Where We've Been

Our little hiking navigator

Not to worry -- we're finally finding our way back to this blog!  Here's what we've been up to for the past two months.

In April, we enjoyed hosting the Fehrman side of our family for Easter.  Neighborhood egg hunts, Easter brunch, and surprises from the Easter Bunny were enjoyed by all.

Fiona - with festive face paint - at our neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt
  



Dyeing Easter eggs -- and narrowly avoiding huge messes every second!



Hunting eggs left in our backyard by the Easter Bunny on Easter morning.



  

 

Dressed up for Easter Brunch

April also ushered in a new family first: Swim Lessons!  Fiona LOVED taking parent/child swim lessons at our local YMCA.  Although slightly terrifying for her parents, her lack of fear was amazing. We'll definitely be signing her up for the next series of classes soon.

We also enjoyed visiting with dear friends in Wilmington (who have a beautiful baby girl with whom Fiona is obsessed -- and naming all of her dolls / stuffed animals after), a return to regular farmer's market trips, and spring, spring, spring!!

In May, we traveled to Asheville to visit with the Schryer side of our family. 

Fiona running through the pasture at the Schryer family mini-farm

Fiona using her best "gentle hands" with a baby bunny we found - and very soon released back into the wild!

We're extremely excited that my parents will be starting the process of moving here this summer!  My dad moves here in July and mom will follow after the Asheville house sells (hopefully quickly!).  In the market for a beautifully and completely renovated 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 5 acre mini-farm with barns, pastures, and an incredibly fertile garden plot in the gorgeous Western NC mountains?  I can hook you up!

May also meant A LOT of  professional activity for both Ryan and me.  I'm excited to announce that as part of that activity, I accepted a new job! I've been named the new Executive Director of Teach for America - Eastern North Carolina. I'm thrilled by the opportunity to spend every day advocating for educational equity for all kids.  I start in late June.

We ended the month with a wonderful week-long family vacation to Ocracoke Island. The week was full of delicious fresh seafood, ocean swims with our water baby, sand castles, bike rides, sailboat viewing, and spur of the moment adventures. We've now been to this tiny island on North Carolina's Outer Banks four times and it is truly our little family's special place.

Loving every second of the beach

Touring the Ocracoke lighthouse

Shelling early in the morning with the beach to ourselves

Fiona enjoying her very first ice cream cone after a long, hot bike ride through the village. 
I am actually a lot more amused and have fewer chins than it appears!

Exploring hermit crabs at Springer's Point

Fiona is now 22 months old and talking in complete sentences as if she never could not.  She knows her colors, sings constantly (ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle, and the Hokey Pokey are currently on her playlist), and is beginning to count! Watching this transformation has truly been incredible. 

We remain so full of gratitude for this amazing life.