Soaking up the local color

Every year there are so many fun things to do once fall rolls around. Mind you, it's a little more challenging when it's still 95 degrees out, but we make it work.

A couple Saturdays ago, we decided to head up to Latta Plantation to walk around and check out the farm animals. We pull up and here this loud "boom" as soon as we get out of the car. Little did we know, it's the day of the Revolutionary War re-enactment! We had got there right as the British and American's had finished their battle.

So, Marc, being the epitome of cool (heehee) decided that he felt a little bit dorky, but me, being the complete opposite of cool, was pumped! I changed my major to History for a semester in college, so I consider myself somewhat of a history buff. History buff meaning I enjoy watching the History Channel occasionally when there is nothing on Food Network, Bravo, or HGTV.

Everybody was dressed up in period costume and acting the part. There was a blacksmith, knitters, soldiers, cooks, ax throwers (I didn't understand this one), slaves, farmers...the whole bit. I walked into the little kitchen building where the cook was watching over his fire. I felt like I was walking back in time, until I noticed the Harris Teeter brand jar of relish sitting at his table. C'mon man, you blew it!

Taking a picture by the Conestoga wagon. He wasn't really having it.
Whatever happened to the Oregon Trail game by the way? Loved the game, even though I always died of dysentery.


The next weekend, we decided to give the Cabarrus County Fair a try. It was actually a lot of fun! They had a huge petting zoo inside one of the warehouse buildings.

Inside animals=no bugs=awesome. Henry's still a little young to care about any of the animals. He just likes people the best. He liked flirting with all the little girls hanging around.


Lots of old school John Deere's hanging around.

The carousel went a little faster and the horse went a little higher than I thought.

Whoa! I'm such a wimp with rides.

Thank God we didn't get the scary carnie in the picture.

You know, the constant yelling and antagonizing as I walk by your booth isn't going to make me want to spend $30 on a huge, over-stuffed Scooby Doo. Lay off carnie. Keep your small hands where I can see them.

I entered Henry in a diaper derby. This is basically a race on a mat where they crawl from one end to the next. He started out strong, got in his crawling stance....and stayed there. My hopes were dashed. His first attempt at sports, ruined. Until the lady came up to me and said since there were a total of 3 babies in the race and he was the only baby in his age group, he won. Yay!
I knew it was time to go when I saw a shirtless man eating a corn dog. Can anything top that?

Love,

Lyndsey, Marc, Henry, & Betsy

Travelin' Man

How old was I when I had first flown on a plane, you ask? I believe I was 12.

How old was Henry? 2 months

How old was I when I had flown on a plane 5 times? Hmm...probably around 23.

How old was Henry? 11 months

The boy was born a globetrotter.

The past month has been busy with all kinds of travel and activities.

Marc and I participated in Lowe's annual Swing for Charity golf tournament in Orlando, which meant a trip to Nana & Gramps in Tampa for Henry. He was such a good boy! I just hated to leave him...especially to play golf & shmooze with Lowe's people. Can I at least get a spa trip in there people? Get with the times. My golf skills were few and far between this trip. I thought dressing the part in my new black skort like they wear on Big Break Hawaii and black & white plaid golf shoes might up my game. Oh, and a Titliest visor! Epic fail.

I got to at least partake in the delicious Ritz Carlton food while playing. Shrimp kabob in one hand, Corona in the other, golf club in the......ah, ran out of hands. Mostly hung out in the golf cart and got a tan on my legs. I can deal with that!

And then the week after, it was time for my fall NYC market trip. The weather was absolutely perfect and all my meetings went well. I was so sad to be leaving my baby....again...but once up there, I had a really fabulous time. It was the end of Fashion Week so all these fashionistas and model chicks were walking around. Those girls better watch out. Walking the streets in my jeggings and gladiator sandals, black frame glasses on due to itchy ragweed allergy affected eyes, carrying my stuff in a Dunkin' Donuts plastic bag because I forgot my purse; if that's not fierce, I don't know what is.

We ate at this really trendy place in the Meatpacking District called The Standard Grill.

I had the best burger ever! I was ready to spot some celebrities kanoodling, but alas, I never get the celeb spotting love. One of my colleagues just happened to run into Nick Lachey while eating in a restaurant, but me, nada. Hey, I wouldn't mind running into a c-list former boy bander!

In the whirlwind of all this travel, Henry has transformed into a little whirlwind himself! He is EVERYWHERE. Where he used to only crawl when there was a remote that he needed to get to, now he is doing laps around the living room & kitchen. He's fast too. I turn away for 5 seconds and all of a sudden he's at Betsy's food bowl about to partake in the deliciousness that is Iam's dog food. At least it's not Ol' Roy.

Case in point. I had picked up the bowl just in time.

He's also become a master escape artist during diaper changes.

Exhibit A, B, and C.

Thoughtful conversations are also a hobby as of lately. It doesn't really matter if I don't understand what the heck he's talking about, it is VERY important! He enjoys giving rousing speeches standing in his crib to his audience of his stuffed giraffe and ceiling fan. He's started to point at both of them while he's talking. "Listen to me, people!"

Here he goes again, spouting another one of his theories at the mall playground.

Seriously, his talking skills have improved so much. I can now understand "mama", "dada", "ossa" for "outside", and "baba" for "baby" or "bottle". He claps now too, but only while he's eating. He enjoys it that much! I've noticed lately that any time I turn the ipod player on, he's not dancing, but he's wiggling his feet and hands and sometimes clapping. Much like his daddy, he seems hesistant to bust a move.

I can't believe he's almost a year old. What a big hunk of love this boy is! Now that travel is done for a while, I'm having fun starting to plan his birthday party and getting ready for fall and decorating the house. Can't wait for cool temperatures!

Love,

Lyndsey, Marc, Henry, & Betsy