we can dig it

Busy Buddies

2009-09-07T20:28:00.004-04:00

Knox and Levi are so full of life right now. I can hardly keep up. Now that Levi is crawling and pulling up, we have entered a whole new situation. The other night I was washing Knox's hands after he used the bathroom and I turned around to find Levi swishing his hand around in the toilet. It seems like the toilet is a big splash park for him; I can't keep him away from it. We have to throw a towel over the lid so that he wont grab all over the seat.

Doesn't he look mischievous?

Knox is still all into sports, but is also very fascinated by bugs right now. He is also into pretend play- the type that includes enemies that he must beat down with a broom handle. We march around the garden, into the woods, and under the apple trees to "fight the enemies". I think Ty started the whole scenario and Knox became obsessed with it.

Since Levi is so busy, Knox has done his best to protect him. Tonight I heard them both by the stairs and Knox said "mom, Levi is trying to climb the stairs", and then he told Levi "no, no, your mom doesn't want you to come up here". He hugs him a lot and they crawl around and play chase. It's really fun to see them interacting now.

We're enjoying our time in CT and my mom and dad have been such a blessing. They have dealt well with a house full of chaos and baby/toddler mood swings.

A night for marshmallow roasting

Knox and I were painting rocks into animals and in the middle of our fun I had to go get Levi up from his nap. I told him several times about not getting it on his hands and the rule about not mixing the paints together. He followed my rules but...

PJ Playdough time

This is Levi in an outfit that my grandmother made for my dad when he was a baby. Notice that it's a little tight around the tummy area.

My old high school basketball clothes- he was ready to play dress-up

Priceless

Having Fun!

2009-08-01T20:48:00.003-04:00

This summer has been dedicated to visiting friends and family. We've had a great time thus far and spending time together has been wonderful. We've spent a lot of time outdoors, gone to a few baseball games, and are reading plenty of new books. Knox is all into sports, so that hasn't changed much. Levi has really changed just in the past week. It seems he hit 9 months and is a whole new person. He is crawling, pulling up, giving kisses, and saying mama. Knox has definitely seen all the changes and seems to be going through a jealousy streak. Let's just say, he's a little more aggressive towards Levi lately. We'll get through it and they'll be great buddies in a year or so when Levi can hold his ground.

Little Levi... getting big

2009-06-25T22:31:00.002-04:00

Our Levi is now 8 months old. He weighs over 20 pounds and is the happiest little thing you've ever seen. His sweet disposition is manifested in the way he grins at us, laughs at his brother, and loves on the kitty. He's been battling an ear infection, but I only knew because he was clingy and a little fussy. When he's been so easy and agreeable, you know when something is bothering him. He loves food, hence the larger weight, and he has begun scooting on his tummy and sitting himself up from a stomach position. Any day now, the crawling will begin.

Museum Birthday

2009-06-25T22:16:00.003-04:00

There is a wonderful museum in Raleigh called Marbles. We went for Knox's birthday and had a blast. The dress up and pretend play was especially cool for the toddlers. We were a little scared about letting him in the hockey rink with a stick, but he actually kept the stick down, scored a few goals, and didn't injure anyone. Levi even got in on the action when we played on the pirate ship. Here's a few pics of the fun we had.

Preschool- first and last

2009-06-25T22:06:00.003-04:00

My sweet boy is done with his first year of preschool. I can't believe it. Notice in the pictures that, although he is older, the mischievousness is still there.

First Day of Preschool

Last Day of Preschool

Knox's 3rd Birthday

2009-06-07T21:14:00.006-04:00

We celebrated Knox's 3rd Birthday this past weekend. He has been planning his baseball birthday party for the past six months. To say he likes baseball is an understatement. We play EVERY day.
We had a few friends for a cookout at the park. The kids played on the playground and also had their own ball game going on in the field. Knox was especially excited about the Little League players that were playing in the fields that day. We couldn't keep him near the party because he wanted to be right where the "big boys" were playing. Every time we looked up, he was over with his glove trying to play catch with the Little League players. The highlight of the day came as we were packing up and he ran over to say goodbye to the baseball players. They gave him high fives and you wouldn't believe how his face lit up. That was the best birthday present he'd gotten all day. So cute!

The Zoo

2009-06-01T15:43:00.002-04:00

We went to the NC zoo a couple weekends ago and although it was very tiring, we had a good time with the boys. Most of the animals were sleeping so I think Knox's favorite part was chasing some girls around a tree. Maybe the merry go round and train ride too. Levi took all his naps on the go and seemed to enjoy being outside for the day.

