Aunt Jackie is Coming to Chapel Hill!

My sister Jackie is a nurse and came down to interview at UNC a few weeks ago. She got the offer (no surprise) and decided she couldn't resist living close to Michel and me! Okay, lets be honest, it had nothing to do with us and everything to do with Bentley! :) Since coming down south for college, I never lived near a family member, so we already have big plans of dinners together, training for a marathon (okay maybe just a half), Bentley and Jackie time (meaning Michel and Jess time, yay!), etc. She starts January 11th in the pediatric oncology unit. We are so excited to share the next 5 months of life together!

Here is a pic from her most recent visit in November when she was here interviewing, which was also Bentley's 3-month birthday!

PS - Kinda funny how Bentley looks way more like Jackie's child than mine! People may be a little confused! Hah.

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was so special because it was the first time in 7 years that most of us were home for Thanksgiving! (We missed you Chris and Heather!) It felt just like old times, except for the fact that we had Bentley with us this year! We kept our traditions, like our morning "turkey trot" and going around the table to say what we're thankful for. It was neat to reflect on the past year and how God has been so faithful to us, given that a year ago I was pregnant at Thanksgiving and had no idea! Bentley got to meet his GG, his great grandmother who is Gran to us.

He also got to hang with his older cousins Connor and Cooper. Aunt Julie did her fair share of reading during the week! LOVE this picture, one of my all time faves!

Grandma and Grandpa were in charge for a night while Michel and I got out for a date! For those in Hershey, Devon's is an awesome seafood place. Great food and great atmosphere! Thanks Mom and Dad!

Those who know the Bartons know that the week of Thanksgiving also signals the start of basketball season, so Bentley was ready! My dad coaches at Messiah and his team is off to a great start. http://www.messiah.edu/athletics/sports/mens_basketball/

We also threw a shower for my cousin Evie who is engaged and was up visiting from Florida with her sisters Peggy and Christy. So great to see all of them. Her fiance Zack is a basketball coach, so we obviously all approve! :) He is a great guy and we are so happy for them. Here is Zack with our cousins Evie, Peggy and Liz...and Bentley who manages to get into all photos!

Bentley is happiest now when he is "standing". He gets so proud of himself for putting all his weight on his legs. He looks around like "Look at me!". Hopefully he will be as athletic as his Aunt Jules....over Thanksgiving we found out she was named NCAA D-III National Player of the Year!!! Way to go Jules!!

Catching Up - Jess's Wedding

Jess is one of my best friends from H-town. We've shared so many seasons of life so it was so much fun to be part of her wedding and to know so many people there! The wedding was in Williamsburg, VA and was beautiful. Here she is with her new hubby Hawley! Beautiful bride!

Yes, it was the biggest wedding party known to man...15 on each side!! We had a blast.

Lynne, my other best friend from H-town, who now lives in Charlottesville and is on Athletes in Action staff at UVA. Love her! We had so much fun together.

Bentley went to Nate & Janelle's in VA Beach to stay for the wedding day and night. It was so nice to enjoy the wedding and reception with my hubby!

Catching Up - Visit from Cindy

Michel was blessed with "host" families during his time at Davidson as an international student-athlete. Cindy was his host mom and she has remained part of our lives and is like family to us! She saw Bentley when he was first born at the hospital but she came back with some other members of the Davidson basketball family, Susan, Gwyn and Brenda. We loved th visit and all the meals and snacks...you all definitely spoiled us! Can't wait for Bentley to see his first Davidson basketball game.