James and Grace

First Day of Kindergarten

2011-08-19T08:31:00.003-04:00

Mr. Independent

Grace will miss her big brother so very much.

Ready for Kindergarten

How did five years go by in a blink of the eye?

Summer Vacation 2011

2011-08-03T21:40:00.004-04:00

We just got back from our summer vacation to Kentucky. Grace wasn't a big fan of camping, but she loved the Horse Park. James loves camping and actually enjoyed the horsie part of the vacation. Mammoth Cave is awesome and Kentucky is just beautiful.

Grace is much happier back home and celebrating Auntie Sarah's birthday. Plus, Sarah has just offered to take her to a fancy hotel the next time we go camping.

Sweet Baby James one morning in the tent.

Grace and her first Pop Tart. It was probably her favorite part of camping.

Giant marshmallows (courtesy of Maa) - yum.

James found the old johhny house at an old church in Mammoth Cave NP. James has a thing for port-a-johns and anything closely related.

Grace may not have loved camping, but she does love her Daddy.

Grace, the jockey.

At the Louisville Slugger Factory.

On the rhino statue at the Louisville Zoo. This rhino was much happier than the real ones.

Grace riding her fav "horse."

Pony rides at the Horse Park.

Mommy and Grace at the Horse Park.

Broom making at Shaker Village

James found the privy at Shaker Village.

The meeting house at Shaker Village.

May 2011

2011-05-16T20:26:00.004-04:00

Contemplative Grace (a rare event)

Cooking lessons from Iron Chef James

I'm not sure giving Grace an epee was a good idea.

James and Jay working on the new hoop.

James' first tree climb

Anybody want a kitten?

Contortionist Grace throws a fit.

Sweet Baby James

Obligatory awful Easter photo

March 2011

2011-03-04T00:36:00.005-05:00

James making the main course of the dinner that he fixed all by himself.

James riding his new bike without training wheels on his fifth birthday.

James and his friends on the morning after the sleepover.

James and his cousin, Yates, being slightly ridiculous.

Wrestle-rama three year old style (Grace and her cousin, Ellis).

Grace and Maa downtown.

Fancy Grace

Just because you might be digging compost, you don't have wear ugly clothes.

Mid Summer 2010

2010-08-18T22:53:00.005-04:00

James finally gets his birthday party.

Hair by James.

Argh Matey!

Tree pose.

Goofy kids.

Princess Doctor (it's a profession, really).

Biltmore with Uncle Epes and Barrett

Meet Molly - Drifty's new kitten.

Bike train - still not sure this is such a good idea.

James pulling Grace to show Grandpa Sam how strong he is.

The new playground - sans the swingset and roof.

Jay built an awesome playground for the kids (Grace as already been down the slide headfirst). We got another new kitten to keep the last new kitten from destroying our house out of boredom. Grandpa Sam, Uncle, Epes, and Barrett visited as did the Grubbs family. Grace decided that she will be a Princess Doctor when she grows up. James learned to fix Grace's hair (to their mutual delight) and took some yoga classes. He also finally got to have his pirate birthday party. The kids and Jay also went to Florida, but those photos are on Jay's phone, so will have to be added later. Whew - this only gets us up to our real vacation!

Race for the Cure in DC

2010-08-17T22:54:00.010-04:00

The whole big happy family before the Race ...

and after.

Grace holding court with her cousins.

You know James is pooped when he can't even stay awake for Mexican food.

Cousin Yates ran the entire race.

I don't know about that Auntie Skip...

Race for the Cure, Washington, DC, June 2010. We celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Maa's breast cancer diagnosis and were all able to come except for Emma (who we missed greatly). We also spent the week seeing the sites of DC.

May 26, 2010

2010-05-26T22:21:00.005-04:00

James is still patiently waiting for his birthday party and will be starting preschool in August. As he told me the other day, he is four now and that means he can do lots of interesting things. Grace is 2 1/2 years old already and ready to take on the world. She may be the best dressed gardener in the county. The garden is coming in and we are giving lettuce away by the ton. Life is happy here. Enjoy the photos.

James turns four and we get a new kitten

2010-03-12T10:47:00.003-05:00

Grace is no delicate angel in the Christmas pageant

Sweetest little boy in the entire pageant

James turns four

There really is a big shark up there

Meet Drifty Meow Face - our newest family member

Movie Night

Chatting with Daddy

Chef James

James and Grace continue to amaze us on a daily basis. We are a lucky family.

