Little Sis

Way back in the day Leah lived with a very special family, the Evans.  Ashlee was then a dimpled cutie of eight, Leah preparing for college when this deep and true relationship with the Evans began.  Our Ben is named after Ashlee’s dad, Ben.  We have all kept in touch through life’s changes, but it had been over five years since we had seen Ashlee.  She traveled out for a long weekend visit with her husband Doug and we had a fantastic time.  Ashlee and Leah fell into instant synch, chatting, laughing, teasing and cuddling like best friends and sisters.  Mark and Doug are very similar personality types, they were thrilled to sit back, relax and let the girls do most of the talking!  Clara quickly became infatuated with Doug (the girl has great taste), flirting like a pro and now calls him, “MY Doug.” Ben asked Ashlee to lie down and cuddle with him before bed within hours of their arrival, a first for any guest at Casa Watson.  All of us went up to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a couple nights, enjoying the beauty of God’s creation on the verge of fall colors and ate our fair share of doughnuts.   Doug and Ashlee are professional photographers (be on the lookout soon for some of their amazing shots from the weekend), so Leah was able to put down her camera and enjoy every minute with her little sister.   It was a simply wonderful weekend.  The best way to describe it is that it all just felt like home.   

Snapshots

Goodbye, Hello

(photo by Ben)

(photo by Ben)

It was a rare treat, the weather decided to have perfect timing.  Just as we were having a final round of summertime pleasure, the first hint of fall showed up in a crisp, fresh feeling in the air.  Our adieu included lots of time at the pool, a family hike, sporting new alphabet gear made by “Auntie” Kay, bidding farewell to the diaper pail (yippee!) and trying in our hearts to memorize, to capture the essence of these moments with Ben and Clara.  We joyfully welcome fall festivities and to summer, we extend deepest thanks for the memories.