The First Step

I really want to get started blogging again. I miss writing these memories down!  I know how quickly we forget things we think we'll remember forever. I hope this online journal of sorts will help us remember the big and little moments.  

So...I just have to take the first step, right?  Here it is.

I won't worry about catching up anymore - that just stressed me out (although I may post some old pics once in a while). 

Since my last post (in April!), baby Nolan joined our family. I will talk more (lots more!) about him later and hopefully share his birth story (edited for content). He is an absolute joy and a precious gift.  We all adore him so very much, Arlo included. 

Here is an introduction to Nolan, who in true Helms boy fashion, is wearing a 6-month sleeper despite being not yet 12 weeks in this video.  He has a lot to say.  Enjoy!

-Katie

Dupey the Dog

Dupey the statue lives on the back porch in Linville.  He is named after the real dog, Dupey, who belonged to Arlo's great-grandparents.

Arlo likes to feed Dupey sunflower seeds that have fallen from the birdfeeder.  (Thankfully, this Dupey doesn't bite!!!)

 

 

Clean-up time. 

 

 One of our very favorite playgrounds to visit in the mountains is at Cannon Hospital. It is huge and fenced with a lot of slides - all of our favorite things!

 

On this lovely day in August, Charlie and Arlo were both enjoying the slide. :)

-Katie

Summertime in Linville

Another trip this past August to one of our favorite places. Linville! A visit to Linville wouldn't be complete without...

A golf cart ride (this child will be able to reach the pedals before we know it!)

Meals out on the deck.

A visit to the playground in Blowing Rock.

Arlo's first trip to Kilwin's.  Ice cream AND fudge, oh my.

A stroll on the (empty) golf course after a hot dog at the 19th hole.

Another visit to see "our" ducks.

And a visit to the Banner Elk playground. (You can never have too many playgrounds when you're 2!)

 

We can't wait to get back there!  Next time we go will likely be as a family of four!!!

-Katie

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)