Future Olympian?

We always thought he'd choose football or baseball or even swimming...but maybe we have a future Steeplechase champion on our hands??

- Katie

Christmas in July

Well, a Christmas book in July anyway.  Arlo grabbed his favorite Santa Claus book and joined Zoe on her bed for a little reading time.

 Zoe is clearly enthralled in the plot line of "Can You Make Santa Giggle?".

 I remember my vet telling me years ago (pre-baby) that my Zoe-girl would pass "the 2-year-old test" (he had a 2-year-old at the time, so he's an expert!). I worried that she would be several years older by the time we actually had a 2 year old to test her with and would she still be able to handle it.  She's been an "only child" for many, many years after all. 

 But I am proud to say that my almost-14-year-old dog (!) tolerates my almost 2 1/2 year old child amazingly well and always has.

 I think having been a college dog and lived through many moves, many human and animal roommates, and lots of change, she has learned to cope with anything that comes her way.

 Once storytime is over, Zoe is back to lounging on her bed...this is how she spends at least 20 hours a day.

 

 But she's 14, I think she's earned it!

Hopefully she will adjust easily to being bumped one spot lower on the totem pole once baby brother arrives. :)

- Katie

Da Bulls

Later in July, we went to another Bulls game (a favorite summertime activity!) with some friends. The kids had a great time snacking and playing and being silly and doing very little baseball-watching.

Luci showed me how much she loves "see food".

 We sat in the very best seats ever for parents of babies/toddlers/preschoolers. We were behind the net (mostly), in a corner (read: contained), and had these lovely built-in child barriers to keep stray foul balls out and children in.  AND we had a good view of the game.  AND there were big fans above us (although it was still crazy hot).

 

How cute are they?!

-Katie

Linville July 2012

 The weekend after July 4th, we headed up to Linville for a lovely few days.  Nama came with us.  Good thing, too - who would've kept my boy from falling in otherwise???  ;)

 

 

 We were trying to feed bread to the fish, but they weren't biting.  Gluten-free fishies?

 

 So we went and found ourselves some rocks...

...and threw 'em off the side of the bridge.

 Again,

 and again,

 and again. For like a hundred hours.

When I suggested we do something different for a bit, here was the look I got:

So, we did some more. 

The next morning, we hung out in our jammies for a while.  (Yes, long pants and a jacket in July. Ahhhh, Linville.)

 Then we had breakfast al fresco at the picnic table on the back porch.

Arlo helped Nama set the table:

- Katie

Chicken Dance

Here we go again.  I'm attempting the Herculean tasking of "catching up".  With new baby's pending arrival (well, in 3 more months!), I figure this will be my best opportunity. 

I will try to be choosy.  I will try to edit myself.  We'll see how it goes.  

Waaaaay back in July (OMG), we went to a Durham Bulls game.  It was a party put on by one of Charlie's breweries, so they had rented out the 3rd base party deck.  This brought back fond memories of our rehearsal dinner nearly 4 years ago which was also held at the 3rd base party deck.  If you need a little reminder of the fun we had that night, be sure to check out this clip.  So proud. ;)

And a different sort of video clip where Arlo was providing the entertainment rather than Charlie and Casey (I need to figure out how to edit out my own voice. Will I never learn?! Shhhh!):

The fun thing about being behind in posting is having an excuse to go through these old photos and videos and seeing how much my boy has grown and changed.  He was about 21 months old in these pics...he is now almost two and a half! Crazy.

- Katie

Dear blog...

I've missed you.  Really and truly.  You are my journal, my scrapbook, my favorite method of sharing pics and stories with family and friends, and motivation for never leaving my camera at home.  I haven't given up on you...we just needed some time apart.  I plan to have you back in my life very soon.  Wait for me. We have a lot of catching up to do.

Love, Katie

Me and Josie B.

Arlo and I had the pleasure of hanging with Miss Josie one afternoon this summer so her mama could get some stuff done.  We had a blast and I just love seeing how the two of them interact.  Their expressions are priceless!

 

They are so sweet together and we had the best time.  

Here are a couple quick pics from a sprayground in Durham.  It's no Splashville, but it was a hit nonetheless!