Welcome to the World, Olivia!

Olivia Scott Barclay

My sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl today! Olivia Scott Barclay entered the world on September 27, 2010 at 8:06 am. She weighed 9 lbs 2.9 oz, and 20 inches. Ella is such a great big sister! Sara wasn't so sure what to think at first glimpse; but was so concerned when Olivia was upset.

Kelly and her girls; Ella and Olivia

Grandpa, Olivia, and Sara

Scott, Olivia, Sara, and Grandpa (my dad)

We love you sweet girl!

Best of Friends !

Sara and Ella are the best of friends, and even more cousins that can't get enough of the other! When the two of them are not together they are asking for each other and wanting to be with each other; daily Sara asks if she can call Ella. They play so well together and it is always fun to watch them talk to each other.

Additionally, Sara and Ella holding a huge part of grandpa's heart. He is so in love with them; and just one way the many ways the girls show him their love is to support his favorite team; the Green Bay Packers!
Sara and Ella Coloring with Grandpa
Let's go Packers, Let's Go!

We love your team, Grandpa but love you a whole lot MORE!!

Annual Apple Picking

2010 Family trip to Skytop Orchard

We headed to Skytop Orchards for our annual apple picking. This makes the third year that we have gone. This year was different from the other two; the first year was just like you want for apple picking- a cool, nice, fall day; last year was a little rainy and warm; this year was just plain old HOT.... I think it was almost 90. Not my idea of a pleasant fall day. Since it has been such a hot and dry late summer/early fall; several of the types of apples we normally pick the trees were bear. There was even a sign posted saying that because of the hot and dry weather the pickings are slimmer than other years. But, we still had FUN! Kristin and Garrett went with us so it was fun to watch them with their first experience of apple picking. The boys and Sara just love going too. This year for 3 days before we went Sara was telling everyone she was going apple picking. When we are there if you need to locate Jared and Xander; the best place to look is up, up in a tree because that is probably where you will find them. Garrett, also liked the idea of climbing trees. Sara perferred to stay on the ground.

Sara enjoying one the many apples she picked and sampled

Proud of her picking

Is that a monkey in the tree; no it Xander and Jared

Jared and Xander apple picking

Garrett at "How tall are you this fall?"

As I look back over the last three years there was another huge difference- the first year I carried Sara in the Baby Bjorn, last year she was in the stroller, this year- no carrier, no stroller, she walked almost the whole day- minus a few stops on David's shoulders! I can't believe how much she has changed.

Sara and David

A glimpse at the past ....

September 21, 2008

September 27, 2009

and the present.....

September 25, 2010

Jared and the Appalachian Trail

Congrats are going out to Jared and his boy scout troop. The boys left Friday night and headed to the Appalachian Trail for a backpacking and hiking trip. They hiked approximately 14 miles on Saturday and 6 on Sunday before heading home. Saturday night, they pitched a tent and camped along the trail. Each boy was responsible for carrying all their own gear including their sleeping bags, food, clothes, and water. Unfortunately, Jared didn't take his camera so we don't have any pictures.

Job well done Jared; we are proud of you!

Cousins

Xander and Sara finally were able to meet their newest cousin, Peyton Dawn Letteer. Once Sara held Peyton she became quite possessive; if I was holding Peyton; she would tell me "no mommy I hold her she's my baby." We all headed to David's parents house for lunch. It was a great time for Xander and Sara to meet Peyton as well as visit with their other cousins Amber, and Elizabeth; as well as Grandpa and Grandma Letteer, Uncle Andrew and Aunt Amber. Unfortunately, Jared wasn't able to be there as he was off hiking the Appalachin Trail with his Boy Scout Troop.

Dan Nichols Park/Labor Day

Since David and I were both off from work and all three kids had no school we took the opportunity to have a great day together as a family. Numerous people have told us about a great park about an hour away called Dan Nichols Park in Salisbury that we have wanted to check out. We had been told that there was a number of activities for all ages and it was fairly inexpensive; and right these people were. We are always looking for places that can accomdate a 2 yr old as well as a 10 yr old and 13 yr old. The boys were grumbling on the way, thinking they wouldn't have a good time thinking it would just be for Sara; until they saw all that was there.

We got there just as it opened which happened to be perfect, since it was Labor Day it got busy fast but we beat the crowds on most of the activities. At this park there is a carousel, petting barn, a small zoo, a little train ride, minature golf, gem mining, a splash pad, a paddle boats. David and I convinced Jared and Xander that they had to ride the carousel and train with us so all 5 of us could be together; then afterwards they could go to play minature golf while David and I took Sara to the zoo. The reluctantly agreed but in the end admitted to having a good time on both the train and carousel, shh don't tell them I let their secrets out :). It worked out just perfect that by the time Sara was done in the zoo and the play area the boys had finished their round of minature golf. Having allergies to animals I headed to the Gem Mining with the boys while David and Sara went to the petting barn; zoos are tolerable, petting areas- not so much. Sara and David ended up meeting us at the Gem Mining and Sara too had fun mining. The boys found some great treasures. We didn't make the splash pad or paddle boating; we'll definitely being going back; especially since we did all that for a total of $25.00; for a family of five and so many activities.





After we left the park and had lunch at Wendy's we headed to the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC; which was only about 15 minutes away. All three kids were all excited to see the train and ride on.

It was a great day spent as a family making wonderful memories. Looking forward to the next day trip adventure!