Happy 30th Birthday Uncle Brian!

Happy Birthday Brian! We hope that it was extra special!

Love, Kevin, Julie, and McLean

Let me hear you roar!

McLean loves "punkins" We had to buy one that was big enough that he couldn't pick up. He had a smaller one, but he kept picking it up and dropping it.
McLean was a lion for Halloween. He did not want to hear the hat with the mane though. So he just looked brown, warm, and fuzzy. When we got ready to go to our church's "Hoopla", he went and got his trick-or-treat bag and put on his fire hat.

I waled around with McLean at Hoopla while Kevin pulled the family duty of working a booth.

Here is Kevin serving cotton candy. We were going to switch half-way through, but he decided to stay since he was already so sticky. He was the only one doing the cotton candy, and the line was sooooo long the whole night.

On Saturday we met Mike and Sarah downtown, since they were in town for a wedding. We walked around and ate a yummy lunch. This pushed McLean's nap back, which worked perfect for the time change.

You know you are an adult when...

you intentionally drive out to look at the leaves. Last weekend, Kevin and McLean and I headed out to Brevard. We walked around downtown and ate lunch there. Then, we drove through Pisgah National Forest up to the parkway. We drove the parkway by Mt. Pisgah and back home. The leaves and the views were incredible. It was a fun day. Last Sunday, we celebrated a big milestone for our friend Owen. He celebrated his first birthday and it was soooo much fun! We have been busy this week with my dad's surgery. He had neck surgery on Wednesday. He came through the surgery well after a long day of waiting---the surgery was delayed and started late. Now, we are praying for a quick and painless recovery. He seems to be in good spirits now.

Change of Scenery

We went to Madison and Greensboro to visit some of Kevin's family this past weekend. We have not been out of town in a while, it was a nice change of scenery. However, it sure felt good to come home to the mountains! We had a great trip. Here are some picture highlights of the trip.

McLean eating chocolate chip cookies at 9:00 Saturday morning--only at Grama's house!
McLean loved Pop!
The Street Festival in downtown Madison--McLean was not scared of the clown.
Leaving the street festival. Kevin's grandparents live in downtown, so we were able to walk to the festival.
Hanging out with Uncle Mike and eating ice cream.

As you may know, our little fellow is pretty independent. He won't eat anything from a spoon from us anymore, because he must do it himself. Well, the ice cream was a different story. He was more than pleased to let me feed him the ice cream.

We got to eat at Fuzzy's BB-Q on Sunday with Gram and Pop. Yummy, yummy!

On Sunday, I went to Blair's baby shower for her sweet baby girl that is due in December. It was at a really cute tea room. Fun times!

Inspiration

We were given this quote at school during our devotions time on Friday morning and it truly inspired me! I hope that you find it encouraging, inspirational, and freeing from perfection!

"The most important thing she'd learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one."

Have a good week! I am wrapping up the weekend and preparing for the week to start, as Kevin has gone out to fill the cars up with gas. This gas crisis is crazy! Thank goodness that he thinks for and takes such good care of our family.

Must be a "Guy-Thing"

I don't know about you but I enjoy spending time shopping, walking, or hanging out with my girlfriends. I have never challenged my friends to any competitive sporting events. Well, Kevin and two of his friends have created their very own decathlon. Together they chose 1o different events. Some of the events include a one mile run, field goal kicking contest, long jump, putt-putt, making it to the top of Mt. Pisgah in the shortest amount of time, etc.... Well, last Sunday they did the first 3 events: the one mile run, the field goal kicking contest, and the long jump. I am happy to report that Kevin got 1st in the run. Each of the other guys also got 1st in the other events. It was really fun to watch. They will continue each week competing in different events. Should be fun and interesting!

Kevin, Robbie, and Jason starting the race

Way to finish strong Kevin!

Everyday ordinaries...

