Museum of Appalachia

We spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, TN. We heard the museum was largely out of doors, so we have been waiting for good weather and we certainly have it now. The museum is basically a walking tour through period buildings, including a church, schoolhouse, general store and several cabins. It makes you nostalgic for a simpler time, but I know this notion romanticizes away the truth of how much harder everyone worked for basic subsistence long ago. I think we enjoyed the animals roaming around the grounds as much as any of the dwellings. Luke got up and close and personal with chickens, gorgeous peacocks, and sweet baby lambs just born on the farm. It was a great spring outing and I’m glad we finally got out to see this local site.

Easter Back Home

After our time in SC, we just moved the trip north to the other Carolina. Luke and I had nice visits with some of my Mamaw’s siblings on the way. When we finally arrived in Murphy, Luke settled in for lots of fun and spoiling with the grand and great grandparents, and especially his aunts. In addition to my sister Michele, Ben’s sister Lauren joined us for the holiday weekend. Galen and Ben joined us all on Friday after work and everyone shared had a nice long weekend with plenty to celebrate: dinner with friends, coloring Easter eggs, taking Easter photos out by the big oak tree, great family dinners at home and at Grandma’s where we hid eggs for the kids. We had beautiful weather and such a nice time Luke didn’t want to leave. We finally made it back to Knoxville and found spring bloomed out while we were gone. Now it’s time to mow, plant, and watch everything green up for the season.

Charleston and the Cooper River Bridge Run 2010

We recently spent a great long weekend in one of our favorite cities: Charleston, SC! We had a nice drive down and wonderful weather for all our time in town. We all gathered for the Cooper River Bridge Run. Ben had done it as a teenager, Tom ran it last year, and so we all went for this year’s run. Luke did the kids’ run on Friday, earning a medal for participation---he was so proud and wore it out everywhere we went most of the weekend. The 10K race and walk began at 8Am Saturday morning, but we had to be bused to the start in Mt. Pleasant before they closed the bridge down to traffic---line up at 6:30. It was chilly morning, but everyone warmed up once they were moving. Ben was sick with a cold all week leading up the race, but still managed to finish with a great time. I was the slowpoke of the group, but was happy to finish my first 10K in fairly good time for a walker.

It was Luke’s first time in Charleston and we had to take the drive out to some of Ben’s favorite old haunts on Sullivan’s Island---Poe’s Tavern is always a great stop. We also ate at some great restaurants back in town including Blossom and my all-time favorite Rue de Jean. We hit the rock shop, watched the NCAA tournament, and just relaxed. It was a real treat with lots of help with Luke and time to rest. Can’t wait to go back again!

The Piper Cub

Ben put in many hours over this long cold winter on his Piper Cub. He and his father Tom originally began work on it when Ben was 11! It’s been a long time coming but worth the wait. She’s lived in our attic in Norfolk, long-term Navy storage and finally resurfaced here in TN for a full overhaul. I think Luke loves tinkering on the plane almost as much as Ben does, and quite nicely, now three generations have worked on her and made her what she is today. Ben and my father tested the engine over Easter weekend and it ran great. Now the only thing left is to fly it. And whatever happens after that, well, at least we have some good photos of the before!

Easter Egg Hunt YMCA

All little kiddies gather round! It’s the first annual Easter Egg Hunt at our new YMCA. We’ve really enjoyed going to the YMCA this winter. Luke and Ben love the pool and Luke is getting better with his swimming all the time. They have a great kid-watch most of the day so I can go to yoga or work out and Luke gets more playtime with friends. True to their family-friendly credo, they hosted a big egg hunt for children of all ages and even had the Easter Bunny available for a photo. Luke was so excited to see the real Easter Bunny and sit on his lap! He found lots of eggs, which he promptly broke into to see what prizes may be hiding inside. It was one of our first sunny warm spring days, too, so all around it was the perfect prelude to Easter and what will hopefully be a nice spring ahead.

Fired and Hired: Knighton Studios

Well, if you've been looking for updates to our blog since January, you might have noticed I fell off the blogging wagon. In fact, I recently told a friend of mine I fired myself from keep up our blog because that's exactly what would happen if I did such a poor job anywhere else! Luckily, grace, like hope, springs eternal and I have at least managed to get some delinquient posts up and catch things up the present at bit.

The main reason for the quiet on the blog in February and much of March is that I've been trying to get a small jewelry and accessories business started. It's called Knighton Studios, after Luke's middle name. Many of you in the family know about this little venture, and thanks to so many of your for your support and early patronage. I finally got a few items up and listed for sale on the crafters' site Etsy (http://www.knightonstudios.etsy.com/), so I'm giving this outlet a try for now. I added a mini-version of my listings in the sidebar of the blog so you can see the type of pieces I've been making. I will have a new cache of items to post soon, so check back often if you like the look of my pieces. I'm also toying the idea of going off Etsy to my own site or at least a seperate blog-style site with all my pieces, be them presently for sale, sold, or gifted to a loved one.

It's been an education learning about and fumbling through starting a business, but it's all great experience. When I get frustrated or discouraged about the business details, I just remind myself that the more I sell, the more I get to make---that gets me going again! So while I was and still should be fired from blogging about my family, I've hired myself on for a new adventure in making my own jewelry and bags by hand. I hope you'll take a look at my site and let me know if you see anything you like. I love custom work, so feel free to just let me know if you're looking for something special. I'd welcome the opportunity to make it for you!

