Our pal, Hunter.

Well, I've finally made it around to our summer trip to Linville in August last year.  My good friends from undergrad, Sue and Brian, and their sweet little boy, Hunter (who I introduced you to here), came with us for a weekend.  We had the BEST time and made lots of memories - you'll see about a million pictures below.  It's strange that the timing worked out this way because today, March 26, 2013, should have been Hunter's 2nd birthday. It is unfathomable that he's not here to celebrate it with his adoring family and friends.  Hunter passed away in his sleep from an unknown cause on October 15th, 2012...another important birthday in our lives. 

I'm so thankful for every second I got to hold him and cuddle him and feel him lay his head on my shoulder when he was being shy or coy.  I'm so thankful I had the chance to watch him grow and learn and develop his own sweet, curious personality.  I'm so thankful he was lucky enough to have been born into a family who loved him more than anything in the world, cherished him, and gave him the best life any little boy could wish for.  I'm so thankful to know he always felt loved.

 Hunter, we all miss you so, so much.  

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, put me in your heart, I'll stay there forever." 

- A.A. Milne (Author of Winnie the Pooh)

More doggie storytime

I'm so glad to have my baby back tonight.  He spent the weekend with Dede and Grandaddy in Hickory and they all loved every second of it.  It worked out great because I had to work all weekend and Charlie was able to get some work done on the new nursery and spend some time with friends.  (We also got to go to dinner and a movie!  How exciting!!)  But our house feels empty when he's not here and I was so happy to get my arms around him after work tonight.

Back to my catch-up posts...these are from back in the summer.  Since Zoe had a turn, Arlo didn't want to leave Roscoe out.  So he grabbed his favorite classic, "Harry the Dirty Dog," and cuddled up next to Roscoe for a reading session.

After the book, Arlo worked on his abs.  ?!?  No seriously, I'm not sure what he's doing here ... I think there is a name for that move. I just know I haven't been able to do anything close in a long time. :)

Eventually the abs gave in.

Then the party moved to the hallway where we played with the cat (or very small dog - NOT one of ours) door for a while. 

 

We went through a phase where Arlo would want to say goodbye to us through the cat door every time Charlie or I left for work.

 

Plus, it makes for the BEST games of peek-a-boo. 

What can I say?  He is easily entertained!

 

Love, Katie

Asheville in August

Back in early August, Arlo and I headed to Asheville for the weekend to visit the Balckens.  It was my first time getting to meet Ever and she was sweet as pie and cute as can be.

The older kids had a great time playing together - Phoebe and Vann were so patient and sweet with Arlo.

Phoebe played hide-and-seek in the teepee.

 Vann gave Arlo his first piano lesson.

 

Then they all jumped on the bed and had a crazy pillow fight!  

 

 The next day we went to an awesome park in Black Mountain with a great creek for wading and exploring.

Arlo must've told Emily a hilarious joke!  Or is he doing an impression?

 Or playing charades?  My guess is "Monkey!"

- Katie