Kyle's weekend on the AT (and an Owen update of course)

Some day Kyle won't work so much and he'll have time to tell you himself about his adventures; but for the time being, you either hear it from me or not at all.

Kyle is trying to conquer his list of things he wants to do while we're still in NC (mostly hikes). So, this past weekend he and our friend Phil went and did a stretch of the AT between Max Patch and Hot Springs. They were gone 2 nights an did approx 21 miles. They stayed in 2 different shelters--1 night w/ 4 other people (very cramped) and the 2nd night by themselves (unless you consider the world's largest spider a 3rd person--in which case it was also very cramped). They had a good time, but I think Kyle was a little disappointed in the views--great if you could catch them but it was so wooded that it was hard to see beyond the trees--literally. They finished the trip with a manly dip in the "healing waters" of some hot springs. Manly. Healing. Nice.



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Now on to Owen-things (why you're really here, we know). Not much new to report. The mamamamas and dadadadas are quite frequent, as is a new lip smacking thing he's doing. He's getting more adventurous (or perhaps we are) w/ big people food. Granted, more ends up around him than in him, but he's trying his hand at little tiny pieces of real things--chicken, cheese, green beans. It's pretty funny. And I have to say that whoever invented PUFFS--those little "graduate" cereals that dissolve, was a GENIUS! We loooove Puffs! Oh, and I think I've given up on real kid toys. Owen is happiest with anything "new" we just randomly hand him--a whisk, a coaster, a clean sock, a new loofa. Except for "cold fishy" and "ducky" which I think will always bring him joy. :)

That's about it. Here we are w/ our little friend Cooper. He and his mom Christal came over for a picnic last week. One of two playdates we thoroughly enjoyed (especially me)!