Saying Good Bye To Camden

It is hard to believe it has been over a month since our last update. It just shows how fast time flies. The last 10 plus years have flown by too. The time went by too fast and I know I didn't fully appreciate what a special dog we had in Camden. She was a sweet heart in the truest sense and we will miss her dearly.

Trip to Stone Mountain

We just had to get to the mountains to see the foliage this fall! We went to Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap, NC the first weekend in November. We had a picnic, hiked to a waterfall, came within 3 feet of a deer and made lots of memories.

Halloween - Trunk or Treat

Sullivan and Carrigan had a blast at the Friedberg Moravian Preschool's Trunk or Treat. Sullivan was a SWAT team member this year and Carrigan was a giraffe. Sullivan called her his police giraffe since he didn't have a police dog. Carrigan didn't mind.

Chapel Hill Trip

The kids were in Chapel Hill for their 2nd time on October 24. (Carrigan was 6 months old and Sullivan was two on the first trip two years ago.) We traveled east to meet our very good friend Kate Hickey and visit other Chapel Hill buddies. Kate was in town for the BC/UNC football game the next day.

Our first stop was to see Mr. Baddour, Mr. Gallo, Dr. Miller and Mr. Blanchard. The kids received the royal treatment (juice, candy, Doodlebops on the flat screen, Tar Heel mementos) and Kate and I were able to catch up with some great friends. (I dropped the ball and forgot to get a picture!)

Next, we met our dear friend Kim and her son, Eric, for lunch. It had been 7 years or so since I had seen Kim and over 10 years since I had seen Eric. He grew up on us, to say the least. (Top picture. Kate on the left, Kim on the right.)

Then we had a great visit with the wonderful Dr. Fred Mueller. He was very patient as 2 preschoolers were trying to play soccer and lacrosse in his temporary office. (2nd picture) Incidentally, he is responsible for me taking the job in Portales, NM!

Lastly, we stopped by the football offices to drop in on my grad school classmate, Corey Holliday. He was extremely busy (big game the next day and all), but he found time to see us and pose for a picture. (3rd picture)

Before heading home, Sullivan and Carrigan took a picture with Choo Choo Justice. (4th picture)

It was a wonderful visit for me because I was able to introduce my kids to such special people. These were the first people I worked with after graduating from Rice. Their support and encouragement were instrumental in me choosing the field of college athletics. But even more than that, I am happy to count them as my very close friends.

LaLee and Aunt Dot's Visit

We are SO happy that LaLee and Aunt Dot took time out of their very busy schedules to visit us in Winston-Salem on October 15-19. We loved having them stay with us, as we always do.

The kids adore "the ladies" and are still asking where they are. They miss seeing them come down the stairs every morning. (I do too.)

While they were here, LaLee and Aunt Dot made a tablecloth for Carrigan's tea set table. LaLee took fabric home to make (for the Sowells) several curtains, tie backs and a table runner. When she finishes I will have a separate post to show off her amazing talent.

Pumpkin Patch

Sullivan and Carrigan visited the Hawkins' Pumpkin Patch recently and had a ball running through the rows and rows of pumpkins. They stopped long enough for us to snap a couple of photos.

Brandon & Sunny's Wedding and Sullivan's 4th Birthday

Back to School

Sullivan is in the 4-years old class this year! He loves going to school four days a week and he has met lots of new friends. He must take a minimum of 3 Hot Wheels to class with him everyday and usually brings home between 10 and 20 acorns from the playground. About once a week I send the acorns back with him for the "playground squirrels".

Carrigan and I enjoy our time together while Sullivan and Daddy are doing their thing. We exercise, run errands, read books, have playdates and tidy the Sowell house. She is very helpful.

The first two pictures above are of Sullivan and Carrigan on the first day of school. The third picture was taken at the Apple Festival - with Dad.

Hanging Out At Hanging Rock On Labor Day

A canoe, swimming, picnic and even a waterfall were part of our Labor Day festivities as we visited Hanging Rock State Park. The Park is nestled among the Sauratown Mountains just an hour away from our house.

With overcast skies and temperatures in the 70s, we decided to start the day off with a canoe ride. The kids were anxious to try out their new swimsuits, so the canoe ride was fun and brief.

Sullivan and Carrigan loved playing in the water and Hanging Rock State Park provided the perfect backdrop. Following almost two hours in the water we took a break for a picnic and then it was off to walk on a hiking trail to see a waterfall and a rock garden.

Comparing Sullivan

Here is a look at Sullivan in 2006 at Sullivan's Island (left) and in 2008 at Hanging Rock State Park. Similar photos so I thought they would be neat to share.

Sippin' and Dippin' - It's A Southern Thang

One of my goals for the summer, if you can call it a goal, was to take Sullivan to Bowman Gray Stadium, home to “Nascar’s longest running weekly track”. When we went in July, I didn’t know what to expect.

It was definitely a local crowd - there to support local racers, which to me had a refreshing feel to it. Plus, I didn’t think twice about calling Sullivan by his nickname, Bubba. We were entertained by six races ranging from 15-25 laps on the ¼ mile oval track. The night featured races including the Modified, Sportsman, Street Stock, and Stadium Stock divisions.

Sullivan had a blast. For three hours, he sat attached to his seat taking it all in. On the way out of the stadium a man was wearing a t-shirt that read, “Sippin’ and dippin’, it’s a Southern Thang”. It was then I knew we had to come back.

So we did for the final race night of the season in mid-August. We brought along our good friend John Justus (Mr. JJ to Sullivan). We decided to have a little pre-race tailgate with fried chicken, baked beans, potato salad, hush puppies and ice cold beer.

