CHATTANOOGA

Two weeks ago I loaded Ian and Emma into the car AGAIN and drove 11 hours to Lookout Mountain, Georgia (just south of Chattanooga, TN). There were three reasons that this happened. First, we were attending the wedding of James Phillips (Tim's cousin). Second, Ian and Emma were meeting their great-grandparents (Nain and Grandpa Stewart) for the first time (Emma's middle name is Stewart)... AND , I was going to spend time with my sister Emily who just recently moved to Georgia. The 11 hours in the car flew by and we were soon settling into our amazing villa on Lookout Mountain. We had a wonderful time with Emily, went on several nature hikes, peered out into the vast Chattanooga valley, took deep breaths of clean mountain air, and even went to the aquarium. I wish I took more pictures of the aquarium (actually, I am pretty sure I didn't take any). It was so amazing and I am still in awe of the sea horses and eels. The butterfly garden was amazing! Ian got to touch a sting ray and a sturgeon. We can't wait to go back!

Ian and Emma's first meeting with Nain and Grandpa Stewart was just so precious. Ian took to Grandpa Stewart instantly and would not leave his side. It may have been because Grandpa Stewart was watching tv and put a cartoon on, but hey, we'll take it! Emma cuddled into Nain's arms and let her walk her into the gardens. We had a wonderful walk around their property on Lookout Mountain marveling at the views and basking in the quietness. Nain cooked us wonderful meals and they both put up with Ian and Emma when they were on the verge of breakdown. I am so glad that Ian and Emma finally got to meet Nain and Grandpa Stewart. They have meant so much to Tim over the years and to me as well since joining the extended family.

The wedding weekend was a great chance to catch up with family and to get a little break from DC. We are looking forward to making a trip back there in the spring.

Ian has just been too much lately...he has started to not only use crying and whining to express himself but also some very heart felt statements. The other day I asked if he could help pick up all of the puzzle pieces that he so lovingly threw all over our floor and he said, "I am not in the mood." Oh really? Well in that case I will pick them up for you Ian, and I will do your laundry, and I will make all of your meals for you. Deal? Deal. No, but really? A three year old telling me he is not in the mood?

The same day I asked Ian if he would mind picking up his shoes and putting them in the bin near the door. His response: "That really hurt my feelings." Wow, he is really pulling out all the stops! His excuses for doing any sort of labor are getting better and better.

Emma on the other hand could not be happier to do everything herself and to even do things for Ian. I can tell that this is going to be a one sided relationship. Emma will go and get Ian's shoes before our walk, set them down neatly by the stairs and sit next to Ian as he puts them on. Ian will get out of the bathtub and insist on being wrapped in a towel and carried to the bedroom. Emma will get out after him, dry herself off, and come bounding into the bedroom to be with Ian. Emma insists on feeding herself, walking up and down stairs, and even reading to herself. We have a completely dependent 3 year old and a completely independent 1 year old. Life is good.

BROTHER AND SISTER

WANTING TO BE LIKE HER BROTHER

HOLD ON EMMA

THIS GIRL IS JUST TOO MUCH

“Sometimes,' said Pooh, 'the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
― A.A. Milne



Emma with Grandpa (summer 2011) Love this picture!

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Emma never quite keeps Ian out of her sights....

This is the story of our lives these days. Emma always wants to be doing whatever Ian is doing. Ian tries to help Emma out, but is always a little too rough.

Vacation Recap

WE are back! We made it through three August vacations and lived to tell about it. What? Rolling your eyes are you? Well, if you have kids you know that vacations aren't what they used to be. I am just happy that we survived 30 + hours in the car with two kids and one dog...we also enjoyed quality time on the beach and lake without any trips to the emergency room, any calls to the doctor, and any serious temper tantrums. All in all, a success!

Vacation #1: Harbors Springs, Michigan: Drove 13 plus hours to this idyllic spot in the northern most region of Michigan sans Tim. Feel like I can conquer anything now. Ian and Emma were troopers in the car and got to see a LOT of new places. What we will always remember: quality time spent with the Chapmans, fun getting to know Mark a little more, sleepless nights, Emma sick, Ian sick, everyone else getting sick, Danny McCaskill on Grandpa's i-pad, seeing Cate's baby bump, the most amazing front porch ever!, crystal clear Caribbean like water, laughing with Hannah and Brock, the "kids house" at the playground, Cate's fish and chips, getting caught in the rain on a donut walk with Grandpa, cookie treats from Nina, great visit with the McFerrens and Chapman great grandparents on the way home, and arriving back home to a house with a security system (Ian and Emma love the woman's voice, "Front door- disarmed". Totally worth the drive!!!








Vacation #2: Outer Banks, North Carolina: Our first trip to the Outer Banks occurred just hours after we arrived back home from Harbor Springs. We put Tim's bike on the car, threw in Pippin and Tim's luggage and hit the road to spend the week with my family. What we will always remember: a gorgeous hot week at the beach, Ian and Emma playing until they literally dropped and fell asleep on the couch at 6pm every night, marshmallows, Ian learning to swim, playing with Cate and Will, Mom and Dad's 60th birthdays, Jon...fishing and water balloons, the cricket in our wall, tie-dye, boogie boarding with Aunt Abby, Jockey Ridge State Park with Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop, Duck donuts (not to be confused with Dunkin Donuts), finally finishing a book!. Gosh, this was such a great relaxing trip, it will be hard to top next year.


















Vacation #3: Outer Banks, North Carolin: Our second trip to the Outer Banks (just two weeks after the first) ran into a little thing called Hurricane Irene. The road to Corolla was closed, we weren't sure when it was going to open up, time was ticking, we were going to lose our money, so what did we decide to do? Drive to Pittsburgh of course! I know, I know, not really in the same direction as the Outer Banks but it was torture sitting in our DC townhouse just waiting. We spent 24 hours in Pittsburgh and then got the go ahead that we could get into our house on the Outer Banks. So we woke up at 3am and drove to Corolla. Nine hours through some VERY WINDING FOGGY roads. Gorgeous, but nauseas gorgeous. What we will always remember: spending a great couple of days with dear dear college friends and SEVEN kids, Emma sleeping in a bathroom, amazing meals made by Jaime, a very cold pool, lost of hurricane debris on the beach, spending an extra night at a hotel because we just weren't ready to go back home, Oreos, bath time with Owen, feeding William and Olivia, coffee and kiddos in the morning.