Lucky Ducks

Amelia and Noah got to start celebrating Christmas early this year... at GG and Grandad's! We're heading to California this holiday for Christmas with the Kemps, so it was off to Salisbury this past weekend.

Boy, did we have fun! Thankfully, Santa found his way and didn't mind making an early drop-off. The kiddos had a ball opening gifts, especially Amelia who pretty much opened everyone's for them. Noah loved getting some toys of his own, but learned quickly that he'd have to protect his territory or Amelia would swoop in for the steal. He'll need Uncle Scott to teach him a thing or two about securing a perimeter.

Once again, Burt and Gayle spoiled us all. It was touch and go there for awhile if we'd make the "good list," but according to Lee's Mom and Dad, we passed the test. Thanks for a fabulous kick-off to Christmas!

Run Julianna Run!

The other weekend, some wonderful girlfriends and I ran in the Southern Village 5K. In November, Lee and I joined the Wellness Center and have been working out rather regularly. I saw this race advertised and - without thinking - signed up. It never occurred to me that Southern Village is ALL hills... or that a month of training might not be enough preparation for a race.

Thankfully, I was able to convince Melissa, Catherine, and Leah to join the madness with me. If not for them, I'm not sure I would have finished. Those hills were killer!

It's been over 20 years since I last ran competitively and I have to admit, the racer in me has been reawakened. My finishing time was nothing to write home about, but I was more than pleased. It was enough to convince me that I might be able to do it again. In fact, I'm organizing a group of girlfriends to run in another local 5k this May.

I'm tempted to say the best part of the SV5K was crossing the finish line (that was at the top of the last hill!), but as good as that felt, it wasn't the best moment. That distinction goes to seeing my beaming daughter's face as I rounded the corner at 2.5 miles. She was cheering, jumping up and down, furiously waving at her Mama. Her smile was big and joyful, and dare I say, proud. I've never had an experience like that... it was by far, the best part of running that race!
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All about Noah

This post should be all about Amelia and her "light-bulb" moment on the ice today. She's a skater now! From the moment she stepped on the ice, she was a different girl... she could skate. I could hardly contain my smile.

The girl I've been watching lay on the ice, scoot on her bum, and cry when she fell for the past few weeks had an ah-ha! moment. It all connected for her today. She could get up easily when she fell, she could glide on the ice, and she moved with a confidence she's not had before. And she was fast! Holy cow... fearless.

But alas, I don't have any good photos of her and only one video that doesn't come close to showing off her new skill. Why? Because I spent the hour she was on the ice chasing Noah who's become a walking fool! It's been one week since his ah-ha! moment at the rink - connecting multiple steps. Today he set a new personal best and walked about 15 feet. The boy couldn't be stopped! I was worn out just trying to keep up with him.

Sorry Amelia... next class will be all about you... as it should be!

Happy Holidays Y'all!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Two small steps...

We had our fourth ice skating lesson today. By "we" I really mean Amelia, but, Noah and I are along for the ride as well. Today's lesson was filled with some highs and lows. The lows included Amelia twice leaving the ice in tears, begging to go home. Taking a page from my wise brother Jon, I reminded Amelia that "Brinson's aren't quitters." Can't say she was immediately convinced, but, eventually, she did get back on the ice.

The highs included Amelia finally learning how to stand up on the ice... all by herself. I won't publicly admit that she's the last one in her class to accomplish this skill. She also skated! Don't be fooled... what looks like simple "walking" is really "skating" to the untrained eye. (It's safe for you to also assume that she's the last one in her class to "skate." Thankfully, she's not the only one to cry.)

While Amelia was taking her first steps on ice, our sweet Noah was taking first steps of his own. He's on the verge of soloing and gave us a glimpse of his new skills at the rink this afternoon. (Way to go mom for remembering the camera!) Check out our boy... WALKING...

Brinson Holiday Cards... a retrospective

Today we received our first holiday card for 2008. It's from my mom & dad and includes a great picture of our family taken this summer in Vail, CO, at Four Eagle Ranch. We Brinsons love, love, love holiday cards! It wouldn't be Christmas without the wonderfully creative cards from our dear family and friends. They all get hung around the opening from our kitchen into our den. Each one is admired over and over... Amelia loves to tell us who's in each photo.

It got me reminiscing about the cards Lee and I have sent out over the past seven years. I went searching, and delightfully, found them all. I can't wait to add this year's card to our growing collection... especially, because it's sweet Noah's first appearance.

2002


















...in front of our new house, shortly after we got married...

2003













...a favorite photo my dad took of us on the train in Asheville, NC...

2004













...at Federal in LA for the X Games wrap party... secretly pregnant with Amelia (joy!)...

2005


















...our wonderful friend Lauren took this first family photo in Duke Gardens (Durham, NC)...

2006












...............................................................
...it was too hard to pick just one photo for this year... dad took another great family portrait of us on our 2nd favorite beach - Ulua, in Wailea Maui; our favorite photo of '06 - dad took in CA on a little train; Halloween with our dog Gus in Chapel Hill; playing at home....

2007











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...family portrait on our favorite beach - Crescent Bay in Laguna (pregnant with sweet Noah!); Amelia at home; our little surfer girl at Holden Beach, NC...

Trottin' for Turkey

Check out a few videos of Noah "walking" on Thanksgiving...

Noah practicing his walking...


More walking...


Here comes Noah...


Audition tape for "So You Think You Can Dance"...