Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

Do you wanna build a snowman?

Come on, let's go and play!

{Heard on the Frozen Soundtrack & daily in our house}

Goat Whisperer

Anderson the Goat Whisperer

 The Carl Sandburg Home

c/o Connemara Farms

September 13,2015

Follow Me!

At first glance, I thought this was Alekzander, 

but it is, indeed, our little tank, Anderson.

Seemingly big for a two year old, 

his personality is even bigger.

And it has to be since he has Alekzander for a big brother.

Alekzander can be shy in new social situations {clearly my son},

but at home and when he is comfortable, 

he is a loud leader ... to put it mildly.

It is no surprise that Anderson's personality has mirrored 

his big brother's, and at times,

it is just necessary to be louder in order to be bossier!

One of our favorite books is called Gossie and Gertie

where two geese best friends follow each other around on an adventure.

One goose spends the whole book saying, "follow me, follow me!"

as she ends up following the other goose.

The boys reminded me of Gossie and Gertie:

Anderson with his "map" in hand

ready to lead the way, saying 'This way, follow me'

as big brother sprinted past

leaving little brother behind.

Follow me! 

True Grit :: Carver's Gap Adventures

Luckily the boys have inherited Andrew's sense of adventure.

And I am always in for an outdoor challenge as long as it does not push 

my 'cautious-I have to be in control' limits too much.

Our limits were pushed on our hike from Carver's Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald

in terms of elevation, length, and weather conditions, 

but we learned the true grit of our family 

- and I am proud to say that we are all pretty tough.

We knew that we were embarking on a little over 3 mile round trip picturesque hike

 that would include rolling hills to climb and descend, 

rocks to clamber over, zig-zag curves to zig and zag,

and Andrew even, fairly, warned us about unpredictable weather.

I thought I had us covered.  

Some long-sleeve shirts, sunscreen, and homemade bug spray.

We had snacks and water galore thanks to our pack mules, Andrew and Alekzander.

And a standing bribe for Alekzander :: 

If you can do this without whining, you can get your first Lego set.

It was relatively smooth sailing to our destination.  

My muscles burned and I was out of breath at the beginning -

though it surely had nothing to do with carrying a 28-pound 23-month old on my back!

Alekzander was a rockstar leading the way most of the time with his full hydration pack.

Clouds moved in and we encountered a few pop-up showers along the way,

but they made us giggle, 

especially as we saw people coming down the mountain in a hurry 

or fighting with bright yellow plastic rain ponchos.

As soon as the rain started, it would stop, so we never got too wet.

Winds swirled, but we were still game for an adventure.

When we reached Grassy Ridge Bald, quicker than we anticipated,

we celebrated a little before turning around to head back.  

As soon as we did, huge, heavy, cold, stinging raindrops started falling.

It was pouring, and there was nothing to do but forge ahead and laugh hysterically.

Anderson and I ran ahead and sang "It's Raining, It's Pouring" and "Happy Birthday" 

at the top of our lungs so that we could hear over the rain.

Andrew and Alekzander embraced the rain and traveled over slippery rocks 

and splashed in growing puddles.

When the rain finally stopped, 

we were soaked, cold, and exhausted,

but we were surrounded magically by clouds rolling by.

Anderson eventually zonked out on my back,

and Alekzander's personal mission was to stomp, jump, or splash

in every mud puddle on our descent.  

It was hilarious and exhilarating.

We made it:

with smiles on our faces, soaked to the bone, and mud caked on our shoes and calves.

We were made for adventure!

Apple of my Eye

Anderson picked his first {and only} apple...

all by himself yesterday at Sky Top Orchard. 

He was so proud,

and you better believe

he ate the whole apple down to the core.

And cried when I took it away!

Sky Top Orchard 2014

 Through the rain and fog,

we found our way up to Sky Top Orchard

for a Sunday field trip.

We took a risk with the weather forecast,

but managed to have fun with some sweet friends

even though the rain came right as we finished picking.

We were sad to miss the great views,

and only got to wave to the "amimals" as we walked by,

and would have gotten forever lost in the foggy bamboo forest,

but the kids {and adults} had a great time.

 Favorite Friends

 These two were just a little excited to pick some apples!

We first searched for our favorite apple from the tasting table,

the Cameo, and only found one way up in a tree.  

The shrill screams of excitement for that one apple were incredible.  

We knew if we managed to somehow get it,

the kids would be happy and our day would be successful.

It was beyond Alekzander's reach, even lifted high above Daddy's head,

but after Andrew's superb climbing skills, 

we shared that one apple out on the hillside among at least 

8 children and possibly 6 adults.

Luckily we soon found some other varieties where the picking was plentiful.

Before the sky opened up, Alekzander managed to pick

10 pounds of Pink Lady and Jonathan apples.

 We also bought {accidentally} a whole peck of

Honey Crisp apples for a grand total of 30 pounds of apples

{which happens to  be 8 pounds shy of Alekzander's weight 

and about 8 pounds over Anderson's weight}!

Love making memories as a family...

and so thankful to have crazy, amazing friends

who do this crazy, amazing life with us.

Opinions Re: Donkeys

Perhaps the most random picture in Ashe County

with the most random, opinionated babe.

An impromptu trip lead us to the mountains

to visit Mia and Gruffalo.

Since we didn't give much notice,

Mia had work obligations even though her favorite boys 

were in town for the weekend.

We visited Mia at the store where she works,

and after canvasing the store several times,

Anderson picked up a donkey figurine 

from a nativity scene.

He hugged the donkey, held it to his chest,

and would not let go of it.

To avoid a mini-meltdown, 

we borrowed the donkey and took him on

an adventure to meet some giant cows.

Random, yes.

Hilarious, maybe.

Worth it, sure.

Of course by the time we got back to the cabin,

Anderson was thankfully over hanging out with the donkey.

Hopefully the donkey will find a good home

with another family, and will not resurface

come Christmas time.

Easter in the Mountains

Simple Joys :: Egg-Shaped Chalk

Mama and Baby Indestructible Book
{In love with the last page ... looks like me and my babe}

An egg for every hunter :: big and small ...
all kids at heart!

Happy Boy

Later heard :: "The Easter Bunny has great taste.

These covered raisins are delicious."

No fancy Easter clothes required in the mountains.

PJs, play clothes, and workout gear are most practical,

even on Easter Sunday.

Mountain Playmates

When with Mia and ATB,

Mommy and Daddy are chopped liver.

Alekzander's (and soon Anderson's) favorite playmates

play doctor, get shots, go fish, and so much more.

I love watching these interactions,

though there may be a touch of jealousy 

since I am rarely invited to play!

However, I do love and appreciate 

watching fresh imaginations, endless patience,

and unconditional love for my boys.

Snow Break

Little Southern boys and their mama can only take so much snow...

so we took a snow break to play in "The Barn" ...

It is always exciting to {forget about and} rediscover the toys

stashed away at the cabin.

{PS - our Gruffalo built this room.  It is a perfect addition to the cabin,

and Alekzander has claimed it as his own.}

Snow Play

 Ten minutes after arriving to the mountains on Friday evening, snow started falling!

 Catching snow flakes at sunset.

{January 16, 2014}

We woke up to just a dusting the next day, but any bit of snow meant game on 

for our little snow moose.

 He couldn't resist eating the snow.

Maximizing the yield by sweeping and 'bull dozing' snow from the porch. 

 Brother was thrilled he got to play too!

Sweet little snow angels.