Getting in the Holiday Mood

A couple of weeks ago we took some time to go pick out our Christmas tree. Carter did us proud again chosing a rather large specimen to grace our foyer. Good thing the area is open above because we would have had to do some serious trimming to get it to fit anywhere else in the house. The weather was unseasonably mild for this time of year. Last year it was bitterly cold and windy when we went out. This year it was in the sixties and all of us were in need of something cold and refreshing after our hike among the trees. The remaining shots are from our excursion the following weekend to Grandfather mountain for dollar days. A little cooler and more overcast but still unseasonably mild. This past weekend made up for it with icy conditions Saturday (just in time for our annual party) and following through all day Sunday with snow and really cold temps that lasted through this morning. We missed school yesterday which is always fun during an already short week leading into Christmas break.

Uncle Ryan

Carter: “Daddy, when I grow up I’m gonna live in California. Would you live in California with me?”

Daddy: “Well Carter I kinda like it here in North Carolina. When you grow up you can live wherever you want just as long as you come visit.”

Carter: “I will come back and visit. Would you come visit me???”

Daddy: “Sure I would. Mommy and I like visiting California. Carter, why do you want to live in California?”

Carter: “Because that is where Uncle Ryan lives! I want to live with Uncle Ryan when I get bigger in California.”

A conversation on our way home yesterday. This sweet little boy does love his Uncle Ryan something fierce. He went on to share how he would drive Uncle Ryan’s car and they would live together near the beach. Here are some shots from Ryan’s visit. Anything Uncle Ryan does is of course the coolest including dancing in your underwear in the living room. Oh wait that’s cool no matter who’s doing it.

Halloween Revisited...

Ok so many of the posts soon to come will be a trip back in time to share some of the past events from this fall. Now that I have some pics available I thought this would be a good time to display some of our Halloween moments. Carter made his first Jack-O-Lantern with a little help from Dad. He actually drew the face all by himself after a few practice sessions on paper he then did a great job of drawing on the pumpkin itself. Dad helped cut it out and Gracen kept a close eye on us for safety. As for costumes Gracen was the Jill-O-Lantern with a little attitude and Carter was a Thomas Train Conductor. Of course the big hit of the whole shebang was the candy Carter got both at our Church's trunk or treat and then on Halloween Day on King Street in downtown Boone at the Boone Boo.

A Belated Birthday Party

A few weeks ago we had a belated birthday party for Gracen. My brother Ryan was visiting from San Diego and my Sister Kristi and her husband Kevin also came up along with my Dad and stepmom Connie. Gracen loved her new play tunnel and Carter got to go on a special ride with his Aunt Kristi and his two heroes Uncle Ryan and Uncle Kevin.

Opening Salvo

OK here are the first tentative splashes into the shallow end of this pool. This looked too cool not to try, and a great way to provide family and friends with a constant update of the growth of the kids and our general day to day existence. I've been inspired by several friends blogs. Enjoy