January Milestones...

Yes Gracen is growing up right before our eyes. She now stands regularly and decided finally this weekend to start putting together steps. See links below. She has also started spoon feeding herself yogurt after Amy gave her the starter spoon. She is so proud of herself when she dips that in and brings it to her mouth. I think she thinks she's just like the rest of us.

Carter is tearing it up on his new bike at the Greenway. His confidence grows with each ride and it is almost impossible to keep up with him just walking anymore. We had a nice mild week of weather but now we're dropping back into the basement of winter again. I guess the bike will have to wait for a while. Otherwise we're just having fun in Boone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyBJVwEVVUA (Gracen Feeding herself)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cALxGPAT5I (Gracen Walking)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHZcurkRPKs (Carter on the bike)

Christmas and New Year

Christmas Day and the day after were spent in Kingsport. The rest of the clan came in on the afternoon of the 26th just in time for a nice dinner and another round of presents for the kids. After a day back at home to regroup and repack, we headed up to Russ's Dad's on Friday. Carter hung out with Papa at work, unloaded a truck with a fork lift, and then proceeded to milk his Papa for McD's dinner, chocolate milk, cupcakes, and colored marshmallows from the grocery store. Papa loved it. Saturday Kristi and the other hero in Carter's life, Kevin drove up from Raleigh. We had a birthday present swap for all of the December baby's Connie, Kevin, and Carter and then of course our Christmas present swap. We spent a cold rainy Sunday after Church shopping. Then Monday we had a nice hike to the Cascades waterfall before coming back for the eating festivities. Later we got out Kristi and Kevin's WII game system and played that most of the evening. New Years Day we headed out late morning trying to beat the snow storm forcast for Boone which we successfully did.


http://picasaweb.google.com/hiattra/Christmas

Carter's Birthday

Well we headed to Kingsport over the first weekend of break. We had a great time hanging out with Amy's Mom and Dad and her brother Todd along with the twins Ethan and Ellie. Carter had a wonderful time playing with both twins. They had big fun in the playhouse behind Grandmommy and Grandpa's house and at the big new park at Warrior's Path State Park. The Spiderman cake was a huge hit (way to go Grandmommy). It's hard to believe it's been four years since we were bringing home this tiny little boy on Christmas day. What a sweet and kind little boy he is growing to become. He loves everyone in his family and is definitely not afraid to show it. We are all well covered in Carter hugs and kisses on a daily basis. There is not a day that goes by in which he doesn't stop and tell us that he loves us. It can be in the middle of playing or just sitting around the house but his "Mommy (or Daddy), I love you's" just make your heart sing. It is also becoming more and more fun to celebrate birthdays now that he is old enough to understand what's going on and get excited about the time leading up to them.

http://picasaweb.google.com/hiattra/CarterSBirthday