The Big Three

Sunday was a big day at our house. Luke celebrated his third birthday! He had been so excited thinking about it all week, even leaning out the front door one afternoon and yelling to the girl next door, "Remember Janie, my birthday's coming up!" Well, it finally came and he got to decorate the house with special flowers and new candles for the occasion, feeling very special knowing all the hubbub was over him. My parents, sister Michele, and family friend Galen all came on Saturday, saying overnight and through Sunday's birthday lunch, cake and presents. My Mamaw, Uncle Harmon, and Aunt Beverly joined us on Sunday for the festivities. We remembered our time in Italy, eating Luke's favorite: lasagna bolognese. And for his big surprise, he had a snowman birthday cake, thanks to lots of help from Michele and Galen. He was so excited when he saw it he yelled, "It's Snowy the Frostman!"

Luke happily received birthday cards, calls from all of Ben's family and many of our friends, and lots of gifts to open then and all this week as they arrived in the mail after the MLK holiday. In the lead up to this big birthday, we experienced some of the real changes of what it means to be three. Within one week, Luke started using the potty pretty reliably and sleeping in his big-boy bed! It's a trifecta of milestones, and he couldn't be prouder of himself. If he keeps going at this rate, he'll be growing a mustache, dating, and driving a real car by the summer!

Out with the Globetrotters

We kicked Luke's birthday weekend off in a big way, going out to see the Harlem Globetrotters downtown Friday night. Luke had a good week already since we recently joined the new YMCA near our house and he'd been swimming several nights with Ben after work. Now the cherry on top.....courtside seats to see America's team play their "four quarters" and lots of pranks with the crowd. The highlight for Luke was getting wet during one of Hi-Lite's water gags; I figured it would be confetti in the cup, but it was really water----at least it wasn't Gatorade!

Luke got a indoor basketball hoop from Santa this year, so he's been practicing up his shooting skills. After watching the Globetrotters, he'll be dunking in his room and trying to spin balls on his fingers. It was a great way to start his 3rd birthday weekend. Enjoy the other photos in the slideshow on the left.

Home from the Holidays

We're back home in TN from a wonderful holiday with family and friends, spending time with both sides of our family in NC and GA. We drove over to my parents' home in NC on the 24th, enjoying the Christmas music on the radio and the final build up to the big day. Christmas Eve was celebrated with the Allen side of the family at my Aunt Lydia's, complete with a home-cooked dinner from Grandma Allen and a big warm fire to open presents beside. Luke loved playing with his two little cousins, Delaney (5) and Morgan (soon to be 2). They were all so excited for Santa to come that night and for the fun of the morning to come.

No one had to tell Luke what day it was when we awoke on the 25th. He sat straight up in bed, looked clearly ahead, and said breathlessly, "It's CHRISTMAS!" He raced down the hall to find presents galore and really savored opening each one this year. He's finally more interested in the gift than the wrap, but he took his time playing with nearly every toy before moving on to the next item. We celebrated on Christmas Day and evening with my mother's side of the family, the O'Dells, and had a nice time visiting, eating, and opening more gifts by the fire. All in all, a wonderful and very blessed Christmas indeed......but then there was more ahead!

On the 26th, we drove down to GA to see Ben's family who had gathered at the home in LaGrange. Lauren and her boyfriend Matt were there with Luke's Nonna and Bacca, all ready to make merry and prolong the Christmas season as long as possible. More good dinners, time to visit, and lovely gifts were exchanged. It was nice to all be in one place and to revisit favorites spots in town together, like the obligatory pilgrimage to Charlie Joseph's for "The World's Best Hot Dog." Many old friends and neighbors came by for a little party on Sunday night and it was great to see everyone and for them to see how Luke has grown. He loved all the excitement and having lots of eager playmates 'round the clock.

From GA, we went back to Murphy for New Year's Eve and my father's birthday. We all rang in a new year together and for all its upheaval and transition, we were none to sad to bid 2009 farewell. Here's to a better year for each of us and our country in 2010! We pray there is health, happiness, and renewed purpose ahead for us all.

Babes in Toyland....and Candyland

No reason to pout or to cry here at our house this week. Luke just happened to intercept the UPS man with a very special Christmas present from his Aunt Holly and Uncle David yesterday: a handmade, wooden Marble Track. And as nice as it is, it's really even more special because it was made by the Rothenberger boys in the the family wood working and furniture making business up in PA. We are so pleased to have such an heirloom gift for Luke to enjoy. He hasn't quit playing with it yet and tried to take the large wooden "marbles" to bed with him last night.

Luke and I also had some nice Christmas visits today; we went to lunch with a friend at a tea room and then had more friends over to make cookies and decorate gingerbread houses. We made miniature homes and Luke certainly had fun sampling all the trimmings----I see visions of sugar plums turning to tummy aches later on.

We'll be heading to NC soon and then on to GA for more visits with family. We hope all of you have a blessed and Merry Christmas whereever you may celebrate. Noel!

Holiday Express

We took Luke to see the Holiday Express displays at the UT Univerity Gardens this past Saturday. With more than 100 model buildings and 10+ trains running, it was a little boy's Christmas dream. The bigger boys, Ben included, were pretty smitten with the collection, too. Two engineers ran all the trains in concert with twinkling lights, a waterfall feature, and Christmas music. Ben's favorite train was the Pennsylvania passenger train, while look prefered the green Southren engine---he said he was going to drive that one when he grew up. The collection was entirely owned by one of the engineers, who built nearly all the structures and builidings himself. He said it had taken him nearly 25 years to collect and build it all. He had unique trains with fish-tank cars (quite a ride for little goldfish), a miniature carnival with ferris wheel and teacup rides, and a working sawmill. The attention to detail was amazing and none of it was wasted on all the starry-eyed children and families who attended. Enjoy the photos!

For more info, visit http://www.utk.edu/tntoday/2008/11/14/Climb-Aboard-the-Holiday-Express-at-UT-Gardens/