The night featured a 150-lap Modified race for the season points title. JJ and I anticipated a boring race as the short track does not lend itself to much passing. And for 144 laps we got what we expected. I passed the time counting Lynard Skynard t-shirts, waving second hand smoke out of Sullivan’s face and buying some funnel cake.

Burt Myers (#1 orange and black car) led the race for 144 laps when his nemesis Junior Miller sent him into a spin in the North turn. When the race restarted the officials decided Myers was in last place. Myers patiently waited for Miller. As this video shows Myers doesn’t like finishing last and he doesn’t seem too thrilled about Miller either. Kids don’t try this at home.

Apparently, Myers and Miller have a little bit of history. This next video gives you a taste of that and shows that Junior is not that much of a junior, if you know what I mean.

After showing these videos to Carol Anne my new goal for the summer of 2009 has already been established. That goal is to convince CA to let us return to Bowman Gray.

Boogie, Bikes and Barns

Summer is almost over and Sullivan and Carrigan have been busy making the most of the precious days they have left before school starts. (Sullivan starts preschool on September 2nd.)

The kids participated in their first Kindermusik class. They sang, played instruments and danced with several other kids. They were especially gifted in the scarf waving event (see above). I believe the 12 year-old Chinese gymnasts have inspired them to achieve greatness at a young age.

They both have enjoyed riding their bikes but have several "boo-boos" to show for it. Sullivan likes to practice wearing his helmet in the house and when we are in the car, he points out those on bicycles and motorcycles who are not wearing their helmet. Carrigan hasn't quite mastered the tricycle yet, but she is close!

Recently, on a trip into town, we stopped at the nearby dairy farm to take a picture in front of our favorite barn. Carrigan was afraid the animals were going to come out of the barn and bite her. Sullivan assured her that the animals had been moved to their new barn.

Summer Report I

Do summers go by faster the older you get? It sure seems that way to us. We have enjoyed our 2nd full summer in Winston-Salem. CA has tried to get into a routine with both kids being home all day. We have spent a lot of time reading, drawing and painting, going to indoor and outdoor playgrounds, swimming in the kids' pool in our back yard and watching fun movies - like Madagascar, Cars, Finding Nemo and Monsters, Inc.

Sullivan still LOVES to drum and sing. Carrigan LOVES to read and dance. As you can imagine, there are not many quiet moments in the Sowell house with 2 preschoolers.

At the end of June we took our first cross-country road trip as a family. (Photos to come) We left Winston-Salem on the evening of June 26th. We spent the night with Brett's parents (Su-Su and Ta-Ta) in Greenville, SC and departed early on Friday morning. We made several stops in Georgia and Alabama and spent the night in Hattiesburg, MS. On Saturday, we drove through Mississippi and Louisiana and arrived in Houston around 4pm. Brett left Houston that night and started his return trip to NC. Two weeks later he drove all the way back to Texas to pick up the family and take us back to Winston-Salem. (He is a very good man.)

CA's mom, LaLee, and LaLee's puppy, Gussie, met us in Houston at Baby and Ronnie's house. (Thanks to Baby and Ronnie for letting us stay at their house.) She took us to George West and while we were there, we had lots of time to visit family and friends. Sullivan and Carrigan loved playing with their cousin, Hannah Jimerson, (Ellie and Jay's daughter) almost every day.

We also were fortunate to visit with many other folks . . . Aunt Dot, Emil and Noah Voges, Aunt Ellen and Jill, Ms. Maugie and Big Jim, Kate and Ty Jimmerson, The Hastings, The Joseph Snider Family, Aunt Gayle, The John Bednorz Family, Uncle Charlie, and Ms. Sue, to name a few.

We spent July 4th in Austin with Uncle Scott and Aunt Stacey. We had so much fun! We played with the dogs, went to church, ate lots of ice cream and went to the I-Max theater. They have such a lovely house . . . a great home for Baby Girl Gilmore when she arrives in November.

We also saw Pops (CA's dad). We met him in the South Texas town of Falfurias and had a great visit.

On the way back to NC we stayed at Uncle Brandon's house in Covington, GA. It was a short visit but we were so happy to see him and Miss Sunny - and their dog, Seven.

We missed Uncle David and Uncle John on this trip. Uncle David was vacationing in Spain, Italy and France. Uncle John was busy working in Salt Lake City.

LaLee was a great host and we can't wait to go back to her house soon.

Now we are getting ready for preschool to start in the fall. Sullivan will be in the 4 year old class and will go to school 4 days a week (8:30 am - 11:30 am). We are also looking forward to Uncle Brandon and Miss Sunny's wedding in October and Baby Gilmore's birth in November.

Preschool Report

Sullivan attended Friedberg Moravian Preschool during the 2007-08 school year. He was in the 3 year old class and his teachers were Mrs. G and Mrs. Foltz. Mrs. G commented that Sullivan was a 45 year old man in a 3 year old's body.

Mom (CA) and Carrigan enjoyed "girl time" 3 times a week while Sullivan was at school.

In the picture above, Carrigan is escorting Sullivan to his last day of school in May.

Brett and CA's Trip to the Greenbrier

In early May, we (Brett and CA) travelled to the historic Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV for a wonderful vacation. The resort is remarkable and the service and amenities are unmatched. While we enjoyed many activities together, we did embark on some things individually. Brett was extremely active (horse back riding, mountain biking, photography) while CA was extremely pampered (spa, spa, spa).

This was truly one of our best trips and thankfully we have memories (and photographs) that will last a lifetime.

Carrigan's Birthday

Carrigan turned 2 years old on May 1. Her favorite gift was having both of her grandmothers (LaLee and Su-Su) celebrate her birthday with us in Winston-Salem. She also loved her new cell phone, TV chair and strawberry cake!