Exclamations

Dear Friends and Family,

I can't believe I am blogging. It has been way way too long since I've been on here. Over two months since the last post. I guess if I had more time to blog that would mean life weren't as full! It's been full and fun over the past couple of months, and we are ever so thankful for the relative stability we have had. Halle's health and Anders' happy demeanor have made for two special months. Whenever we have these periods of Halle-health, we enjoy them fully, knowing life will not likely always be this way. We think of all the families who are inpatient in hospitals over the holidays fighting for their children's lives, and wish normalcy for them -- and the chance to just be at home and be together without great worry.

As I mentioned, life has been FULL.

We've had lots of exclaiming and general glee around our house lately. That seems to be Anders latest turn of language. 

Holy Smokes!

What in the WORLD!?

Fastest Squirrel in the West! (where did this one come from?!)

Oh. My. Gosh. (I just saw a guy with a smoke stick ... he is going to die)

You said it baby!

Hey Fellas!

Hi Boys!

I have a REALLY GOOD idea.

"My Mommy got three beautiful birthday cards. One is especially pretty, it's from Anders."

It's Thanksgiving!! 

That sunset is SOOOO Beautiful.

It's Your BIRTHDAY! Aren't you so glad it's your birthday?

I want to go to Grandma and Grandpa's!

We get to go to Tennessee today!

(all said with emphasis and excitement)

Lots of imaginative play too -- from playing mommy and baby, to super heroes, to Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Hook, to transformers, to Ninja Turtles. It's been fun to see Anders playing as I remember Rob playing - engrossed on the floor, surrounded by stuff, building forts, and developing whole story lines.  

In September, in honor of Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week, we hosted a very informal night at the Furman track with friends. It was a gorgeous evening with perfect weather for playing. Lots of balls, bats, goals, and other toys were put to use, and many kiddos enjoyed climbing the big hill near the track. It was such a fun way to all gather in support of research for mito. Lots of Halle shirts made an appearance too. Anders told people we were "having a mitochondrial disease party."

Here are folks gathering for the event.

Halle was in good spirits the whole night.

Erik welcoming and thanking everyone and talking about mito awareness week. Green is the mito color and we put a green light bulb out front at home to raise awareness.

Fun to have the Devenny Family at the event!

David, Lucy, and Anders

So many friends came out, and we just appreciate them all so much!

The wonderful whole group at the event

Kathryn and Halle snuggling (and Rimes)

Dani and Nissa

Kathryn and Halle

The Burton family! Mrs. Burton is the Director of Anders' school. Parker is in Anders' class.

Beth, Anna and Kristy

Cute Danielle and Maris

Kirby, Lena, and David

Kiddos playing on the balance beam

Top of the hill - David G and Kirby managing all the kids

Tess!

Lizard Anders

Maris on a Mission

Sweet picture of Lucy and Hazel

Love this picture of Dargan and Douglas Culclasure with Halle

Rob and Jaime!

Here's Anders being a super brave boy at his four-year-well-child check-up. He was very brave getting his flu shot. And, he answered all of the doc's questions and didn't complain!

Grrrrr, scary Iron Man!

The two sweetest kiddos on the planet. Anders loves his sis.

Anders LOVED fall soccer.  It was really great to see the Kickin Kangaroos have the best time -- Anders, Ana Sofia and Lucy were all on the same team. They may not have been the best team but they had fun.

Silly Teammates

Cookies in the shape of mitochondria

One of Halle's favorite spots in the whole world is Grandma Ching's lap. She gets into a totally calm place while there. Grandma has the magic touch.

Erik and his buds rode their bikes to SkyTop Apple Orchard, and we met him there for a day of apple-picking, tractor rides and playing in the fall sunshine

Tall Anders

Halle getting hair!  Finally....   but still slowly....

Loved this pic of Mom, Rob and Annabelle in TN

Rob, Dad and Annabelle. I think Annabelle enjoyed her trip to the Smokies.

Halle and Nissa have developed one of the sweetest bonds in the world. 

Anders is finally drawing more than "sunsets." For a year all he drew at school were sunsets, and now finally, he's making shapes!  Here is HeMan running.

HeMan with his toys.  It's fun to see his motor skills develop. He's even enjoying writing his name a little more than he used to.

Our favorite Hedgehog, Hubert, came back this year. We've watched him eat acorns in our backyard every fall since 2005. We hope he keeps coming back as we love waking up to him every morning.

Jill's Fabulous 50th bday party and some of the Riley gals.

We had a surprise visit from McKenzie, our super cool cousin, who came up for my birthday. It was so much fun to have her around!

Erik had a great bday (no pictures were taken, sadly!) and got to play golf, and go camping/kayaking with his friends in the South Carolina swamp, and then I had a fabulous birthday. We went to Miyabi Japanese Steakhouse and loved watching the chef.  Also got to celebrate with lots of friends and family.

Here's my book club birthday celebration. Anna made this incredible pink cake with homemade icing that was to die for. Even Oliver joined in!

Anders has a new obsession with footy pajamas.

Also, a new obsession with dogs..... calmly sitting with Roo and Darby. Crazy.

Reading....

Random photo of a Lily that I took...

Halle working so hard on holding her head up. Sweet girl.

Anders had the awesome chance to meet some four-day-old puppies while in TN for Thanksgiving. Ian and Tina's French Brittany, Ginger, had three boy puppies, and we felt so lucky to get to go pet them. They are so so so teeny. Their eyes won't even open until they are two weeks old. Anders was very very gentle with them.

Happy little guy holding all three

 Here is twelve-week-old puppy, Cindy. She was one of the softest dogs I've ever touched.

Cindy getting rambunctious

 Sweet gal

We also had a great Halloween, making our annual trip to the wild and ghoulish NorthCliff neighborhood. Here are Anders and Wes as Darth and Iron Man.

 McKenzie and Anders painting a masterpiece

 "I'm an artist. Did you not know that mom?"

 Having lunch with beloved Uncle Rob

 Bounce House at Charlie's 4th birthday party. Two Captain Americas.

 Imitating his buddy Rich

 And the party continues--- more playing and having fun, watching Sophia the First at the Mitchells. 

 Anders loves going to Grandma and Grandpas to play with them and with HeMan. He also gets gum, cookies and lots of love. Here he is goofing off with Grandma.

 We had the most wonderful, cozy, easy Thanksgiving. Anders helped make pumpkin and pecan pie, yeast rolls, broccoli casserole, and here he is trimming the green beans. We had Thanksgiving in Greenville with the Chings and then in Tennessee with Mom and Dad. Stuffing and Dressing. 

 Total silliness, wearing Uncle Rob's shirt from when he was about Anders' age.

 Halle and her buddy, HeMan

 The table before dinner

 A few hours later with the food on the table. Yummmm. It's fun to cook all day. Loved having Grandma and Nissa over to watch the parade, hang out, and just be cozy together by the fire.

 Football and Books. Life is good in the fall.

 Our Thanksgiving centerpiece, a green pumpkin and and a thankfulness wreath (everyone wrote what they were thankful for on a leaf)

 Thanksgiving in Tennessee, building a huge marble tower. We had a day of marble towers, watching 15 hours of football, playing basketball, playing superheroes, and being lazy.

 Meme and Halle snuggled up

While the boys hiked at Bays Mountain, Mama Cia and Halle hung out on the couch.

As you can see, we have had so much fun with aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends --- celebrating football game days, holidays, birthdays and more. Thankful for such a good fall. Here's hoping for a similar winter!