Sam and the Ballgame

My best friend came in from Arkansas last week to spend about a week and a half with us. I tried to welcome her to North Carolina by allowing her to experience every facet of Carolinian lifestyle. We took her to Southeastern, to a Mudcats game and to the beach, to name a few.

I haven't felt so American as I did the day we went to a ball game. It was fantastic to hear the Star spangled Banner sung and eat dogs while watching a game. Man, I love America.

We took a short jaunt over to the beach on Tuesday. It took about two and a half hours and Sam did great during the trip, as usual. We went to Carolina Beach, but I think we regretted our decision later in the day. It turns out there is a big recreational facility near Kure Beach, right next to the Aquarium. We got to the Aquarium at 4:56 and it closed at 5pm, so they wouldn't let us in. We sent Julie in to beg and beg, but she just wasn't convincing enough.

So, we figure the next time we take a trip to the beach, we'll go to the Aquarium first, then hang out on the beach by the recreational facility (complete with restrooms and showers!). If anyone wants to take a day-trip out there, give me a call and I'll give you more details.

I love Sam's new swim trunks. They are camouflaged and long. I decided since we were in the ocean it was fine for him to go "commando." He did great. He fell asleep on the beach and we tucked him underneath a towel that was laying on the cooler. He slept for about an hour before Julie screamed out in fear from a teeny tiny jumping spider that happened to want a piece of her.

Here's a funny photo of Sam. I think he might have been looking at Julie, wondering what she was screaming at. I love the spiddle coming from his mouth. He cut a tooth the day after this was taken.

We ate at a great seafood restaurant for dinner and finally got home around 10pm.

Julie left on Thursday and I already miss her. I have really enjoyed being showered with love from all my friends and family here. We're having some friends over for a Carolina Treat cookout too. Bill and I stopped by a local produce stand after Bill's hike this morning and picked up fresh okra, corn, asparagus and zucchini. I weighed myself yesterday and it seems all of these culinary delights are really catching up with me! I've gained about four pounds since arriving in America.

Still, I do LOVE America!

Here are a few more pics that I think you'll enjoy. We went hiking at Umstead State Park one day. Isn't it amazing how much Bill and Sam look alike (although Sam is somewhat of a small person).

And here are Sam and me hanging out at the beach.

And here is the whole Klear-gang on Sunday morning. Julie takes such great photos!

Here is Julie and me the same morning at our house. Isn't Julie beautiful?

Fishing Trip

During the last week, Bill took a fishing trip with my twin brother Adam. By the way, I'd like to say "Happy Birthday, Adam" - it was his 31st yesterday. It was the first one we'd spent together in 11 years. I was thrilled to celebrate with him.

Well, Bill and Adam and another friend, Brandon, took off early on Tuesday morning to spend four days fishing in the Outerbanks. They stayed at a place called Calico Jack's.

This is Cape Lookout.

And here the three of them are together.




They caught bluefish, stingray, shark, and one Spanish Mackeral. By the looks of things, they had a fantastic time.

Action shots:





Check out the new depth finder. Adam was so proud. I bet it helped them land some big ones!



Here's Bill's first catch. He thought it might be his only one, so he had a photo taken.



But, he DID catch more. Here are some bluefish he caught. Pretty nice!






I hear Adam can really clean fish!




While they were busy catching our birthday dinner, Kendall and I stayed home with Sam. Kendall started a new job this week, so I made it my mission to fill her full of good food at the end of the day. I think I was successful.

Sam is creeping now. I can't believe how mobile he is. It is always a surprise when I leave the room for a moment and come back to find him under the coffee table. He loves making me laugh too. His little personality is really starting to come out.

Check out this photo of Sam being held up to a painting of my great uncle, Bubba. He died when he was six years old of Polio. My Great Uncle Jack keeps saying he can't wait to see Sam when he's six years old, so he can compare them then. I think they look really similar, but Bill just doesn't see it.

Let me know what you think!

South Carolina

Okay, this isn't from our trip to South Carolina, but I forgot to post it when it happened. Is this disgusting or what? Sam was sick during the month of April. I've never seen anything like it.



We went to South Carolina last week for some speaking engagements. While we were there, we got to celebrate my birthday (June 2) with Bill's aunt's birthdays (both June 6). We went to Pine Island and had a great time.




Here is Sam with his Mamaw Taylor. She made him laugh like I can make him laugh. I was greatly impressed.

Sam Crackin' Up

We were over at our friends house (Hollie and Hugh) a couple weeks ago and Sam went crazy. I wanted to post the video Hollie took of him cracking up hysterically. I was only making funny faces, but he was pretty slap-happy. Enjoy!

Super Sam the Lady's Man

We had a great Mother's Day weekend with our friends and family! Jeff, Shannon and Maggie flew in from Texas and Hugh, Hollie and Laney came in from Youngsville to hang out with us and attend Sam's dedication. Bill's mother, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, aunt, and uncle all came in too. Plus, Holly, Matt and Chad stopped by for a visit. It was wonderful to have so many people around who love us.

