It's been a while...

The last time I posted was July...here's a few more June/July photos.

Trying on a kuspuk from Grandma V.

Playing in the kennel.

Trying on a snowsuit. As cute as it is, Clara outgrew it before we had a chance to use it.

Los Pirineos

Work sent me to Spain again! Spring was in full bloom in the Pyrenees. Wildflowers, trees, running rivers, and birds. It was so beautiful. It felt like a once in a lifetime trip. The days were long and the geology was great. James gets to experience this same trip later this year. I wish I could somehow go back and do it all again. I ate a lot of meat, drank a lot of coffee, tasted a lot of wine. I'm surprised I don't weigh twenty pounds more. Enjoy some Spanish photos.

We go Cali

We finally made good on our promise to visit Courtney and Sean in Cali. Putting sweaters and jackets on was a nice break from near 100 degree temps in Texas! More importantly, it was the best spending time with our pals. They were the best hosts and live in such a cool neighborhood. I was wondering why we don't all live there! Seriously, Whole Foods, rooftop picnics, lakeside walks, farmers markets, good coffee...wooo WOOOO!!!!!!! We sure loved our time there. Can't wait to visit again.

The gang and Golden Gate.

Clara says, "It's really windy!"

Just the girls.

Clara always wanted Courtney to hold her. Courtney was so good with her! Clara sure loved on Auntie Courtney.

One Year Old

Clara Bear turned ONE! We had a birthday party a few days early...and then had some fun at the park on her actual birthday.

The Grands and the Birthday Girl.

Party Girl

Crawling Party Girl

My mom and Gram made Clara Bear a parka!

Swing Time at the park.

Family Photo

The funnest imperfect family photo. Clara had fun trying on her kerchief and we had fun giggling with her.

Spring Parade

Clara had a Spring Parade recently. She showed me her parade hat made from a bowl and some flowers made of her handprints. Then she wanted to eat everything. Happy Spring Time to you!

Went to Rodeo

Mom, Clara, and I went to the Livestock and Rodeo Show in Houston. We didn't see livestock or a rodeo, BUT we walked through dozens of BBQ parties and a carnival. We really smelled like smoked BBQ when we left. After Clara was in her stroller or on my mom's back all afternoon, Mom let her walk around the parking lot.

Little Drummer Girl

This girl likes to drum with Daddy! Even shakes her head...and at the end, she decides her 'drums' need a little bit of shining.

Loves My Pups

Clara loves to sit and play with her toys, BUT every now and then she takes off and crawls super fast. Not until I look up do I know she's heading for Otis. She sure loves her pups.Crawling to Otis.
Clara and her pups. Otis tolerates her for the most part. He likes when she plays with his toys and tries to play Keep Away from her after he gets them back.

T-E-F-ahhhh

Clara has EIGHT T-E-F-ahhhhh. :) She showed off her two big front teeth. Four are in, and four more are coming in...that I can tell. She may have more big teeth in the back coming in! She likes to grind them...bleh!

Mukluks and Parka

My mom brought my baby mukluks that my Great Grandma Anna (my Amouk!) made when I was a baby. My mom helped Clara try them on on Christmas day.
A few days ago I had to check if Clara would fit in my parka in case I amak (uh-mock meaning pack her on my back) her while we're in Alaska. We hope to make it up there this winter!

Pretend

When Ayuu was here, I was reminded what it was like to play Pretend again. Pretend the string of lights is a fire and we're roasting marshmallows on it...Pretend this recycled trash is a car...it was good fun.

Well now, since I miss home, I pretend things here are what they are at home. Our current town is full of trees that surround the roadways. I pretend I'm driving on the road just past the North River Bridge at home where the trees surround you on either side of the road. Pretend my Honda SUV is a Honda 4-wheeler. "I'm taking the Honda to the store." Pretend the waterway is river at home. I try to find the Pretend in things now to ease my homesickness. Thanks Ayuu!

Swing Kid

We finally took Clara to swing at the playground by our house! Swing kid! She thought she was in a jumper when we first put her in, so her little legs were going and going. Too funny.
Clara and Daddy had fun on the slide.

Big Bows

Our little girl has to wear the big bows now. She's got really long hair in the front that falls into her eyes if it's not clipped out of the way. She'd been wearing little clips for a while. But now she has to wear the big bows, so she won't choke on the little clips.

When someone gave the bows to us while I was still pregnant, I thought, "Ew. I'll never put these in my daughter's hair." Well now I have to. Clara's new thing is pulling things off and putting them in her mouth. Things like socks and little hair clips. So now she's wearing the big bows I thought she'd never wear. And I have to say...they are kinda cute on her after all.