Ride home after a busy day

Durham Bulls Game

2009-05-19T11:29:00.003-04:00

We braved the cold front and the chance of rain when we went to a Durham Bulls game Sunday night. Knox brought his glove and was so excited... until we entered the stadium. The loud organ music and announcer voice scared him immediately and he was shaking on my lap for the first 20 minutes. After I explained everything to him and we clapped and sang a little, he was all about it. He had popcorn and fried dough for dinner and Levi took a little nap on Ty. Knox was able to run the bases at the end and that was definitely the highlight of the night.

sweet boys

2009-05-19T10:44:00.005-04:00

The Harding hat looks like a little swimmers cap when he's naked.

The boys enjoy riding next to each other on walks.

For my birthday, a friend delivered balloons. One happened to fly up to the ceiling and the picture below shows Knox's attempts to rescue it ( notice the baby chair was not quite tall enough).

Easter

2009-04-16T09:21:00.001-04:00

Just a few pictures of our Easter weekend. A motivated family from church hosted a big egg hunt and Easer lunch on Saturday. On Sunday we were blessed with a great lunch at Fosters and a beautiful sunny day!

Easter

2009-04-16T08:54:00.004-04:00

Georgia visit

2009-04-16T07:48:00.002-04:00

We went to Georgia to visit some friends and had so much fun. The older ones played together quite well and the babies were cute together (they are only 4 days apart in age). Here are a few pictures from our trip:

Cookies are yummy!

First bite of rice cereal

Little munchkins having fun outside

Blue Eyed Babies

2009-04-05T19:28:00.001-04:00

Just having fun

2009-03-16T20:42:00.003-04:00

Hangin out with the musical caterpillar

Playing chase with dad around the house

Just got back from a walk. Levi thinks Knox is SO entertaining.

February and March

2009-03-16T20:23:00.002-04:00

Levi's eyes keep getting bigger and bluer.

Another snow day, but this time mom lost the mittens and Knox had to wear plastic baggies over socks.

This outfit makes Levi look like a little Dutch boy. It was made by my grandmother for my dad when he was a baby.

Knox decided that he wanted to try on his old swim clothes over his pajamas. He was showing his muscles in this picture.

Fox with Knox

2009-02-24T14:29:00.002-05:00

Our neighbor is very creative and made this after his daughter laughed every time she read Fox in Socks. I guess this is what she pictured in her head.

Growing and Growing

2009-02-23T15:14:00.004-05:00

Levi had his four month appointment and he is 17 pounds and 5 oz. What a big baby! Knox didn't weigh this much until he was 10 months old! He is very happy and just discovered his voice this afternoon! He has been squealing all over the place. He is best known for his classic snorting though. I've talked to the doctor about it and she said some babies are just "noisier" than others. I thought it would go away by now, but it just keeps getting louder. He really enjoys doing it during quiet times, like church.

Valentine's Hug

Knox is as busy as ever and really enjoys playing monster trucks with his cars and dump trucks. He also is still into baseball. He has already planned for his 3 year old birthday party to have a baseball theme. He's started having an opinion about what he wears, so the outfits have been interesting lately.
This stage is really trying, but I know I'll look back and remember the funny and sweet things he does too. The other night I went out with some friends and he woke up that night around two. I went in to check on him and he asked "did you have fun with the ladies, mom?". So sweet.

January

2009-02-10T22:18:00.005-05:00

Oh what fun we had in the snow! Knox is really getting mischievous, proven by the fact that I am now typing on a computer that is missing five keys. Levi is as good a baby as ever. He smiles and even giggles now. He loves his family and we sure do love him back. Not much else going on here, except a few sniffles here and there. Oh wait- we found a house nearby and are closing on it next month. Yeah!

Christmas with the family

2009-01-13T22:14:00.006-05:00

Our holiday has come and gone and I'm just getting around to posting. My family was so nice to travel to us this year and we were very thankful. I knew that it would be tough with two little ones, and then they both were sick, so I was happy to be at home. Knox was not on his best behavior, but we all got through it and we're hoping that next year he he will have matured into a pleasant three year old. Just like magic.

It all went by in a blur between feedings, meals, naps,and baths. But I look back on it as a happy blur, full of memories and love. These are just a few pictures,mostly taken by my sister, that capture the cute little ones and the fun we had.

Christmas with the family

2009-01-13T21:46:00.006-05:00

Christmas with Meme and Papa

2008-12-15T21:39:00.003-05:00

We had a great time celebrating an early Christmas with Meme and Papa in Greenville. Lots of food, lots of presents, and lots of fun.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T10:07:00.006-05:00

Knox had a special Thanksgiving lunch at school with 16 of his two year old friends. Ty and I were invited and Knox thought it was pretty cool to have mom and dad at school. The teachers went around the table and asked each child what they were thankful for. Knox said "mommy". O.k., so there were five other kids that said "mommy" before him, but I was thrilled anyway.