Grace turns two

2009-12-15T15:49:00.004-05:00

Maa, James and Grace at Biltmore

James is learning to ride his bike.

James and Grace donate toys for Toys for Tots at our fire station.

Grace's new very pink big girl bed

Coats and warm clothes that Grace collected instead of birthday presents.

Grace's second birthday party

Grace's giant birthday cookie

Tutu from Katie

Grace's very pink birthday cake on her actual birthday.

Tutu Hat - new fashion statement

A girl can never have too many tutus!

Grace turned two and had a Pink Pony Party complete with a giant cookie at her request. On her actual birthday, we also had a very pink cake and pink pancakes for breakfast. Daddy finished her big girl bed which was painted "pink, pink, everywhere" at her specification. The kids picked out tons of toys for Toys for Tots as our Christmas donation this year and dressed up to take them to the firestation. We just got back from Florida (however I forgot to get the photos from Cappy) and are all geared up for Christmas. Merry Christmas!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T22:20:00.002-04:00

One pirate, one strawberry, way too much candy . . .

Sesame Place!

2009-08-28T22:28:00.005-04:00

Sesame Place Rocks! James and Grace are having a ball and Mommy and Daddy are enjoying watching them play. Tonight Grace is asleep wearing her Abby Cadabby hat and James is trying to sleep "really really still" so that he still has his ferocious tiger face to scare Sarah when we get to Radford.

James the Tiger - ROAR!

Grace rode the purple and pink horsie at least four times.

Breakfast with Abby Cadabby.

Bert is eating my apple!

Grace with Bert's handprints

James with Grover's handprints

Summer 2009

2009-08-05T23:22:00.005-04:00

Here are some photos from our late spring and summer adventures. More to follow in time!

One . . . Two . . . Three . . . Weeeeeee!

Captain Underpants and his trusty sidekick, Undergirl!

Ponytails!

Maggie Moo's cotton candy ice cream - shades not found in nature.

Golf Rules: Hit the soccer ball with the club really hard, run the bases

and score a goal. We still aren't sure how the t-ball stand is involved.

Relaxing at the Cabin

Racing for the Cure is just exhausting.

Pounding the pavement in the Race for the Cure

Ready to race - gotta love a race where everyone wears pink!

James taking a break from the Square Dance.

Grace falls in love with horses.

The Easter Bunny Came and James Was In a Wedding

2009-04-26T14:53:00.020-04:00

Obligatory Easter Picture - one year they are going to smile.

Maa made Grace's beautiful sweater.

James and his Easter basket REALLY EARLY!

Grace loved her Easter bunny.

Maa and Grace at the Easter egg hunt at church.

Grace the Mighty Egg Hunter.

Cappy and James with their rakes.

Nana and James with their rakes.

Grace and Sammy sharing a moment in the sun.

Seasoned Travelers

Grace ready for her first airplane ride.

Ready for take off.

James and Mackay at the rehearsal.

Goofy kids

Beautiful Grace

James and Mackay all dressed up

James took his job as the ring bearer very seriously.

Handsome Big Boys

Beautiful Girls

The Easter Bunny came to our house and left baskets full of Easter Joy for the kids and then accidentally spilled some chocolate eggs in our front yard on his way out! The children were wonderful during church (with a little help from the lollipops the priest gave out during the children's sermon - at least we avoided the red ones this year). Cappy and Nana came to visit. James made them help with the yard work. The very next weekend, we flew to Texas for John Lawton's wedding. James was the ring bearer and Jay was the best man. This was Grace's first flight and she was great for the entire ride. James LOVED his tuxedo and wanted to sleep in it that night. Despite my best efforts, the family photo in the heading was the best we could do. At least we are all in it and nobody's underwear is showing! We are still recovering from all the fun!

James Turns Three

2009-02-23T22:31:00.009-05:00

James turned three this month and he had a Bob the Builder all day celebration on his birthday replete with a visit to a construction equipment rental center and a Bob Birthday Cake at the Chinese Buffet (imagine incredibly blue icing mixed with sticky rice and small children). On Valentine's Day, we had a Fireman Party at our house and the Fairview Fire Department was kind enough to send a truck, two firemen, and Sparky to our house to surprise James. We had a great time and James thought it was awesome. In other news, James had stitches twice in one week in January, Grace learned to color and now only eats some of the crayons some of the time, Riley came to visit on James' birthday, and we had a small snowfall here. We hope you enjoy the photos.

James drives the front end loader.

