September - December

OK, so it's been a long time since I've posted here. The reason is that on my new computer at home I can't post, so I've decided to write my posts, and try posting when I get to work. If it works, I might continue to write on this, if it doesn't, well, I'm not sure what's next for this little blog o' mine.

We've had a lot of fun the past few months. Helen is growing and learning all the time. She's walking, climbing stairs, learning to back down stairs, laps, and chairs. She loves her board books and enjoys turning the pages. We've also started getting Animal Baby magazine, Helen loves it. We enjoy going out to lunch with my Dad once a week when he's in town. Helen eats solids, and doesn't really care for baby food anymore. She loves ice cream, cake, pasta, and still enjoys her formula. I've tried to use cloth diapers, but disposables are so much easier. I will still try cloth, but not regularly. We went out to Flagstaff to visit Lars and Theresa in Sept. It was only for a week, but we got to see some National Parks, including The Grand Canyon, Wupatki National Monument, Montazuma's Well and Castle, and a few others. We stayed in a nice old hotel, that apparently is haunted called Little America. We met up with Elizabeth Bolignini Ostrom's family for breakfast and lunch in Flagstaff. The short flights were fine with Helen, but during the long flights she just couldn't settle down. We were delayed on our return trip and ended up having to spend the night in Atlanta. Needless to say, that wasn't much fun.
We've been to Allison's wedding with my sister's family in Oct. It was a beautiful wedding at an old plantation house. The ceremony was outside and the reception was in the house. My Dad, Aunt Sally, Aunt Kaye, Uncle John, Aunt Bonnie, and a few cousins were there. It was great to see everyone. In Nov. Helen, Jenni, and I went to Matt and Cindy's wedding on Tybee Island, Ga. It was beautiful and the weather was good. It turned a bit rainy while we were staying in Hilton Head, SC with Susie (Jenni's Mom) and Connie (Susie's friend), but we still had a nice time.
We've also been to Raliegh, Durham, and the Chapel Hill, area at the beginning of Nov. We saw Cousin Irene and Heidi, Aunt Joan and Uncle Steve, friends Lawrence and Erika's family and Bruce and Jennifer's family, and Thuy's family. We went to the zoo in Asheboro, and Helen loved the animals.
I stopped working at the Muscle Factory because of lack of regular students. Then recently I heard they had to shut down. I'm still teaching 3 classes a week at Mountain Yoga. We are currently getting the JC house ready to put on the market. Thanksgiving was spent at the Clark's with Angela's family. It was great to see them and meet Gage and baby Autum. It was good to see the twins, Ayla and Eden again too. We just celebrated Ben's Birthday at the house here in Mars Hill. His family, Richard, Jenni, Gawain and his girls, and my Dad came. We're looking forward to going up to see my Sister's family near D.C. for Christmas this year (we missed last year). Helen and I have also been to 2 Christmas parties, JC Jr. Mon. Club and JC Monday Club. Last Sun. we got to surprise our friend Leslie at her 60th Birthday party in Black Mountain. The Jr. Mon. Club attended the Hand's On Night of Lights Gala again this year. The theme was Candy Land, and our tree and wreath sold for $125. Before the Gala was over, I went to The Down Home to meet Jenni to see Sonia and her sister Cindy of Disappear Fear. It was a wonderful show, partly because they hadn't toured together in many years. I bought a copy of their new CD, Get Your Phil, and had both of them sign it for me.
Asheville Smart Builders have finished our addition, and the Dining/Living room looks beautiful. We've had a few guests dine with us in the new room, and we used it during the party. Wendy Lawrence came out again in November to take pictures of the family in our Norwegian sweaters, and other looks for our Christmas cards and gifts for family and friends.
It's been a very eventful year, and we are looking forward to 2012. Helen will be one in Feb. and will start Kindermusik. I will turn 40 in May, and hopefully will have a big party, and I also hope to get more involved in the community. Right now Helen and I spend most of the week hanging out at the house, which is fine for now, but maybe we can get involved in some other activities in the future.
That's all for now, and as I say, hopefully I can post more regularly if I know I can get my post on here weekly.