Knox was ready to pray

I love reading to my two boys.

Thanksgiving was a really beautiful sixty degree day. Ty went for a bike ride with some friends in Chapel Hill and Knox and I went outside for some baseball time. We cooked a little together and during the boys' nap I was able to go on my first run since having Levi. I thought I would have to stop every five minutes, but I was able to run for a solid 20 minutes at a fairly decent pace. Now, I was a little sore the next day, but it actually felt great! I'm on the road to getting in shape and that makes me happy. After the run, I spent the rest of the afternoon cooking and then our preacher and his wife came over to eat Thanksgiving dinner with us. They have a two year old as well, so the evening was entertaining between happy scream contests and battles over toys. I owe Better Homes and Gardens magazine and Rachel Ray tons of thanks for some easy and delicious recipes. Turkey cutlets are the way to go for a small crowd.

One stuffed turkey.

The day after Thanksgiving we decided to go on a short hike. I found a Snuggli backpack at a consignment sale in the fall and this was the first time Knox had used it. He really enjoyed it and liked being up high where he could scope things out. We did let him get down and run on the trail for awhile though. He really liked collecting sticks in the woods and visiting with all the dogs that were hiking too. We ate a pbj lunch by the creek and made it back in time for Levi to eat at home. He slept on me the entire time. It was a perfect day with wonderful weather.

Growing and Growing

2008-11-21T21:03:00.003-05:00

Levi is one month old now and is growing like a weed. He is already over 10 pounds. He's been a pretty good baby so far and is sleeping for 5 hour stretches at night. He has a real fussy time from about 5-8 at night though and it has been challenging getting Knox his bath and to bed with a crying little one. Ty and I have been able to tag team and just about every night I tell him how thankful I am that he isn't travelling for his job anymore. We have been blessed with a church family that supplied us with meals for about the last 3 weeks. It was such a help to not have to worry about dinner for that long. We even had a neighbor, whom we had never met before, bring by a meal. It is so nice to be pampered during this crazy, but fun time in our lives.

Big blue eyes just like big brother Knox.

Veterans Day 2008

2008-11-17T12:34:00.006-05:00

My aunt Diana took this picture last week on Veterans Day at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. The bagpiper stayed there all day to honor the fallen and the families who had come to pay their respects.

Halloween Pics

2008-11-15T22:36:00.001-05:00

First week with the boys

2008-10-30T11:45:00.006-04:00

Lots of help with the boys! The first week was a little rough because Knox came down with a stomach virus and his mood wasn't exactly the best because of his tummy hurting. He about wore Ty's mom out. Then my mom came and he started getting better, but then she came down with it. Luckily, it was short lived. Levi and I escaped it.

Knox is a skunk this year for Halloween and he runs around saying "pee-yew". Our church had a fall festival/trunk or treat so we all went last Saturday. It was our first outing with Levi and he did very well; just ate and slept. Knox fully understands the trick or treat concept now and loves how he gets candy upon saying those words. We also went to a pumpkin patch/farm one day with our playgroup. His favorite part was the feeding the baby goats and running around in the cotton field.

Levi is doing so well with everything. He eats really well and sleeps as much as you can expect a newborn to sleep. He's already almost 8lbs. The doctor joked that I could just bring him back for his kindergarten screening. He has an intense gaze about him and mom said that he looks wise, almost like he can read your mind. Maybe we have a future scholar on our hands.

Baby Brudder

2008-10-20T21:26:00.003-04:00

Knox has been a champ and he loves his baby brudder.

Welcome Levi Lewis!

2008-10-20T21:23:00.005-04:00

Still lovin T-Ball

2008-10-13T14:22:00.003-04:00

Our new thing is the batting cage at the park. Knox also loves to "run the bases", which consists of running them in any order that suits him. I'm just trying to walk this baby out and engage in as many activities that encourage it to come on into the world. Overall, I feel great though!

Two Days past due date

39 week ultrasound

2008-10-04T15:27:00.001-04:00

Boy or Girl? Soon to find out...

The Lawrence Welk Show

2008-09-25T20:31:00.003-04:00

Knox woke up early today and all he wanted to do was watch The Lawrence Welk Show. It is on every Saturday evening on our local station, so I taped it this past time. Thank goodness I did, because he was content to start his morning with a little singing and dancing.

Dancing with the rest of the crowd!

Wilmington Weekend

2008-09-25T20:16:00.003-04:00

We had a wonderful time in Wilmington a couple of weekends ago. We thought we'd squeeze a beach trip in before the new baby arrived. Knox loved the beach and would have happily stayed for another week.

