Charleston and the Cooper River Bridge Run 2010

We recently spent a great long weekend in one of our favorite cities: Charleston, SC! We had a nice drive down and wonderful weather for all our time in town. We all gathered for the Cooper River Bridge Run. Ben had done it as a teenager, Tom ran it last year, and so we all went for this year’s run. Luke did the kids’ run on Friday, earning a medal for participation---he was so proud and wore it out everywhere we went most of the weekend. The 10K race and walk began at 8Am Saturday morning, but we had to be bused to the start in Mt. Pleasant before they closed the bridge down to traffic---line up at 6:30. It was chilly morning, but everyone warmed up once they were moving. Ben was sick with a cold all week leading up the race, but still managed to finish with a great time. I was the slowpoke of the group, but was happy to finish my first 10K in fairly good time for a walker.

It was Luke’s first time in Charleston and we had to take the drive out to some of Ben’s favorite old haunts on Sullivan’s Island---Poe’s Tavern is always a great stop. We also ate at some great restaurants back in town including Blossom and my all-time favorite Rue de Jean. We hit the rock shop, watched the NCAA tournament, and just relaxed. It was a real treat with lots of help with Luke and time to rest. Can’t wait to go back again!

The Piper Cub

Ben put in many hours over this long cold winter on his Piper Cub. He and his father Tom originally began work on it when Ben was 11! It’s been a long time coming but worth the wait. She’s lived in our attic in Norfolk, long-term Navy storage and finally resurfaced here in TN for a full overhaul. I think Luke loves tinkering on the plane almost as much as Ben does, and quite nicely, now three generations have worked on her and made her what she is today. Ben and my father tested the engine over Easter weekend and it ran great. Now the only thing left is to fly it. And whatever happens after that, well, at least we have some good photos of the before!

Easter Egg Hunt YMCA

All little kiddies gather round! It’s the first annual Easter Egg Hunt at our new YMCA. We’ve really enjoyed going to the YMCA this winter. Luke and Ben love the pool and Luke is getting better with his swimming all the time. They have a great kid-watch most of the day so I can go to yoga or work out and Luke gets more playtime with friends. True to their family-friendly credo, they hosted a big egg hunt for children of all ages and even had the Easter Bunny available for a photo. Luke was so excited to see the real Easter Bunny and sit on his lap! He found lots of eggs, which he promptly broke into to see what prizes may be hiding inside. It was one of our first sunny warm spring days, too, so all around it was the perfect prelude to Easter and what will hopefully be a nice spring ahead.