff was polite enough to not get grumpy when Emma wasn't on her best behavior.  I see a return trip here in the near future but when it's just a tad warmer!

Muddy Buddies

This last weekend Mark and I had the chance to crawl through mud on my hand and knees, ride a bike for just over 3 miles and run (for what seemed like our lives) through a muddy forest.  Periodically we would have to climb a cargo net and slide down an inflatable slide or crawl through a small man made tunnel.  There were a couple walls we had to get over and even a creek we had to get across.  All the while it was cold and it was rainy....but let me tell you....it was awesome!!!

Both Mark and I were asked to be on teams in the Columbia Muddy Buddy.  I was on team Cork Screws and Mark was on team Pulling Fourty!

Poor Jennifer was already soaked!

Are these shirts great or WHAT?

The race is a bike/run race through the forest and fields at Pocohontas State Park.  You start off with your "buddy" at the beginning.  One buddy is on the bike and the other buddy is on foot.  You bike or run to your first obstacle, do the obstacle and then switch off.  You do this a hundred six times....at least I think it was six.  About half way through I totally didn't know how many I had left or how many I had done.  The total package is just over 6 miles and the grand finale is a dive into the mud pit with your buddy.  This particular weekend we had amazing sunny and warm weather....right up until the morning of the race!  We woke up around 4 a.m. to rain and 50 degree weather.  So the entire course was nice and muddy and none too warm!  But I still have to say it was a great way to spend our Sunday morning...with our buddies!  Days after were all still comparing bruises and scratches.




The "clean" picture





On your marks....get set.....





Mark coming down a wall





Jennifer and I after the mud pit...crossing the finish line





The "dirty" picture


There was beer and music for the post race party but our tails were freezing and all we could think of was gettting WARM.  So no post race party for us.  The race itself was a great adventure.  I can't speak for everyone but I look forward to doing it again next year :)

Monday Love

Many more weekends like this one and I might have to start Monday's post off saying "Yes I survived the weekend!"

The weekend got started with Christy's first soccer game.  It was so much fun to cheer her on and watch her kick some booty balls.  Either way that just didn't sound right. 




Go #1!!!!


Saturday we went to the Celebration of the Vine wine festival in a neighboring county and then attended a birthday party for Emma's bestest buddy Jacob.  Note to adults....do NOT try jumping in a bouncy house AFTER a wine festival. 

We only take the stroller
to hold all the wine :)



Beware!


Sunday we got up at the crack of dawn and participated in The Muddy Buddy.  It was wet, cold and muddy!  But an absolute good time.  I am so sore right now typing the blog I can barely lift my arms!!! 




Before the race



After the race

So I feel like this last weekend was more of a challenge than usual....and glad to say we survived!

Richmond's Diamond

In Richmond there is a diamond so large that you can see it from the interstate as you pass by.  This diamond is so bright you can see it at night as you land at the Richmond Airport. And this diamond is so special it has it's own flying mascot.  Richmond's Diamond has been around now since 1985 and is currently home to Nutzy, the mascot of The Flying Squirrels. 

On April 12 The Squirrels had their season opener (it sold out) and a full weekend of celebrating followed in order to help bring in the new season.  We visited on Friday the 13th and we were in luck....after the game they had fireworks! 

Play ball!

The Richmond City Skyline under a setting sun

Don't ask me....she must get this behavior from
her father

Playing under the lights

Guess who ate more of that cotton candy

We didn't get a picture with Nutzy at the ballpark
but were able to snap one of him at the Easter
Egg hunt



Much fun was had by all...Even Nutzy was smiling. 

Monday Love

Fabulous weekend!  Yes that is what we had.  It had plenty of fun stuff, a little time spent volunteering and there was even time for some relaxing! 

A night under the lights at the Diamond!

Everyone volunteering with Rebuilding Together

A walk at Henricus Park

Henricus Park



Emma took her mini for a spin :)



This is the little flower garden that could!

That little flower garden is a labor of love.  Mark was never big on planting anything in the yard so I've made it my goal to cover just about every inch with something that blooms, buds or flowers....and this spot gets little sun, lots of leaves and seems to have been soarly neglected.  It's getting there...I think by next year it will be perfect for a hammock and a do not disturb sign :)

Hope your weekend was fabulous!  Happy Monday everyone. 

EEK!!!! Friday the 13th

EEK! It's Friday the 13th....That congers up images of Jason and Freddy Krueger in my head!



Remember this guy? 

I have never liked scary movies!  I didn't even watch Friday the 13th until I was 20 or 21 years old!  And even then I would turn on all the lights at night just to walk to the bathroom.  I was a scardy cat!  There are still times if I hear a funny noise at night I panic thinking it's the boogy man....geesh! 

But I know that Jason and Freddy and even the boogy man are not real....so I'll forget about them for now(until I hear a stange bump in the night) and today I'll focus on the fact that it is FRIDAY!  Tonight were going to a Richmond Squirrels baseball game where I plan to eat hotdogs, nachos, fries and cotton candy.  It is part of their opening weekend celebration and there will be fireworks afterward.  Tomorrow the family is vounteering with Rebuilding Together in Petersburg and then Mark is going to watch a Richmond Raiders game.  Sunday we are hitting the park for a little workout and then I have to work :(

I hope you all have a great Friday and weekend!  But before you go....what does Friday the 13th make you think of?  Am I the only one that worries about Jason?

Hollywood Cemetery

Is it wrong to think that a cemetery is beautiful?  Well if it is then just don't tell me.  Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond is a history lovers dream spot and a must see for residents and tourists.  As before I have lived in Virginia all of my life and until now never been to one of Richmond's most historical places.  But now I can mark it off the "been there, done that" list.  And I must say....it's beautiful. 

The Confederate Memorial

According to their website over 18,000 Confederate
Solders are buried here

Wrought iron gazebos get me every time

See that dogwood tree?  They were everywhere!  Along
with azaleas and other flowers

The cast iron dog....he looked to be watching
over a child's grave

General J.E.B. Stuart

The mausoleum associated with the Richmond Vampire

General George Pickett

President John Tyler



President James Monroe



Except for that telephone pole the presidents
have a gorgeous view of the James River

Lewis Ginter

Jefferson Davis

A child of Jefferson Davis rests near his
monument









Some of the sites were just heart wrenching and sad.  Some of them were funny and definitely on the odd side.  With the concrete and wrought iron seats throughout the cemetery and the flowering trees and fresh blooms it almost felt like a park.  Because it's built on a large hill there are steps built right into the land and the place almost took on a feeling of a maze.  They offer walking tours but we opted to just strike out on our own.  That way we could go at our pace and not worry about Emma making a spectacle of herself  :)  If ever in Richmond make this a stop on your tour.  You won't be disappointed.