Wow... that's all mom can say.

2008-09-19T20:59:00.003-04:00

Knox learning how to swing and pose for the camera.

First Day of Preschool

2008-09-04T15:37:00.003-04:00

Knox loved it and kept saying "more school". Yeah!

Labor Day

2008-09-04T14:51:00.003-04:00

We had a great Labor Day weekend. Sunny and Dave, aka Meme and Papa, came Friday on their way back from the Outer Banks. Knox was sooooo happy!
On Saturday Ty,Knox,and I visited the Duke Gardens and were thrilled to find a beautiful place to walk and let Knox romp around. On Monday we went to Jordan Lake, which is about 20 minutes from our house.

Here is a quick Knox story:
Our cat, Tipper, was sitting next to us on the couch and Knox frequently has "conversations" with her. He reached over and patted my belly and said "I have a baby sister soon", while nodding his head at Tipper, as if coaxing her to agree with him. I really don't know if I'll have a girl or a boy, but Knox seems convinced that it will be a baby girl.

Waldridge Weekend

2008-09-03T21:16:00.005-04:00

We had a fun-filled weekend with Ashley, Heather, Tobias, and Truett. We usually go on a beach vacation with them each summer, but it just wasn't possible this year with everyone moving. We're hoping maybe next year in CA with the Bennetts.:)

The kids really enjoyed playing after Knox's first night of "mine" tantrums. He finally came to the realization that they were staying for the weekend and he was going to spend the entire time in time-out if he didn't get over it.

Heather and I went shopping and the boys went to a movie and played soccer, so even the parents got their fun times in too. We're so happy the Waldridges are only an hour away so we can have more weekends like this!

Meme and Papa visit

2008-08-09T21:48:00.003-04:00

Sunny and Dave came to visit last weekend and we were so glad to have our first visitors in this house. Knox was more than a little excited to have his meme and papa staying in the same house as him. He immediately gave "the tour" and wanted to show them his new bedroom and toy room.

We went to breakfast at Fosters, a local restaurant that is already our favorite, and then the Durham Museum of Life and Science. We kept them very busy and so we all took a nap that afternoon.

Here are a few pics that captured our fun times.

Hangin out at Fosters

Smelling the flowers with Meme.

Finding butterflies with mom.

Knox riding his bike at Meme and Papa's house over the 4th of July.

Family stroll to feed the ducks.

Happy Birthday, Daddy

2008-07-27T18:47:00.002-04:00

Knox was very excited to celebrate Ty's birthday this year. He started out with a song, made a card, and helped make the birthday strawberry-rhubarb pie. We caught it all on video and pictures.

Ty and I went out for a nice dinner and then kayaked down the Eno River in Durham at night. http://www.wafter.org/ It was very fun and a much needed night out after the craziness of the past few weeks. It seems like I was just posting pictures from his fishing birthday trip last year. Knox was still crawling and we didn't have a clue that we'd be in a completely different town, expecting a little one in the fall. Time flies...

Niece Norah

2008-07-16T21:19:00.000-04:00

I was so happy to get to visit Katie and Luke and their precious little girl, Norah. Ty and Knox stayed with his mom in Greenville while I flew to Texas to visit our very first niece. I felt bad that they couldn't come too, but it was a much needed break for me and it would have been a crazy visit if my little tornado tagged along.

Norah is so sweet and she slept on me quite a bit. She is a very good baby and Luke and Katie are so good with her; they're naturals.

I am looking forward to having my own little bundle in October and holding Norah made me realize how quickly it is approaching. We're really excited that the cousins will only be 4 months apart.

Here are a few pictures from the visit.

Successfully moved

2008-07-16T14:35:00.000-04:00

I've never been great about keeping up with this blogging thing, but I honestly have a good excuse this month. Ty started his new job, we sold and closed on our house, found a house to rent, packed up, and moved to Durham, North Carolina all in one month. We are settling in and really like the area though. We especially like being together as a family now that Ty doesn't travel for his job every week. He has been on the road for his jobs ever since we were married, and we now know what it is like to have dinner together and hang out every evening. Knox is enjoying his daddy time too. We miss our friends and family a lot, but know that we are beginning a new adventure together.
Here are some pictures of the fun we've had this past month.

Zoe and Knox- best buds

Packing tent

Tiny unpacker, big mess

Knox Turns Two

2008-06-18T13:56:00.000-04:00

The big day arrived and Knox was ready for it. I sang happy birthday to him when I got him out of bed and he ran to the kitchen screaming "CAKE". I had been working on his soccer ball cake the night before and I guess he was waiting in anticipation. He still had cereal and had to wait until his party; poor thing.

