Career Choices

We figure it is never too early to start thinking about career options for Cameron and Isabel. There are lots of options out there, and we need to start guiding them towards the ones that are safe, lucrative (so they can pay for us in our old age), and, of course, lots of fun! So see below for some of the options we have considered as a family...

1. Rockclimber: Unfortunately this does not pass the safe or lucrative screens, but it sure looks like a lot of fun! Isabel loves to climb everything, and this is a photo of her on a mini rock wall at the U.S. National Whitewater Center outside Charlotte.


2. NFL Linebacker: Cameron loves to run around, slam into things, and tackle his sister, so he is showing early signs that he may be destined for sports greatness. Of course, NFL Linebacker probably does not pass the "safe" screen, but it sure could be lucrative and fun!


3. Golfer: Both Cameron and Isabel seem to enjoy trying to hit golf balls. Though on our first outing to the driving range, Cameron hit Isabel in the head with BOTH the club and the ball (he threw the ball), so maybe he is destined to have his Dad's golf prowess and will NOT be headed to the PGA.

4. Lawyer: Cameron really enjoys reading and I hear there is a lot of reading involved in Law School, plus the world always needs lawyers, so this could be a good career choice. That is, of course, if we can ignore all the bad jokes about lawyers.

5. Farmer: Cameron and Isabel (see her in the background?) both love tractors and all sorts of farm animals and farm equipment. Plus their Grandma (Meghan's mom) grew up on a farm, so it is in the blood!

6. Mechanic: Yes, those are socket wrench attachments on the kids fingers. So while they may enjoy playing with the tools, I am not sure they truly understand how they are used, so this one may be a long shot!

7. Princess: Isabel was born to be a princess. She loves to wear pretty pink dresses, pink shoes, crowns and headbands, earrings, nail polish, and lip gloss. I am sure the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will have kids soon and maybe, if they have a son, he will be interested in an older American woman?? Isabel has a chance....

8. Model/Actress: Isabel also really enjoys making funny faces and acting like a dumb blond ("what, I need to use my hands to pick up my food and eat? really?"), so she would be a natural for a Miss America pageant or being an actress. Though that would involve dressing her up and getting her on "Toddlers & Tiaras" (http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/toddlers-tiaras), which is a bit disturbing.

9. Artist: Last, Isabel has exhibited a growing interest in drawing and all sorts of crafts. If there is a career that involves mashing all of the play dough colors together into a giant multi-colored ball, then she will be a superstar.

October Professional Photos

In October, we finally got around to having some professional photos taken of all of us outside. We had the photos taken at Jetton Park in Cornelius, NC, and the photographer did a great job snapping lots of quality photos in a little less than 30 minutes! The kids actually looked at the camera, smiled, sat still, all behaviors that they failed to exhibit in their first 3 years of life! Maybe it was the lollipops we offered them as a bribe for good behavior...

Anyway, below are the photos.

August in North Carolina

We got out first taste of how hot August could be in North Carolina. The month included lots of time at the neighborhood pool to cool off, especially when our air conditioning system went on the fritz (we have since had that fixed...). Cameron and Isabel have really enjoyed the pool. See the video below.

At the end of August, we all went out to Burnsville, NC, to visit with the Lunn's. We spent a great weekend at a golf resort and enjoyed some hikes, cool days and cool nights, and great sunsets with a red sun. Thanks to Matt, Samantha, Little Olivia, Tom and Mandy for hosting us for the weekend and putting up with our little balls of energy. Some photos from the trip are below.

The Darlings during a morning hike, with the NC mountains in the background.

Isabel and Cameron enjoying some time on the deck.

One of the great sunsets. Isabel and Cameron liked seeing the orange/red sun go down behind the mountains to go to sleep.

The Darlings and the Lunns (Samantha, Matt and Little Olivia) at the top of an observation deck during a hike.

Cameron trying to hide from the camera!