I admit I am way behind! It seems as though I encountered blogger "freeze". I let the busyness of life win and I have neglected to blog. I would think about blogging, but didn't have any fun ideas. Then it hit me! It's not the "big" things or events in life, but the small "everyday ordinaries". For example, when McLean proudly wears his watch and points to it! Or, when I give him something to eat and he says, "Thank you my daddy", and when he spots a tractor miles away and says, "Tractor Mommy". Those are the sweet moments of my everyday ordinary life. So, after sorting through my pictures I found some pictures that have captured our last little, or should I say long bit, since I have posted. Enjoy!

Bath time is so much fun!

Just like Daddy!

Hay ride at Skytop Farms Apple Orchard

Building barns with Brian

Sorry For the Delay!

Loving the beach!
Brian, Porter-Ann, George, and Tarr
Hanging out in the backpack!
Sour lemon
Fourth of July with Blair, Kory, and their sweet little girl on the way.
Picking up seashells.
Visiting Southport.

We have had a really busy and fun summer! McLean loved the beach and kept us running the whole time. Gone are the days of sitting on the beach reading a book---but how worth it! Brian and his girlfriend were able to join us for part of the vacation. Sorry for the dealy--I hope these pictures make up for lost time.

Lots of Pictures

We had a play date with Ann Harrison. She was so kind to share her snack with McLean!
McLean loved digging in the dirt.
When we went out to eat Friday night a firetruck pulled into the parking lot. The fire fighters were so kind to let McLean get in the truck.
McLean has started to use a spoon by himself. He insisted to use the spoon at the Mexican restaurant Friday night. He ate a lot of beans and rice. We all paid for that later!!!
On Saturday we joined our friend's Wesley, Jamie, and Owen for a picnic at the park. We had a great time! The boys got to "play" together afterward, and they were patting each other--very sweet! We hope that you all had a great weekend too!

Well Prepared!

Last night I came home after running to Target after dinner to find what you see in the picture above. Kevin is an incredible father! He had loaded McLean up in his car, towels in the front, and float in hand to head to the neighborhood pool! They looked so cute!

Happy Father's Day!

We love you Daddy and Papa!

Picture Catch-Up!

This is a picture from Mike and Sarah's wedding on May 17th.




















My long-time friend Pam came to visit with her little girl Emma. We met Jayme and her kids at the park. From left to right we have Emma, McLean, Jack, and Sara Margaret.


























McLean loves to swing!























So tired!

We have been staying busy this spring. Kevin's brother got married last weekend and it was a beautiful wedding!!! Welcome to the family Sarah! We are so excited for them. I haven't uploaded my pictures yet, but I will try to soon. I just posted some random fun pictures. While we were in Greensboro for the wedding we got to see our good friends Kory and Blair. It was great to catch up with them and congratulate them on their little one that will make it's appearace in December. We are off for a busy weekend! Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Mother's Day Mimi

We all love you Mimi!

Accidents Happen

Yesterday, we had planned a fun Friday night to visit Lake Julian. We were going to have a picnic, feed the ducks, and play on the playground. After we ate and fed the ducks, we headed over to the playground. When we got McLean out of the stroller we quickly realized that he had a blow-out! It just so happened that this was the one time that we didn't have an extra outfit. So, we loaded him back in the stroller and headed to the car to cahange him. He rode home in just his diaper. We will have to try the playground another day!

Catch Up!

Sorry it's been so long! I will try to do better. Here are some recent pictures of our happenings. This weekend, my parents and I took McLean to get his first "real" pair of shoes at Stride Rite. At first he picked his foot up real high and took "giant-like" steps. It didn't take long and he got used to them, left the store, and walked through the mall. The other pictures are of McLean with a fire fighter and police. When I was leaving my parents house on Sunday afternoon we loaded Daisy, McLean, and a big tub of my summer clothes into the car. When we closed the car door, the big tub hit the door lock and locked all the doors. Needless to say, my purse with my keys was in the car with Daisy and McLean. We had to call roadside assistance and they sent the police and the firefighter since they would come the quickest. How stressful!!! Everything worked out. What a weekend!