His party was at the park with friends and he had so much fun. They played on the playground, had a soccer ball "game", and ate hamburgers, watermelon, and cake. I don't think Knox ate anything but cake. He had great fun wearing his party hat and digging in.

I can't believe he is already two. It seems like just a few months ago that I brought him home all bundled up in his swaddle. He has grown into such a little person with a big personality. He loves people, especially girls, and he really enjoys animals. He has also entered a boy phase of loving sports, particularly soccer, basketball, and baseball. I don't know if you can count tackling daddy, but he likes that too. He still enjoys books and loves the outdoors. I wonder what he will enjoy a year from now.

Knox and his girls

Knox showing great restraint around the cake

Daddy and Son playing with the new dump truck from Luke and Katie

Hola from Mexico

2008-05-20T23:22:00.000-04:00

Last week our family traveled to the Mayan Riviera with our friends Tee,Jen, and Lola. We had a wonderful time despite a few illnesses with the kids. We can't say we did much more than eat, swim, and sleep; but that was fine with us. Ty went on a short trip to Telum, an ancient Mayan city, and I was able to go on a shopping trip with Jen one day. Jen and I also snorkeled and were able to see a sea turtle, which made our day. Knox and Lola were the best of friends and he is still talking about her constantly.
I'm going to post a few of my favorite pictures below.

The buddies

Tide Pooling

After a big dinner

Ty at Talum

Two buff men, two cute babes, and the two preggers

Hola from Mexico continued

2008-05-20T22:55:00.000-04:00

This was the "place to be" for those with busy toddlers.

Being silly with mom.

Throwing sand was more fun than a shovel and a bucket.

Knox called this a "slide-wee" the entire trip.

A true toddler pose.

Sprinkler Fun

2008-05-08T20:23:00.000-04:00

Accessories

2008-04-15T21:31:00.001-04:00

So, in the last month we have gotten some pretty funny pictures of Knox with various accessories. Ty is a little concerned that he loves anything Mom has on, including bracelets, hair ties, and make-up. No worries, he has lots of boy time too, and mud and dirt are his best friends when helping me plant. I'm including all the boy accessory pictures below, minus the sunglasses.
I'm also including a picture of our front yard. I'm so excited that our grass is alive and doing well so far. We'll see if it lasts when the heat picks up.

Easter Fun

2008-03-26T13:27:00.001-04:00

For Easter, our friends did a cute outdoor lunch for the kids and then we walked to a nearby YMCA for an Easter Egg Hunt/Pickup. All the eggs were thrown into a field so the kids just ran through and grabbed them as they went. Knox picked up two because we had such a wave of kids in front of us that there were hardly any left behind. He was fine with it and was more concerned with keeping his eye on the lifesize bunny.
After church, we had our Easter lunch with Hyon-Sun and Dave and they cooked some delicious salmon and vegetables. Knox had fun taking pictures in his Easter suit and saying "cheese" for the camera.

Not much new

2008-03-06T20:57:00.000-05:00

I am obviously not the best at posting on our blog. I do have an excuse though because we really haven't done a lot in February to report. We've been sick quite a bit and are looking forward to the spring when less germies are going around.
I've gotten pretty good at finding new and interesting ways to keep Knox entertained in the house since we have been under quarantine for most of the month. Some of his favorites are helping me cook while standing on a chair at the counter, giving his toy animals a "bath" in a pan of water, and playing chase. He has also entertained himself without supervision (see lipstick picture). What a guilty face.

Christmas 2007

2008-01-07T12:55:00.000-05:00

My new motto this year for flying is "if Mommy and Knox go, Daddy goes too". We counted up how many planes Knox has been on and we found it to be around 30 including layovers and everything. It has become increasingly more difficult to entertain him for extended amounts of time on my lap, and so Dad is in charge of supplying the toys, movies, and games, while Mom is in charge of holding him down for 2 hours at a time. Fun, fun!
We went to CT this year for a week and it was a lot of fun, despite a reoccuring ear infection for Knox. Katie, my sister, is expecting and so we had fun seeing her baby bump and talking about how it will be next year when we have two munchkins to spoil. We ate a ton, played games, exercised some, and even had enough snow to sled on in our back yard. Knox thought he was pretty special on his little sled, but probably enjoyed the attention he received for doing it even more.
Can't believe 2008 is here. It was a great year and we've got tons of goals for this year already. Not going to post them in case we don't follow through on 95% of them.

