Fall walks and playing outside

The Brown household has been trying to take in as much fall weather as possible. It is harder these days to spend much time outside, just due to two young children. We have been able to get in some walks around the neighborhood and some trips to the parks near our house. Adaline loves going to the park, sliding down the slides, and trying every swing at least once. Benton mostly just sits in the stroller and watches her play or sleeps. Even Shane was able to take a weekend away and get up to do some canoeing in West Virginia. He had been wanting to get on some white water for awhile now, especially with the new canoe, so I was happy he could get to the Gauley River with some friends this year.

Birthday Parties and Play-dates!

Over the last few months we have been able to visit a few friends for birthdays and play-dates. First, we made a family trip to Clayton to visit friends of ours from college, Anna and AW, and their little girl. Laurel turned one and had a nice party with lots of yummy cake and good times. It was nice for the kids to play together a bit, and I look forward to them growing up together. It was also the last time we had the chance to visit with some other college friends, Craig, Emily, and their daughter, Kay, before their big move to Hong Kong for a while. Although we are excited about this opportunity, we will miss them greatly!

Laurel enjoying her cake / Adaline and Kay look on

We have also been able to attend another birthday party of a high school friend's daughter recently, complete with pony rides. This was the best part of Kaylyn's party to Adaline; even better than cake. It was her first time on a pony, and maybe it will get her ready for the camp horses in the future.


Hopefully we can have many fun play dates in the future, for both Adaline and Benton, like this one with baby Lena!

For Labor Day weekend we were able to take a trip to Atlantic Beach. It was Benton's first time at the ocean, and the first time Adaline could really enjoy it.


We stayed at Atlantis Lodge, an extended family business, where there were plenty of kids and dogs to share in the fun! This was the first time I have seen Adaline sit and play for longer than a few minutes. She had so much fun in the sand, and the tidal pools were perfect for the kids to splash around in. Nana, Pops, and Trixie were there, too, and we all had a great time.




We were all worn out in the end, but cannot wait for a return trip.

Benton has been continuing to work on cereal and has gotten more and more in his tummy. We will start some veggies soon. He has also been able to roll over, and I have included a video below. Adaline can't wait until he can play with her, as you can see from all the kitchen supplies she loaded him down with.

Along our rollercoaster...

Some other ups and downs that we have experienced lately:

Good news: Shane decided in church the other weekend to get baptized. He was baptized as a baby, but did not feel it was very meaningful for him then, as he doesn’t remember it. Therefore, he wanted to go through it as an adult where he would really understand and remember the purpose.

Bad news: Our beautiful niece, Tallison Anamier, was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic. Now we really know there is a family link – Me, Josh (my brother and Talli’s dad), and Tallison. Wow! Josh and I were diagnosed later in life (our 20s) while Talli is not yet 2. It will be difficult for their family while they work to help Talli understand what is happening. Please keep them in your prayers. Hopefully, we can help discover a cure soon!

Finally Home

So, yes, it has been two months since an update on the Brown family. We have been on quite a roller coaster lately. July and August were still mostly spent at camp and staying busy there, but we also ended up traveling to both Colorado and New York. My grandmother (Dot Anamier, “Nanny”), a fabulous woman, passed away, and the trips were both for her. The first, to Colorado, was a trip to take Adaline and Benton out to visit, as we knew Nanny’s health was fading from cancer. It was a great visit, full of family, and I am so happy that we made it out there. The airplane rides were no fun, but all was worth it to spend a little more time with such a wonderful lady. Only a few short weeks later, we would be traveling up to New York for her funeral. Shane unfortunately was only able to make the trip to New York due to camp duties, but we all have great memories of Nanny to hold in our hearts.

A family shot with Nanny


Adaline with uncle Brandon / Chase and Rachel

Nana and Adaline at the aquarium / Adaline and Talli reading books together

When we got back from Colorado, it was time to move back home with the kids. Shane stayed in the mountains for an extra few weeks of camp, but I was back to work, Adaline was back to school, and Benton was beginning school for the first time. The transition was tough on me, but the kids seemed pretty happy. I am working with Kindergarten now, which is a huge change from 3^rd grade, but I am getting used to the craziness, chaos, and potty issues. I guess it is good practice for what is to come.

Adaline enjoying the mirror in her room at camp(she loves a mirror) / first ice pop

Shane did his second annual "Hurt, Pain, and Agony" ride in July and finished with a better time than last year, with added miles! Way to go Shane!

Happy Birthday America

Another fourth of July celebration at Cheerio this year! It was a bit rainy at dinner time, so we had to have a "cook-in," but things cleared up and turned out absolutely beautiful for our festivities. Below are some pictures from the evening.

Gearing up for the rain (glad Benton can finally ride in the double stroller) / our view after the rain cleared

Adaline biting into her watermelon, and adding some flair to her outfit.

Adaline and Benton had a late night. After dinner, we usually head up to our place for Adaline's bath and bedtime, but on the 4th, our night was just beginning. First we watched the cabins parade in and put on a show, with each performing a song or dance. Then, onto the hill for the staff performance and fireworks. This was really Adaline's first experience with fireworks, as the past two summers she slept through them. She sat on my lap, had a slightly worried face, and said "no" a lot, but still kept watching and made it through to the end. Benton slept through all the bangs and booms. We completed the evening with ice cream in the dining hall before our guests had to head home. We were joined by several friends and family and had a wonderful day.


The Sunday before the fourth, my parents and Trixie came for a visit and brought along a new swim suit for Benton. We were able to take the kids to the pool for a bit, and I think Benton enjoyed his first experience there.


all tuckered out!