Memory Lane

Gastonia, NC
We headed down south again and made a stop in Apex to see Zach's aunt and uncle who readily swooned over the baby. Then it was on to Gordean's house in Gastonia. We harvested some squash and looked at some baby pictures of Zach. We also enjoyed some Black's barbecue and Grandma Dean's Black Bottom Pie. Amazing.


Owen enjoyed the hammock chairs just as much as his mom always has.


Clemson, SC
Dear old Clemson (we will triumph). It was so good to be back and to check out the Ashtons' new home in Seneca. We squatted for a solid two weeks since it seemed like the Ashton thing to do. Nolan and Hannah & Co. were all at the compound so we figured a few more people wouldn't hurt. Aunt Francis, Grandma Dean and Grandpa Gordon also made it down for a day. There were near nightly matches of badminton, tours of the illustrious Pickens County, a daytrip to Highlands, a Shakespearean play at Reedy River Falls Park and much more. I managed to get in four trips to the Botanical Gardens, including one narrated tour for Owen's benefit and one family photo shoot thanks to Hannah and her photography skills.

Zach and I went to our bench on campus and found that the wood had been replaced. The wood which had memorialized Zach's first cigar via a burn mark. The wood which had supported me as Zach dropped to his knee. I knew we should have stolen the bench while we had the chance. It was fun walking around campus, reminiscing, but with our sweet babe in the stroller.

Hunter and Ashton were great with Owen. Ashton kept dragging over a little stool to look at Owen in his pack and play. Owen was still a little beast at night, but at least we had lots of breaks during the day thanks to all of the family members. Owen went for a swim in Lake Hartwell, met some of our friends from college, and enjoyed a couple of downtown shopping trips for Clemson apparel. He loved it.