Thanksgiving in Alabama and Arkansas

2007-11-27T21:15:00.000-05:00

A week of travel. First we went to Arkansas for hunting and visiting family, and then we headed to Alabama to visit Dave's family for Thanksgiving. My grandparents hosted us and we had a lot of fun, although a one-year-old in the house was a little crazier than Grandpa expected. Ty hunted every day (ducks and deer) and I brought Knox down a couple of times to play with his little friend Lola. Overall Knox travelled very well despite the double ear infection he got right before we left AR.
Alabama is always a lot of fun and we eat and eat. Ms. Mary, Dave's mom, owns a restaurant right next to her house and so we eat there. She cooks some delicious southern dishes and everyone just scarfs them up. The day after Thanksgiving we always eat catfish with fries, onion rings, and hush puppies. Knox really enjoyed getting to taste his first Thanksgiving meals. They have lots of dogs, chickens, a goat, and two cats; you can imagine how that kept Knox entertained.

Roar!- It's Halloween!

2007-11-14T12:31:00.000-05:00

Knox was a precious little lion this year. I was very surprised that he kept his little mane on, but he was distracted and forgot about it. He was a little under the weather, but we got out for a bit before bedtime.

New England Visit

2007-10-20T22:36:00.000-04:00

We just returned from New England for a "fall visit". Our friend, Scott, was married in New York City and we were so glad that we were able to attend to see he and his beautiful bride on their special day. After that we drove to CT to see my parents for a week.
Several day trips were taken and Knox travelled in the car quite a bit against his will. He's not a very cooperative back seat rider anymore. We went to Newport, RI; Shelburne Falls, MA; and Northhampton, MA. We even drove into VT a little bit in order to see some more leaf color.
As you can see from our pictures, we really enjoyed our time there and Knox loved being with Grandma and Grandpa as usual. His favorite location in the yard this time was the raspberry patch.

Future Hurdler?

2007-09-23T00:02:00.001-04:00

Folly Beach Trip

2007-09-22T16:58:00.000-04:00

We had our 3rd annual Beach Trip with the Bennetts and Waldridges. Before the babies arrived in 2006, we had ventured to Willmington, NC and then the Outer Banks. This trip to Folly Beach, which is very close to Charleston, was a great "adventure" as we termed it while we were there. The word "vacation" doesn't seem quite right with 3 one year olds running around.
Every day was so much fun though. We got up early (wonder why?) and had great breakfasts. Then we would take the babies down to the beach and play for awhile before their naps. After lunch we would usually play around the house and then go out to the beach. Low tide was in the late afternoon every day, and it was wonderful for all the kids because little pools, or gullies, were left on the beach for them to splash around in. They were as warm as bath water and not too deep, although some of them could get deeper than you would think and we almost let our kids slip under a couple times.
The evenings were beautiful and the dinners were always the best. Every couple cooked a meal or two and it was so nice to have help in the kitchen and help with the kids as well. Every couple was also allowed a date sometime during the week while the others watched the baby. Ty and I went to a noodle house and a little artsy shop called POE afterwards. It was much needed.
We had such a fun time that all the moms were like "what are we going to do with the kids when we get home". Nothing beats a houseful of parents, babies, toys, and a beach on top of it.

Silly Faces

2007-09-09T20:56:00.000-04:00

Knox is such a little guy now. He has lots of silly expressions, especially when he eats. This is him enjoying his eggs and other various foods.

Ty is 32

2007-08-06T15:49:00.000-04:00

I know I really shouldn't mention his age, but it is so much fun to be 3 years younger and rub it in. We went up to NC and visited Tee, Jenn, and Lola for some fishing fun! O.k.- the boys just fished and we played with the kids. It was really relaxing though, right near the river with a hammock and everything. Ty said it was one of his best b-day's ever.

Trip to CT

2007-08-05T20:10:00.000-04:00

At the beginning of July, Knox and I went to CT to visit my parents. We went a week ahead of Ty and Aunt Katie even came for a few days. We had tons of fun! It was just so nice to eat out on the deck every meal and not get swarmed by mosquitoes, which is common for us in the summer here in SC. Knox ate like a horse and really loved blueberries and fresh vegetables out of their garden. I think he gained a whole pound in the two weeks that we were there.

We took several excursions during our visit. We went to the UCONN dairy barn and stables, drove to Dock and Dine in Old Saybrook to eat clam chowder, and saw fireworks on the Town Green. We also introduced Knox to his first Tony's Pizza and I must say that it was a hit. He is a third generation Tony's Pizza eater, as I grew up eating there from about the same age.

