Remembering...

December has been a whirlwind.  We've enjoyed the time we've been able to spend with family which was particularly important this year.  Today marks one year that we've been missing Liz.  I was thinking this morning about how New Year's has always been one of my most favorite holidays.  It is such a happy celebration, full of promise for a fun and happy year to come.  We always spend it in the mountains with close friends, a warm fire, full bellies, and lots of laughter.

Last year, New Year's eve was a little different. It was the day of Liz's funeral in Hickory.  But in many ways, it was very similar.  We still got to spend it celebrating - celebrating the time we spent with Liz and the amazing things she accomplished during her life.  We still were encouraged by the promise of a new year - to learn how to love and appreciate each other more, to give back to those who need help, and to make the best of what we've been given.  And we still got to spend it with the people we love - we looked out on a sea of friends and family dressed in Carolina blue (even the State fans!).  To our friends: I cannot express to those of you who were there how much it meant to me and Charlie that you came.  I know Liz was your friend, too.  Thank you. 

So, we've decided that, despite last year's heartache, New Year's will continue to be a favorite holiday in this household, as we remember Liz, celebrate with family and friends, and look to the promise and hope of a new year to come. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Love, Katie

Final football game

Saturday was the last regular season football game (v. Dook, we won 37-21 ending the season at 7-5, not bad considering the circumstances!). It was a beautiful fall day and our little tailgate crew enjoyed sitting outside, playing in the leaves, and throwing the frisbee around.

We put Arlo in charge of collecting gumballs.

 

And playing bartender.

 

Watch this video to see how determined our little guy can be (click DSC 163 in the top left corner to see it bigger if you want!).

 

Arlo and I stayed for the first half and then headed on home for bedtime.  He was such a great little football fan this whole season!  He went to all or part of every game but one.  We're looking forward to taking him to his first basketball game next!

-Katie

Duke Park

After an attempt to see Santa at the mall (he wasn't on duty yet and we didn't feel like waiting), we popped over to Duke Park (the playground of all playgrounds in Durham!) for the afternoon.  Seriously, this place is impressive.  Mostly for old kids, but still.  Check out these super high, steep slides!

We stuck to the little kid friendly equipment of course. 

 This boat wheel area was a big hit.

 

 I promise he was not caged.

 But I'll admit it was nice to not have to worry about him falling off!

We're going to give Santa another try this Saturday!

-Katie

Visit from the Stevens

We were so thankful for a visit from my aunt, uncle, and cousin from Florida over Thanksgiving!  We got to hang out at my mom's house on Thursday evening and then they came over to our house after I got off work on Friday.  I didn't take too many pictures (drat!) but here are a few great ones! 

Arlo was fascinated by Carey's phone.  I'm pretty sure he texted some of her friends back home.

 Lately he loves sitting/playing on the couches like a big boy!  He's learned how to get down feet-first (usually!) but isn't quite big enough to get up on his own. 

 Roscoe took a looong time warming up to our company (he apparently didn't remember them from last year!) but as you can see, he did eventually make friends with Nancy.  :)

We had a great visit and wish it had been longer!

-Katie

Gobble-gobble!

The Garth family Thanksgiving took place in Winston-Salem this year, so Charlie, Arlo and I headed that way on Thursday morning.  It was a gorgeous day with a house full of family, a plentiful feast, and lots of laughter! 

Here are the better of the attempts at a group picture with all the cousins!

Arlo loved crawling around in the grass (as usual). 

 

And practicing his walking.

Here is Isaiah checking out the camera - what a sweet close-up!

 Hallie and Melissa.

 

 Smooches!  I love this picture!  Hallie was very generous with kisses that day.  I wasn't able to get a photo of her kissing Arlo's head, but it was so sweet!

 This is Jason with his nephew, Isaiah.  They were part of the plaid shirt club with Arlo, too.

Arlo is sampling Deda's world-famous coconut cake.  He approves!

 I love these with Aunt Peggy!

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was as wonderful as ours!  

-Katie

BFFs

On Wednesday before Thanksgiving, we had the extreme pleasure of a visit from my college pal, Nicole, her hubs, Vinny, and their super cute kiddos, Olive and Griffin.  Olive and Griffin are twins and they were born 5 days after Arlo.  We jump at the chance to get together with them since they live in D.C. now and just come down for visits every now and again (I can't even imagine traveling with TWO babies!). 

While we anticipated their arrival, mommy attempted an impromptu photo shoot in this pile of leaves in our front yard.  I ended up with a baby with leaves in his mouth and a wet butt.  Oh, well. 

  

So then we went inside to wait for our friends. 

 Oh, how we love a good reunion!

 Appropriate that they chose that particular baby toy to play with, since last time they came over (at Easter), I snapped this picture of Griffin:

 And this one of the boys...quite a bit less mobile then than now!

Arlo got some quality time in with Olive, too. 

 

 And some quality time trying to climb into/onto his Lego table. 

I am thankful for many things, but time with friends, old and new, is certainly one of them!  It is the coolest thing when old friends have babies who then become friends themselves.  :)

-Katie

Basketballer

We finally got Arlo's birthday present from mom and dad put together - his college fund!  And by college fund, I mean this basketball goal to help him hone his skills for that big scholarship.  ;) 

He's perfected the slam dunk.

 

We had to raise the rim already to give him a little bit of a challenge.

"No problem, Mama."

He is in his clapping phase - absolutely EVERYTHING deserves a clap!  Here, he is applauding himself for the 360-degree-one-handed-dunk I *just* missed with the camera.  

 

Do you want to see all the slam-dunking and clapping in action?  Here you go:

 

But really, he's pretty into it and pretty good at it, too!  We, of course, applaud the "good try" in addition to the makes.  For now.  ;)

-Katie

Easily entertained!

Blowing Rock

I have very fond childhood memories of going to downtown Blowing Rock during family vacations to the mountains.  We would walk around, pop into the different shops, get ice cream and apple cider, and visit the playground.  I hope Arlo enjoys making those same memories! 

Arlo "at the helm".

The playground has come a long way since my childhood. They have several sections now for older and younger kids.  TONS of swings, several slides, basketball and tennis courts, climbing structures, and more!  All in the midst of quaint (albeit touristy) little downtown Blowing Rock! 

After the playground, we popped in to Kojak's Coffeehouse for some delicious hot apple cider.  (Just water for the munchkin, though.)

Yum!

After some walking around town, we had to stop at Kilwin's for some delicious fudge (toasted coconut and chocolate - to die for!) and some ice cream.  Arlo sampled the peach yogurt.

Peachy! 

-Katie