Halloween Fun with the Bairds

We headed out early to Va. Beach on Sunday. It was one cold morning--crystal clear, but heavy frost...

Ryan really likes his new quilt that his Aunt Gretchen made for him. His buddies do too. Wolfster is his new Pillow pet that he got when he learned all his letters! Great Job Ryan!

He's growing so fast!

Happy guy!

Colin and Grandpa started a model project of the NPP that had just taken off the previous morning. You can get the plans at http://npp.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/D1978_NPP_Paper_Model_Letter_OPTIMIZED.pdf

Break time with the tickle bug.

Mom, Dad and Ryan got busy in the kitchen making Pumpkin Soup (yum!) and beef and butternut squash Soup. Ryan's a whiz at the apple peeler.

Creamy soup!
Chop, chop, chop.
Want to go to the park?
Then off to the park for a little batting and catching.
Ryan's fingers were just long enough to fit in the glove.

Nice hit Colin!

Little stretch time...
A little stretching and quad work for Mom.
More...

Meanwhile, Dave and Grandpa cleaned the pool cover.
The guys are coming tomorrow to close the pool.

and then a little homework for tomorrow.

Quality control check before dinner.

During dinner we got BOOED....so Mom got some
BOO stuff together and they headed down the block
VERY QUIET...SUCCESS!!

HALLOWEEN DAY

Ryan's favorite spot with his buddies..
Ready to head to school..(actually Ryan had
Pajama day so changed into PJ's).
Party time for Ryan's Class..parents and grandparents invited :-)

Class decoration...cute.

Cupcakes for Colin's class party...Mom got to go.

It was time for Little Gym for Ryan before we knew it!

Then home and a little PT demo for Grandma.

Colin got home and went to work on the final touches on the model.

Final product! Great job you guys!

Colin will take it in to show his class tomorrow.

A little piano practice for Colin before dinner.

And after dinner our Astronaut, Fireman and Hiker were off to Trick or Treat! They came home and sorted their candy and began to think about what they would give to the troops. Then off to bed. Fun night!

The next morning we hung around for awhile after Colin went to school. Ryan had a leisurely bath before school.

Then Jill and Grandma took Ryan to school and came back and we all talked for awhile and then we headed out the door for the drive home. Bone Marrow Dinner tomorrow so need to get shopping and a little baking done for that today.

Thanks for another great visit BAIRDS! Love you guys!

Habitat Halloween 100 Bike Ride

It was one cold and wet setup for the Halloween 100 today. We had 575 preregistered so at least had that $$ in the bank.

The Walk-on volunteers are ready to go...will anyone come?

You always meet interesting folks...these brothers were from Alaska
down here working on the Cancer Center building at Duke.

After a wet registration we had 18 walk-ons and about 200 preregistered who showed up! This is the 100 mile folks ready to begin--they started at 8:30 - 41 degrees and rainy. Brave folks!

REI and the Cycle Shop were there to help folks
make sure their bikes were in good shape!

The Durham City Police Bike Patrols had a
big contingency of folks again this year!
Is everybody ready??

and Mike, our sweep man is ready to go too.

and they're off!

Mindy and Mott - Registration was a success!

TROSA helped with the change out to party time!

They were great as always!!
First 32 mile rider is in.
Band setting up--they were GREAT!
Food is out--Q from Tylers--Great!
Great Italian Pasta....and beyond that
Pizza from Pappa Johns! Thanks all!
then so sign the framing boards for the next homeowner...
then a little dessert from loco pops and beer
from Harris and Bull City Brewery.
These young ladies are in the Habitat Club at
High Point University and came up to ride today!
and one of the 64 mile guys getting a little relief!
Yes!! No injuries at this point!

Anjani, new employee and coordinator of the ride
and John discussing the event.

Winners of the Youth Build Battle of the Bands get their turn.

By the time John and I left about 3 the sun was out...all the 64 mile riders were in safely and the 100 folks were doing great. Unfortunately, we ended up about $22K under our goal, but donations are still coming in and they're having an event at Bull City Brewery on Wed. the 9th to give out T-shirts to those pregistered who didn't make it to the ride...hopefully more donations then. It was a GREAT ride, particularly under the circumstances and as always the Volunteers were OUTSTANDING! Great day. Now home to pack for Jill's tomorrow.