Blue Ridge Vacation – Part 3

Thursday was a bittersweet day, but we made the most out of our family time together.  We celebrated our blessings, and we felt like Wyatt and Jack were there with us.  We started the day by taking a hike near our cabin.

  Noah loved walking up the steep driveway.  It was funny, he was almost horizontal!

 

Gravel road

 

What is it about little boys – he has to kick the dirt!

 

So much energy!

 

This boy can RUN!

 

The path through the woods was so beautiful and QUIET!

 

There was a little picnic pavilion by the river

 

Big forest

 

Daddy and Noah sharing a laugh

 

Mama’s boy

 

Family portrait – we set the camera on a moss-covered picnic table and set the timer

 

Touching the water

 

 

Later in the day (at 5:12 and 5:14), Noah sang Happy Birthday to his brothers.  We miss you guys!

Blue Ridge Vacation – Part 2

On Wednesday, before Aunt Gigi had to head back home, we went to Mercier Orchards to pick up some yummy baked goods (fried pies and apple fritters).  Noah loved that they had a tractor in the store.  I got a kick out of a sign there: “Unattended children will be given a cup of espresso and a puppy”…Needless to say, we kept a close eye on Noah

 

Big tractor!

 

Noah and Aunt Gigi with coonskin caps

 

Noah riding the cart

 

Blue Ridge has a train depot in the center of town.  The train wasn’t running during the week, so the train was always there when we went by.

 

Big red engine!

 

Self portrait by Daddy and Noah

 

Daddy and Noah found a playground while Mommy and Aunt Gigi shopped

 

We had such a yummy lunch in town.  The weather was perfect, and the clam chowder was amazing!

 

Playing trains with Daddy back at the cabin

 

Enjoying s’mores after dinner

Blue Ridge Vacation – Part 1

Earlier this week, Greg, Noah and I went up to Blue Ridge, Georgia for a family vacation (about 2 hours away).  Aunt Gigi’s friend, Lisa, was nice enough to let us use their beautiful cabin for the week, and we had such a nice time!  The mountain air was so fresh.  The air was cool and dry; it was a big change from August in Atlanta!

 

Daddy on the front porch – welcome to the mountains!

 

Family vacation!

 

I love this swing!

 

Exploring the back yard, Noah found a tree that had fallen

 

Aunt Gigi was able to come join us for a day – Noah loves having her around

 

Heading back up to the house

 

Noah liked this rocking horse in the loft

 

Reading bedtime stories to Aunt Gigi

 

Ready for bed

Knit wits

Noah enjoys watching mommy knit, especially when he gets to try things on.  I think it’s good for him to see how something comes out of nothing.

 

  Now all we need is cooler weather!

Making a matching one for Daddy

Big tower!

It’s not every day that Noah gets to play with markers.  Even with washable markers, it can still turn into a big mess that requires a LOT of supervision.  On this day, I wanted to let Noah explore his creativity, and he did!  Not only did Noah color with the markers, he colored with a TOWER of markers! 

 

Our Sweet Angels

Last August 26th, Noah’s brothers, Wyatt and Jack were born 15 weeks prematurely.  They would have been a year old today.  We love them and miss them so much, but we also know that we will see them again one day.  If we have learned anything over this past year, it is to slow down and enjoy every day, every breath that we are given.  Recognize God’s work in our lives, and never forget to thank Him for it all! 

 

Wyatt’s first picture – 680 grams (1.5 lb)

 

Wyatt with his husky dog (one month old)

 

  Jack’s first picture – 920 grams (2 lb)

 

Jack awake and looking around – 6 weeks old

Papa Joe, Music Man

I think it really made an impression on Noah last summer when Papa Joe showed Noah his violin.  Whenever we Skype on the computer, Noah is looking for Papa’s violin.  Noah was so excited to get a private lesson from Papa when we were in Cleveland!  Papa even takes requests; he’s the best ‘Twinkle, Twinkle’ player this side of Carnegie Hall! 

 

Family Reunion

I mentioned yesterday that Noah and I flew to Cleveland for our family reunion.  My Grandma (‘Great Grandma Marbles’ to Noah) was one of six children, 3 boys and 3 girls.  This reunion was of the surviving siblings and their families.  Our trip up there was a surprise, so that made the visit even more fun!

  Doing dishes at Great Grandma’s

 

Building a tinker toy tower with cousin, Jon

 

Grandma Linda and Great Grandma making pierogi (polish ravoli stuffed with mashed potatoes) – yum!

 

Aunt Chris, (cousin) Esther and Great Aunt Julie

Great Grandma Marbles, Aunt Cher (my co-conspirator on the surprise visit) and Grandma Linda

 

Watching a movie and having some “down time”

 

Noah sneaking some finger jello

Big ol’ jet airliner

Last weekend, Noah and I flew to Cleveland to surprise our family at the Family Reunion.  Noah had been on an airplane when he was 10 months old (to surprise Grandma Linda for her 60th Birthday).  This was his first time sitting in a seat by himself.  He was very excited about the trip, and he wanted to “drive” the airplane.  I was so proud of him for being such a good boy for me! 

  We had a hot dog for lunch at the Atlanta airport.  Good thing Mama packed wipes; Noah loves his ketchup!

 

Big boy in his seat!

(Before the plane took off, Noah stood up in his seat, looked toward the back of the plane and said “HI PEOPLE!”  He got quite a few chuckles!)

 

At the Cleveland airport, waiting for our flight home, Noah got a kick out of the giant guitars

(Cleveland is  the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

 

“I found another one!”

 

Watching airplanes

 

 

Noah relaxing watching Dora on Mommy’s iPod

 

See you soon for the Family Reunion pictures!

Night Night, Mama!

On this evening, Noah was being silly and wanted to tuck Mommy into bed and read a book.  He even shared lovey with me!