We couldn't find a fireman outfit that fit Grace, so we made her the fire.

James' birthday surprise.

James when he realized that the firetruck has come to his party.

Grace LOVED the truck.

James drives the firetruck.

Every outfit is better with pink snow boots.

Grace coloring like a big girl.

SNOW!

Grace Turns One and We Go to Disney

2008-12-27T23:15:00.008-05:00

Grace surveying the Savannah on her birthday.

Hey - this doll looks like me.

The big cake

I don't think I eat bugs.

Grace LOVED Cinderella's Carousel.

James meets Eeyore.

James and Daddy - Guess who's tired.

James loved Mickey Mouse.

Happy Thanksgiving, Mommy.

Grace turned one year old in November and Cousin Ellis turned one, Mommy turned 35 and Maa turned 70. So we headed to Disney World to celebrate! Grace had her party at home before we went. Her godmother and her mommy stayed up late making a really cool Very Hungry Caterpillar cake for Grace (the little cake above, the big one came from the bakery). Grace took one look and decided that she didn't eat bugs and James looked at it and said "That is slimy, I don't eat slimy." The photo is actually of Grace removing the cake from her mouth after Mommy put it there. Grace actually turned one while we were in Disney World. She loved Cinderella's Carousel and we had to ride it twice. James got to meet Eeyore, Piglet, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Mary Poppins, and Alice in Wonderland. We had so much fun and everyday we think about going back soon.

Pumpkins and Monkeys

2008-11-13T22:59:00.009-05:00

Grace the Rock Star

Halloween Monkeys

Grace in the pumpkin patch

Daddy thinks we both fit in this double bike trailer!

Hiking in Chimney Rock

James comforting Jack

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Get Your Bright Orange Pumpkins!

James at the rice table

My little pumpkin

Dreaming of Hop On Pop

Disco Grace

Both kids were naughty monkeys for Halloween, although Grace spent half the day as a pumpkin to make her mommy happy. We sold pumpkins at the church and even though we only had one sale on our shift, we had tons of fun yelling "Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Get Your Bright Orange Pumpkins!" We bought a crate of pumpkins at the Farmer's Market and wound up helping two little kittens there. The black one that James named Jack, broke his leg and James and I took him to the clinic set it. During time that Jack was fostering at our house, James comforted him every day. Grace took her first steps on Nov. 9 in front of her Maa, Nana, Cappy, and Daddy and just couldn't wait until her Mommy came in from the kitchen. She did it again tonight so I finally got to see her walk! Grace turns one in two weeks and I will post more photos after all the celebrations have ended.

Late Summer 2008

2008-09-26T22:38:00.003-04:00

August and September have passed in the blink of an eye. Grace turned 10 months old today and is a girl on the move. Turn your attention away for one moment and she is trying to climb the stairs! James is busy imagining things - last night a baby beluga swam in the carpet ocean in his room and then jumped right in bed with him!

Auntie Skip came to visit and we had SO MUCH FUN!
Come again soon Auntie Skip.

Grace is on the go. She learned to sit up, pull up, and
cruise in one week.

What big brown eyes you have Mr. Bear.

Grace likes the big kid toys much better than baby toys.

Grace standing up in her crib after nap.

Even dragons need supper.

Grace and James in the helicopter at the fair.

Wow . . . Curious George and The Man in the Yellow Hat.

Giddy up Horsie!

The wagon weighs A LOT with both kids in it, but they love
taking trips around the yard.

Shaking hands.

Museum of Life and Science with Riley in Durham.

Best seats in the house at the UNC game. Grace loved her
first Tar Heel game and James is still talking about Ramses.

2008-07-31T23:31:00.004-04:00

We just got back from New Orleans where we had a Mardi Gras celebration at the conference and James and Grace both got new fun hats. They got to play with Dad all day while Mom went to classes. We also went to Lake Lure for Cappy's birthday and to Bele Chere.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras!

Feylin and James in the jungle.

Grace and her Godmother, Katie.

Auntie Sarah!

Grace is plotting.

James and the way cool old fashioned fire engine.

Grace loves Cappy's mustache.

Westward Ho!

James in the starfish.

