Old People Can Run Too!

Sorry it has been so long since our last post... it's been a very eventful month.

Here are a couple of pictures from Caroline's birthday that didn't get posted last time. We celebrated with friends at the Nature Museum just a few days after Caroline's birthday and we had a great time!
Mom made bug cupcakes to match my outfit... they're not "pup" cakes, but they'll do.

I finally have enough hair for "funny tails."

We went to our first UNC football game, which was a disappointment in more ways than one (you'll hear more about that as you read).

Caroline was very pleased to show off her new cheerleading outfit... she kept saying, "Want to show Ramses!"

They say if you drink from the Old Well, you'll get all A's for the semester... I wonder if that's true.

No trip to Chapel Hill is complete without a Cosmic burrito... sheesh... this was the chicken mini, I wonder how big the regular size is!

Dad held Caroline on his lap and mom held me... the only problem is that she was also in charge of the camera so I didn't end up in many pictures (just like mom).

There were a few good photos that show off my dashing good looks.

So, the first disappointment was that we lost to GA Tech, the second disappointment was that we wrecked our new van on the way home. Mom was super excited about blogging about her new "grocery-go-getter/mom-mobile" but we never got a picture of the van in one piece. We will tell you that we loved that car and it had two weeks worth of great memories in it. The insurance company called last week and they decided not to total it so we will be getting the van back in about a month. We'll be super excited to have it again. The good news is that everyone is okay. We were very fortunate to have been driving the van so that we were in our safest car.


Mom and dad were celebrating their 30th birthdays at the same time (since they're only a couple of weeks apart). I won't say who's older. Except dad is actually still 29 at the time of this post. They decided to celebrate their 30th birthdays by running 30K... well, they were each going to run 15K in a race. However, after the accident, mom hasn't been able to run yet, so she was out. I decided to sub in for her in the jogging stroller.

Grandma and Grandpa came for the race to cheer for everyone.

I was armed with plenty of drinks and snacks to keep me happy for the long race... not too long though... daddy is fast fast fast!

This is our friend Kelly, well, this is our friend Kelly's back. She was so sweet... when she heard that mom wouldn't be able to make our team shirts after the accident, she made one for us! She is the current titleholder of "world's nicest person."

Grandpa was happy to be on baby duty for the race, and I was happy to have him.

Go Go Go! Don't fall down.

The Cunninghams were there to cheer everyone on as they ran.

Elena had a great time playing Queen of the Mountain on the hill near the finish. I can't wait until I'm big enough to chase her around and I know she can't wait either.

This is the end of the first race... the 10K. Kelly is always ready with a "thumbs up" and a smile.

Race, what race? We have better things to do.

I had to include this "high five" sequence.




Woah, sorry, wasn't paying attention. Try again.

Shoot, a little low... give me another chance.

This time the sun was in my eyes, it wasn't my fault.

Almost got it!

Ummmm... we'll go ahead and count this one.

The lines for the port-a-potties can be ridiculously long at these things, so I brought my own.

Here's the front of Kelly, doesn't she look nice?

Here's the start of the 5K.

We each went for a costume change as the temperature increased. Lookin' good daddy.

Here's the end. Daddy and Caroline actually got second place in the stroller division. It turns out they only gave a prize to first place.

Elena and her daddy had a race of their own. This is another case in which the sequence of photos tells a better story.

Here's Kelly finishing the 5K... thumbs up!

There's that smile.

Here are our friends Celia and Chandler... we weren't prepared for them, so unfortunately, we only got the back end of this scene.

Here are our friends Amy, John and Elle... what a great family photo.

After a hard day of cheering, we really needed a nap.

No one appreciates a car nap quite like the Johnson Family.

As I was getting the pictures together, it was painfully obvious to me how few pictures there are of Baby James and I promise to do better in the future. That means someone else may have to hold him (any volunteers?) or hold the camera! We'll see you next time!

This is how we roll

We've been super busy for the last month. James has hit some big milestones. He rolled over front to back and back to front and he's teething. Mom always said I was an "advanced teether" but James really has me beat. We also took a trip to the beach to visit Granna, Grandad, Monkey Cam, Aunt Muihri, Uncle Graham and his friend Suzie, Uncle Ian, Aunt Emma, Aunt Leesee, Uncle Porter and Great Grammy and Grandad. We have lots of fans so everyone showed up to see us. Of course, the most important event of all... I turned "this many." (Picture two tiny fingers up in the air). I had several different celebrations. Here are a few:

Elena is my best friend, and a world traveler. She and I have opposite travel schedules this summer so we won't see each other for a month... I know, it's heartbreaking. She came over to my house and celebrated my birthday two weeks early so she wouldn't miss out on the festivities. She was very excited to give me this present, it's bigger than she is! I wore my "tootalu" like a good birthday girl should.

Daddy said this is the first and last time Caroline will ever wear this bikini. I think I agree. I've got to look out for my sister like a good brother should. You should know that Aunt Muihrienne bought this suit about two days after I was born. She was very excited to have a niece and I've been waiting two years for it to fit. I love it!

Poor mom, she always gets the boot from the family pictures... someone's got to hold the camera.


Another hot day... another afternoon at my new water table. I love it and beg to play outside day and night.

Remind you of anyone?

There's nothing wrong with hand-me-downs. I love my sister's old toys. I believe these are her pajamas too.

I heard we were going to the beach to see Granna so I decided to pack right away. I couldn't wait to get going.

Another one of those "modest" photos. This one is for you Linzy!

Mommy loves Aunt Leesee ver' much.

Poor Granna... I "frew up" all down her back just before the photo. At least I didn't get the front, you could call that courteous.

Aunt Muihrienne and I are bonding.

My sister is going to teach me how to snatch Grandad's glasses without him noticing.
She's a pro.

This is the second time Grammy and Grandad have seen me. Grammy kept whispering in my ear, "You're my favorite of all the grandkids." I insisted that she stop saying that... we don't want anyone to be jealous.

The whole family.

The "Turtley Awesome" onesie makes an appearance.

I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in the world that could get Grandad to wear a tiara.
He loves me very much. We celebrated my birthday a couple days early with some delicious seafood at Granna's house.

Finally mom is included in a family picture.

My hero.

Uncle Graham and Suzie brought me a kitchen for my birthday... Granna got me these pots and pans.

I'd never heard of a kitchen with a trap door, but this is great. Only Graham would think of a trap door.

We went to the aquarium on Roanoke Island.

Mom can never keep her cool in dangerous situations. Sheesh mom, save the baby!

Monkey Cam knows everything.

Not so close!!!

This is the big moment when James rolls over for the very first time... mom ran for the camera as he was mid-roll but she got the final flop and that's what really counts.


I go to Little Gym now. I'm too shy to perform in front of the other classmates, but when I get home I practice my heart out. This is my gallop.



Like my dad I have "texture issues." That sand just doesn't feel right on my toes.



Caroline fell in love with Granna's dog, Gordy. He could cause a fit of giggles at any moment.



One day I heard Caroline running around while I was doing laundry. I ran for the camera and this is what I saw.



Sharks are scary, it's a good thing I had Cam to protect me.



Even I got a turn to get my toes all wet.



Caroline happened to say our two favorite phrases in one video so we thought we'd post it. "Snuggle" requests are adorable and "I funny" gives her reassurance.



We met up with the cousins in Durham on our way home. They joined us for a burrito and a loco pop and ran me around until all my energy was gone. Thanks cousins, for making this such a great day!