Blueberries for the Drydens

Paul drove home from Pennsylvania on Sunday with over 200 pounds of blueberries stowed in a borrowed cooler. These blueberries will feed our girls' insatiable hunger for the wee fruit for another year. But the bounty does not come without cost. There is a supply chain at work here.

Though these pictures suggest Clara and Hattie lend their picking hands to that supply chain, that would be misleading. Their job is to consume (and consume they do). Even when they add a few berry "kaplinks" to the buckets, we're quite sure they eat more than they contribute.

No, the real work is done by Pappaw and his coterie of Amish helpers. The moment the blueberry bushes offer their ripe fruit, Pappaw's helpers are plucking buckets full of berries, rinsing them, and packaging them in freezer bags for the long trip to Raleigh.

From there, they sit in tall stacks in our overflow freezer, waiting for the girls to recruit them for their morning fix or the weekly Sunday Smoothy treat. And if previous years are any indication, they will last us until late-next Spring...just weeks shy of the next cycle of blueberry hoarding.

Hattie at Camp

Fascinated w/ big tractors. Singing Blackbird. Pappaw's hat. And blowing bubbles. Hattie had a grand time at Camp!

William Gets Crushed

There's no denying it, Kate and Paul have produced two girls highly susceptible to boy-craziness.

This does not bode well for the teenage years. (Hopefully by then, the boy band cycle will be in a lull.)

Clara's earliest crush was cousin Jack. She and Hattie both showed strong interest in cousin Will lately. And at the latest reunion, they were both smitten with cousin William.

Clara showed it by yelling William's name (as if an involuntary turrets spasm) whenever he was in earshot, and bestowing upon him kiss after kiss after kiss. Hattie would give hugs and try to get William to chase here.

We all feel lucky that William is a kind and patient 10-year old boy. He always responded with a warm smile and never tucked his tail, turned and ran from these very forward young Dryden lasses.

Pony Rides with the Amish

Pappaw has formed a close bond with the Amish families living around Punxie, and he lined up three pony rides from Clara, Hattie and their cousins. 

This was the third visit for Clara, and the first for Hattie. 

Stretching Our Legs with a Camp Hike

We got back from Bald Head Island, rested a day in Raleigh, and then got right back on the road for Pennsylvania for the McKnight Family Reunion at Camp.

Camp sits on 200 acres of mountain land outside of Punxie. And after the 8 1/2 hour car ride, we were ready to stretch our legs by exploring its many trails. Pappaw led a long hike that included cousin Melissa, Marina, and Lizzy. We all had a few days there before the larger group arrived a little later in the week for the big get together.

Bald Head Island Vacation - On the Beach and In the Surf

Bald Head was beautiful with plenty of access to beaches and pools. We all enjoyed the time with our McKnight cousins! Some of the highlight pics and videos:

Bald Head Island - Hattie's Interest in Rolly-Polly Bugs

Bald Head Island Vacation - On the Ferry and Tram and Golf Carts

We met McKnight cousins Jed and Shana (and kids) in Bald Head for a long weekend lead-in to our summer vacation. Bald Head is a relatively short drive from Raleigh (2 1/2 hours), but that only gets you as far as the marina. 

Then you board the ferry for a 20 minute boat ride to the island. 

From the island marina, a tram takes you to your rental house.

And because there are no cars allowed on the island, you get around in golf carts provided by the home owners. 

Hot Mess Hattie & Her Silly Face(s)

We are now in the pre-two's with our little 20-month old Hattie. She is probing - at times gently and at other times with blunt force - all the boundaries. What reaction will I get, she asks internally, by yanking my sisters hair with the firmest grip these teeny fingers can muster? What will the parental units do, she thinks, if I flop cavalierly on this floor, pounding my fists and kicking my legs? What happens if I do things my way instead of theirs?

Thus we have Hot Mess Hattie. She is a force to reckon. She will not be ignored. And she know longer carries the victim's burden in this relationship with her sibling. Indeed, it would seem the tables have turned and Clara must defend herself from this less-than-rational toddler asserting her independence.

Vegas Business Trip TXTs to Girls

Paul: Safe on the ground in Vegas. Here's the first picture for Clara and Hattie. See if Clara knows what it is. Love you all!

Kate: Can't wait to show this girls this. Call tonight! Love you, xoxo

Paul: Look everyone...Daddy was king of Zappos this afternoon. [Tour of Zappos HQ] Love you!

Kate: Clara's response: "He WAS?! Daddy was King?! Yay, Daddy!" xoxo

Paul: For Clara: I took this picture this morning from my hotel. Does it look like Olivia's trip to Venice? Maybe you can read that book with Mama tonight and tell me what these special boats are called. Love you!

Kate: Wow, Love!! Fancy stuff :) We miss you and can't wait to talk tonight, xoxo

Kate: Clara wants to show you her new nightgown. We love you, xoxo.

Paul: Love it! Made me smile. Thank you!

Paul: Good morning my loves! There's a storm going on outside my window. Lots of thunder. Lots of rain. This doesn't happen much in the desert. Love you! Can't wait to see you tomorrow!

Kate: Clara thinks the pool in the background looks FUN!! We love you and can't wait to talk tonight, xoxo.

Paul: Tired in Atlanta [redeye flight], but much closer to home!

Kate: We love you!! xoxo

Kate: Morning, Daddy!! Can't wait to see you soon! xoxo