2008-07-06T23:39:00.004-04:00

We have had a very busy month. We celebrated Jay's birthday by spending a weekend at Lake Lure with the Grubbs Family. Celebrated Cousin Henry's high school graduation. Raced for the Cure in Raleigh with Maa and friends from when Margee was in vet school. Visited the vet school and saw the really cool skeletons. Celebrated Grace's half birthday with half a birthday cake. Nana and Cappy visited for the Fourth of July (those photos are still on the camera). We are off to New Orleans soon.
James and Grace are growing growing growing. James is a fantastic big brother and takes really good care of his sister. He's even written a song about her that goes something like this: "Baby Grace is my sister, my sister, my sister . . . She's my sister, sister, sister . . ." The best part is that he sings it in his rock star voice while playing his rock and roll guitar or just the air guitar depending on his mood. Grace absolutely adores James and wishes he would hold still more often so she could pull his hair or just grab him. She's on the verge of crawling so will probably be able to catch him before too long.

Quality time with Maa

Grace's half birthday

James the Superdad - carrying his babies and doing the vacuuming.

Can we lick her please?

Grace and Maa

Grace LOVED playing in Lake Lure.

Watermelon and popsicles on the dock.

MMmm . . . watermelon

Watermelon at the lake . . . this brings back memories

Here kitty kitty!

Grace liked the cow skeleton.

James and Feylin

Grace loved having James strapped in beside her - James
wasn't so thrilled with the arrangement.

James and Feylin racing for the cure.

The best part of the 5K was the sprinklers.

Maa and James raced in the one mile race in a special
rickshaw since Maa is a survivor.

Racing is hard work.

My toys!

Daily Life in Our Home

2008-05-22T22:44:00.004-04:00

When the days seem long at our house, these are the moments that get us through.

Avocado face

Handsome James

Two front teeth

James on the go

Time to smell the roses

Originals by James

Yard chores

Mmm . . . maple syrup

Fancy pants

Beautiful Grace

Sunny Florida

2008-05-03T23:27:00.005-04:00

James can't decide what party supplies to buy.

Maa knows how to drive a tractor while holding 2 kids!

Cappy and James on Doctor's Lake

Grace and her Daddy

Quality time with Cappy

James watches the construction of our new sunroom.

Grace getting ready for her first taste of rice cereal - she
hated it! So far she will only eat bananas.

James the gardener

James and Nana playing the pino

James in Cappy's boat

Daddy and his Grace girl

Mommy and her Grace girl

Grace loved Cappy and Nana's bird

Cappy and James in the pool

Grace is ready to swim

James at the zoo

Grace and Mommy at the zoo

We have had an eventful month. Grace started to eat solid food - or rather, Grace decided that solid food is for the birds. She also got her first tooth and remains unconvinced that this is a sign that she really can eat solids! James got his last baby tooth in - it came through just before we went to Florida which is only appropriate since he got his very first tooth there also. We took a vacation to see Nana and Cappy in Florida where we had a blast in the pool, on the lake, at the zoo . . . The kids were amazing travelers and loved having Nana and Cappy at their beck and call. Our sunroom is almost done and we are looking forward to finally being done with the construction.

2008-04-27T16:19:00.002-04:00

We just got back from sunny Florida where we visited Cappy and Nana (more photos to follow). James' Carolina hat fell off his head and into the lake and Mommy temporarily lost her cell phone. We suspect the manatees had something to do with it!

Easter 2008

2008-03-29T22:04:00.005-04:00

James puts Grace in a headlock - preview of years to come!

Look Grace, it's a dragon - ROAR!

Grace looks so beautiful in her Easter Dress.

Maa made this yak sweater for James for Easter.
It's the only picture I have of them both clean
on Easter!

Maa and James at the Biltmore Easter Egg Hunt,
which was more of an egg gather than a hunt.

Hiking in Bent Creek.

Mom and Grace hiking in Bent Creek.

James likes to make sandwiches for Sammy.

Happy Baby!

Grace has the most amazing blue eyes.

Hiking with Orion in our yard.

Daddy, Elo, and Lambie what more could a
dragon want?

I'm not so sure this is safe Mommy!

Okay, maybe it's fun.

James' old helmet is funny!

James or Grace?

2008-03-01T14:48:00.005-05:00

One of these is James and one is Grace!

James is 2, Grace is 3 months

2008-02-21T22:29:00.008-05:00

Grace is almost three months old and can hold her head up. James just turned two years old and likes to wear underwear on his head. We have almost recovered from the week of celebration - James' birthday and Grace's baptism. James is currently trying to give up his one nap of the day (Mom and Dad are not as excited about this new idea!) and Grace is still learning how to take naps at all. Enjoy the photos and please excuse any formatting issues - Mom is still new to this.