Ty and I were able to go on our first overnight trip away from Knox. We went to Long Island and stayed in Montauk, which is a little surf town at the end of L.I.. We were able to go to dinner and see the most recent Harry Potter movie. The next day we went to the beach and strolled through East Hampton for a little while on our way back to the ferry. It was a great anniversary get-away.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and Knox had a big time with his grandparents and Aunt. It was a little lonely at our house after we got back, but we got into our routine again soon enough.

Birthday Party

2007-06-22T10:22:00.000-04:00

Grandma had a wonderful birthday party for Knox and friends at her house. We had a delicious Korean lunch too! Koreans have a tradition of placing the one year old in front of yarn, pencils, and money. Knox went straight for the pencils which means he may be a scholar in the future. We hope so!
Knox had five friends at his party who were all around his age. They played with the balloons, ate cake, and swam in the baby pools. Aftern the swim, Knox opened presents on a big mat outside and all the kids enjoyed them together. What a day!

First Haircut

2007-06-03T14:34:00.000-04:00

Wow- I can't believe we waited this long for a haircut. We went out and bought new clippers and everything. Ty got Knox used to the idea of the razor by putting it against his cheek. I guess it tickled because he thought it was rather funny. I think that it came out pretty even and he looks like such a little boy now. What do you think???

Memorial Day

2007-05-30T11:47:00.000-04:00

Our friends, Brad and Katie, hosted a wonderful Momorial Day cookout. We all had a lot of fun just relaxing and playing in the pool. Knox is definitely a waterbaby.

Fun with Lola

2007-05-30T11:13:00.001-04:00

We went to Georgia this past weekend to hang out with Tee, Jenn, and Lola. Lola was a little scared of Knox upon the first meeting, but after the initial meeting, they were the best of friends. They followed eachother around and wanted to play right next to eachother. They traded toys, swam in the pool, and hiked together. Tee and Jenn live in the most beautiful place and we really enjoyed our time with them.

Little Rascal

2007-05-30T10:36:00.000-04:00

As you can see from the pictures below, our little guy is growing up and getting into everything. He really enjoys pulling out the drawer handles and investigating the contents inside. The only problem is the occasional smashed finger and then we regroup so he can do it again.

He really enjoyed his sink bath because he could pull the sprayer down and take a little shower. He's a mess...

First Baseball Game

2007-05-13T21:52:00.000-04:00

Knox has officially entered the world of baseball. We have a great stadium in town and it is really quite a family affair with kids galore. For Mothers Day Ty made me a delicious salmon lunch and then we went to the game. Knox really enjoyed watching all of the kids and even met a new friend, who didn't hesitate to give him a big hug. Enjoy the pics.

Friend Fun

2007-05-13T21:31:00.000-04:00

Knox and his friends are growing up so fast. They are discovering how to play together now and the outdoors seems to be enjoyed by all.

Colorado Springs Visit

2007-05-12T10:48:00.000-04:00

Our trip to Colorado Springs to see Ty's Dad and family was overdue, as Knox had not met one of his grandpa's yet. This was our 5th airplane trip since Knox has been born- whew, he's quite the little traveller. We all had a great time, especially Ty's little sister, Cheyenne. She and Eric are now an Aunt and Uncle at the ages of 10 and 12. Knox really took to Cheyenne and they played together quite a bit.
We were able to get a suite in a hotel, which was great because we had a kitchen and a seperate room for Knox to sleep in. It looked out over the mountains and we had a great shopping plaza across the street. Knox's favorite thing to do was to stand near the windowsill and look outside at the great view.
We also went out to breakfast at Cracker Barrel with Kelly, my college roommate and track friend, and her new fiance, Brad. They are just the perfect couple and we are so excited about their upcoming wedding. Knox really loved being around them because they are both such happy people.

Aunt Linda's visit

2007-05-12T10:32:00.000-04:00

Ty' s Aunt from SF was out in DC for a business trip and so she decided to visit us in April. We had a great time and she enjoyed meeting Knox. He was a little out of sorts because of another (yes, ANOTHER) ear infection. This makes 4 for him. We went to Asheville to the Biltmore House and it was a beautiful day. She toured the house and we toured the gardens. It was really great for Knox to get to meet his great-aunt Linda.

Kansas City

2007-04-20T22:29:00.000-04:00

Knox and I travelled to Kansas City, MO for Easter weekend to see Grandma and the Great Grandparents. He was an angel on the plane rides and made sure that everyone talked to him. It was a really good time for all of us to get to see one another and for Mema and Papa to finally meet Knox. Papa liked to hold Knox and show him the plant, while Mema entertained him with her glasses.

Grandma just couldn't get enough of him. Sleeping was a little difficult for all of us at first, but it got better after a couple days. Papa bought him two Easter bunnies, one pink and then a blue one. He also outfitted his pack and play with a brand new snuggly blanket. Spoiled, Spoiled.

