Happy 1st Birthday Claire Bear!!

(OK, OK... I'm pathetically late in posting this - but you'll note that the date reveals nothing of the sort... so for the sake of my poor, neglected, second born... pretend you are reading this 2 months ago when it actually happened! Thank you.)

Claire is 1!!!!! We had a fabulous Baby Einstein birthday complete with Caterpillar cake!! (Who knew Mommy was born to be a cake decorator!!) Claire Bear... the year has been a whirlwind (thanks to your adventurous and feisty disposition)... but we are absolutely loving watching you grow and learn. While talking was your sister's early talent, yours is most definitely ambulation. :) It's hard to keep up with you, but you are so much fun to watch! We love you!!!

Mmmm... not bad!

Let's just cut out a step...

I thought it was gonna be chocolate??!!!!

The blue is my favorite...

It's freezing out here and someone took my clothes off!!

What? You got a problem with blue lipstick??

New Experiences

Boat Rides and the Fair!! So many new and fun things to do!!

Our 1st "Relocation"

We took our first family "vacation" to Michigan this past week. It was a good "test run" as I like to call it, full of big ups and downs. Eric and I learned within the first 30 minutes that what others say is true... Vacations with small children - are hardly "vacations" as most have come to know them. The most appropriate re-naming that I have heard for this sort of event is a "Relocation". There is little resting and it is about as far from relaxation as you can get. Basically you just pick up and move life - to another location. It's actually a whole lot more challenging than just staying at home - but the memories and experiences make it all worth it. All in all... we had a great time and can't wait to try it all over again next year - with life lessons engraved in our memory!!!

Several Birds - One Stone

Since I can't seem to get my act together with regular posts these days, I mustered the motivation to throw a couple months of photos into one little video for your viewing pleasure! (OK... mostly for our records and because I knew Ella would be MORE than tickled to see pictures of herself set to some of her all time favorite songs!! :)

God Bless America

Happy Independance Day!

(and some random cell phone pics for your viewing pleasure...)