Sweethearts on the Hill

I have been looking forward to this day for what seems like forever. Sunshine, warmth, bright blue skies, and a wide open heart ready to let it wash all over me.  While spring is still a couple weeks out, it was most certainly in the air in Knoxville today.  Many moons ago - before kids, and maybe even before marriage, Mr. Agrestic and I spent the first patio-lunch-kind-of-day of the season in the Old City at Barleys. Black Bean hummus, pizza, and beer (well, probably sweet tea for me), sunshine, warmth, and happiness. That day is not so much of a memory for me anymore, but really just a feeling. A revived, passionate, nourished kind of feeling. Without failure, every year on the first patio-lunch-kind-of-day, all I can think about is going to Barleys. And we typically do. Today was no different. That's where me and my crew of boys started off.   Then we headed down to the riverfront to take a stroll (and a few pictures) and let the boys run like crazy and throw ro...

While it might appear that I've been taking a lot of pictures of Luke, it pales in comparison to what I took of Sam and Charlie when they were infants. So, at the bare minimum, I've tried to capture him at each of his monthly milestones. So, here's that darling smile at 4 months (except I think it was actually 4 months plus a few days.. maybe even a week.. but who's counting)  

  Charlie decided he wanted to play basketball this winter. He was picked to play for the Suns with one of his favorite friends, Bennett. Richie couldn't wait to get Charlie out on the court with his curly hair and head band. He pretty much rocked it out.   So here's the thing about Charlie - He seems to have some natural athletic ability. He dribbles well, good hand-eye coordination, has a good shot… BUT, he puts about 2% of effort into most everything he does. And he refuses to listen or pay attention. He actually gets out there and acts like a total goofball. Somehow he gets away with it. I'm thinking it's just the curls. My cousin, Nicole, says that all the other kids on the court are saying to themselves "I wanna party with that kid." Great.. cuz that's what we were going for. There happened to be one crazy Saturday when Charlie got out on the court and totally rocked the house. He paid attention and tried the whole game. He did fantastic. Lu...