First Baby Clothes

Phillip was looking to buy himself a fitted Braves baseball cap, when we first found out we were pregnant and he was online shopping he came across a little something for the baby-regardless of if it a boy or girl. He thought the cap paired nicely with our first gifted Appalachian State onesie!

On other notes, Appalachian State has caused us a bit of excitment these past few weekends as we listen to the football games streaming online. The first game of the season against Michigan was unbelievable! One of his former students who now goes to school there couldn't resist sending a little App pride home to Phillip!

What we did on Summer vacation

Phillip and I were fortunate to do a lot this summer. We kicked the summer off by celebrating our third wedding anniversary.

The first week of July we went up to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Robi and Will invited us up there for about a week for some R&R before they shipped out for two years in the Peace Corps. Maine is an incredible place! So beautiful and peaceful. Dolly even enjoyed being up there. She had so much energy and enjoyed running around the front yard and exploring the rocky bay.




Robi and Will were off to South Africa in the middle of July.They had a going away party a few days before departing and Robi took this opportunity to mimic Phillip and one of his many faces.

Next we were off to South Carolina for the annual Hilton Head Vacation. What a great time we had! Gramma, Uncle Dan and Aunt Julia and their kids, Bob, Meg, Julia, and many others were able to joing us for a few days! Not only did we have a reunion of sorts but we were also able to celebrate Mom and Dad's 60th Birthdays.



After Hilton Head we drove up through Atlanta on our way back to Asheville. We took in a Braves game one evening. It happened to be the same night that Barry Bonds hit his 755th home run. Not an hour before that happend we took some pictures of Phillip infront of the stadium-appropriately located at 755 Hank Aaron Avenue! At least Hank didn't have to dope up to get his home runs!

We then went up to Boone for a few days to see some friends and get my hair cut. I cut 12 inches off for Locks of Love! What do you think of my new coif?

Before we had to head back to work we took Phillip's Mom to an Asheville Tourists game. You gotta love minor league ball for the intimate stadiums, great seats no matter where you sit, and of course the cheap beer!

All in all we have had a great summer! We got to see many family and friends and enjoy some time together to relax. Just when we thought all the fun was over until next year we discovered one more thing we did on our summer vacation....
We Made A Baby!

That's right! We're PREGNANT! Baby Brown is due in mid-April!

Next summer should prove just as busy but three times the fun.

Finally a Snow to write home about

When Phillip woke up this morning to go to work he said there was just a dusting of snow on the ground. We knew they were calling for the ever famous "Wintry Mix" (I think this means we're not sure what the heck is going to happen). When Dolly and I woke several hours later and I looked outside we were far from a dusting of snow! It is beautiful out and the neighbors have already called upstairs for the annual winter cookout! Here is some of the fun Dolly and I had playing in the snow this morning!

Honey Bee

I've gone over the edge! How cute is our dog!

This is Dolly's look out spot. She tore the blinds up one evening when she decided we had been gone too long. But she loves to climb on Phillip's pack and look out the window to see if we are coming home.

Her new Valentines day hoodie.

Showing a little chest hair!



Is this a good pose mom?

Mr. Brown Goes to Washington

On January 23, 2007 Phillip was honored and privileged to do what few of us will ever have the opportunity to do-He was invited to sit in the gallery at the Capitol and bear witness to the first State of the Union Address to the 110th Congress.

A friend of his who"works for the government" and was able to secure Phillip a ticket. When he called me at school to tell me the news he declared "I have good news, and I have bad news. The good news is that I'm going to the State of the Union, the bad news is I only have one ticket." So I rushed home to help him get ready (read: sew buttons on his suit jacket).

Prior to heading to the Capitol he had pleasure of eating at The Capital Grille http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/About/Main.asp An experience he hopes he can treat me to before we leave the area! Phillip was the guest of Chariman Bill Young who is the Minority Chair for Appropriations. He said it was an absolutely incredible experience-being in the same place as so many political power players. Additionally, upon leaving the gallery as he and his hosts stopped in the hallway a man came up to greet Chairman Young and his wife, and in turn they introduced Phillip-that man was none other than Michael J. Fox! Even days afterwards you can still hear the excitment in his voice as he retells the story of his trip to Washington and for a history teacher I guess that's as good as it gets!

National Christmas Tree Lighting

Phillip and I were able to get tickets through a friend of his to go to the National Christmas Tree Lighting in DC. The event takes place on the Ellipse of the White House and is quiet an event. It's something that many people who live in the DC metro area for any period of time probably have on their "DC To Do List." It was cold and windy but worth the hour and a half we were outside for the ceremony. Now we are homing enjoying a cocktail and the warmth of our tiny apartment.

We saw Cathy Rigby of "Peter Pan" fame, Eartha Kitt, and of course, The President of The United States, among others.

And perhaps, our favorite tree sighting, the North Carolina Tree.

Merry Christmas