Punkin

A quick snap at the farmer's market while browsing pumpkins. Gus liked the small gourds he could pick up.

and so it starts...

Gus has been working on this trick for a while - cruising the furniture, pushing wagons around the house and now he can do it! And in the two days since this footage was taken he is now walking around as if it is no big deal at all. Strange to be in the kitchen alone and have your baby, a formerly stationary object, come join you! Oh the mischief he will find now!

Boo!

Halloween "baking" made easy. I have wanted to make these for a year. I whipped them up before going to Jeff and Julie's in about 10 minutes. Nutter Butters dipped in melted white chocolate chips w/ mini chocolate chips for eyes. Very tasty, too.

Sipping Starbucks

Little Camper

Southern Snack

We always stop between Charleston and Savannah at the cutest little general store with homemade pies, jellies, southern snacks, etc. Hard to believe we have been living in NC, the birth place of Cheerwine, for 7 years and have never tried it. Boiled peanuts, we have tried and love. For the record, Cheerwine is delish!!


Gus enjoying his kid-sized chair and stealing sips of Cheerwine. He was all about it.

Seasonal Sunshine

Our backyard is a fall paradise right now. We can't stop looking at it. Everything is ablaze. We knew we were filling it with fall blooming things last year but you kind of forget about the potential show during the year.

Sunflowers, daisies, angels trumpets, goldenrode, ornamental grass....

Did I mention it also smells very sweet? Ahhhh.

Guys in Gray

Grassy Gus

Hug a Tree

Gus and Us

Tag-A-Long

This weekend we purchased our REI Tagalong carrier for Gus. As we go on more walks and hikes he is starting to feel left out ahead of the pack in his stroller and obviously too heavy to carry. We were thrilled to see how delighted he was to ride on his dada's back. He giggles and chirps the whole way (2 hikes - Shelly and Lynn Lakes in Raleigh). He also likes to wave to passersby and say his favorite word "Hi". It was a great way to exercise, enjoy the season and scenery and expose Gus to nature. I think we'll get lots of use out of this (says the person who doesn't carry the load!)

Asheville in August

A couple of weeks ago we were given the opportunity to escape the heat in the mountains and stay at the legendary Grove Park Inn compliments of my company if I worked a conference there. Sign us up! We made it a family trip.

Complete with cupcakes, kayaks, and fun eats.

This tip jar at our cupcake shop cracked me up.

My Boys

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETIE!

34 Things to Know and Love About Aaron:
1.) He was born in Iowa
2.) He spent the summer after his first year in college traveling through California
and Oregon – sometimes living with his sister, sometimes camping while earning money
3.) He is one of the few people on the Earth who has the courage to do what he loves for a
living.
4.) And it never would have occurred to him to do it another way
5.) He is very handy
6.) He is passionate about his dreams
7.) He makes cute babies
8.) He believes in quality, not quantity whether when communicating or making purchases
9.) He loves to play games
10.) He is a creative cook
11.) And a great griller
12.) And a great bartender
13.) He investigates all unusual fruits at the grocery store
14.) He takes great pictures
15.) He likes to make life beautiful – food, gardens, occasions
16.) He’s a thoughtful gift giver
17.) He sleeps with a pillow over his head
18.) When he is grumpy he thinks gummy worms and Vault soda helps.

19.) He’s handsome
20.) He doesn’t know it
21.) He’s athletic
22.) Without making us watch televised sporting events or discuss stats
23.) His son adores him.
24.) He likes interesting movies and good restaurants
25.) The bathroom scene in Austin Powers made him laugh so hard he cried.
26.) He single handedly created the garden for our son’s school.
27.) He loves his Jeep.
28.) He loves to camp.
29.) He looks great in orange and blue.
30.) He’s the only person I know who looks cute in Crocs above the age of 4.
31.) He’s a great driver
32.) He’s the only person I know who hates jeans.
33.) He does excellent research for trips, movies, music.
34.) He is the reason for Gus’ brown eyes and size.

Lake Lure