Monday, August 27, 2012

Writer's Block! Warning: this one's long.

You know how when you stop doing something for a while, like exercising or cooking at home, it's so much harder to get back in the habit?  Blogging has been that way for me.  I love when I do it, but the longer I go without posting, the harder it is to sit down and git 'er done!  

The other reason for the long hiatus is that I've been so looking forward to this next post and wanted to do it justice, so I knew it was going to take a while!  And I have to get through this one before I can move on to the newer stuff, so today I am hoping for an extra long nap, I am leaving the dishes in the sink and the laundry unfolded and I am going to make it happen!!!  Here we go! 

A long, long time ago...as in late May (!), we spent a long weekend in Linville with the Monast-DiBiase family.  Way back then, my kiddo was only 19 months old, he hadn't gotten his cute summer haircut yet, and the summer was just getting started!  (By the way, does anyone know where June, July and August have gone?!?!)

Seeing as this was way back in May and it was in Linville, it was deliciously cool and crisp, hence the fleece jammies on the littl'un and the fleece sweatshirt and slippers on the big'un. 



We practiced running ("Arlo running! Arlo running!") on the ramp. 


 Many of my pictures lately are blurry due to the running practice.


 Or it could just be my camera skills (or lack thereof).


Since this was three months ago, I don't have a great recollection of the order of operations.  But I do know that it didn't take long, once our friends arrived, to get in the golf cart.



 Aren't these two of the cutest cuties you've ever seen?

 

And just in case those weren't cute enough, why don't you just take a look at these:




And you should definitely watch this:



I just watched it five times in a row.  How adorable are they?


Later that day, we checked out Camp Land Harbor. I think I've blogged about it before?  It's a little area near the lake and the dam where they have a few disc golf baskets (including mini ones which are popular with the kiddies), ladder golf, tetherball (as an aside, we had tetherball in our backyard growing up...how random is that?), tent pads, a swing, and among it all, a river runs through it. 

























We got back to the house, put on PJs (after Lucy and Arlo took a bath in the big red tub: not pictured), and headed out to the porch to do some coloring at the picnic table. 






Then, Charlie blew some gigantic bubbles. 


And the kids chased them: 



I think after that we pretty much went to bed.  ;)  At least, we didn't do anything else that was worthy of taking a picture anyway.  Chances are we drank beer and played games, but who knows?

I only have a few pics from the next day, but boy are they adorable. 

 Snacks at the picnic table. 


Dried blueberries. Not blue lipstick.



 I love this one with their heads so close together!  Even though my child could easily be mistaken for a girl here with that long hair, sweet face, and purplish lips. ;)


 Then we apparently needed another snack.  These are OJ popsicles.


 
I think it's fitting to finish with the ubiquitous Zoe photo bomb.


Alright!  I did it!  A couple hours later (thanks mainly to slow video uploading) and I've filled you in on our trip to Linville from three months ago!  I think we've been twice (or three times?) since then, so I will have more catching up to do later.  For now, I might still have time to fold that laundry before the babe wakes up.  

Hope you enjoyed it!
-Katie

Almost forgot: Lauren took a ton of gorgeous pics and I couldn't call this post complete without including a few.  Just when you thought you were finished!

Beaching it.


Serious look. 


 Silly guy with mini Frisbee headphones (earmuffs?).


 Mountaintop views.


 My pics didn't give Miss Ruby nearly enough spotlight. This one showcases her beautifully.


And...curtain!










Monday, July 2, 2012

More Wa-Wa

Day 2 in Asheville, we tried to head back to Splashville on our way out of town, but the water was OFF!  This could have been a huge disappointment, but not to worry...Asheville has a plan B!  Just up the street is yet another water fountain turned play area.  







 

After some more splashing and running around and giggling, we ate "lunch" at Tutti-Frutti and then had to head on home.  

The kids had such a great time playing together (love!) and it was so wonderful of Joseph and Emily to let us come for a visit with a pending move and a pending BABY!  Welcome to the world, sweet little lady baby, Miss Ever Elise Balcken. 

 
Can't wait to wrap her in my arms.  :)


Sunday, July 1, 2012

Splashville!!!

Asheville is awesome for many reasons.  The main one is that my bestie Emily and her fam live there. 

We went to Asheville at the end of April for a quickie visit before Balcken Baby #3 arrived.  We also got there just in time to cheer on Joseph who was a participant in Asheville's "Walk A Mile in Her Shoes" event, for which Emily was one of the main coordinaters.

How 'bout those size 13 red pumps?!?

 

Arlo looks a little confused here, but he enjoyed the people-watching.  

  

You can probably imagine there was lots to see!  There was a lady on stilts with pink glittery hair, men dressed up as slices of pizza, lots of men in heels and dresses, kids, dogs, and even the Asheville Tourists baseball team mascot (you might be able to spot him in the background below).  


 Not to mention it was an absolutely, perfectly, spectacularly gorgeous day.  After the walk, we popped over to Pack's Tavern for a delicious lunch and a couple beers.  Arlo made friends with the girls sitting near us (shocker!) and was a total flirt.  

Another reason Asheville totally rocks is Splashville!  It is an awesome "sprayground" right downtown and we loved it!!! 






This video doesn't quite capture the glee and nearly-frantic excitement (you shoulda been there!  It was awesome!) but it comes close.  I couldn't keep my eyes off my sweet boy.

 

-Katie


Sunday, June 3, 2012

Strawberry Fields Forever

We are so lucky to have a wonderful little strawberry farm, literally right around the corner.  Arlo and I went 3 times this season!  We still have a few fresh berries from our most recent trip and a few in the freezer, but they go fast around here!  

The first time we went this year was with Caroline and Gigi.  It was mid-April and still pretty cool, so we bundled up and went pickin' early in the morning. 

In addition to the berry-picking, we visited the chickens, pigs, and cows, chatted with the farm owner as he rode around on a golf cart, and took our time meandering, picking flowers and picking up rocks. 

Once we were loaded down with booty, we headed back to the car for a photo shoot.




We had to sample the goods.


Don't these pictures remind you of these from almost exactly a year ago?


 What a difference a year makes! 


"Haven't you taken ENOUGH pictures yet?"


 And then, a smile for mama!


 And a little hand-holding action before we part.


This post is somewhat timely...the outing was over a month ago, but our pals Caroline, Matt, and Gigi are moving on Monday.  :(  We are incredibly sad to see them go, but we are so happy to have developed such wonderful friendships.  They are headed to Virginia for their next big adventure and we are so excited for them!  We are hoping for frequent reunions and that maybe our paths will cross again someday!  We love you guys!

-Katie