Grandma and Grandpa Kemp have donned their Santa hats early this year. A very special present arrived on our doorstep this morning and was greeted by an excited little girl. Amelia now has a big girl table and chairs!
A wonderful surprise arrived on our doorstep today from Grandma Carolyn! A beautiful handmade hat and scarf. Amelia is sure to be snuggy warm and super fashionable this winter. We'd like to place an order for Grandma to make more as soon as possible!
Heading out to a playdate with some new friends.
Playing at the park with dad.
Mom, I dressed myself... I'm ready to go!
Having a snack and riding the train at the Durham Science Museum.
Mom, check me out... I can climb up on the stool all by myself. Yikes!
Shopping for leaves at the mall... and trying to look cool.
Coloring at the football game... giving dad a well needed distraction from the field.
Halloween is quite the event in Chapel Hill. Some will say that it's because 70,000 costumed crazies descend upon Franklin St. for Halloween festivities. In our world, the big event was Amelia's first trick-or-treating experience. And what an experience it was! 
the Busbee's carving party, Fearrington's pumpkin display, playing with Gus around the house - our little ladybug was warming up. Days of trying to teach her to say "trick-or-treat" we're unsuccessful. Not a "trick" or "treat" was uttered before, during, or after the holiday. 
We were more successful teaching the concept of the treat bag. Amelia carried her special bag from GG around the house for weeks leading up to the 31st. All kinds of treats were transported from her bedroom to the den - animals, trucks, balls, books - you name it, she carried it in her spider bag.
When the big day finally arrived, we were ready. We planned a complicated route around town, visiting good friends while trying to avoid the holiday traffic. First stop was at the Linkes. Dean, Leah, and Pirate Max greeted us with a giant bowl of treats that made Amelia's eye light up. She had never seen so many goodies. She'd choose a treat, look at it, and then put it back. This went on for several minutes. Leah was so patient and thankfully, we were early enough to beat the crowds. Amelia was suddenly distracted by Max’s pirate loot – the gleam of golden coins was too much to bear. She had have some! Max, ever the gentleman, put a few her in bag for save keeping.
Second stop on our treat tour was the Llewellyn's home. Anna met our little bug at the door with another big bowl of treats. Amelia couldn’t believe her good luck when Anna put the bowl on the ground for her to go through. Then came out another bowl. She had hit the jackpot! 
It wasn’t long until “impaled lacrosse player,” otherwise known as Ellis Llewellyn - athlete extraordinaire, surprised us. What a costume! Not being scared, Amelia recognized a friendly face, grabed Ellis' hand and smiled. I had to remind her she was too young to date just yet.
Next up was the Freeman’s house. Keith invited us to go trick-or-treating with his family. We couldn’t turn down such a great offer! Amelia took one look at Shelby (3 yrs), a fellow ladybug, and was delighted. The two girls went house to house, giggling all the way, at times holding hands. They’d compare treats, share a flashlight, and bring smiles wherever they went.
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It's always tough to judge folks who dress up for Halloween. A wacky sense of humor? A desperate cry for attention? An opportunity to reveal one's true self? Well, if that's the case, I’m in big trouble! After weeks of growing my hair long, I shaved my beard into a handlebar mustache, put on my normal clothes, and became Earl Hickey. That's right, I dressed as the main character from the NBC comedy, "My Name is Earl." Unfortunately, I think I pulled it off a little too well.
the other folks at El Rodeo were like, "What's that loser doing with those cutie girls?!?" Anna was grateful to figure out I was only in costume and hadn’t lost my mind. Throughout our Halloween tour, I answered numerous questions about my list, brother Randy, and skateboarding. The best reaction though came from Lauren, who fell over laughing when she answered the door. It was all worth it! Oh yeah, did I mention I won our office costume contest?!
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