Memorial Day Weekend 2011

This weekend, we had the luxury of time and few commitments.  It was filled with a little adventure, some family, some friends, and the chance for everyone to also get some "me time". 

On Saturday, I ran at Peace Valley with the AARC for their annual Memorial Day traveling fun run.  I arrived at 7am to squeeze in an extra lap with some other runners.  The rest of the group arrived at 8am, and after we all logged our miles, we enjoyed lots of running talk while we munched on bagels, fresh fruit, coffee and other goodies.  If you are in the Ambler area and looking for a friendly bunch of runners, I can't say enough about how wonderful this group is.  Although I haven't run with them as often as I'd like, I always have a great time and feel welcome.  All totaled, I am guessing there were 20 or 30 of us that descended on Peace Valley Saturday morning.  One toddler remarked to her parents "there must be a runners' parade!", as we all ran by.

Saturday afternoon, we enjoyed a visit with by my sister-in-law and her family.  I love seeing Alex and Tyler interact with their almost 2 year old cousin.  It was a nearly perfect summer day involving riding bikes to the park, playing with water guns and lots of great BBQ food.

Sunday morning, I met up with more folks from AARC to run near Philadelphia.  Six of us met at 7am for some hot, humid hills.When I say hills, I mean HILLS! 

But enough boring running details....

After the run, I met Scott and the boys for breakfast at IHOP, grabbed a shower, and set off on our next adventure to the Morris Arboretum.  The heat and humidity didn't stop the us from having an enjoyable day exploring the grounds of this treasure.  The arboretum began in 1887 as the summer home of John and Lydia Morris, and in 1932 became the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania.  Along with an amazing collection of the usual things you'd find in an arboretum ~ trees, roses, ferns, etc., there is an exhibit titled "Out on a Limb" that simulates being in the forest canopy, a garden railway, and several monumental sculptures.  We all give it a thumbs up as a family activity.

I could have sat here all day...

Robin's nest in Out on a Limb.

The Garden Railway

Pumping water at the log cabin.

But wait, there's more!  Sunday night we lined up a babysitter for date night, and we went out to dinner and a movie.  We ate at Arpeggio in Ambler. Yum!  Afterwards, we joined throngs of other moviegoers and laughed till our cheeks hurt at Hangover 2.  There was not an empty seat in the house.

And then came Monday.  Somehow, I managed to sleep in until...  9:40am!  I woke up a few times, hearing the pitter patter of various feet, but I fell back to sleep.  I was in a fog, and fortunately we did not have any plans until the afternoon.  We spent the morning around the house, accomplishing some things and relaxing.  Later, we were thrilled to head over to our old neighborhood to have dinner with friends while the kids ran around their yard battling with water guns. 

That brings me to now.  I'm exhausted.  It's been an amazing, fun weekend.  I am so thankful for those that served our country, especially those that made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we may enjoy the freedom we do.  Happy Memorial Day.