Happy Halloween!

Tonight we celebrated Halloween by taking the kids trick-or-treating down our street and in our neighborhood. Many of our immediate neighbors were excited to have the first trick-or-treaters in several years. Clara dressed as a princess and Jack a giraffe. Both kids walked most of the route despite the fact that we had the stroller. Anything for free candy!

Our jack-o-lantern!




Princess Clara


Only way Jeekers could be corralled for a picture was to be roped in by Daddy.

NC State Fair

Today marked the end of the NC State Fair for 2010. We attended it on Tuesday and had a really nice time with the kids exploring all the good things our state has to offer. We started off in the animal area. There the kids got to see many different mother/calf breed combinations. Clara was particularly excited about noticing all the poop. We also saw chicks & ducklings, lambs, turkeys, and a sow and her piglets. We also ran into our friends, the Divincenzos. Here Clara and Carmen are looking at the baby chicks and ducks.



Jack checking them out.


After the animals we decided it was time to start eating! Clara still remembered her twisty cone from last year and wanted a repeat.


Jack enjoyed sharing some of my delicious ribbon fries.


Out of the stroller to check out the water fall wall with Daddy.


Snacking on some kettle corn.


We went on our first ride this year, the carousel!


Of course after it started Clara decided she was too scared to ride on the horse, so we moved to the sleigh seat. I have to say it was a bit more nauseating that I remember. Of course it could have been the corn dog I'd just eaten. ;)


Last place we visited was the petting zoo. Both kids got a kick out of feeding the goats, llamas, and camels carrots.

Emerald Isle, 2010 Part Deux

No excuses, I'm the worst, I know. But... we're back - ready to talk about first week of September beach trip to Emerald Isle.

We had a really great week at the beach. Most of our time was spent outside on the beach enjoying the gorgeous September weather of clear skies and slightly cooler temperatures (mid-80's). With the exception of one morning trip to Fort Macon, the kids were playing in the sand and surf. Both were more at home with the ocean this second week; Jack as you'll see was downright kamikaze.

At Fort Macon.






In the ocean - there was a nice tidal pool and sand bar that appeared at low tide in which the kids had a blast playing.










On shore














At the cottage - sunrise






Jack runs to the sea


Clara swimming



Clara spinning


Clara jumps "off the steps".

Gaga for Glee

We've been listening to a lot of Glee around our house lately. Clara has become particularly fond of Glee's rendition of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" and surprised us one day with a serenade. Here we were lucky enough to get it on tape. Jack seems to prefer "Bad Romance" as you can see by his reaction to it when it follows on the playlist.

"Poker face"


I'm Marvelous

Goodbye, Libby

Today we said goodbye to Nay-nay and Pop-pop's dog Libby. :( She was 14 and lived a great life.

It was always great to see her smiling face welcoming us home.


Libby with her new bed


Family portrait


Libby and Sydney - they did a lot of lying around...








with some play too.


Trying to blend so as not to get kicked off the bed.




Christmas with Libbers












Basking on the back porch, goodbye Libby.