I thought I'd include some photos from the weekend to show you how adorable all of our kids are. One of our friend's previously nicknamed Sam "Super Sam the Lady's Man" and here's a picture to prove it! This is Maggie, Sam and Laney.



Here is Sam before the big event. He's wearing my brother's hat from when we were infants. This hat commands a lot of attention on Sam. I think it brings out the blue in his eyes, and I have actually watched many a grown man's heart melt at seeing Sam in it. Of course, a small grin doesn't hurt.




His Mamaw Gilbert bought him the outfit. I was going to let him wear one that my father and both my brother's were dedicated in, but he is just too little as of yet. Still, this little jumper is adorable. Mary Ella, you have great taste!

Here we are with Sam. We clean up good. Below that picture is one of us with Dr. Ron Rowe, our pastor. He told a lovely story about praying over Sam last July while he was still in my belly. It was especially sweet. By the way, I am not pregnant - it's just the way the shirt is designed.





And, just for fun, I thought I'D post a preggo picture of Shannon. I love this one!



Shannon, you're beautiful!

We had such a grandios time seeing all of my family in Tennessee. I wanted to post a few pictures to show that you actually can capture what love looks like.

Here are all the great grandparents getting ready to take a photo. Sam is eating Memaw's camera string.



Then, Sam did something adorable and you can see the love in Memaw's eyes. Actually, it was very difficult to get a picture with Memaw looking into the camera - she couldn't help but lovingly watch her great grandson.



Here they are - googley-eyed.



And, the posed-picture is set-up beautifully...



Also, my girlfriend, Germaine, told me about a cool product that allows babies to feed themselves. I purchased said-product and Sam really loves eating bananas out of it. It's just a mesh bag that holds cooked or raw food or even ice. It worked really well when Sam was teething last week.



My grandmother TOTALLY surprised me with a party on Saturday that was Christmas-themed. She remembered that I really missed being with family at Christmas-time, so she got a tree and presents wrapped in Christmas paper and even a cake that said Merry Christmas. All of the great grandchildren (sans two) were there. Here they are with their great grandparents.



One of Sam's cousins is only nine days younger than him. Here he and Cole are getting to know each other. PS Cole is such a looker!






Mamaw came to the party too. Here we all are together.



And here I am with Sam. I thought this was a sweet picture.



And, finally, here we are with Uncle Patrick and Brian. Sam LOVED being with Pat.

TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL

We have been traveling so much over the last month since we've been in the States. I take that back, we've already been back five weeks. Time is really flying. We've only spent a total of seven days in our own home in Raleigh.

The first visit we made was to my relatives who were in Charlotte, NC. Here is a picture of my brother, Adam, Great Aunt Joyce, Uncle Jack, me, my father and Sam. Sam slept in Dad's arms for a long time that day. Poor little thing was still jetlagging.



Then we drove to SC and visited Bill's sister, nephew and brother-in-law. Here is Sam hanging out with Jacque and Nicholas.



And, Sam with Danny. Sam had a good time spitting up all over Danny the next morning. Danny was such a good sport about it.



The next trip we took was to Sevierville, TN. We met the Patton family and fell in love! Here we are with Doug and Nina.


The Pattons had a beautiful house in the mountains. Their home has enormous windows in it and lots of birds fly into those windows every week. This yellow bird was one of the stunned ones.



Next, our travels took us to Goodlettsville, TN. My grandmother, Mary Ella, also fell in love with Sam. He loves her too.



And, here Sam is with my Uncle Scott and Aunt Beth just before a black-tie party. Sam did great and didn't spit up at all. Phew!



I was so thrilled when we got to see my Granddaddy Sam and Memmaw (Angie). Here Sam is with his namesake. He absolutely LOVES being with Granddaddy.



We took a trip to Kentucky to visit with Scott and Beth. Scott entertained Sam with an instrument I had purchased in China for him. Sam loved to watch him play it.



In fact, Scott and Beth's house was filled with fun stuff for Sam to enjoy. Here Sam is listening to and playing the drums in Scott's music room.



We still have a couple more days here and then we're back to Sevierville, Greenville and finally Raleigh. I can't wait to get back and settled down for ten days before we travel to Columbia. Geeze, this is tiring! Sam sure is taking it all in stride.

Solids

It's been a while since I've had a free moment to blog, but this one has to be quick too. I'm waiting for some water to boil, so I thought I'd upload some great photos.

Sam had his first solid food a week and a half ago. He wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but after a few days, he showed us he is really enjoying it.

I baked a couple of sweet potatoes and mashed them well enough to let Sam try it out. It turns out he really likes sweet potatoes. I have since added bananas, and he is a big fan.








It's been great to see friends and family while we are back in NC. Here is a pictures of my sister-in-law with Sam. I love the way she looks at him and how she melts when she's around him. This picture is especially funny since he looks like a babydoll sitting on the dining room table.