Cars & Princess Party - 3rd Birthday

Somehow the kids have grown up and are now leaving the "terrible two's" but are entering the "trying three's." They are talking a lot more (and talking back even more), expressing their opinions (on everything), and learning the fine art of negotiation (especially as a reward for potty training). Almost daily they say something that makes us chuckle...and also something that makes Jason want to pull out the few remaining hairs on his head.

Their third birthday arrived on Friday, August 5th. Meghan's family visited the house for the celebration, and the kids got to open lots of presents, including two new bicycles and a lot of new toys. Somehow they didn't get many clothes for their birthday......unless you count the barbie clothes.

Their birthday party was on Saturday, August 6th, at 5 pm. We created a theme of "Race to Princess Castle" as a way to combine Isabel's wish for a princess party and Cameron's wish for a cars party. The party was well planned -- with lots of outdoor activities, including games and a pool for the kids to play in. Unfortunately, as luck (or mother nature) would have it, it started to thunderstorm at exactly 5 pm. So the kids "outdoor" party turned into a modified indoor party. We had about 20 minutes between storms, so all of the kids got to play outside for a little while, and then come inside to make crowns/tiaras and eat pizza and cake. At the end of the party, the sun came out again, so everyone went outside to splash in the pool and slide on the wet grass. All in all, the kids had a great party and slept very well that night.

Below are some photos from the day.

Isabel exclaims "Cam, we are three years old today...yay!"....."Big Deal" says Cameron.


Yummy, I luv to eat cake for my birthday...the candles on the other hand don't taste too good (Cameron discovered that fact himself)


Isabel learned that licking the candles is better than eating them.

"Come on, this way to my Princess Party!"


The kids were able to splash around in the pool in between thunderstorms. They had a great time with their neighborhood and preschool friends.

Isabel was rarely seen without a tiara or crown of some sort on her head during the party :-)

Some of the kids anxiously awaiting the arrival of the cakes.

"Look at my new princess tiara!"

Cameron got a cars cake for his birthday...

...and Isabel got a princess cake for her birthday.

Cameron had a great time opening all of his cars presents. He now has enough cars to open a dealership for very small people.

Isabel has enough princess toys and clothes to start her own kingdom.

Showing off her new tiara and earrings (her first pair...clip on...no holes in the ears yet).

Outer Banks Beach Trip

In early June, we took our annual beach trip to the Outer Banks with Meghan's entire family. It was a week full of sun time, pool time, beach time, sleeping late, ice cream and donuts. What could be better? The kids really enjoyed the pool and the beach, and Isabel enjoyed the excursions into the Town of Duck to get some "pink" ice cream. The only problem with going to the beach in June is that our vacation is already over and we have half of the year left!

Below are some photos from the trip. The kids are growing fast and developing their own opinions....which they tend to express more often and loudly than we would like!

We rented two bikes and a trailer for the kids and went on a couple of bike rides around the town of Duck. We even found a couple of up/down "roller coaster" hills where the kids yelled "Go Daddy go! Faster!"


Isabel loves her dresses and has the cutest little-girl smile this side of the Mississippi. Often it is a mischievous smile, but it is still cute :-)


Every year we take family photos on the beach. Maybe one of these years we will get a photo where all 4 of us look at the camera and smile!


Here are two fake smile...but at least they tried!

Isabel loves her "big" brother Cameron :-)

Cameron loved playing on the beach with his dump truck. This dump truck was Jason's when he was a kid. Cameron still did not like the ocean very much, but maybe next year he'll go in the water!

Duchess enjoyed her daily afternoon Frisbee sessions on the beach. :-) Dixie also enjoyed chasing her ball on the beach every day, and even went into the water a lot.

The water guns were a big hit in the pool...Cameron and Isabel enjoyed getting grandpa and grandma wet!

Isabel showing her little mischievous smile again, as she wielded her water weapon and got everyone wet!

When he needed a break from the sun, Cameron studied his math and science to prepare for his Duke application in 2026!