Fishing Trip

2007-04-19T14:43:00.000-04:00

Well, the family went on the first fishing trip together a couple of weeks ago. Ty found a wonderful spot to fish where he can fish all he wants and we can relax nearby. The cabin was right there next to the river so Knox was able to take naps while we were outside fishing away. Ty caught some really nice sized fish. I believe there were trout and steelhead in this river.

Tyler and his dad were there too and then Jen, Tee, and Lola came by to visit since they live nearby. Jen and I took the babies for a short walk and they both seemed to enjoy being out in nature.

You can tell from the pictures that Knox enjoyed holding the fishing pole with his dad. I can just see him doing it himself in a couple more years.

Aunt Katie's visit

2007-03-28T11:10:00.000-04:00

We had a wonderful visit with Katie. Knox really took right to her, maybe because she looks and sounds so much like Mom. Or maybe because he could just tell how much she loved him. She got him the cutest little outfits and one of them is in the pictures ( the blue and green striped hooded romper).
We went to the the park, took walks, went out to eat, and shopped. He also got to go for a fun wagon ride up the street. I think he is finally over his teething, earache, and stomach virus. Thank Goodness! He is resisting many foods right now, but really loves the foods he can pick up with his fingers. Very independent already!
T got to go fishing in TN last weekend with his friends. He got the biggest fish that he's ever caught in his life. He was just a tad bit excited. I'm sure we'll have to put that picture up on the blog too. ha!

Learning lots of new things...

2007-03-23T11:05:00.000-04:00

Knox is really getting his own little personality. When we tilt our heads sideways, he does it too. He also does the sign for more and waves bye-bye. He is learning the power of his teeth. I think he may become a biter because when I try to wipe his nose he comes after my fingers with his little sharp teeth in a very aggressive manner. I'm sure this will be a fun habit to break.

Endo - Kman learning to drop in.

2007-03-19T17:08:00.001-04:00

We are making the clips public to see if it's easier to view on the blog.

Teething, earaches, and no sleep

2007-03-15T23:02:00.000-04:00

Well, this past week has been a tough one. Knox has had his second ear infection and it seems to be hanging around. We never know how his night is going to go, although the Motrin and Tylenol definitely help. We've tried to keep busy and keep his mind off of the overall aches and pains and it seems to work for a little while. He is extra clingy though and wants Mom all of the time. Mom thinks it is time to start leaving him more with others so that she can get a break and he can get out of the clingy stage. I left him the other day with a friend in the church nursery and he didn't break down until I came into the room. That doesn't make much sense, does it?

The weather just keeps getting nicer and nicer, so we are playing outside a lot more. We repotted some plants together the other day in between toy rotation, a back pack walk, and a neighbor visit. Have to keep things interesting at all times.

For those with babies, check out this website www.comfykid.com. Very cute stuff.
Later...

Friends

2007-03-05T10:53:00.001-05:00

Knox has so many friends! Zoe is 11 days older than Knox, and Tobias is a week younger. Tobias loves laughing at Knox and they keep eachother entertained. Kohl had his first birthday party and this picture shows his after-bath look that followed his after-cake look. Lola and Knox were born a little over a month apart and they love to hike and pose for pictures together. Zoe and Knox are best buddies and do lots of things together like swimming, taking walks, and shopping(o.k.- that's the moms).

Active Knox

2007-03-05T10:22:00.000-05:00

As you can see from the videos below, Knox is becoming much more expressive and active. For so many months, he just slept, ate, and hung out on the floor. Everyone has known him as the "chilled-out baby". He is still pretty laid back, but is discovering how to have fun by moving and babbling. This has been our favorite stage so far. Every week he does something new and exciting.

Pic Trick

2007-03-04T20:58:00.001-05:00

Knox outside

2007-03-04T20:44:00.000-05:00

Knox really enjoys the outdoors. We have been taking a blanket out onto the deck and playing out there lately. The weather has been wonderful- 60's and 70's. This past weekend we went to the park and watched the dogs in the "dog park area". He really loved yelling at the dogs as they ran by. The park also has some baby swings that he likes to be pushed in. It won't be long until he's running around the playground.

For starters

2007-02-19T15:21:00.000-05:00

This is the new look and location for the family blog. I've been racking my brain for three weeks on a name. Since monkfish, ricecake, and every other super cool blog name was already taken, I had to settle for what I see as being our families latest mantra... we can dig it. In other words, we're too tired to be uptight or bothered.

Who am I fooling anyway, you don't care about the name (or my rants and raves). More Kman, less Tman.

I get it.

On to the slide show.